This bronze axe-head was found in Cricklewood in 1905. It is around three
and a half thousand years old.
Imported metal
The axe-head is made of bronze. It was cast in a two-piece mould made of
clay, stone or possibly metal. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, but
neither metal ore occurs naturally in the London area. Metal supplies had
to be brought in, either in the form of small circular ingots or as
finished objects.
Magic of metalwork
Metalworking was a skilful, almost magical, process. Metalsmiths were
likely to have been important, perhaps even feared, members of their
communities.
