IRISH ANTIQUITIES IN WEST MIDLANDS MUSEUMS

Transcription

1 WEST MIDLANDS ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS RESEARCH UNIT IRISH ANTIQUITIES IN WEST MIDLANDS MUSEUMS Phil Watson, Philip Wise, Debbie Klemperer and David Symons West Midlands Archaeological Collections Research Unit Version 1.0 February 2011

2 Introduction The following article is a result of a survey of archaeological collections in West Midlands museums carried out by the West Midlands Archaeological Collections Research Unit. All museums in the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire were included in the survey but not private collections or material currently under study at field units. One of the aims of the project was to increase awareness of the collections, especially material of non-local origin. Eleven West Midlands museums have antiquities from Ireland and these are presented below in the form of an abbreviated catalogue. They are arranged in alphabetical order of County and within that by site. Many do not have a provenance more precise than the name of a town or village and about one third are reputedly from Ireland but with no known provenance beyond that. Where further details of discovery are known these are given though it has to be admitted that resources have not permitted extensive trawls through documentation and literature. The lack of good provenances is in large part due to the fact that most of the pieces originate from antiquarian collections built up during the nineteenth and the early part of the twentieth centuries and subsequently dispersed. Very often little is known of these early collectors. For example George Sandy, from whom Birmingham acquired material in 1948, was based in Stafford and his collection included archaeological material from all over the world though virtually nothing is known about his sources. T.G. Barnett was a local (Birmingham) collector who died in 1935 and several of his pieces were purchased at the 1924 sale of the collection of W.J. Knowles, the well known Irish antiquarian of Ballymena. The trail of many of the bronzes in Warwick is even longer. The majority of them were bequeathed to Rugby School in 1888 by M.H. Bloxam, a Warwickshire antiquarian, who it is known had contact with the Cork Cuvierian Society. Moreover, most of these seem at one time to have been in the collection of Thomas Crofton Croker, a resident of Cork who moved to London in 1818 and whose collection was sold in At least one piece was acquired at the sale but whether Bloxam and Croker ever had any direct contact with each other is tantalizingly unknown. The majority of the artefacts uncovered during the survey are of prehistoric, predominantly Neolithic and Bronze Age, date and only the last fifteen entries are from later periods. Prehistoric Antiquities - Phil Watson, Philip Wise and Debbie Klemperer Co. Antrim, near Ahoghill 1 Stone macehead. Flat and roughly circular with narrow central hour-glass perforation. "got in potato shough in Ballybollen. 1896". Di , Th. 34, min. di. perf. 12 mm. Birmingham 1957A139. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex T.G. Barnett bequest 1935 ex W.J. Knowles but sale lot number not recorded. Co. Antrim, Antrim 2 Stone axe polished all over; two deep flaking scars on one face. Slightly irregular shape with one side more convex than the other but both tapering to a narrow rounded butt. Blade very rounded with a few chips from the cutting edge. Lentoid section. L. 112, max. W. 56, max. Th. 22 mm. Birmingham 1931A68-6. Presented by Dr. G. Rome Hall

3 Co. Antrim, Ardnaglass, Grange Park 3 Undecorated type Derryniggin copper (alloy) flanged axe. L. 109, max. W. 58, Th. 13 mm. Birmingham 1957A172. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 604a; Harbison 1969 no. 1868; Watson 1993 no.119. Co. Antrim, Ballycastle 4 Barbed and tanged arrowhead in buff flint. Narrow tang; one small pointed barb, other broken. Sutton type a. L. 40, max. W. 21 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, Ballymena, Fenagh 5 Type Killaha flat axe; copper. L. 135, max. W. 85 mm. Birmingham 1957A Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 589; Harbison 1969 no. 574; Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Ballymena 6-12 Seven flint arrowheads All presented by W. Myers in Leaf-shaped type 2C, 50x22 mm., Birmingham 1885A Leaf-shaped type 3A, 28x18 mm., Birmingham 1885A Irish oblique type, L. 46 mm., Birmingham 1885A Barbed and tanged Sutton type a, 44x19 mm., Birmingham 1885A Barbed and tanged Sutton type b or c, 48x26 mm., Birmingham 1885A Hollow based, 27x23 mm., Birmingham 1885A Hollow based, 27x24 mm., Birmingham 1885A Co. Antrim, near Ballymoney, Secon? 13 Pebble macehead, unfinished. Flat oval pebble with shallow depressions in each face from an unfinished perforation. Di , max. Th. 39 mm. Birmingham 1988A34. Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Antrim, Ballymoney 14 Discoidal pebble, flattish on one face, more convex on the other. Both faces smooth. Slight carination on edge which is rougher. Perhaps used as a polishing rubber? or an unfinished implement. Di , max. Th. 34 mm. Birmingham 1988A33. Purchased from G. Sandy in Bronze unlooped palstave with trident pattern decoration. L. 123, max. W. 54 mm. Birmingham 1973A305. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in 1973, ex Robinson. Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Belfast 16 Hollow-based arrowhead in pale brown flint. Straight sides and concave base. L. 32, max. W. 24 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Three mesolithic blade flakes in cream to grey flint. Birmingham 1887A to Presented by W. Myers in Copper flat axe of dubious authenticity. L. 142, max. W. 73, Th. 16 mm. Birmingham 1966A42. Purchased from George Sandy in Watson 1993 no

