Find Spot record MDO45 - Bronze Age axe found at 8 West Street, Abbotsbury

A late Bronze Age palstave was 'found by Mr. A. Squibb and Mr. Frank Gifford in August 1954 during construction of a cess pit at 8 West Street, and presented to the DCM by the Strangways Estate. Length 6 ins.; side loop (broken); stop ridge of 'ledge' form, U-curved; slight central ridge for two thirds distance down blade; blade expansion markedly concave sided; hafting end and cutting edge slightly damaged.' Late Bronze Age palstave from 8 West Street, Abbotsbury. Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. Accn. No. 1955.48. (Erroneous NGR given). <1>

(SY 57388533) Found recently by a workman of D Fry & Son, Dorchester, while digging the foundations for the southern extension of an old house half a pitted and patinated bronze axe. It was found at a depth of less than 5ft and I believe the Dorset Co Museum classified it as 2-3000 years old. It seemed to have been broken at a loop which was probably used for hafting it. It may now be in the possession of the Ilchester Estates. Mr Lexter of 8 West Street or Abbotsbury Swannery will probably be able to supply further information. (No information obtainable at Dorset Co Museum). <2>

The axe is in the Strangeways Estate Office, Melbury, Dorset. <3>

Found in 1954 during the construction of a cess pit in the garden of No 8 West Street, Abbotsbury (b). Mr Lexter pointed out the site of this find. The site of the cess pit is visible by an inspection cover in the garden. Mr Lexter's description of the axe did not permit positive classification. <4>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1956, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1954, 97 (Serial). SDO54.

<2> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 15-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<2.1> Long, D E, Oral: Mr D E Long, Assistant Surveyor, Dorchester Borough Council (Verbal communication). SDO19781.

<3> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F2 GCS 22-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<3.1> Hutchings, C D, Oral: C D Hutchings, Clerk of Works, Strangways Estates Ltd, Abbotsbury (Verbal communication). SDO19778.

<4> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F3 GCS 24-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<4.1> Lexter, Oral: Mr Lexter (occupier), 8 West Street, Abbotsbury. Swanherd (Verbal communication). SWX8428.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450377 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 2:42PM