Socketed Axehead, Annan

Donated by the Dumfries & Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society (DGNHAS), this Late Bronze Age socketed axe has a curved blade with slight hooks at each side. It is hollow with a rim found at the squared butt, and has a broad loop at one side. Cast lines are visible on both sides, and both faces have two decorative ridges forming a triangle which tapers towards the blade.   Late Bronze Age socketed axes   Socketed axes were made from more than one mould. The parts of the mould which could have been made from stone, clay or bronze, were fitted together and bound. A clay core was suspended inside to form the socket. The molten metal was poured into the mould and allowed to cool. The mould was then opened and the casting taken out and trimmed. The clay core was then removed from the socket. As there are few late Bronze Age finds in Dumfries and Galloway it is possible that the forms developed during the middle Bronze Age continued in production in this area.