4 Co. Antrim, Carrick-a-rede Three barbed and tanged flint arrowheads. Warwick A Mello bequest Co. Antrim, Clough 24 Thick flake of grey flint with dirty white/buff cortex adhering on one face. Birmigham 1991A357. Purchased from G. Sandy in Flint end scraper. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Co. Antrim, Connor, Cullybackey 26 Pebble macehead or hammer; oval pebble bruised and flattened at one end with central hourglass perforation. Max. L. 116, max. W. 87, max. Th. 52, min. di. perf. 20 mm. Birmingham 1957A140. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 574. Co. Antrim, Connor 27 Pebble macehead. Oval pebble with central narrow slightly hour-glass perforation. Max. L. 87, max. W. 71, max. Th. 52, min. di. perf. 14 mm. Birmingham 1957A160. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 571. Co. Antrim, Cragyairea 28 Flint knife. L. 52 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Co. Antrim, Culbane 29 Flint hammerstone; sub-spherical with roughly flattened top and bottom. Traces of cortex on the unflattened surfaces. Max. di. 80, max. H. 64 mm. Birmingham 1991A340. Purchased from G. Sandy in Eight flint tools comprising four boring tools, two hollow scrapers and two knives. All are marked "Culbane" except one which is marked "Culbane Portglenone". Birmingham 1991A Purchased from G. Sandy in Two flint knives. Stoke-on-Trent K , K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ & 310. Co. Antrim, Cushendall 40 Small plano-convex tanged knife; tang broken off. Pale grey flint with dirty white cortex on one side. L. 56 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, from peat bogs near Giant's Causeway 41 Stone axe polished all over but some deep scars and bruising remain. Convex tapering sides which converge to a narrow pointed butt. Rounded blade. Lentoid section. L. 134, max. W. 57, max Th. 28 mm. Birmingham 1921A33. Presented by J.M. Hemphill of Co. Antrim in Thin sectioned by F.W. Shotton who reported it as group IX Group of twenty two flint arrowheads. All presented by J.M. Hemphill of Bushmills, Co. Antrim in Leaf-shaped type 3C, 45x20 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 45x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A35.1 3

5 44 Barbed and tanged, Sutton type c, 38x20 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 28x21 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b or c, 45x25 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 38x24 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 45x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 44x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 36x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 42x28 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type a, 47x29 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 28x15 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Sutton type b, 33x20 mm., Birmingham 1920A Barbed and tanged, Ballyclare type b, 54x28 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, square base, 35x18 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, concave base, 42x29 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, concave base, 49x24 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, deep concave base, 49x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, deep concave base, 50x25 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, deep concave base, 42x27 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, deep concave base, 41x13 mm., Birmingham 1920A Hollow-based, deep concave base, 49x23 mm., Birmingham 1920A35.21 Co. Antrim, Giant's Causeway Two arrowheads. Presented by W.H. Lloyd in Barbed and tanged flint arrowhead. L. 55, W. 33 mm. Leamington M Barbed and tanged flint arrowhead. L. 76, W. 30 mm. Leamington M Barbed and tanged arrowhead; one barb broken. Sutton type b/c. L. 40, W. 19 mm. Wyre Forest Museum Service KM Hollow scraper with concave saw edge on a thin flake of buff flint. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Point or fabricator in buff-white flint; broken in two pieces. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, Glarryford 69 Undecorated Ballyvalley type copper flat axe. L. 102, max. W. 43, Th. 5 mm. Birmingham 1957A178. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett bequest, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 597b; Harbison 1969 no. 1305; Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Glenariff 70 Waisted axe-like implement perhaps an unfinished battle axe? Polished all over except in the hollows of the uncompleted perforation. Steeply rounded butt and gently rounded blade with straight sides. The mid section of the axe has concave sides with depressions from an unfinished perforation. Oval section. "Found by J. O'Neill lying in a wood" and "obtained by W.J.K[nowles] 1 June 1917". L. 142, max. W. 79, max. Th. 44 mm. Birmingham 1957A231. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, Knowles. Sotheby's lot 573. Thin-sectioned by F.W. Shotton: amphibolite but impossible to determine whether it is of Irish, Cornish, Scottish or Continental origin. 4

