Record ID: WILT-DBCAF4
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Middle Bronze Age Palstave Adze with a damaged butt. It measures 132.6mm in length with a cutting edge 32.5mm wide. The surface is pitted. The cutting edge is chamfered and worn on a slant. Around this edge and the sides of he palstave much of the golden brown patina has been lost. Weighs 176.92g. The shelf is deep on either side (7.5 and 8.3mm) and the hafting end c. on third the length of the adze. Brendan O'Connor comments: 'This is a type known to Evans (Ancient bronze implements, p 85, figs 70-1). One of these is illustrated by Rowlands, The production and distributi…
Created on: Wednesday 31st May 2006
Last updated: Friday 11th March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WILT-FEE598
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint pick or adze of Mesolithic date (c. 10,000 - 4000 BC). The implement is lenticular in both profile and cross-section. One face is much flatter than the other. It has been knapped from a series of different angles on one face and retains c. 15% cortex on the same face. The opposite face exhibits limited evidence of flake removal. The flint is a milky mottled light grey in colour with evidence of recortication heavier on one face. The implement measures 114.36mm in length, 51.93mm maximum width, 32.93mm minimum width, 36.74mm maximum thickness, 13.56mm minimum thickness and w…
Created on: Friday 10th July 2015
Last updated: Friday 27th November 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WAW-F2B395
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Warwickshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy Middle Bronze Age Palstave Adze. The cutting edge is on the vertical and is heavily abraded and corroded. In plan it is a slender elongated triangle which is slightly swollen along the centre of the lateral edges. The butt is also heavily abraded and corroded. The butt portion has a rectangular cell with an open end at the butt on the upper and lower face, thereby forming a 'H' shaped section. In profile the adze is a sub asymmetrical lozenge, with the butt tapering to a blunt point, and the blade portion of the adze having slightly concave sides and expanding in w…
Created on: Friday 8th April 2011
Last updated: Friday 8th April 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-536696
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Doncaster
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint adze dating from the Mesolithic period. See page 28 in Susan Palmer's Mesolithic cultures of Britain (1977) for a similar example. The square end is the cutting end. It has a length of 142.5mm, width 46.3mm, thickness 31.8mm and a weight of 207g.
Created on: Thursday 19th November 2009
Last updated: Thursday 8th February 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-FE73F2
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Neolithic flint adze. The adze has one convex worked side with the other side being flatter (but also worked). The tool is oval shaped in plan (and semi-circular in section) with the working end widening slightly. The other narrower end of the adze would have been hafted into a wooden handle and it would have functioned as a heavy-duty tool for cutting trees and woodworking. The adze weighs 159.95g and measures 118.5mm in length, 46mm in width and 27mm in thickness.
Created on: Monday 28th June 2004
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'York', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-2F26B7
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fragment of an early Neolithic polished stone tool – either an adze or axehead. The tool has been ground so that the areas of surface still surviving are smooth. There are quite large areas of damage on the tool; the blade edge is completely missing making the original size of the tool difficult to interpret. The tool weighs 146.77g and measures 83.95mm in length, 43.71mm in width and 26.87mm in thickness.
Created on: Friday 17th June 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Saxton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SWYOR-A20C17
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Part of an iron blade possibly from a adze, although it is unusually flat, or perhaps a mattock. The tool is 143.47mm long, 97.85mm wide and 11.77mm thick. The sub-rectangular blade has a convex cutting edge which does not project to the sides. The opposite end is broken off, so the orientation of any socket is not known. The side near the break curve inwards. The uniformity of the metal suggests a post medieval date.
Created on: Wednesday 24th September 2008
Last updated: Friday 8th February 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SWYOR-BD78A1
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Neolithic flint flaked adze dating from 4000 - 2200 BC. The adze (or asymetric axe) is formed on dark grey high quality flint which is not patinated and which has few inclusions. It is sub-recatngular, tapering from a cutting edge of 40.5mm wide, to a rounded butt of 18mm wide. The sides are straight apart from the corners of the cutting edge which taper slightly. In cross section, the axe has a pointed oval asymetrical shape, being flatter on one face than the other. It is invasivly worked with covering, scaled, semi-abrupt retouch, with smaller removals from the edges. It is 127.4…
Created on: Tuesday 7th July 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 7th July 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-644AA4
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Flint adze or pick, probably of Mesolithic date. The adze is knapped from flint with some cortex remaining at the butt end, covering c.20% of one side. It is sub-triangular in plan with straight tapering sides and a rounded blade and butt. In cross section it is also sub-triangular flattening to a pointed oval at the blade. One face is flat at the butt end where it is covered in cortex it has a convex curve through the remainder. The other has a pronounced central ridge which is particularly acute at the butt end then flattens at the blade. It has been shaped with large, shallow flakes…
Created on: Friday 3rd April 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-275044
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A bifacially worked prehistoric flint tool, possibly dating to the later Neolithic period (c. 2700-2351 BC). This tool is similar to 'Acheulian' handaxes of the Lower Palaeolithic, in that it is bifacially worked and roughly piriform in plan; however, its finely worked sub-oval cutting edge and elongated form, coupled with its asymmetrically bi-convex cross-section suggests a Neolithic date. Similar to adzes from the Neolithic period, this tool has one 'humped' or arched face with a flatter, albeit worked, opposite face. The tool's distal end has been modified, possibly for hafting, w…
Created on: Monday 22nd August 2011
Last updated: Thursday 6th June 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Near Chichester', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SUSS-62F577
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: 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 wi…
Created on: Tuesday 20th October 2015
Last updated: Wednesday 23rd March 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-67EF94
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete and partially knapped Mesolithic flint object, probably an adze, but possibly a large core (c. 8300-3500 BC). The remains of the object consist of what looks like the butt-end of an adze and possibly a third to a half of the small adze body; it has been knapped on all sides with long blade removals and smaller removals near to the butt. It is missing a portion of its body and potentially its cutting edge; a tranchet or lateral flake cannot be identified to confirm this object as a tranchet adze, as it would appear on the blade end, now missing. Typical to adzes of this…
Created on: Monday 30th January 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 1st February 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-9199B5
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete early mesolithic flint adze head, 10000-8000 BC. The adze has been made from a knapped flint nodule. There is still significant cortex coverage over the surface of the object. Flakes have been removed to create the cutting edge and to create the tapering profile of the adze head. It is possible that the piece is a roughout for an adze. The flake removals are large and in specific areas of the nodule. There is no retouch on the object. It measures 148.8mm long, 57.8mm at its widest point and 33.2mm at its thickest point. It weighs 356 grams.
