Beschreibung:

IRON AGE CELTIC VOTIVE AXE GROUP 3rd century BC-1st century AD A mixed group of bronze miniature axeheads, looped and socketted, two with transverse ribs to the mouth, one with lateral lugs. 23 grams total, 19-27mm (3/4 - 1"). Fine condition. [3] Provenance Found on various sites in South East England. Literature See Green, M. The Religions of Civilian Roman Britain, British Archaeological Reports 24, 1976, pages 42-43; Green, M. Small Cult Objects from the Military Areas of Roman Britain, British Archaeological Reports 52, 1978, p.32-33. Footnotes The axe as a sacred object may be traced back in Europe to at least the Bronze Age and model axes have been found at the shrine of Zeus at Dodona in Greece, and dedicated to the Mother Goddess in caves on the island of Crete, from the second millennium BC. In the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age the axe becomes associated with the sun cult and examples have been found decorated with wheels or swastikas, both solar symbols. The custom of manufacturing miniature tools and implements as votive offerings was extremely common in the Romano-Celtic world where they are commonly found associated with temple sites or deposited in springs, pools, lakes or rivers. The most common dedications of miniature axes are to Jupiter, Minerva or the Deae Matres, the Mother Goddesses, and the sacred axe is depicted being held by the Celtic god Succelus on pottery from the Hadrians Wall region. Examples of miniature votive axes have been found at shrines in Britain such as Hockwold in Norfolk, Brigstock in Northamptonshire and Woodeaton in Oxfordshire.