Five flat metal celts showing the progression that generally lead from the copper age to the early bronze age. The axe left is copper and simple, prob

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Five flat metal celts showing the progression that generally lead from the copper age to the early bronze age. The axe left is copper and simple, probably cast in a flat surface mould. The second is copper, but deeper and more refined, appearing to be cast within a solid or two piece mold - it is very like the copper axe carried by the famous Otzi ice man mummy. The axe in the middle is bronze but of similar form to the second, and the next shows a wider cast cutting edge. The final bronze axe shows the development of an edge ridge to help retain the split wooden haft. That cast refinement in form would lead to the palstaves of the middle bronze age.

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Size: 4872px × 3620px
Photo credit: © PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, age, axes, bronze, celt, central, chalcolithic, copper, culture, design, eastern, europe, ice, man, neolithic, otzi, prehistoric, technology, tools