6 Co. Antrim, Glenarm 71 Leaf shaped arrowhead of type 1B in pale grey flint. L. 65, max. W. 31. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Hollow based arrowhead with shallow base in buff coloured flint. L. 26, max. W. 21 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, Glenleslie Three arrowheads purchased from G. Sandy in Barbed and tanged arrowhead in greyish-white flint; one barb broken off. L. 28, max. W. 18 mm. Birmingham 1991A Barbed and tanged arrowhead in pale grey translucent flint; tang and one barb broken off. L. 30, max. W. 19 mm. Birmingham 1991A Hollow based arrowhead in buff flint. L. 34, max. W. 19 mm. Birmingham 1991A Two blade flake tools; one in grey-brown, the other in creamy-coloured flint. Birmingham 1991A Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Antrim, Glenwherry 78 Scraper on a flake of pale brown translucent flint. Birmingham 1991A356. Purchased from G. Sandy in Decorated Ballyvalley type copper flat axe. L. 149, max. W. 82, Th. 12 mm. Birmingham 1957A166. Marked Glensherry (sic! for Glenwherry?). Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 593; Harbison 1969 no. 943; Watson 1993 no Bronze pegged socketed spearhead. L. 138, max. W. 35 mm. Birmingham 1957A181. Marked Glenwhirry. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 646c; Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Larne Four flake tools including a Bann flake in cream to grey flint. Birmingham 1887A to Presented by W. Myers in Triangular section flake in grey flint now with a thick cream-white patina. From "Neolithic Raised Beach". Birmingham 1918A7.11. Presented by L. Richardson of Birmingham in 1918 acquired by him in 1908? 86 Bann flake in buff-white flint. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, Loanhill Two flint knives. L. 48 & 61 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K82 & Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ & 165. Co. Antrim, Mount Sandal 89 One Bann flake. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Flint awl. L. 49, W. 25, Th. 11 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Co. Antrim, Omerbane 91 Stone macehead. Thick oval macehead with pronounced hour-glass perforation. Di , max. Th. 55, min. di. perf. 20 mm. Birmingham 1957A138. Purchased from 5

7 Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, possibly ex Knowles. Co. Antrim, Portglenone 92 Thick flint blade flake. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum W50. Co. Antrim, Port of Glenon 93 Undecorated Ballyvalley type copper flat axe. L. 88, max. W. 46, Th. 6 mm. Birmingham 1957A232. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 597; Harbison 1969 no. 1343; Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Portrush 94 Leaf-shaped flake tool in fawn coloured flint. L. 67, max. W. 46 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Antrim, Rasharkin 95 Stone axe smoothly polished all over; large flake missing from one face which has removed just over half of the cutting edge. Chip missing from butt. Straight tapering sides. Rounded blade; cutting edge convex in profile on one face but ground flatter on the other. Lentoid section. L. 120, max. W. 69, max. Th. 30 mm. Birmingham 1988A22. Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Antrim, Rathlin Island 96 Stone adze with attempt at polishing all over but many flaking scars remain. Straight sides taper towards a thin, narrow, straight butt. Blade rounded. Curved in longitudinal profile. Section roughly plano-convex but irregular due to large flake scar. Found in 1916? L. 121, max. W. 53, max. Th. 13 mm. Birmingham 1948A17-4. Purchased from G. Sandy in Four flakes of Group IX rock found on surface in University of Keele, Dept. of Geology, un-numbered. Co. Antrim, Skerry East 98 Bronze rapier with trapezoidal butt with two rivet holes. Found near Reilly's Farm in L. 292, max. W. 54 mm. Birmingham 1957A149. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 651; Burgess and Gerloff 1981 no. 173; Watson 1993 no Co. Antrim, Slemish 99 Barbed and tanged arrowhead in brown flint; one barb broken off. L. 26, max. W. 22 mm. Birmingham 1991A Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Antrim, Toome, Lough Neagh 100 Thin siltstone axe with rounded butt, convex sides and almost straight cutting edge. Found in L. 82, max. W. 44, Th. 17 mm. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum B37. Co. Antrim, Toome 101 Triangular section blade flake in orange-brown flint. Pointed at one end; both edges retouched to fine saw edges. Birmingham 1991A355. Purchased from G. Sandy in Seven Bann flakes. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ to 154, 157,

