Bronze Axe Casting Workshop

The Course

Discover how some of the earliest metal tools were produced in prehistoric Britain. From just over 4000 years ago people started to make the first axes from copper into simple flat, triangular shapes from an opencast mould. Soon after people started adding tin to make bronze which was harder and easier to cast.

On this workshop, attendees can choose from a selection of different axes type to cast including:

The flaring blade of the flanged axe is an iconic tool from prehistory, it appears as both artefacts and in rock art at Stonehenge. Their tools were often highly decorated, suggesting a close relationship with its owner. Another option would be to cast a middle Bronze Age palstave axe. These axes were developed from the earlier “flanged axe” which lacked high ridges, a haft stopper and loop. Metallurgy analysis shows Welsh copper can be found in over 90% of the early palstave axes found around NW Europe.

Workshop students will prepare their own mould, before working the leather bellows on the charcoal fuelled furnace to melt bronze. They will then cast the liquid metal into their prepared moulds to produce a replica bronze age axe to take home at the end of the day. Students can then begin filing off the casting flash, start cleaning the surfaces of the axe and even begin decorating it with punches. The workshop also includes a brief talk to contextualise the Bronze Age and axe development.

Attendee Information: Guidance will be on-hand at all times. Appropriate clothing must be worn for manual work (fully covered shoes and trousers, etc.). Attendees must be over 16.

Food & Drinks: Food and drinks can be purchased in the café at the museum, or you can bring your own packed lunch.