A SET of Bronze Age axe heads dating back more than three millennia were found close to Oswestry, a treasure inquest has heard.

The find, which was made in Ruyton-XI-Towns on April 21, 2023, was subject to a hearing in Shrewsbury on Wednesday by Shropshire coroner John Ellery.

Mr Ellery read out a report on the find of two complete axe heads and a third deliberately split into two, dating from 1500-1300 BC, which was found by detectorist Jon Evans.

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The axe heads were around 5cm in length and the report into the findings confirmed that as they were found together and consisted of more than two base metals, can be considered as a treasure hoard.

It said: “The objects were found together and are associated, therefore representing a single find all of which appears to have been deposited in the Middle Bronze (Age).

“As such, this represents a collection of more than two base metal objects of prehistoric date and consequently qualifies as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.”

The first axe head is a complete, looped, copper alloy palstave – Celtic and fitted into a wooded handle – and has a sub-rectangular butt that is sub-triangular in profile.

The blade is sub-triangular and shape with a broad cutting edge.

Beneath the stop-ridge, on each face of the palstave, is a narrow concave depression, which is bordered by raised ridges. This is broadly sub-triangular and shield-shaped. Through the shield descends a vertical rib that extends to the mid-point on the upper blade forming a trident like pattern.

Casting seams are present on both sides of the object and hammer marks are visible along the casting lines and both faces. The palstave has a bright silvery patina, which may suggest it has a high tin content.

The second axe head is similar is consistency and the surface condition is varied with smooth dark green areas around the mid-rib and cutting edge and large areas of rough bright green corrosion.

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The report said: “The two fragments of the third palstave connect and it is notable that it appears to have been deliberately cut – the cut is straight and at strong point of the object that would be difficult to damage accidentally.”

The report added that the two axe heads plus the two split fragments were ‘common in the West Midlands and Marches' area’.

Mr Ellery ruled the find as treasure.