Socketed axe with extended neck and no loop. The edge is curved and wide. The ax has an internal shaft support. The blade has a hexagonal cross-section, while the mouth is oval. It is corroded although some patches of dark green patina remain. Length: 5.3 cm. Width: 4.4 cm above the edge. Photo: Svein Skare
Location:
Unknown farm and municipality in Norway
Context:
Unknown
Date:
Younger Bronze Age period 5-6
Small axe without a loop. The sides are parallel, curved out at the edge, which is slightly curved. The ax has a hexagonal cross-section and there is no internal shaft support. There is some modern damage to the blade. The surface is rough, golden brown. Length: c. 7 cm. Width: 4.4 cm across the blade. Photo: Svein Skare
Location:
Austrått, Ørland, Sør-Trøndelag
Context:
Found on a field in 1861. No other information.
Date:
Younger Bronze Age period 4
Large socketed axe with loop and Y-shaped decoration. It has straight parallel sides and a convex edge that curves outwards. There is no internal shaft support. The edge is partially damaged due to modern sharpening; there is some damage along one side and around the mouth of the socket. There is a transverse rib below the socket, which has an oval cross-section. The blade has a wide Y-shaped rib and two almost rectangular depressions on either side of the Y. Length: c. 11.7 cm. Width: c. 4.3 cm above the edge.
Location:
Unknown farm and place, in Norway.
Context:
Unknown
Dating:
The shape is similar to axes from the Early Bronze Age period 2, but the decoration indicates period 3, possibly period 4.
Small socketed ax with remnants of a loop and rectangular recesses. The ax has straight parallel sides and a straight egg. The muzzle is partially damaged, and the hem is missing. Hexagonal cross-section; the ax has no internal shaft support. There are four rectangular vertical and parallel depressions on the blade, starting just below the mouth of the base and halfway down the blade, ending in a transverse bevel. It is heavily corroded, only a few patches of green patina remain. Length: c. 7.8 cm. Width: 2.7 cm above the edge.
Location:
Unknown farm and place in Norway
Context:
Unknown
Dating:
Younger Bronze Age period 4
Three fragments of a riveted sword. There are six rivet holes; the bottom two holes are almost gone as the shaft plate is damaged around the edge. There is a marked midrib, and the blade widens before tapering and converging towards the tip, which is missing. The fragments are heavily corroded, although some patches of green patina remain. The sword is a Sögel type. Current length: 28.6 cm (B05469/a)
Complete palstave with long and slender blade and decoration, a so-called weapon palstave. The ax is heavily corroded. However, faint remains of decoration can be seen on the side facets and blade. There are parallel horizontal lines and oblique lines (possibly hatched triangles) on the sides of the neck. The transition to the blade is marked with parallel horizontal lines and a rib, and on the blade there is a triangle or Y shape consisting of double lines. The sides of the blade are marked with ribs. Both neck and edge are damaged. Length: c. 17 cm. Width: 3.8 cm above the edge. B05469/b)
Location:
Vanse, Farsund, Vest-Agder
Context:
No information about the find.
Dating:
Early Bronze Age period 1-2
Small socketed axe without a loop. The base is partially missing due to corrosion and casting failure as there was not enough metal, and there are holes and bubbles in the metal. It has an internal shaft support. The edge is slightly curved and the sides are parallel. The ax has a brown patina and some golden spots. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Myklebust (no. 74/6), Selje, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found during peat digging in a bog, approx. 1 m deep and 80 m.a.s.l. No other information is available.
Dating:
A dating to the Younger Bronze Age period 5-6 is likely.
Medium-sized socketed ax without loop. The axe is straight and has a slightly curved edge. No internal shaft support. The mouth is irregular and this is due to a casting error, and has an oval cross-section. A small area of the facet on one side has peeled off. Dark green patina, partially removed by the finder; the edge is polished. There is some corrosion. Length: 7.6 cm. Width: 4 cm above the edge
Location:
Hagen under Hove (gnr. 26/11, 27), Vik, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found on a terrace above the houses on the farm, close to the deserted homestead Hagen, in the early 20th century.
Dating:
Younger Bronze Age period 4
One half of a soapstone mould for a socketed axe. The shape is square and polished. There are matching lines near the top and bottom of the shape. Near the top there is a print consisting of three grooves on both sides, this part is cut back from the face, forming holes on both sides of the top. The shape is that of a small axe with a hole with a loop, slightly curved in and with a straight egg. The axe is decorated with four vertical and parallel depressions from the edge of the mouth and halfway down the blade. The axe hole is marked with a rib. Baudou’s type VII A 1 a (cf. Minnen fig. 1059-1060). Length: c.9.5 cm. Width: 4 cm bottom, 5 cm top
Location:
Skjeldestad (no. 63/5), Sogndal, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found in an outbuilding, no information on how or when it was first found.
