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Summary

A Bronze Age rapier, some 39 centimetres long, was recovered from the river bed during construction works for the new road bridge. Possibly a religious deposit.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY29SE/105

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FINDSPOT (Bronze Age - 2200 BC (Between) to 701 BC (Between))

Full description

Western Morning News, 1989, Ancient Sword Uncovered in Bed of River (Article in Serial). SDV102072.

A rare Bronze Age sword has been found in the River Axe near Seaton. It was found by contractors dredging silt while working on the new road bridge. The 15in long sword which was buried 2m deep in the riverbed was well preserved and still sharp. It is one of the earliest weapon to have been found locally. It has now gone to the RAMM for conservation.

Griffith, F. M., 1989, Bronze Age Rapier (Personal Comment). SDV102071.

An almost complete bronze rapier was found during construction of a new road bridge across the River Axe in November 1989. It was recovered from the river bed during the mechanical excavation for a pier. It was thus in or on the bed. The rapier has a flat blade, length around 35-40cm, and the hilt, which has its top end missing, preserves part of two rivet holes. No context could be established for the find, and no archaeologist notified until about 10 days after the discovery. It is probably of Middle Bronze Age date, possibly a religious deposit.
Condition unstable: sent to RAMM for conservation.

Allan, J., 1989-1990, Bronze Age Rapier (Correspondence). SDV358951.

The rapier is of bronze, measuring some 389 millimetres in length. Most of the original surface has been lost by erosion or corrosion leaving a pitted surface. Since arriving at the museum it has been washed in distilled water to counteract the corrosive effect of salt. There is a crack across the blade and it is recommended that this should be filled with epoxy resin to prevent breakage, and the surface be treated to prevent further decay.

Timms, S. C. + Griffith, F. M., 1990, River Axe Sword (Correspondence). SDV358950.

Correspondence regarding the rapier found in the river Axe, including a map showing the exact location of the find.

Turton, S. D. + Weddell, P. J., 1993, Archaeological Appraisal of the Salt Industry on Seaton Marshes, East Devon, 2 (Report - non-specific). SDV120092.

Turton, S. D., 1994, Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Axe Estuary Local Nature Reserve, 1, 7 (Report - Assessment). SDV120094.

Dixon, T. + Turton, S. D., 1995, Archaeological and Historical Appraisal of the Town of Seaton, East Devon, 3 (Report - non-specific). SDV120095.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 1470 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Bronze rapier recovered from river bed during bridge construction. Probable Middle Bronze Age period.
SMR.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds

• FDV4092 - EDGED WEAPON (Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 701 BC)

Associated Events: none recorded

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