Forged iron, 6 3/4” height with slightly backswept bit of heavy wedge section. Oval circular with flared ears for purchase to the haft. Thick peen for weight with flared top. Stable excavated condition with no damage. Post collapse of the Roman Empire when Anglo-Saxons from Denmark and Germany, Franks and Celts competed to control former Roman territories. This axe is closely related to the iconic Francisca and is probably a variation and thus a throwing axe. The Francisca was thrown as armies met at closed quarters. They were capable of breaking shields and killing their lightly armored opponents. They spun in flight and if they hit the ground, bounced erratically and unpredictably.
