Rights Holder: North Lincolnshire Museum
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
AXE
Unique ID: NLM-CF9FB4
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Green volcanic stone, from the Lake District (non-specialist identification by MF)
Axe. A Greenstone axe presumed to be of Group VI (6), a product of the Langdale Pike axe factory, produced as an oval rough-out and finished by fine polishing which emphasises natural banding of the stone to striking decorative effect. The axe was originally of oval section, tapered towards its butt end and broader at the blade, and would be hafted for use. Use and re-polishing has left an angled blade, which retains its cutting edge. Both sides of the axe have also been reworked and highly polished, producing flat upper and lower edges. Four or more chips towards the butt occur on both sides of the axe and have been more lightly re-polished in antiquity. Smaller chips at the butt and a single chip at the blade are recent damage.
The Langdale greenstone axes were traded from a quarry on Langdale Pike, Cumbria, and their distribution around the Humber estuary is denser than anywhere except around the production site itself. The fine finish of the object, and the care lavished on sharpening, repair and reworking, all illustrate the high value placed upon such objects. Their use is debatable; a primary function for tree felling or carpentry is perhaps less likely than use as a weapon and/or prestige item. Suggested date: Neolithic, 3500-2100 BC.
Length: 118mm, Width: 53.5mm, Thickness: 27mm, Weight: 220gms.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Class: Group VI (6)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: NEOLITHIC
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: NEOLITHIC
Date from: Circa 3500 BC
Date to: Circa 2900 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 118 mm
Width: 53.5 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight: 220 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 25th September 2010
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: NLM15621
Materials and construction
Primary material: Stone
Manufacture method: Knapped/flaked
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Burnished
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: West Lindsey (District)
To be known as: Waddingham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: LIN-1E99AE
Object type: POLISHED AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: NEOLITHIC
Neolithic axe. A Greenstone axe presumed to be of Group VI (6), a product of the Langdale Pike axe factory, produced as an oval rough-out and…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LIN-B75570
Object type: POLISHED AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: NEOLITHIC
Neolithic axe. A Greenstone axe presumed to be of Group VI (6), a product of the Langdale Pike axe factory, produced as an oval rough-out and…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LIN-D2BA2B
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broadperiod: NEOLITHIC
Neolithic axe. A Greenstone axe presumed to be of Group VI (6), a product of the Langdale Pike axe factory, produced as an oval rough-out and…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618