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ADZE
Unique ID: WILT-EE83DB
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A polished stone miniature adze of Neolithic to Bronze Age date (c. 3500 - 2200 BC). The adze measures 52.04mm in length, 13.03mm in width at the butt end, widening to 23.77mm at the blade end, is 10.92mm thick at the butt end, widening to 15.03mm thick in the body, before tapering to 1.33mm at the blade end. It weighs 27.30g.
The adze is thick butted with an asymmetric profile. The butt is squared off and has been flattened. One face has been ground and polished flat with the blade end sharply facetted to create the edge. The opposite face is convex with facetted mesal sides and a shallow triangular facet at the blade end to create the cutting edge. The blade is slightly curved, There are no obvious signs of wear.
The stone is a green-grey colour and has a dense, coarse-grained structure. The flattened surface has a faint reddish tinge, possibly from iron staining. The stone is most likely of an ungrouped type, making it difficult to suggest a provenance.
It has been suggested that the adze may have been hafted for use as a woodworking tool (M. Green, pers. comm.).
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
Period from: NEOLITHIC
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 3500 BC
Date to: Circa 2200 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 52.04 mm
Width: 23.77 mm
Thickness: 15.03 mm
Weight: 27.3 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 4424
Materials and construction
Primary material: Stone
Manufacture method: Ground/polished
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Amesbury (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU1741
Four figure Latitude: 51.16799412
Four figure longitude: -1.75823784
1:25K map: SU1741
1:10K map: SU14SE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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