8 Co. Antrim, Toome Bridge Thirteen flakes, blades and Bann flakes in brown or grey flint. Birmingham 1887A to Presented by W. Myers in Possibly originally from three different collections: eleven have irregular rectangular labels marked "Toombe Bridge Ireland", one a circular label marked "Toome Ireland" and one a rectangular label with oblique corners and blue border marked "TOOME LOVGH NEAGH 1865". Co. Antrim, no exact provenance 122 Narrow polished stone axe with convex sides and narrow rounded blade; narrow butt broken. L. 176, W. 65, Th. 32 mm. Hereford City Museum 1304/2. Presented by Mrs. H.T. Jenkins. 123 Polished stone axe with straight, tapering sides and curved cutting edge; oval section. Butt missing. Marked "July 1885". Hereford City Museum 1301/h. 124 Leaf-shaped arrowhead. L. 51, max. W. 18 mm. Birmingham 1991A Purchased from G. Sandy in Barbed and tanged arrowhead. L. 28, max. W. 20 mm. Birmingham 1991A Purchased from G. Sandy in Barbed and tanged arrowhead. Warwick A779. Mello bequest Leaf-shaped arrowhead. Warwick A780. Mello bequest Two barbed and tanged arrowheads. L. 24, W. 17 and L. 25, W. 17 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K144& Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/61-212, Ten pieces comprising five waste flakes, one blade flake, two end scrapers, a crude point and a finely flaked, broken, leaf-shaped point, possibly an arrow. Birmingham 1991A362. Purchased from G. Sandy in Retouched flake, two flint knives, two scrapers and a blade. Stoke-on-Trent K82, 85-87, Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/61-162, 168, 163, 169, Undecorated and probably unfinished type Killaha copper flat axe. L. 156, max. W. 95, Th. 13 mm. Birmingham 1957A163. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex White-King? Probably Harbison 1969 no. 766; Watson 1993 no Flint flake. Worcester City Museum unnumbered. Co. Armagh Four arrowheads marked "Armagh". Presented by W. Myers in Leaf shaped of type 2A in grey flint. L. 42, max. W. 26 mm. Birmingham 1885A Leaf-shaped of type 3A in grey flint. L. 31, max. W. 19 mm. Birmingham 1885A Hollow based with convex sides and concave base in pale fawn coloured flint. L. 26, max. W. 26 mm. Birmingham 1885A Triangular in pale grey-buff flint. L. 27, max. W. 20 mm. Birmingham 1885A Co. Cavan, no exact provenance 142 Bronze socketed axe; facetted. Haft ribs centrally on each face at bottom of socket; blow hole above loop. L. 58, W. 44 mm. Warwick A1453. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 11, ex Croker. Co. Cork, Rathcormack 143 Undecorated type Killaha copper flat axe. L. 169, max. W. 115 mm. Birmingham 1957A165. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Day. Harbison

9 no. 610; Watson 1993 no.113. Irish Antiquities in West Midlands Museums Co. Cork, Red Abbey 144 Bronze socketed axe "dug up 1844". Damaged. L. 78, W. 44 mm. Warwick A1449. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 7, ex Croker no. 10. Puttick and Simpson sale , part of lot 192. Co. Cork, no exact provenance 145 Looped palstave; modern forgery? L. 122, max. W. 45 mm. Birmingham 1957A Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett. Watson 1993 no Co. Donegal, no exact provenance 146 Stone battle axe. "Found in a bog". Birmingham University Lapworth Museum unnumbered. 147 Flake knife on a thick leaf-shaped flake of pale brown flint. L. 47 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Co. Down, Carnbane 148 One Bann flake. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Co. Down, Carrowdore Bog 149 Twisted square section gold bar torc with hook terminals. Di. 165 mm. Birmingham University Barber Institute. Purchased in 1943 from J. Hunt. Birmingham 1960, 51 no. 206; Taylor 1980, Co. Dn. 38. Co. Down, no exact provenance 150 Bronze haft-flanged axe. L. 132, max. W. 46 mm. Birmingham 1966A33. Purchased from George Sandy in Watson 1993 no Co. Galway, Connemara 151 Stone axe polished all over; a well made piece with only a few minor bruises remaining from the working process. Straight sides taper to a pointed butt. Very rounded blade. Plano-convex section. L. 127, max. W. 57, max. Th. 25 mm. Birmingham 1988A21. Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Kildare, Bog of Allen 152 Decorated type Ballyvalley copper flat axe. L. 150, W. 68 mm. Warwick A3115 (probably a re-accessioning of A271). Harbison 1969, no Bronze unlooped palstave with shield pattern and short rib; casting flash not removed from edges. L. 100, W. 42 mm. Warwick A277. Presented by Dr. George Lloyd in Bronze palstave with high flanges extending below high, projecting stop ridge. L. 110, W. 53 mm. Warwick A272. Presented by Dr. George Lloyd in Bronze high-flanged, looped, trident pattern palstave with very expanded blade; swallow hole in one stop ridge. L. 139, W. 59 mm. Warwick A273. Presented by Dr. George Lloyd in Small bronze bag-shaped socketed axe; one wall very thin and cracked. L. 52, W. 40 mm. Warwick A274. Presented by Dr. George Lloyd in The above pieces ( ) from the Bog of Allen are mentioned in WNHAS , 12 and are also probably included amongst the pieces listed erroneously in VCH Warks 1904, as 8

