European metalwork saw rapid technological development. The manufacture of tools and weapons increased and specialised in producing equipment for shaving, woodworking, and metalworking. Palstaves would have been used primarily for clearing woodland and for shaping timber, but would also have proved useful in battles. However, the small size of this example suggests that it would have performed a votive or ceremonial role. Model axes are one of the most common votive objects found in archaeological sites, suggesting that they held a religious or superstitious meaning.
To discover more about Celtic culture, please visit our relevant blog post: Bronze Age Britain.
