ADZE

A complete partially polished flint adze dating to the Neolithic period, c. 4000-2500 BC. Under Clough's axe schema (Clough et al 1979), the piece corresponds his type E, 'D-sectioned' pieces. The adze has been manufactured on a piece of unpatinated greyish flint with mottled brown and black patches, originally by knapping a roughout and then by intensive grinding and polishing localised to the cutting edge and bottom third of the object. It is broadly sub-rectangular in form and plano-convex in section, with a squared off butt, slightly convex cutting edge, strongly curving section, and parallel sides that taper outwards slightly towards the cutting edge. The The upper half of the axe on both faces has been left unpolished and displays numerous negative flake scars, in addition to the greater part of both lateral edges where a considerable number of small 'trimming' removals are also visible. Preserved in good condition, the adze measures 149.99mm long, 52.07mm wide at its cutting edge, and 42.69mm wide by 21.67mm thick at its midpoint. It weighs 183.47 grammes.

Clough's schema and Chris Butler (2005, pp. 142-144) consider these 'D' sectioned pieces to be axes. However, the presence of a strongly curving profile and flattened reverse face suggests heavily that these pieces are in fact designed to function as adzes, with a lateral rather than vertical cutting edge.