English: Seven bronze objects recovered during a metal-detecting rally organised by Vectis Searchers on cultivated land in Yarmouth Parish, 14 December 2003. The finds were in ploughsoil at depths less than 25 cm. They were spread over an area measuring 7 x 3 metres.

The seven pieces are in generally poor condition and five are fragments, probably having been broken recently. Two certain joins and one probable join mean that four, or a maximum of five objects are represented.

1. Socketed axe, mouth damaged

Length 120 mm; maximum width 32 mm; weight 161 g

A relatively narrow socketed tool with a square mouth strengthened by a deep flat collar. Each face bears a motif of three concentric, pendulous U-ribs. The stumps of a loop remain high on one side.

1. Looped Palstave, loop, butt and cutting edge lost

Length 137 mm; maximum width 54 mm; weight 404.5 g

Broad-bladed palstave with loop. Decorative motif below the stop is a sunken shield with central rib. Neat hammer-rippling embellished the sides and faces of the blade. Four fine ribs occur at the end of the septums.

1. Unlooped Palstave (two parts, probably belonging together), much of cutting edge lost

Lengths 99.5 & 53 mm; maximum width 47 mm; weights 292.5 & 53 g

Broad-bladed. Stop is merely a gentle slope between the flange ends which form a broken shield motif.

1. Unlooped Palstave (broken into three parts), one butt corner lost, reduced stop and flange crests

Length 138 mm; maximum width 52.5; weight 228 g

Blade starts parallel then splays widely to the cutting edge. Traces of decorative motif, but form unclear.

The three palstaves, although all standard types for the Middle Bronze Age and specifically the Taunton phase, circa 1400 - 1275 BC, are interesting in apparently representing three different styles. No 3 is a style, known as the Werrar type, which is peculiar to the Isle of Wight. The others are probably both more widely distributed types, although one is too corroded for fine identification.