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AXEHEAD
Unique ID: YORYM-656162
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete stone axehead of Neolithic date (4000-2350 BC). The lithic is bi-convex and sub-rectangular in profile, with a smooth ground surface and tapered ground curvilinear (incomplete) cutting edge. The portion of the axe situated directly behind the cutting edge remains predominantly intact, however, the integrity of the lithic reduces sharply past the mesial point. Large and deep negative scars have removed a portions of the ground surface of the axehead, significantly more on one side of the object, and are most probably due to post depositional processes. The break situated across the mesial section of the object which lead to the loss of the tapering butt end has an abraded texture suggestive of an older break.
The axe is comprised of a grey-green fine-grained siliceous tuff - a sedimentary volcanic rock possibly from the Great Langdale quarries in Cumbria. This stone was most probably chosen for its colour and fineness which allowed it to be highly polished. It is likely that axes such as this were high status and probably not functional.
Axeheads made of Langdale geological material have been found throughout England (see distribution map:http://finds.org.uk/database/search/map/q/langdale) and represent important evidence for the exchange of materials in the Neolithic period.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: NEOLITHIC
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: NEOLITHIC
Date from: Circa 4000 BC
Date to: Circa 2350 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 73.54 mm
Width: 59.55 mm
Thickness: 27.05 mm
Weight: 186 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Stone
Manufacture method: Ground/polished
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Cottam (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE9766
Four figure Latitude: 54.08079308
Four figure longitude: -0.5188166
1:25K map: SE9766
1:10K map: SE96NE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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