SUSS-62F577: Late Mesolithic to Early Neolithic Flint Adze or Axe

Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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ADZE

Unique ID: SUSS-62F577

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A heavily worked down possible adze or axe of Late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date. The piece demonstrates intense flaking on both faces with the use of hard and soft hammers visible. Heavily probably dorsal arrises are visible on both faces, while the cutting edge is slightly asymetrical in profile. A small amount of cortex is visible at the butt end of the axe. The blade has been reworked with direct removals that extend into the main body of the axe, while some trimming and re-shaping is visible down the sides of the piece.

Measurements;
Maximum length (mm): 65.85
Maximum width: 34.35
Thickness at midpoint: 27.77
Weight (g): 55.19

The axe measures 65.6mm long, 34.1mm wide 28.8mm thick and weighs 55.2 grams.

Check find spot.

Notes:

This piece has been heavily worked down, from a larger size, probably constituting the reason why it was deposited in the first place. Butler (2005) illustrates a similar piece in his publication (Butler 2005, p. 104, plate 41, no. 3). He dates this example to the Mesolithic.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MESOLITHIC
Period from: MESOLITHIC
Period to: NEOLITHIC
Date from: Circa 6000 BC
Date to: Circa 4000 BC

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 65.85 mm
Width: 34.35 mm
Thickness: 27.77 mm
Weight: 55.19 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Monday 27th April 2015 - Monday 27th April 2015

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Flint
Manufacture method: Knapped/flaked
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South East (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Arun (District)
Parish or ward: Findon (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: TQ1107
Four figure Latitude: 50.85187704
Four figure longitude: -0.42450881
1:25K map: TQ1107
1:10K map: TQ10NW
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Discovery circumstances: Date is that first reported and recorded
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SUSS
Created: 8 years ago
Updated: 8 years ago

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