10 "presumably... found in Warwickshire". Co. Kilkenny, Gerpoint 157 Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 115, max. W. 60, Th. 19 mm. Birmingham 1957A164. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex White-King, ex Day? Harbison 1969 no. 460; Watson 1993 no.109. Co. Londonderry, River Bann Four flake tools (two points and two blades) in mid-brown flint. Birmingham 1921A20.4 to 7. Presented by J. Humphreys of Birmingham in Co. Londonderry, Bellaghy 162 Triangular section blade flake with retouch on edges in dirty grey-white flint. Birmingham 1991A358. Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Londonderry, Coleraine, Bog Hill 163 Barbed and tanged arrowhead in buff flint; one barb broken. Ballyclare type c. L. 64, W. 31, Th. 8 mm. Coventry, Herbert 55/105. Co. Londonderry, Coleraine 164 Barbed and tanged arrowhead in grey flint with a paler band; barbs broken. Ballyclare type b or c. L. 52, max. W. 27 mm. Birmingham 1885A Presented by W. Myers in Two arrowheads presented by W. Myers in Barbed and tanged in darkish grey flint, barbs broken, of Sutton type b or c. L. 47, max. W. 23 mm. Birmingham 1885A Hollow based in pale buff-grey flint with straight sides and square base. L. 29, max. W. 23 mm. Birmingham 1885A Co. Londonderry, Londonderry 167 Decorated type Derryniggin copper (alloy) flanged axe. L. 108, max. W. 48, Th. 13 mm. Birmingham 1957A173. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 604b; Harbison 1969 no (omits decoration); Watson 1993 no Bronze palstave with flanges extending below stop ridge. L. 113, max. W. 45 mm. Birmingham 1973A303. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Watson 1993 no Bronze shield pattern palstave with flanges extending below stop ridge. L. 127, max. W. 41 mm.birmingham 1973A302. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Watson 1993 no Co. Londonderry, Port Stewart 170 Oval stone pounder with slight depression on one face. 115 x 94 x 60 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Co. Londonderry, near Tobermore 171 Stone axe polished all over apart from two deep chips on one face and on end of butt where some bruised areas remain. Irregular shape; one side straight, the other convex (oblique-edged 9

11 type). Butt rounded. Blade unevenly rounded. Lentoid section. L. 93, max. W. 49, max. Th. 23 mm. Birmingham 1988A20. Purchased from G. Sandy in 1948; non-birmingham label marked D106a. Co. Londonderry, no exact provenance 172 Bronze looped palstave with central rib. L. 123, max. W. 65 mm. Birmingham 1973A304. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Watson 1993 no Co. Meath, no exact provenance 173 Bronze socketed axe with side loop. L.50, max. W. 35 mm.birmingham 1931A Presented by Dr. G. Rome Hall in Watson 1993 no Co. Roscommon, near Boyle 174 Bronze flange-hilted sword of Eogan's class 4. L. 463, max. W 35 mm. Birmingham 1957A148. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett. Possibly Eogan 1965 no. 245; Watson 1993 no Co. Roscommon, Taylorstown 175 Bronze pegged socketed spearhead. L. 221, max. W. 28 mm. Birmingham 1957A179. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 646; Watson 1993 no Co. Tipperary, Ballyvistea 176 Polished stone axe of oval section with fairly broad rounded butt and gently rounded blade. L. 175, max. W. 73, Th. 38 mm. Birmingham University, Lapworth Museum unnumbered ex Oscott College. Co. Tipperary, Bog of Cullen 177 Gold cup-ended dress fastener terminal. Di mm. Birmingham 1964A283. Purchased from Sotheby's in 1964, ex Countess of Portarlington. Watson 1993 no. 139 and bibliography there. Co. West Meath, Athlone 178 Stone axe polished all over and very well finished. Regular and well shaped. Sides taper to a straight butt which is slightly flattened on the end. Rounded blade. Oval section. L. 112, max. W. 67, max. Th. 35 mm. Birmingham 1973A1359. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Co. Wexford,...?-Castle 179 Undecorated type Ballyvalley copper flat axe. Found in L. 135, W. 59, Th. 10 mm. Warwick A1486. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 44, ex Croker. Harbison 1969, no Co. Wicklow?, Bray? 180 Hollow scraper on a thin flake of pale brown flint. Marked Braw. Birmingham 1991A359. Purchased from G. Sandy in Co. Wicklow, Glendalough 181 Bronze palstave with flanges extending below stop ridge. L. 142, max. W. 59 mm. 10

