File:Bronze Age Spear (FindID 133704).jpg

English: Incomplete fragment of a cast bronze socketed spear (spearhead) of probable Middle Bronze Age date (1500 - 1050 BC). The spearhead fragment consists of the tip and upper socket of the spear with elements of the abraded blades. It is sub-triangular in plan and profile with an irregular cross section. The lower part of the spear is missing due to a relatively old irregular break. The fragment measures 88.7mm length, has a maximum width of 28.2mm and maximum thickness of 10.3mm. The spearhead weighs 28.72 grams.

The lower blade and socket of the spearhead is missing, therefore, accurate dimensions of the spears length and width cannot be given. The blade of the spear has a pronounced lozenge shaped mid rib which tapers to a point at the tip of the blade. The blade tip is rounded and the two long edges of the blade are irregular due to abrasion in the ploughsoil. The blade itself would probably have been leaf shaped in plan; however, not enough of the sides remain to be certain. The blade edges or facets are missing. The spear has broken at a point just below the top of the socket. The nature of the break is uneven being broadly an inverted V shape. This suggests that the break has been caused at a weak spot in the metal of the spear. The most logical reason for this would be a casting fault at the junction between the socket and blade. The metal at this point may have been thinner due to movement of the plug which creates the socket in a three part mould. The blades beyond the break continue to expand. The break itself is relatively old, a similar patina to that on the blade of the spear has developed over it. The edges of the break have also been abraded in the plough soil and are rounded. Due to the break it is uncertain how the spearhead was hafted. The two main methods used during this period are either attachment via a small peg hole or through the use of side loops. At the top of the break, embedded in the socket is a small section of wood. This is both dried and shrunken. It has been stained by the green bronze corrosion and has split (presumably through drying in the atmosphere). There is no evidence for bark on the piece of wood and it therefore suggests that the shaft of the spear was stripped before being used. The discovery of pieces of wooden shafts from spears is relatively common. No analysis has been done into the type or species of wood.

There are no visible areas of cast or incised decoration on the spearhead. The spearhead is a mid-brown green colour with an abraded polished patina that covered all surfaces. This patina has been abraded in several areas and there are a few pock marks from corrosion on the blade. The spearhead has also been bent and has an irregular profile. This is likely to have been caused by movement in the soil.

Due to the damage present in this example it is very difficult to classify, and therefore date, the style of spearhead. From the position of the spear socket and the profile of the spear it is likely that the spearhead was either side looped or attached through a peg hole. Both these styles of fixing were common in both the Middle and Late Bronze (1500 - 800 BC). The style of the spear blade in both examples is broadly leaf shaped.