Early Middle Bronze Age activity and an associated socketed spearhead from Evesham

Between January 2013 and January 2015, Cotswold Archaeology carried out archaeological excavations in two phases for Persimmon Homes South Midlands Ltd on land at 118 Cheltenham Road, Evesham.

The most significant archaeological features encountered during the excavations related to a north-west/south-east aligned early Middle Bronze Age segmented ditch, which possibly represented part of a land boundary or territorial marker. Sherds of early Middle Bronze Age pottery from a single vessel were recovered from the north-west terminus of the ditch, possibly representing the ritual deposition of a vessel within the ditch terminus, while a complete red deer antler, a fragment of cattle humerus and a sherd of possible early Middle Bronze Age pottery were found within the ditch further to the south.

The ditch had been cut by multiple pits and postholes. One of the pits, cut within the south-east terminus of the ditch, contained a remarkable object – a Middle Bronze Age spearhead. Two samples of wood charcoal from the charcoal-rich single fill of the pit were sent for radiocarbon dating, with date ranges of 1499–1307 cal. BC and 1518–1409 cal. BC returned. These dates accord with the currently accepted typological date range for such spearheads and indicate that it was deposited within the earlier part of the Middle Bronze Age.

This well-preserved artefact is a side-looped and socketed spearhead of copper-alloy, measuring just under 12cm long and 20m in diameter at its socket. It is complete apart from a portion of one side of the lower blade and damage to the upper blade edges. The form of this spearhead matches Richard Davis’s typological Group 6 Type D – Developed, side-looped spearheads with ogival blade. Spearheads of this type are not uncommon. Davis’ survey lists 483 examples, making it the largest type from Britain.