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Description: | A large beehive quernstone, made from medium grained quartz sandstone, typical of those found in the North Yorkshire area. The stone would have originally been sub-hemispherical in shape. However, two sides have become damaged leaving portions of the stone missing. One on of the damaged sides, towards the base, a small indentation may be seen, which is probable the remains of a handle-hole. Through the centre of the stone is a hole; the feedpipe. Where this enters the top of the stone it has become very well worn, producing a funnel shape. Circular scratch marks produced during use can also still be seen on it. Where the feedpipe enters the grinding surface at the base some irregular wear may be seen, (leaving the hole sub-rectangular rather than circular) probably caused by the stone rotating around a central metal spindle set within a lower stone (John Cruse, pers. comm.). Interestingly, the damage shown to the edge of the grinding surface does occur on other Beehive Querns. It has been suggested that this damage may be either accidental (occurring on the most fragile part of the rock) or possibly a deliberate attempt to remove the most important part of the stone, that which determines the fineness of the flour, to prevent further use (John Cruse, pers. comm.). John Cruse (pers. comm.), the YAS Quern Coordinator, suggests a likely date of between 200 BC - 200AD. He comments that '...Beehive Querns have been found in a range of archaeological sites. The earliest are 3rd or 4th century BC (so firmly MIA), they are common on LIA sites and found well into the Earlier Roman period, gradually being displaced by disc querns. However, on conservative, rural sites (like the R-B farm recently excavated by Martin Millett on the Wolds at Thwing, E Yorks) their use continues into the 3rd/4th century AD and disc querns never seem to have been used at all'.
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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