Late Bronze Age hoard, west of Lofts Hall (EHER 3912)

A late Bronze Age founder's hoard found in 1847.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: A late Bronze Age founder's hoard found in 1847. A Roman coin and ring were apparently also found with the hoard. The coin was originally identified as of Domitian, later as of Hadrian. <1> A Late Bronze Age founders hoard of some 30 implements including socketed axes, spears, socketed knife, swords, a bucket handle and fused metal, now distributed to several museums was apparently found in Chrishall parish although some of the finds are labelled Elmdon. A much defaced large brass coin of Hadrian is said to have been found at the same time. <2> - <5> Neville speaks of a "large hoard of bronze age celts with metal for fusing them", at least 4 socketed axes, 3 spearheads and an oval bronze ring. Neville's workmen came across the finds by chance in the possession of the local blacksmith, to whom they had originally been brought as old iron, and they were given to Neville. The blacksmith later said they were part of a much bigger hoard, all from the same hole filled with black earth. He had dispersed most of the hoard among various interested people, although many fragments remained to which Neville was welcome. Two items were very fine celts. Amongst the rest "there are four different patterns of these implements, and a perfect arrowhead" and "several lumps of the metal fused together. Part of the hoard was illustrated by Neville. <6> According to this source site centred at TL 4638. <7> Another source gives TL 4539. <8> The same pieces (from the same plate?) are illustrated in source. <9> These illustrations have been copied and are in the SMR. They show: 3 socketed spearheads, 1 socketed spearhead or knife (is this the arrowhead referred to by Neville?), part of a socketed knife?, 5 socketed axes (4 looped), part of a flanged or winged axe?, a ring (the bucket handle?) and a triangular piece - a possible dagger or a sword. <10> There is some confusion over whether the hoard is from Chrishall or Elmdon. A s some objects are variously labelled it could be that 2 or more sites have been conflated. Some finds are in Colchester Museum. <11> See also: <12> - <16>