Dating:
Axes of this type, with two or more vertical and parallel depressions, are dated to period 4 (Baudou 1960:18).
Flanged axe with curved, semi-circular blade and flat neck. Low edging from the blade to the neck. The axe is broken in two and the neck is missing; this is old damage that happened before deposition. The edge is polished and sharpened again. Green, most of the patina is gone and there are golden spots showing where the axe has been polished in modern times. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: c. 11.5 cm Width: c. 7 cm across the widest part of the blade. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Kvåle (gnr. 23), Sogndal, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found in the ground, no other information about when or where.
Dating:
Axes of this type are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1.
Medium socketed axe without loop. The ax is slightly curved and has a curved edge. There is a horizontal rib around the rim of the socket, and another rib about 0.5 cm below. The socket is oval, while the blade has a hexagonal cross-section. There is no internal shaft support. Along one facet on the side there are three holes and a crack, plus a small hole between the two ribs. This is a casting fault as the metal is very thin here. Molding seams are marked along the sides. The color is golden brown, the patina has been removed. The ax does not appear to have been used. Length: c. 9 cm. Width: 3.5 cm above the edge Photo: Ann Mari Olsen © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Indre Oppedal (no. 117), Gulen, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Reported to have been found in a mound, no other information is available.
Date:
The size and shape may indicate a dating to the Early Bronze Age period 3, or the Younger Bronze Age period 4.
Small socketed ax without a loop, with straight sides and a straight edge. There is one transverse rib below the socket and possibly a rib marking the rim of the socket. There is no internal shaft support. The blade has a hexagonal cross-section. The socket and part of the blade are missing on one side of the axe; as the metal is very thin here it is likely that this is due to a failed casting. There is also a hole in one of the side facets. Some damage to the edge and around the socket, mostly old damage. Green patina, although the axe has been polished and most of the patina removed. There is some corrosion. Length: 7.4 cm Width: 3.2 cm above the edge. Photo: Ann Mari Olsen © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Vevik (no. 57/1), Eid, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found in the ground, possibly in a natural mound, during the digging of a ditch approx. 200 m WNW of the farmhouse. It was apparently found with B4589, a whetstone.
Date:
Similar axes are dated to Early Bronze Age period 3, Younger Bronze Age period 4 is also likely.
Flanged ax with curved, semi-circular blade and flat neck. Low flanges from the blade to the butt. The ax is broken in two; this is old damage and was done before deposition. The edge of the blade has been sharpened in modern times. There are some bubbles in the metal on one side of the axe. Dark green patina, some golden areas showing through. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: 16.5 cm. Width: 7.6 cm Photo: Adnan Icgaci © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Håheim (no. 93/1), Stryn, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found under a flat stone at Flotaplassen in the 1850s. No other information.
Date:
Axes of this type are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1
Small socketed axe with loop and extended neck. The loop is broken and missing, this looks like old damage. There is a transverse rib around the socket, starting and ending at the top of the loop. The axe has an internal shaft support. The edge of the blade is straight, and one side of the axe curves more than the other, so that the blade is lopsided. The socket has an oval cross-section while the blade has a hexagonal cross-section. Green patina, the edge of the blade has been polished and ground in modern times. Baudous type VII C 3. Length: 6.7 cm. Width: c. 4.8 cm across the blade. Photo: Olav Espevoll© University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Måren (gnr. 64), Høyanger, Sogn & Fjordane
Context:
Found in a field, no other information.
Date:
Axes of this type are dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 6
Large socketed axe with parallel sides and slightly curved edge, without loop. There is no internal shaft support. The mouth and the upper part of the blade are damaged on one side. The damage appears to be the result of a casting error, as the metal is thin here, and there are small holes and bubbles in the metal. The mouth is round/oval while the blade has a hexagonal cross-section. There are three transverse ribs below the edge of the mouth. The leaf has a net-like pattern of small rhombic shapes. Similar to Baudou’s type VII C 1 a. Length: 11.2 cm. Width: 3.3 cm above the edge.
Location:
Hiksdal (gnr. 74/3), Vindafjord (formerly Ølen), Rogaland
Context:
Found during work in a bog area, «Knattahaugane», for cultivation approx. 40 m E of the farmhouse. There was a small hill in the middle of the marsh covering a large round stone which was removed. The ground measured approx. 2 x 1.5 m.; The stone had a diameter of approx. 1 m. The following year, B11805 was found where the ground had been. There has occasionally been a water source in the area.