12 Birmingham 1957A174. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett. Watson 1993 no Co.?, Carnalaragh Bog. 182 Massive polished stone axe with sides tapering to a narrow pointed butt. End of blade rounded and cutting edge not sharpened. Oval section. A partly legible label suggests it was found in 1897? L. 279, max. W. 98, max. Th. 57 mm. Birmingham 1936A4. Presented by G.B. Coney in Co.?, Kentallath 183 Flint fabricator. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Northern Ireland, Bann 184 One Bann flake. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh 185 Two small blades, one in grey, the other in pale yellow-brown flint; one battered blade flake and three other flakes all in orange-brown flint. Birmingham 1913A Presented by A. Cleminshaw of Birmingham in Polished basalt axe. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum B Three flint flakes. Warwick A Mello bequest Northern Ireland, no exact provenance 190 Barbed and tanged arrowhead in pale beige to grey flint with traces of cortex on one side. One corner of tang and extreme tip of blade broken away. Plano-convex in section and slightly humpbacked in side view. L. 81, max. W. 36, max. Th. 10 mm. Birmingham 1980A472. Presented by E. Yates in Small group of flint flakes including some Bann flakes; labelled "Lake dwellings". Birmingham University Lapworth Museum B Four Bann flakes. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum un-numbered. 193 Large polished stone axe. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum unnumbered. 194 Bronze bag-shaped socketed axe with side loop. L 62, max. W. 51 mm. Birmingham 1966A37. Purchased from George Sandy in Watson 1993 no Bronze lentoid section dagger. L. 188, max. W. 31 mm. Birmingham 1989A18. Presented by Wellcome Trustees in Watson 1993 no Ireland, Bed of the River Bann 196 Pebble macehead. Oval pebble with straight central perforation bored at a slight angle. Di , max. Th. 43, min. di. perf. 19 mm. Birmingham 1957A142. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sothebys lot 571, ex Ohglocrty?? sale. Ireland, no exact provenance 197 Stone axe very well polished all over. Straight tapering sides, one more steeply sloping than the other, converging towards the butt which is broken off. Blade rounded and cutting edge blunted for most of its length with many small chips missing. Lentoid section. L. 112, max. W. 82, max. Th. 29 mm. Birmingham 1948A Purchased from G. Sandy in Thin sectioned by F.W. Shotton 11

13 who reported it as group IX. 198 Stone axe polished all over and well finished. Convex sides which converge only slightly towards the broad straight butt. Cutting edge straight. Lentoid section. L. 102, max. W. 63, max. Th. 28 mm. Birmingham 1973A1360. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Stone axe polished all over apart from a deep scar on one side. Sides taper only slightly towards a broad oblique butt which is flattened and slightly dished at the end. Cutting edge almost straight. Oval section. L. 101, max. W. 58, max. Th. 33 mm. Birmingham 1973A1361. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Stone axe polished all over; two flakes missing from one face and large area of bruising on the other. Straight tapering sides to a narrow rounded butt. Rounded blade. Oval section. L. 117, max. W. 70, max. Th. 34 mm. Birmingham 1973A1362. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Stone adze polished on blade; traces of polishing elsewhere but many flaking scars remain. A narrow and slightly curved piece with straight sides. Butt broken or unworked and cutting edge badly nicked. Roughly plano-convex section. L. 110, max. W. 42, max. Th. 24 mm. Birmingham 1988A23. Purchased from G. Sandy in Small polished stone axe. Warwick A800. Mello bequest Ireland, no provenance. Polished stone axe. L. 197, W. 60, Th. 33 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Polished stone axe. L. 116, W. 49, Th. 27 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Polished stone axe. L. 114, W. 52, Th. 23 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Polished stone axe. L. 85, W. 45, Th. 25 mm. Stoke-on-Trent K Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ Unfinished pebble macehead. Flat roughly circular pebble with depressions in both faces from an unfinished perforation. Di , Th. 30 mm. Birmingham 1948A Purchased from G. Sandy in Circular macehead with convex sides and central perforation slightly countersunk on both sides. Max. di. 84, max. Th. 37, min. di. perf. 19 mm. Birmingham 1957A123. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot Stone macehead, polished. Narrow oval shape with flattened ends and central hour-glass perforation; part broken away at one end. Max. L. 107, max. W. 58, max. Th. 48, min. di. perf. 17 mm. Birmingham 1957A136. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot Small stone macehead with hour-glass perforation. 62 x 51 x 25 mm. Warwick A3557. Mello Bequest? Axe hammer. Fragment of re-worked triangular axe hammer; tip broken off and butt missing. Central hour-glass perforation; there are remains of another perforation at the butt end suggesting that this piece was made from a larger, broken example. L. 115, max. W. 95, max. Th. 66, min. di. perf. 23 mm. Birmingham 1957A137. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot Battle axe. Flat oval battle axe, chipped at one end. Central hour-glass perforation. Long edges each decorated with five parallel grooves. Supposedly found with no. 213 below. Max. L. 126, max. W. 87, max. Th. 39, min. di. perf. 20 mm. Birmingham 1957A141. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, Knowles. Sothebys lot

