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Date: |
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Description: | Knapped and flaked flint knife blade / or possible scraper of later Neolithic date. The scraper is broadly sub-rectangular in plan and D shaped in cross section. It has been formed from a struck blade-like flake which has come from the secondary phase of knapping. Several larger 'relic' scars are present on the upper (dorsal) face which have been caused by striking other flakes prior to the removal of this blade. A small section of white cortex is present on one edge; this cortex is white and similar to that observed on nodules from chalk or limestone bedding planes. On the ventral (reverse) face clear evidence of conchoidal fractures, bulb of percussion and a bulbar scar are present. The striking platform has been trimmed but can still be identified. The flake has not been thinned to any great extent. The majority of secondary work has been applied to the upper / dorsal face of the flake, whilst the lower / ventral is relatively un-flaked. The reworking / retouch is applied most heavily along one (the left) of the long edges with a series of relatively flat and long regular flakes being removed; this flaking is very compact and neat being achieved with great skill. The ventral face has a series of abrupt retouch present although this is very limited. These two forms of retouch have formed a serrated edge.The flint blade measures 63.6mm length, 30.9mm width, is 11.1mm thick and weighs 17.95 grams. The scraper has been struck from a mid grey coloured flint which is slightly mottled in colour. It is likely to be from a secondary source, possibly riverine or glacial as flint is not found in primary locations within Shropshire. There are also a number of flaws in the matrix of the flint, associated with the lighter grey mottled areas; this again suggests a relatively poor source of flint. The purpose / function of this tool is problematic, in that it can be used as a scraper / fabricator and also be described as a knife. The style of working is typical of the later Neolithic in Shropshire and the Marches.
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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