Date:
The size suggests period 3, while the shape suggests period 4, i.e. the transition between the older and younger Bronze Age.
Shaft hole axe with decoration. Long and slender axe with conical butt; the edge is curved. The edge is damaged and a hole or cavity is visible. Ribs run from the shaft hole to the edge decorated with two parallel lines. The blade has no other decoration, while the side facets have a row of nine spirals starting in the pattern below the shaft holes. There are groups of transverse parallel lines interspersed with vertical lines between the shaft holes, and there is a similar pattern of horizontal and vertical lines below the shaft hole. The neck has two sections of intersecting lines, separated by transverse parallel lines, and there are transverse lines below the collar. There are two ribs decorated with vertical parallel lines below the neck collar, and on top there are vertical and horizontal lines and two rows of triangles. The conical butt has horizontal and striped lines, and in the middle there is a small pin, which has horizontal and vertical lines. The shaft hole is somewhat damaged, and ends in ribs decorated with oblique lines. The upper part of the hole has striped lines, while the lower part has none. The brown patina has partially dissolved. Length: 24.5 cm Width: 6.3 cm above the edge Weight: 961 g
Photo: Adnan Icagic © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Lunde, Vindafjord (formerly Ølen), Rogaland
Context:
Found in a water spring, «Slettakjelda», near a landslide, where two other axes were also found B10300/a-b during work at the water spring. The ax was found during the completion of a water pipe. It is likely that the three axes were laid down together, although this cannot be determined.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Palestave with a long, slender and decorated blade. The edge is damaged. The sides are decorated: triangles, parallel horizontal lines followed by triangles or zigzags and parallel vertical lines. The transition to the blade: vertical and horizontal parallel lines. There is a triangle of striated lines at the top of the blade, surrounded by two grooves that follow the blade from top to edge. Most of the brown patina has dissolved, some remains on the blade and sides. Length: c. 20 cm
Location:
Hove, Lund, Rogaland
Context:
Found in 1905 while the finder was clearing a field. It was found under some rocks.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Small palstave with short blade. The blade has Y-shaped decoration, with two short grooves. The blade has a curved edge, and has been ground again. There is some damage to the edge. There are remains of a brown patina; otherwise the ax is green and corroded. Length: c. 10.8 cm Width: 3.4 cm
Location:
Time farm, Time, Rogaland
Context:
Found in the ground near Time railway station.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Large socketed axe without a loop. It has parallel sides and a slightly curved edge, no internal shaft support. There is a transverse rib below the mouth of the socket. Part of the socket is missing and the edge is damaged as the finder filed saw teeth along the edge. Length: c. 10.5 cm. Width: 3.9 cm above the edge
Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Grude, Klepp, Rogaland
Context:
There is no information about when it was found or in what context.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 3
Small flanged axe. It has high flanges and a curved edge. The butt is concave. The axe is golden brown and there is some corrosion. Oldendorf type. Length: 9.5 cm Width: 3.8 cm above the egg.
Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Found location:
Line, Time, Rogaland
Context:
No information is available, although Johansen has classified it as a depository find.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 1
Large socketed axe without a handle. The blade is slightly curved and has a curved edge. There are three transverse ribs below the mouth. Hexagonal cross-section, there is no internal shaft support. There is some damage to the mouth, blade and edge. Green patina, the ax is corroded. Length: c. 10.8 cm Width: 4.3 cm above the edge.
Location:
Sømme, Sola, Rogaland
Context:
Found in the ground near a spring, not far from Hafrsfjorden.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 3
Large socketed axe without a handle. The blade is slightly curved in and the edge is slightly curved. It has a hexagonal cross-section and has no internal shaft support. There is a transverse rib below the mouth. There is some damage around the mouth; there is a crack on one side and a hole on the other side. The axe is green and corroded. Length: 10.3 cm Width: 3.8 cm above the edge.
Location:
Revheim, Stavanger, Rogaland
Context:
Found in the ground near a spring and near a rock art field Fluberget. Other discoveries in the area are a couple of surprises.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 3
Palstave with decoration. Long, slender blade that widens at the edge, and high ridges. The blade has Y-shaped plastic decoration, with two deep grooves on each side. The edge has been resharpened in modern times, there are signs of polishing on the blade as well. There are some remains of brown patina; the axe is green and corroded. Length: 14.8 cm. Width: 4 cm above the edge.
Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Unknown farm at Jæren, Rogaland
Context:
No information is available, it was found sometime before 1873 on Jæren, a large agricultural area.
