Palstave

A palstave is a type of axe dating to the Middle and Late Bronze Age and made of bronze. The L-shaped wooden haft was held in place by side flanges, two strips of bronze that slotted over the sides of the end of the haft. Stop ridges on the axe prevented the head from slipping backwards on the handle during use. In some cases there were additional side loops for better hafting. A Middle to Late Bronze Age example was found on Manor Drive in Aylesbury and a Late Bronze Age one south of Biddlesden Park.