Socketed sickle from Hinckley and Bosworth

3D Model

Late Bronze to Early Iron Age (c. 850–600 BC) copper-alloy socketed sickle from Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicestershire.

It has a crescentic, double-edged blade with a central midrib and an integrally cast socket. The sickle is largely complete, though parts of the edge are missing and corroded, with green-patinated notches. A dark brown and rust-red patina covers the surface. The hollow socket contains soil and organic hafting remnants. A drilled rivet hole and minimal casting evidence, including an oval depression, are present.

Use-wear analysis shows significant edge rounding, matching experimental patterns. No sharpening striations are visible. The blade is slightly bent near the tip, likely from intensive use, reinforcing its functional significance.

PAS Link

Project: A New History of Bronze

Author: Dawid Sych