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Small palstave with waisted blade and wide edge. The neck has high flanges. The blade has a small indentation under the shaft. There is some modern resharpening on the blade. Golden brown, some corrosion. Length: c. 11.1 cm. Width: 3.5 cm above the edge. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Randaberg, Stavanger, Rogaland
Context:
Found in 1871 at Randaberg, no other information is available.
Date:
Early Bronze Age Period 2
Complete palstave with a long and slender blade and simple decoration, a so-called weapon palstave. The neck has high flanges, and the transition to the blade is marked by two horizontal ribs, one wider than the other. The edge is wide and curves outwards. There is some damage to the edge and along the blade. The palstave is corroded, but the remains of a green patina can be seen. Length: 16.3 cm. Width: 3.6 cm above the edge. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Hauge, Klepp, Rogaland
Context:
Found between two stones in a bog, «Djupemyra».
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Small palstave, without decoration. The casting seams are still present. The blade has parallel sides. Flat butt, the flanges are high and pronounced, especially at the transition to the blade. The edge is convex and the corners curved. There is some corrosion. The golden, most of the dark brown patina is gone. Length: 12.7 cm. Width: 3.8 cm above the edge, 2.1 cm at the transition to the blade
Context:
Found around 1.75 m deep in a peat bog near Tuholm; no other information.
Location:
Tu, Klepp, Rogaland
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 2
Small flanged axe with curved, semicircular blade and flat nbutt. There are low ribs from the blade to the neck. Some dark brown patina remains and there is some corrosion. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: 12 cm. Width: c. 5.2 cm across the blade. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Context:
Found in 1982, under excavation of foundations for a wall. The axe was found approximately 20-30 cm deep underground. A subsequent excavation indicated that the axe must have been laid down near bedrock. A sword (B11599) and a flanged ax (B12125) have been found on the farm, but not in the same area.
Location:
Blindheim (no. 17/371), Ålesund, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Axes of this type are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1b.
Socketed axe without loop. The axe has straight, parallel sides and a convex edge. The socket is damaged. There are two transverse ribs below the mouth of the socket. No internal haft support; hexagonal cross-section. The blade is decorated with a plastic, negative facet and deep ribs that curve out towards the corners of the blade. Dark green patina, most of which is severely corroded. Similar to Rygh fig. 99. Length: c. 9.6 cm. Width: 4.3 cm across blade
Context:
Found when ploughing in the 1950s, about 10-15 cm deep, on a terrace in an otherwise flat field.
Location:
Øvrebust (gnr. 133/6), Stordal, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Shape, decoration and lack of internal shaft support indicate an early date for the axe, Early Bronze Age period 2.
Small flanged axe with curved, semicircular blade and flat neck. There are low moldings from the blade to the neck; there is some damage to the lists. The metal is corroded, with the remains of a dark green patina. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: c.9.9 cm. Width: c. 4.9 cm across the blade.
Context:
Found in the same area as B11599, sword of the Hadjusamson type, in the 1930s or 40s. The area was originally rocky, and the ax was possibly laid down on or by an outcrop. It is possible that B12125 and B11599 were deposited together, but this cannot be determined, as there was some distance between the two objects. In 1982, another edged ax was found on the farm, but not in the same area (B13373).
Location:
Blindheim (gnr. 17/1), Ålesund, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Axes of this type are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1b.
Socketed axe with extended neck and loop. It has no internal haft support, and it has a hexagonal cross-section. Axes of this type are decorated with a characteristic set of horizontal and vertical ribs: three transverse ribs next to the loop, crossed by three vertical ribs. The decoration is rather faint. The loop is only partially cast, and there is a small hole in the metal below the loop, where the metal is thin. There are also bubbles in the metal on one side. The socket is partially damaged. The axe is green and corroded. Baudou’s type B1b, the Norwegian variant. Length: c. 8.5 cm. Width: c. 4.7 cm across edge
Context:
Found about 20 cm deep at the edge of a bog, on gravel covered with soil. It was found in the 1950s on an old path that went around the marsh, approx. 15 m.a.s.l. The place is known as «Nordavindsholo».
Location:
Øvre Berge (gnr. 30/2), Herøy, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Axes of this type are generally dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 5-6.
