Description
Dave shows us a fascinating and very tangible artefact from Wales's prehistoric past - an ancient stone hand axe found on the Mawddach estuary.
This coastal part of North West Wales has a rich and ancient archaeological record of Mesolithic and Neolithic activity. This piece was found by Wyn, a man whose family has farmed in this area for generations. The Finds Officer who examined the piece and believe it to be a worked, but not finished, hand axe. Possibly its' creator made a mistake, became frustrated and threw it away, or it was an apprentice piece. Holding it is like holding the intention of another human being, thousands of years apart.
The shapes of such axes remained consistent over millennia, and they were one of the technological breakthroughs that allowed for the clearing of the land, and ultimately the growth of agriculture. The skill and many many hours that it took to create such tools has been borne out by modern attempts to recreate them.
Please see below for the report from the Portable Antiquities Scheme - a incredibly useful and hard-working scheme, who we would like to thank for their expertise and time. Please remember if you should find something from our past to report it to the scheme - this is how we painstakingly learn about our ancestors, our history and prehistory.
Portable Antiquities Scheme Number: GAT-7F39C1
Historic Environment Record PRN: 102471
National Grid Reference: SH6566117712
Find Type: Neolithic Stone Axe
Period: Neolithic
Description:
A near complete probable polished stone axehead dating from the Neolithic period
(circa 4000-2200 BC).
The axe is sub-rectangular in plan, oval in cross section. The axehead tapers outwards with slightly convex sides from the narrower butt to the curving cutting edge. The butt of the axe may be slightly truncated.
Both faces of the axe have been polished as evident from the smooth surface of the stone as well as visible markings on the faces. There are chippings present on the stone, as well as what appear to be natural grooves and irregularities in the surface.
Discussion:
The two nearest axe sources within the area are the Mynydd Rhiw (Group XXI) type and the Graig Llwyd (Group VII) type. Given how widespread the Group VII axes are (the axes have been found across England and Wales, as far away as Cornwall) it is quite likely that this axe may have originated from this source. However, the closer proximity to the Llŷn Peninsula and therefore the Group XXI should not be discounted.
Due to the chippings and irregularities in the surface of the stone, this axe may have served more of a functional purpose than the more well-polished /refined high status axes associated with ritual activity.
Stone axes within the Neolithic would have been used to clear land for agriculture, as well as to gather timber as a resource. The axehead would have been set within a wooden handle. While initial working of the axehead would have taken place likely near to the source of the stone, secondary working appears to have often occurred away from the source sites themselves.
Measurements:
Length: 260mm, Height: 87mm, Thickness: 49mm, Weight (g): 1279
REFERENCES:
Kenny, J 2017. Group VII Axe-working Sites and Stones