Find Spot record MDO7538 - Bronze Age axe, Corfe Castle

The antiquarian John Hutchins described the finding of a 'celt' in an old wall in a letter written in 1768 to Bishop Lyttelton. Details in the letter suggest that it was probably a Bronze Age palstave axe.

A 'celt' found 'in an old wall, in Purbeck' with the socket 'double or divided by a partition', as described by Mr. Hutchins in a letter to Bishop Lyttelton in 1768, was probably a bronze palstave according to Evans. ('Purbeck' or the 'Isle of Purbeck' is the name given to the large peninsula centred about SY 9680). <1-2>

<1> Society of Antiquaries of London, 1779, Archaeologia 5, 117 (Serial). SDO19705.

<2> Evans, J, 1881, The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, 94 (Monograph). SWX3100.

<3> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 559 (Index). SDO147.

‘9680. A celt found in an old wall in Purbeck with a double socket or divided by a partition, described by Hutchins in a letter to Bishop Lyttleton in 1768. Probably a bronze palstave axe. OS SY98SE70.’

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Records, SY 98 SE 70 (Index). SDO131.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456878 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 28 2023 4:53PM