Small socketed axe without a loop. The axe is waisted and has a slightly curved edge. It has internal haft support. The socket is partial and it looks like there was not enough metal when the axe was cast. There are three transverse ribs, one marking the mouth of the socket and two below. Four vertical ribs run in pairs from the lowest transverse rib, and diverge towards the corners of the edge; the two inner ribs are shorter than the outer ones and come to an end c. 1.5 cm above the edge. Golden-brown patina. Parallels: Montelius Minnen fig. 1180 has similar ribs in pairs. Length: c. 5.6 cm. Width: c.3.7 cm across edge
Context:
Found in 1964 in a bog, about 1.5 m deep, and 50 m from land. According to one report, there was charcoal and burnt stone, and a layer of black soil containing charcoal in the area. There used to be a river and mill nearby.
Location:
Noggva (no. 6/11), Haram, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
The axe is dated to period 5-6
Socketed axe without handle, incomplete. The base is missing due to a casting error: there was not enough metal. The blade has a hexagonal cross-section and no internal shaft support. The axe is curved in and the edge is convex. The surface is rough and does not appear to have been polished; it is green with some darker areas, and there are signs that the edge has become sharper in modern times. The blade is decorated: three vertical ribs run down the blade; the left and right ribs go down to the edge while the middle rib stops about halfway down the blade. This suggests that the axe is either of the Mälar type or the Norwegian variety, probably the latter. Length: 7.5 cm. Width: 5 cm above the edge.
Context:
Found at the bottom of a bog at Seljehaugen, approx. 85 cm deep and approx. 100 m from shore.
Location:
Sylte (gnr. 25/2), Vanylven, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Axes of the Mälar type and the Norwegian variant are dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 4-5.
Socketed axe. Most of the socket and the loop are missing, broken off by the finder. The edge was resharpened and the axe hafted and used as a scraper. The axe has parallel sides, slightly waisted, and convex edge. The blade has a hexagonal cross-section. The corners of the edge may have curved up or outwards, as it looks like they have been filed off. The facet is trapezoid and looks like it started at the rib at or beneath the mouth of the socket. Part of a transverse rib can be discerned. The axe has no internal haft support. The surface is rough, mostly golden with some darker brown areas. The shape is similar to Baudou’s type VII C 1 a and Montelius Minnen fig. 1175. Length: c. 7 cm. Width: c. 4.1 cm across edge.
Context:
Found in a bog, no other information.
Location:
Strand, Fiskå (gnr. 8), Vanylven, County: Møre & Romsdal
Date:
The size should indicate a date to the Late Bronze Age, while the outline with parallel sides is reminiscent of Period 3 axes. A date to the Younger Bronze Age period 4 is probable.
Small socketed axe without loop. The socket is incomplete due to a casting flaw; there was not enough metal. Two marked ribs can be discerned. The socket has an oval cross-section. The facet starts at the ribs and is triangular. The sides are parallel and are slightly wider near the edge, which is convex and curves up on either side. There is no internal haft support. The axe has a brown patina which has been more or less completely removed in modern times. Similar to Baudou’s type VII C 2 b, although the sides are straighter.. Length: 7.1 cm. Width: 3.9 cm across edge.
Context:
Found in a bog, no other information.
Location:
Kvamsøy, farm unknown (Simones according to Johansen 1993), Sande, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
The size of the axe suggests a date from the Late Bronze Age, but the shape points to the Early Bronze Age. The similarity to Baudou’s type VII C 2b suggests a period 5 date, although the lack of internal shaft support dates the ax to Younger Bronze Age period 4.
Palstave with high ribs. The blade has a Y-shaped decoration consisting of long and deep grooves on each side. The edge looks like it has been hammered or bent during use; the patina is gone here and looks like it has been removed in modern times. The neck is somewhat irregular and wide. Dark green patina, most of which has dissolved. There are some golden spots. Length: 14.2 cm Width: 3.4 cm above the edge.
Context:
The axe was found on the farm a number of years before it was acquired by the museum, no other information.
Location:
Otterøy, Aukra, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Palestaves are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 2.
Small fragment of socketed axe with loop; the fragment consists of a loop and the surrounding area. There are indications of ribs starting at both ends of the loop. The fractures are old and worn. Length: 2.5 cm Width: 1.4 cm. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Context:
Found during student excavations at Hordamuseet’s museum area in 2008. The fragment was found in a layer dated to the Roman period, and was clearly not in context. Layers dated to the Roman and pre-Roman periods as well as the Late Bronze Age were excavated and were interpreted as a settlement.
Location:
Stend (no. 97/54), Bergen, Hordaland
Date:
General date to the Bronze Age.
Slender decorated palstave. The blade has a Y-shaped plastic decoration consisting of two wide and deep grooves. The cast seams are visible on the sides. Dark green-brown patina, which has peeled off, and some notches. Otherwise, the ax is in good condition. Parallels: Rygh R93, Montelius Minnen fig. 849a. Length: 13.4 cm Width: 3.8 cm above the edge
Context:
Palstave was found on the farm Helleve and has been there for as long as anyone can remember, but there is no information about where, when or how it was found.
