Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 November 2011
About three dozen bronze anvils are known from Bronze Age Europe. They are small in size, probably indicating that they were used for delicate work. Simple, Beaked and Complex forms are distinguished, based on the presence of special features such as work surfaces, beaks, swages and punching holes, which were used in various processes of manufacture and decoration of small bronze and gold artefacts. The anvils are widely distributed throughout north-west Europe, and dated examples belong to the later Middle and Late Bronze Age (c. 1200–700 B.C.). Thirty-six anvils are catalogued and briefly described.