Created on: Wednesday 13th September 2017
Last updated: Friday 15th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-05E663
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: East Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete mesolithic flint adze head, 8300-4500BC. The object is a short tapering knapped flint piece, it has a lozenge shaped section that is most visible at the widest end. This end tapers sharply to a point formed by a tranchet strike that has been further shaped down. There is a longitudinal ridge running the length of both the borsal and ventral sides. The distal end of the object curves slightly giving the piece an asymetrical appearance. The object is made from a pale grey flint. The object appears to be complete but does not seem to be finished. Length: 133.15mm Width: 42.…
Created on: Tuesday 31st January 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 31st January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUSS-91C513
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Mesolithic flint adze head, dating to the period c.8000-4500BC. The object is sub- triangular in plan, tapering from the cutting edge to the butt. The cutting edge appears tohave been formed by the removal of a single tranchet flake. The adze has a slightly curved profile, with one side being shorter than the other, giving the butt a slight hooked shape.
Created on: Monday 27th March 2017
Last updated: Saturday 29th June 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SUR-DD6F65
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Neolithic flaked flint adze, knapped from a grey flint, 156mm in length. The sides on the long axis of the tool are roughly parallel, tapering to rounded ends and with a lenticular cross section. The side profile is convex suggesting a function as an adze and the working edge is rounded but has been damaged. The flint has heavily recorticated with a white patina derived from prolonged deposition in calcareous sediments and there is also extensive post depositional iron staining.
Created on: Wednesday 24th May 2023
Last updated: Friday 1st December 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOM-122072
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MODERN
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a broken polished stone adze originally thought to be of Neolithic date, now thought to be a modern, Ethnographic, example. The fragment comprises of part of the blade end of the adze. It is now 'D' shaped in plan with a straight break along the width of the head and a convex curved cutting edge. It is pointed oval in section with convex faces and slightly flattened points at each side, one face is flatter than the other suggesting iit is an adze rather than an axe. The fragment also tapers in thickness from the break to a point forming the cutting edge. There are two sm…
Created on: Tuesday 7th February 2012
Last updated: Friday 8th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Misterton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-85FC79
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Essex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete flint adze of the Mesolithic to early Neolithic period, dating to 9500 BC-4000 BC. It is oval in plan and tapers towards one end; it has a roughly lozange-shaped cross-section. The tapered end bears the beige cortex surviving (7%). The dorsal surface has a longitudinal median ridge, which forks close to the flaring end. Both the surfaces have multi-directional negative scars. The edges have traces of further retouches and old breaks. The surfaces have a greyish white patina which covers the mottled grey core. Frequent iron stains cover the surfaces. Cf Butler (2005, p. 1…
Created on: Monday 6th August 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 8th August 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bay Thorne End', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-11D77C
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete knapped flint adze dating to the Mesolithic period, c. 8000-4000 BC. It is broadly lenticular in plan and plano-convex in section, with a slightly tapered butt, expanded sides, rectilinear cutting edge and flattened underside. Manufactured originally from a large piece of blackish brown flint with some green and yellow mottling, it has been bifacially worked- both faces demonstrate highly invasive removals that have removed practically all of the original flake surfaces, though those on the underside of the adze are thinner, wider and low-angle, suggestive of preferential u…
Created on: Wednesday 13th December 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 24th January 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bedfield', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SF-246613
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete flint Mesolithic tranchet axe or Neolithic flaked adze. It is trapezoidal in shape, expanding slightly towards the damaged end and roughly triangular in cross-section with a raised ridge running longitudinally down the centre of one face. There is a rough break across one end where a section is missing. There is invasive, scaled retouch on both faces, but this is less extensive on the flatter face. The flint is dark brown in colour with some orange staining and very little patination. A very small amount of cortex survives on both faces. Because of damage it cannot be…
Created on: Thursday 13th June 2019
Last updated: Friday 21st June 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'St. Margaret, Ilketshall', grid reference and parish protected.