14 Simpson 1990 no Cylindrical stone implement (pestle?) with one flattened edge. The ends are gently rounded and both are battered and bruised from use. Some deep polishing scratches still remain on the body of the piece. Found with the battle axe no. 212 above. L. 166, di. 35 mm. Birmingham 1963A1285. Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957 ex Barnett, W.J. Knowles. Sothebys lot Barbed and tanged arrowhead in fawn flint with long thin triangular blade; Ballyclare type c. L. 69, max. W. 30 mm. Birmingham 1973A64. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in Two arrowheads. Purchased from G. Sandy in Barbed and tanged in straw-brown flint, one barb broken off. L. 19, max. W. 17 mm. Birmingham 1991A Barbed and tanged in grey-brown flint, one barb damaged. L. 20, max. W. 19 mm. Birmingham 1991A Eleven blade flakes; one is marked Co. Antrim and another River Bann. Birmingham 1937A68.7. Presented by J. Humphreys of Birmingham in 1937; at least one is ex G.F. Lawrence of Wandsworth, London. 218 Undecorated type Killaha copper flat axe. L. 113, max. W. 88, Th. 9 mm. Birmingham 1930A Presented by J.R. Ratcliffe in 1930; marked DCCCXXX. Watson 1993 no Type Lough Ravel copper flat axe. L. 142, W. 72, Th. 8 mm. Warwick A1473. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 31, ex Croker. Harbison 1969, no Type Lough Ravel copper flat axe. L. 155, W. 89, Th. 10 mm. Warwick A1482. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 40, ex Croker no. 14. Harbison 1969, no Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 123, W. 65, Th. 8 mm. Warwick A1467. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 25, ex Croker no. 10. Harbison 1969, no Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 134, W. 70, Th. 10 mm. Warwick A1465. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 23, ex Croker. Harbison 1969, no Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 143, W. 75, Th. 13 mm. Warwick A1484. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 42, ex Croker no. 12. Harbison 1969, no Type Ballyvalley copper flat axe. L. 177, W. 102, Th. 9 mm. Warwick A1477. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 35, ex Croker. Harbison 1969, no Type Ballyvalley copper flat axe. L. 149, W. 79, Th. 8 mm. Warwick A1485. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 43, ex Croker. Harbison 1969, no Type Derryniggin copper flat axe with slightly flanged edges. L. 90, W. 46, Th. 10 mm. Warwick A1463. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 21. Harbison 1969, no Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 124, W. 71, Th 10 mm. Warwick A1466. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 24, ex Croker no Ingot type copper flat axe. L. 101, W. 57, Th. 10 mm. Warwick A1488. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 46, ex Croker no Type Lough Ravel copper flat axe. L. 158, W. 95, Th. 11 mm. Warwick A1481. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 39, ex Croker. 230 Type Lough Ravel copper flat axe with very slight flanges. L. 139, W. 98, Th. 9 mm. Warwick A1489. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 47, ex Croker no Type Ballyvalley copper flat axe. L. 121, W. 66, Th. 12 mm. Warwick A1461. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 19, ex Croker. 232 Bronze palstave with flanges extending below stop ridge. Steep edge bevel on blade. L. 126, W. 53 mm. Warwick A1457. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 15, ex Croker. 13