Location:
Helleve (gnr. 96), Voss, Hordaland
Date:
Palstave are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 2.
Small socketed axe without a loop. The hole is partially missing on one side, this is mostly old damage. The blade is worn and there is no internal shaft support. Green patina, most of it is gone, and the ax is corroded. Possible parallel: Baudou VII C 2b variant. Length: 8.3 cm Width: 4.8 cm across the blade.
Context:
Found in the shore below a pit with gravelly masses, where a grave is known as well as a number of Iron Age finds. The ax may have come from the gravel; however, this cannot be determined.
Location:
Nes (gnr. 81/6, 7), Kvinnherad, Hordaland
Date:
Younger Bronze Age period 4-5. Some of these can probably be dated to the Early Bronze Age period 3.
Socketed axe with loop and extended neck of the Norwegian variety, it has facets on the broad side. The sides are almost straight. Green/grey patina, which has peeled off in spots. The ax is decorated with the characteristic pattern of crossing ribs: three transverse ribs parallel to the hem, crossed by three vertical ribs. Two of the vertical ribs follow the sides of the axe. There is no internal shaft support. The hole is incomplete; this happened during casting when there was not enough metal in the mold. The cross-section around the base is hexagonal, while the blade is more or less rectangular. Length: 10.6 cm. Width: 5 cm above the edge. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Context:
Found in 1955 on a path west of a large crag, 300 m N from Voss Folkemuseum and 100 m above the plateau where the buildings are located, 275 m above sea level. As the ax had not been there for long, it had presumably come down from the hillside above during the winter.
Location:
Mølster (gnr, 46/1), Voss, Hordaland
Date:
Axes of the Norwegian variety are dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 4-5.
Slender socketed axe with loop and extended neck. The finder polished the axe, so the green patina is almost gone. There is a faint horizontal rib around the hole. No internal shaft support. The ax was cast incorrectly: the loop is tight and part of the socket is missing on one side. Whether the ax was actually used is impossible to say as the blade has been sharpened in modern times. Baudou’s Scanian variant B 2 a. Length: c. 9.8 cm. Width: 5.6 cm across the blade
Context:
Found in the remains of an old forge «years ago», no other information. There is a pile nearby.
Location:
Børve (78/1), Ullensvang, Hordaland
Date:
Axes of this type are dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 6.
Socketed axe with loop. It has a slightly flared neck and internal shaft support, there is no decoration. There is some damage to the hole and the hemp is worn. The edge is somewhat crooked, as it curves more markedly on the same side as the hem. Green patina, which is partially dissolved; the ax is partially corroded. Baudou’s type VII C3. Length: 5.6 cm. Width: 3.8 cm Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Context:
The axe was found on the farm, but there is no further information on when or where.
Location:
Kvamsøy (gnr. 55/4,5), Kvam, Hordaland
Date:
Small axes of this type are generally dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 5-6.
Massive shaft hole axe B7364. It is long and slender, the edge is curved, and there are marked grooves from the shaft hole to the egg. It has a short stem tube; the neck is round and has a flat collar. There is a raised rib on both card sides. Dark brown patina, much of which was dissolved when the ax was found; some were also removed by the finder in an attempt to polish the axe, especially on the broadsides. There are golden spots where it has been polished. Despite this, the decoration is still visible. About 1 cm from the edge there is a set of three parallel lines, then a border of running spirals and another set of parallel four or five parallel lines, starting and ending at the first and last spirals in the border below. There are possibly more lines below the spirals. This decoration is identical on both sides of the blade. The raised areas on both card sides were flanked by a line and a faint pattern of triangles. There is a triangular area of decoration below each shaft hole, consisting of parallel lines and beads. The shaft tubes were decorated with parallel lines and one tube also had a pattern of triangles. The neck was decorated with spiral borders with a line pattern and pearls below, between and above the spirals. The collar has a wave pattern below and lines and pearls on top. The neck would have had a line and bead pattern, indicated by the remaining patina around the collar. There are three identical parallels in Scandinavia: an ax from Nibstrup Mose, Denmark; from Villie, Scania, Sweden; from Lundby, Slöinge, Sweden. The ax is also similar to Montelius: Minnen fig. 866, 870 and 873. Johansen’s type C. Length: 34.5 cm, Width: 12.8 cm above the edge, Weight: 2248 g.
