2024-03-28T12:08:28+00:00https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://finds.org.uk/database/search/results55110finds-11079231107923NMGW-E743EEAXEHEAD ROUGHOUTNEOLITHICA probable Neolithic stone axehead roughout of Neolithic date, c.4000-2500 BC. The object is in the early stages of shaping, with scars from large removals on both faces and does not appear to be a flake but rather a rock in the process of being shaped. The bifacial object is broadly sub-oval in plan, with an irregular lozenge section. The shaping has not progressed to a point where it is possible to discern a blade or butt end, though one end is more pointed that the other, which has a flat, angled end formed by excess material ending in a hinged fracture on one face. One face of the axe shows a long hairline fracture extending from the flatter end c. ¾ of the way down the face- this is likely to be more recent damage, but if original may have prompted the knapper to abandon the roughout.
The rock is dark grey and hard but has weathered to a mottled brown-grey over much of the surface. Both faces are marked by moderate abrasion with some larger scratches.
To finish the axe, the roughout would have required further shaping by knapping before being ground to produce a finished polished stone axe.
Length: 158.9mm Width: 90.2mm Thickness: c.36mm Weight: 603.5gX-Ray diffraction and microscopic analysis was undertaken by Dr Jana Horak to determine the petrology of this object. Dr Horak is of the opinion that this rought is struck from a fine-grained, well cemented sandstone that is probably local to the findspot, and suggested the piece may have been abandonded due to sandstone being a poor choice for the production of axes. The stone does not fit into any known axe groups.99-4000-250014NMGWNMWPA 2023.49.12023-04-18T11:43:10Z2023-07-06T17:45:29Z603.5PAS643E743E001F0C3690.2158.9121444142425491899525491PowysPowysLlanwrthwlSN926452.26352376-3.58391822bands.shops.handy10NMGW-E75FBBStone11794CompleteNEOLITHICx14337NEOLITHICx14337x14337Other chance findReturned to finder2023491.jpg1233031images/gwhatley/WalesCertain12023-07-06T16:45:29.893Zfinds-10530021053002NMGW-24C12CARROWHEADBRONZE AGEAn incomplete knapped and pressure flaked barbed and tanged arrowhead Late neolithic to early bronze age (c. 2500 BC-1500 BC). Arrowheads such as this Sutton Type B arrowhead (Green 1980) are commonly associated with the emergence of the Beaker phenomenon in Britain.
The arrowhead is made of grey semi translucent flint with cherty (likely fossil) inclusions. The arrowhead is missing its very tip and one barb (likely due to weakness in the cherty inclusion). The remaining barb is hollow based
Length: 17.9mm
Width: 15.7mm
Thickness: 4.2mm
Weight: 0.88gBarbed and tanged91331-2500-15004NMGWSutton Type BNMWPA 2021.31.12022-02-08T10:55:14Z2022-12-06T13:57:53Z0.88PAS62024C12001C644.215.717.912124141424255021906825502the Vale of Glamorganthe Vale of GlamorganLlantwit MajorSS966951.41045312-3.4967380110NMGW-24CB9AStone11794Knapped/flakedIncompleteNEOLITHICx14337LateEarlyBRONZE AGEx13712x13712Metal detectorReturned to finder2021311.jpg1170569images/gwhatley/WalesCertain12022-12-06T13:57:53.767Zthe Vale of Glamorgan1Unitary AuthorityGround/polishedPOST MEDIEVAL3Metal detector202137.jpg25502161431UN18Unitary AuthorityPossibly4NMGW2550226.9St. Bride's Major13.99the Vale of Glamorgan117942021-10-18T13:16:03ZReturned to finderWalesCirca
A complete stone or ceramic spindle whorl, weight, or gaming piece of uncertain date, possibly Roman to Medieval. The object is circular in plan and convex in profile with a diameter of 25.9mm, height of 18mm and weighs 13.99g. The circular central perforation penetrates the object thickest part of the object (18mm) with an internal diameter of 6.7mm. The object is finely made and evenly polished with a smooth even surface. The surface is undecorated and lacks diagnostic features, so it is not possible to securely ascribe a date. A small pebble is wedged inside one side of the perforation.