15 233 Bronze palstave with flanges extending below stop ridge. Flanges damaged and cutting edge badly nicked. L. 165, W. 63 mm. Warwick A1455. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 13, ex Croker no Bronze palstave. L. 150, W. 62 mm. Warwick A1492. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 50, ex Croker no Crude bronze palstave with traces of trident pattern decoration on one face. L. 79, max. W. 27 mm. Birmingham 1931A Presented by Dr. G. Rome Hall in 1931 ex Wm. Greenwell. Watson 1993 no Bronze bag-shaped socketed axe; loop broken off and mouth damaged. L. 77, W. 53 mm. Warwick A1450. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 8, ex Croker no Bronze bag-shaped socketed axe; blade damaged on one corner. L. 73, W. 60 mm. Warwick A1451. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 9, ex Croker. 238 Bronze flanged chisel. L. 93, max. W. 21 mm. Birmingham 1973A306. Purchased from Birmingham University Medical School in 1973, ex G.F. Lawrence. Watson 1993 no Bronze sword. L. 453, W. 31 mm. Warwick A1502. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 60, ex Croker. 240 Bronze sword fragment; hilt and upper blade only. L. 193, W. 45 mm. Warwick A1503. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no Bronze pegged socketed spearhead. L. 285, W. 49, Th. 22 mm. Warwick A1507. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no. 65, ex Croker. 242 Small bronze pegged socketed spearhead. L. 93, max. W. 23 mm. Birmingham 1957A Purchased from Birmingham Archaeological Society in 1957, ex Barnett, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot 646b; Watson 1993 no Bronze basal-looped socketed spearhead. L. 221, W. 30, Th. 27 mm. Warwick A1506. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam no Bronze pegged socketed arrowhead. L. 45, max. W. 15 mm. Birmingham 1913A85. Acquisition details not recorded. Watson 1993 no Three bronze rings of flattened section. Di. 26, 32 and 35 mm. Birmingham 1931A Presented by Dr. G. Rome Hall in 1931, ex Wm. Greenwell. Watson 1993 no Gold ring with terminals twisted over each other. Di 35 mm. Birmingham 1935A Bequeathed by T. G. Barnett in Taylor 1980, NLI 323; Watson 1993 no Thirty two miscellaneous pieces. Hereford City Museum Two perforated whetstones Nine barbed and tanged arrowheads Eight leaf-shaped arrowheads Two oblique arrowheads Two hollow-based arrowheads. 272 Triangular arrowhead Two small polished stone axes Three flint blades/points Three perforated stones (spindle whorls?) Four polished stone axes. 163x71x28; 96x53x25; 71x42x19; 153x60x31 mm. Hereford City Museum Presented by Mrs. H.T. Jenkins Three stone spindle whorls, two with straight and one with hour-glass perforation. Di. 37, 28 and 26 mm. resepectively. Hereford City Museum 6745/ Five retouched blades, three flint knives and a broken flint arrowhead. Stoke-on-Trent K90 & Transferred from Shugborough Museum 1/ , 308, 309,

16 297 Polished stone axe. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum W94, ex Wallis collection, ex Knowles collection. 298 Stone axe hammer. Birmingham University Lapworth Museum The following copper flat axes in Warwick are included by Harbison 1969 but the current records list them as unprovenanced: 299 Warwick A1478, ex Bloxam 36, Harbison Warwick A1479, ex Bloxam 37, Harbison Warwick A1483, ex Bloxam 41, Harbison Warwick A1472, ex Bloxam 30, Harbison Warwick A1468, ex Bloxam 26, Harbison Warwick A1476, ex Bloxam 34, Harbison Warwick A1475, ex Bloxam 33, Harbison Warwick A1480, ex Bloxam 38, Harbison Warwick A1469, ex Bloxam 27, Harbison There are also two Irish type bag-shaped socketed axes in Warwick (A1452, A1494) but no provenance is recorded for these Watson 1993 nos. 97, in Birmingham Museum may be unprovenanced pieces from Ireland. Later Antiquities - David Symons and Philip Wise Co. Dublin, Dublin Five mediaeval bone artefacts comprising two possible gaming pieces, a toggle and two spindle whorls. Warwick A1538 and A1539. Rugby School loan, ex Bloxam nos. 96 and 99. Co. Westmeath, Ballinderry Crannoge Four iron spearheads, three socketed and one tanged. Birmingham 1996A Presented by the Wellcome Trustees, ex Prof. Sir Bertram Windle. Co. Westmeath, no exact provenance 328 Copper alloy pseudo-penannular brooch. Probably 9th-10th century. Animal interlace with four empty settings. The pin is almost certainly a replacement. Birmingham 1935A Presented by T.G. Barnett in 1935, ex White-King. Sotheby's lot Copper alloy pseudo-penannular brooch. Probably 9th-10th century. Animal and geometric interlace. The square setting contains blue paste but the others are empty. Birmingham 1935A Presented by T. G. Barnett in 1935, ex White-King. Sotheby's lot 162. Ireland, no exact provenance 330 Copper alloy penannular brooch. Probably 7th century. Birmingham 1935A Presented by T.G. Barnett in 1935, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot Copper alloy penannular brooch. Probably 9th century. Geometric interlace; the settings are empty. Birmingham 1935A Presented by T.G. Barnett in 1935, ex Knowles. Sotheby's lot Twelve dark blue glass melon beads. The late Margaret Guido dated them to the 5th-6th centuries and confirmed that they were Irish. Birmingham 1960A Socketed iron arrowhead with angular blade; 12th century. Birmingham 1948A

17 Bibliography Birmingham Exhibition of Gemstones and Jewellery. City of Birmingham, Museum and Art Gallery. Burgess, C.B. and Gerloff, S The Dirks and Rapiers of Great Britain and Ireland = PBF IV/7. Eogan, G Catalogue of Irish Bronze Swords. Harbison, P The Axes of the Early Bronze Age in Ireland = PBF IX/1. Taylor, J.J Bronze Age Goldwork of the British Isles. VCH Warks Victoria County History of Warwickshire. Watson, P.J Catalogue of British and European Prehistoric Metalwork in Birmingham City Museums = BAR British Series