Context:
Found in or near a body of water in 1922 in connection with ditch digging; The ax was found in clay under approx. 1 m of soil in a marshy area. Water gushed up when it was found. The clay was blue with irr. The location is a field that slopes east towards a small water, Rimbareidjørna, between the seat house and a chapel; approx. 40 m from the chapel. There is a spring to the south of the discovery site. The archaeologist Johs Bøe visited the site shortly after the ax was discovered, but the ditch had then been filled in and the field sown.
Location:
Rimbareid (gnr. 62/3), Fitjar Hordaland
Date:
Such axes are dated to the Early Bronze Age Period 2.
Shaft hole axe of the Fårdrup type, B5921. Massive four-sided shaft hole axe. The edge of the blade is convex and blunt, but it is said that it was sharp when it was found but that the edge was dulled after the children on the farm had played with the axe. The neck is convex. One short side is uneven and there are bubbles in the metal on all sides. The shaft hole is large, approx. 3.1 cm in diameter. The metal around the shaft hole is very thin, and the top of the shaft hole is incomplete. This is due to a casting failure; there was not enough metal to fill the mould. There was a fine layer of sand in the holes in the metal when the axe was found, possibly from the mold. The axe had never been used before it was deposited. It has a dark green patina, with some corrosion. Fårdrup type. Length: 16.4 cm. Width: c. 3.8 cm. Weight: 963.4 g.
Context:
The axe was found while digging the foundations of a barn, approx. 1900. The farmer had removed the topsoil and reached the underground, and the hole was left uncovered for a while, so that rain filled the hole. The farmer’s children played and dug in the hole and found the axe. As there was water in the hole, the exact depth could not be determined, although the farmer thought the axe must have been about 1 m deep.
Location:
Kvanngardsnes (gnr. 151/2), Volda, Møre & Romsdal
Date:
Axes of the Fårdrup type are dated to the Older Bronze Age period 1b.
Socketed axe, B5929. Slender axe of Norwegian variety, with loop and extended neck, of Baudou’s type B1 b. Axes of this type are decorated with a characteristic set of horizontal and vertical ribs: three transverse ribs set parallel to the loop, crossed by three vertical ribs. The axe has an internal shaft support, and a hexagonal cross-section. The green patina has been partially removed and there are scratches consistent with patina removal, especially on the blade and on the neck. Length: 12.8 cm. Width: 4.9 cm.
Context:
The axe has been stored at the Rosendal Barony, no information on how, where or when it was found. Presumably it was found at the barony, or on one of the farms belonging to the barony in the Sunnhordland/Hardanger region.
Location:
Unknown farm in Kvinnherad, Hordaland
Date:
Axes of this type are generally dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 5-6
Socketed axe, B5311. Large socketed axe with extended neck and loop. Green patina, partially removed on one side; this has partially flattened the ribs on that side. The axe has no internal shaft support, and has a hexagonal cross-section. Baudou’s type B1b, the Norwegian variant. Axes of this type are decorated with a characteristic set of horizontal and vertical ribs: three transverse ribs set parallel to the loop, crossed by three vertical ribs. There is also a transverse rib under the socket, and the edge of the socket is marked with a rib. There is a large hole, about 0.8 cm across on one side, just above the three transverse ribs. Length: 13 cm. Width: 5.5 cm above the edge.
Context:
Found in a field under cultivation, about 15 cm deep, and 400 m SSE of the farmhouse. The exact location is no longer known.
Location:
Slæn (no. 331/1), Voss, Hordaland
Date:
Axes of this type are generally dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 5-6.
Socketed axe B4587, with extended neck and hem, undecorated. A corner of the rim was broken by the finder. There is a horizontal raised rib on the neck. Part of the socket is broken. The axe has an internal shaft support. Triangular facet on the blade. Dark green patina, partially removed by fins. Baudou’s type C3. Length: 6 cm. Width: 3.8 cm above the edge. Photo: Svein Skare © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Context:
The axe was reportedly found in a mound on the farm. There is no further information on how it was found.
Location:
Sakstad (gnr. 18, 19), Meland, Hordaland
Dating:
Similar axes have been found in collections dated to the Younger Bronze Age period 6.
Ax B03389. Massive four-sided axe with large shaft hole. The neck is convex and the edge is strongly curved. There is some damage: nicks and scratches on the sides and around the shaft hole. Irregularities in the metal are probably due to casting errors, and it is possible that the ax was made locally. Dark green, most of the patina has worn off. The axe is an undecorated axe of the Fårdrup type.
Context:
Found near a mountain called «Bendikshaug», during excavation, approx. 50-100 m from the farm. The axe was found in the soil that had been dug up and there is no further information on how it was originally deposited. There is a good view from the outcrop, which is located on a slope.
