Description

Summary: 3 pieces from one part of a bi-valve mould in stone of a socketted axe, from Burderop Down, Chiseldon

Research results

A Stone axe mould found by chance in between a Later Bronze Age settlement and barrow on Butterop Down, nr. Chiseldon in Swindon. Although now in three peices, the mould fits together to form a single valve which would have been used in casting a socketed axehead, a form of weapon introduced around 1400 BC. The axehead mould is made of a non-local syenite or keratophyre and is one of a group of moulds made from non-local stones in central southern England, and had presumably been transported some distance.

The original was discussed as part of the wider context of non-ferrous metal working in the Middle Bronze Age to Early Iron Age by Webley, Adams and Bruck (2020). They argue that in this period there is relatively widespread evidence for small scale metalworking at a variety of settlement types, and thus argue for a decentralised model for its organisation, although this may not be the case for precious metal and high status objects such as shields and cauldrons.