Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
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POLISHED AXEHEAD
Unique ID: HAMP-A7E15F
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
An incomplete Neolithic (4000-2350 BC) flint polished axehead, missing its original butt end and part of one side. The axehead has apparently been re-used, with flake removals from both faces. It is uncertain what its original shape or dimensions would have been.
In shape the axehead is similar to a lop-sided tear-drop, with the rounder end being the cutting edge and one long side angled in far more sharply than the other leading to an off-centre 'butt'. In cross-section the object is lentoid or pointed-oval.
The flint is opaque being grey to one side and browny-blue to the other. Both face have white striations of patination on the ground and polished surface, where it survives. The browny-blue face has probable retouch to the left side of the cutting edge, and following up the left edge of the axe. This retouch shows a browny-coloured flint beneath. Flake removals to the other face are perhaps the result of natural damage. There is no significant change in surface colour, suggesting these happened before those on the opposite face.
The cutting edge is deeply curved and slightly lop-sided. Spots of iron staining are present all over the object.
The ground, polished and re-worked axehead measures 67.4mm in length, 48.4mm in max.width at the cutting edge (22.9mm at its narrowest, at the end opposite), 22.9mm in max.thickness and weighs 72.56g.
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: NEOLITHIC
Date from: Circa 4000 BC
Date to: Circa 2350 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 67.4 mm
Width: 48.4 mm
Thickness: 22.9 mm
Weight: 72.56 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st December 2015 - Thursday 31st December 2015
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Hampshire Cultural Trust Object Entry Form WINCM 193
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Old Alresford
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
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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