Location:
Kvale (Årekol) (no. 99/5), Ullensvang, Hordaland
Local tradition:
The spring was associated with supernatural beings in local folklore.
Date:
Axes of the Fårdrup type are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1B.
Socketed axe, B1006. Large, square axe without loop. The axe is flattened and there is some damage around the mouth; it is broken on one side. The edges along the facets are slightly raised. There are two transverse ribs on the neck and a Y-shaped raised rib on the blade. Dark green patina; there are some golden spots due to attempts to sharpen the ax after it was found. Parallels: Montelius Minnen 993. Length: 10.4 cm. Width: 4.2 cm above the edge
Context:
The axe was found sometime before 1841, and was reported to have come from a burial according to the museum acquisition list (Lorange 1875). According to Per Fett (1954) it may have been found in the ground as a stray find, citing Christie 1838 «found in the ground». The farm is located at the northern end of Røldalsvatnet; the area is surrounded by mountains. Several mounds and cairns have been registered on the farm.
Location:
Seim (no. 28), Odda, Hordaland
Date:
Early Bronze Age period 3
Shaft hole axe with decoration, (B10300/a). Long and slender axe with a conical neck. The axe is hollow. There is decoration on the blade, around and between the shaft holes, and on the neck and neck. The blade has three rows of running spirals near the edge. Two parallel lines run along the sides of the blade. There are parallel lines and triangles/zigzags under the shaft hole. There are three rows of three spirals each between the shaft hole on the broad side of the axe. The neck has a pattern of transverse parallel lines and zigzag below and above a row of running spirals. The neck is decorated with parallel lines, zigzags and oblique lines, while the top of the collar has lines and zigzags. The brown patina has disintegrated in several places. Length: 29 cm Width: 6.8 cm above the edge Weight: 939 g
Shaft hole axe with decoration, (B10300/b). The axe is broken at the shaft hole and the neck is missing. Unlike the other axe, this ax is massive. The blade is narrower than B10300/a, and has grooves from the shaft hole to the curved edge. There is decoration on the blade, the sides and around the shaft hole. The blade has transverse parallel lines and bead-like decoration about 2 cm from the edge, followed by a set of six interlocking spirals in two rows, a set of four interlocking spirals in two rows, then a vertical row of five spirals ending at the shaft hole. There are vertical ribs in relief between the shaft holes. Below the shaft holes and along the side facets are parallel lines and beads, which «frame» the side facets. There is also a line pattern on a preserved fragment of the rim of the shaft hole. The brown patina has dissolved and little has been preserved. Length: 21.1 cm Width: 7 cm above the edge Weight: 1030g
Location:
Lunde, Vindafjord (formerly Ølen), Rogaland
Context:
Found in a spring, «Slettakjelda», near a clock. Gravel was dug up and the axes were found in the gravel; it was at approx. 50 cm deep.
Date:
Early Bronze Age, period 2
Bronze axe with curved, semi-circular blade and flat neck (B3295/a). Low arches from the blade to the neck. According to the finder, the axe had the remains of a wooden handle. There is no trace of it now. It has a green patina, the edge has been sanded in modern times, and there is some corrosion on the arches. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: 22.3 cm Width: 10 cm across the widest part of the blade.
Bronze axe with curved, semicircular blade (B3295/b). The axe is broken in two and part of the neck and neck are missing. This appears to be old damage, before the closure of the axe, as indicated by marks around the break. Low arches from the blade, presumably to the neck. There is some corrosion and damage to the arches, there are also signs of hammering. Dark green patina, some golden spots and the edge has been sharpened in modern times. Langquaid type (Vandkilde’s type B4). Length: c. 16 cm. Width: 8.8 cm across the widest part of the blade.
A small arm ring formed from a bronze plate. (B3295c) The hoop has pointed ends, and one is broken off and missing. The surface has five rounded ribs that end in points at each end. It has a dark green patina and there is some corrosion towards the ends. The size indicates that it probably belonged to a child. A similar find has been found in Sweden and one in Poland. W 4.9 cm. Photo: Adnan Icagic © University Museum in Bergen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location:
Steine (gnr. 18), Aurland, Sogn and Fjordane
Context:
Found in a clock, Grimuri, at Låvisberget by the water near the road to the sommerstølen. According to the finder, the axes and bracelet were lying on a large stone, possibly covered by smaller stones and soil.
Date:
The collection of finds dates to the Early Bronze Age period 1. Axes of this type are old and should be placed in the Early Bronze Age period 1b. The arm brace has few parallels, but those that exist are dated to the Early Bronze Age period 1.
