A remarkable Bronze Age sickle of British origin has been discovered in the Seine Valley at Val-de-Reuil, France, offering compelling evidence of extensive cross-Channel trade networks over 3,000 years ago. This rare find represents only the tenth known example of such British-style socketed sickles found on continental Europe.
The exceptionally preserved copper-alloy tool, dating from the Late Atlantic Bronze Age (10th-9th centuries BC), was found in a small pit alongside a corded vessel and burned sandstone fragments. At 134mm long and weighing 104 grams, the sickle shows clear signs of use, with chipped blade edges indicating its practical agricultural function.