The three bronze axes from the hoard at Rickling were made in the same mould and were not reworked after casting, but were buried as blanks, together with the two jewellery discs and the short sword as offerings to the gods. Finds of several blanks from the same mould are very rare.
Age: 1400 v. Chr. Bronze Age
Bronze Age: Metal extraction began as early as 6,000 years ago in the Middle East, but reached Europe not until much later. Bronze, a copper-tin alloy, first appeared in Western Europe around 1800 BC. The use of metal was accompanied by historical developments of the greatest importance. Mining and processing required distribution; i.e., exchange and transport of raw materials. There were numerous transport routes and means for large quantities of ore and finished products. Transport was obviously by cart - which presupposed the general spread of the wheel - but also across rivers by raft and dugout canoe.
Material: Bronze
Location: Rickling
Age: 1400 v. Chr. Bronze Age
Bronze Age: Metal extraction began as early as 6,000 years ago in the Middle East, but reached Europe not until much later. Bronze, a copper-tin alloy, first appeared in Western Europe around 1800 BC. The use of metal was accompanied by historical developments of the greatest importance. Mining and processing required distribution; i.e., exchange and transport of raw materials. There were numerous transport routes and means for large quantities of ore and finished products. Transport was obviously by cart - which presupposed the general spread of the wheel - but also across rivers by raft and dugout canoe.
Material: Bronze
Location: Rickling
Age: 1400 v. Chr. Bronze Age
Bronze Age: Metal extraction began as early as 6,000 years ago in the Middle East, but reached Europe not until much later. Bronze, a copper-tin alloy, first appeared in Western Europe around 1800 BC. The use of metal was accompanied by historical developments of the greatest importance. Mining and processing required distribution; i.e., exchange and transport of raw materials. There were numerous transport routes and means for large quantities of ore and finished products. Transport was obviously by cart - which presupposed the general spread of the wheel - but also across rivers by raft and dugout canoe.
Material: Bronze
Location: Rickling