B11924/a: Complete soapstone mould for a socketed axe. Each valve has a polished, semi-circular finish; traces of work on the mould can be seen. One half is complete; the other is fragmented and glued together. One half has two notches, one on either side, that probably are matching lines. There are three knobs on the parting face, two on each side below the loop and transverse ribs, and one beneath the edge, and corresponding holes on the other valve. There is a core print at the top: a vertical groove on both valves, although one is wider than the other. The cavity is blackened. The axe cavity is for a large axe, about 12.3 cm, with a loop and three parallel transverse ribs, similar to Baudou’s type VII C 1 a, except that it is longer. The sides are parallel and the edge is straight. Length: c. 17.2 cm. Width: c. 7.6 cm
B11924/b: Fragmented soapstone mould for a socketed axe; the fragments are glued together. Only a few pieces are missing. This damage is partly ancient as one of the fragments is clearly eroded by water. The mould is rectangular. There are matching lines on the bottom and sides of each half. The top has core prints consisting of a wide vertical groove and two round depressions on one half, the round depressions cannot be ascertained on the other half as this area is damaged. The cavity is partly blackened. The cavity is for a large axe with loop and marked rim around the socket as well as two transverse ribs beneath. It has straight, parallel sides and a straight edge, and the blade has a hexagonal cross-section. The blade is decorated: a Y-shaped rib and two vertical and rectangular depressions running halfway down the blade. Baudou’s type VII A 2 a. A mould from Katteskalla, Sweden is a close parallel (Montelius, Minnen fig. 1067). Length: 17.6 and 17.7 cm. Width: c. 7.5 cm
B11924/c: Flint disc. Grey flint, fine retouch along two sides. Length: 4.9 cm. Width: 3.9 cm
Location:
Nyhamar (gnr.114/1), Gulen, Sogn og Fjordane
Context:
One half was found in a pile of gravel after the local road was built, about 30-35 m from land. The gravel came from a ditch or culvert that was dug under the road. The remaining parts of the two molds as well as a flint disk (B11924/c) were found during two subsequent excavations. One half of B11924/a and some fragments of B11924/b were found in situ in gravel next to several large stones. The fragments that were found before the excavations were probably a few centimeters above the in situ find, according to the report (Bakka 1965). The area is on a slope where there has been trickling water or possibly a stream, and the trench was dug in the direction of the water. The forms and the flint disk were most likely disposed of together.
Date:
Both moulds are for large axes, suggesting an early date. The decoration on B11924/b points to period 4, while B11924/a could be dated to period 3 or 4.