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Description: | A worked flint artefact which is probably a chipped axe or adze of late Mesolithic to early Neolithic date. A parallel for this piece was found at Glenarm, Antrim, and was dated to the 6th millenium to 4th millenium BC (Megaw & Simpson, 1979).The implement is unusual in that it is curved towards the narrow end. It seems unlikely, however, that this feature would have affected the performance of the tool, since the back of the axe would have not been used for chopping. The tool is roughly drop-shaped in plan, with slightly convex long sides and a rounded blade. It is thickest towards the blade end - a feature common to axes/adzes of the period - and tapers in thickness towards the curved end. The tool has been formed by the removal of a number of flakes, struck downwards at approximately forty-five degrees from the central ridge. The blade appears to have been chipped at a later date than the rest of the tool. At the blade end of one of the long sides the edge is stepped inwards slightly; this may be a deliberately created feature, or, more likely, is the result of a natural flaw in the flint nodule.The flint is a heavily patinated greyish-white colour. The tool measures 87.5mm long, 38.24mm wide and 24.67mm thick. The weight was not recorded.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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