The object is a mottled pale buff colour with splotches of brown, pinkish and reddish brown.
Similar objects are recorded on the PAS database, e.g. SOM-F369C6, CORN-111E0B, PUBLIC-D11069, DEV-D66401
Adelle Bricking2-3.64271737NMGW-D657EC10404373NMWPA 2021.37.1POST MEDIEVALSPINDLE WHORLSS8676finds-10404371110NMGW-D53BCBCompletex41047images/dellbricking/31157394PAS616D53BC001BFE42021-10-18T12:00:12ZPossiblyx41218123651.47144399UNKNOWNStone41424RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ROMANPossiblyCommunity2022-07-14T07:16:15.563ZCounty of Herefordshire10Unitary AuthorityMEDIEVAL3Metal detector201827.jpg38904133941UN19.5Unitary AuthorityPossibly3NMGW38904Sellack150.5County of Herefordshire117942021-08-04T16:08:25ZReturned to finderWest MidlandsCirca
Perforated stone weight of uncertain date possibly medieval
The weight is of irregular rectangular form (93.9mm long, 66.6mm wide and weighing 150.5g), of variable thickness (with a maximum thickness of 19.5mm) and is made from a coarse-grained sandstone. The top edge and one of the side edges appear to be moderately rounded and are likely to be unmodified, while the other two edges are irregular and probably trimmed to the desired shape. The perforation is circular (10.6mm diameter) and is wider at one face, but appears to have been drilled rather than pecked. One face (convex) is yellow grey with traces of green algae, while the opposite face is pale-grey.
The perforated stone has few diagnostic features making dating and identification difficult. The river context for the find suggests its likely use in fishing, perhaps on a net or as a basket sinker
Adelle Bricking93.92-2.64146087NMGW-AACFB110338721NMWPA 2018.27MEDIEVALWEIGHTSO5627finds-10338721166.68NMGW-AABB8DUncertainx14221images/dellbricking/31150074PAS610AABB8001DD342021-08-04T16:01:12ZPossiblyx142212951.93975312UNKNOWNStone41426MD1Circa29http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/MEDIEVALCertainCivil Parish2022-07-14T07:16:12.097ZLateCornwall100Unitary AuthorityGround/polishedMESOLITHIC1LateMetal detectorP1030932.JPG43750From finder1241991ME45Unitary AuthorityCertain4NMGW43750Duloex14235419Cornwall117942021-04-08T15:08:07ZReturned to finder3South WestCirca
A complete bevelled pebble with probable hammer use wear of Mesolithic date. The tool is oval in cross section and tapers slightly from one end to the other. It is bevelled at one end and shows use wear consistent with hammering at the other.
Bevelled pebbles are fairly common finds on later Mesolithic sites, particularly along the coast. They are commonly interpreted as being used in the processing of seal skins. This particular tool has been used as a hammer in addition to the bevelled edge, and may have been carried inland for this purpose.
George Whatley10823-4.5047594NMGW-F0CF261025395Bevelled Pebble1NMWPA 2021.12MESOLITHICLITHIC IMPLEMENTSX2256finds-102539511586NMGW-F09AE4Completex14235images/gwhatley/11140701PAS606F09AE0013E042021-04-08T14:48:30ZCertainx1423512650.37689572MESOLITHICStone41427ME1Circa6http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/MESOLITHICCertainCivil Parish2022-07-14T07:16:07.03ZEarlyPowys100Unitary AuthorityHand madeBRONZE AGE1EarlyMetal detector2016230.jpg25491189051BA41Unitary AuthorityCertain4NMGW25491-1800Treflysx137121055.7Powys117942021-01-26T16:29:51ZReturned to finder1WalesCirca
Early Bronze Age stone axe-hammer; c. 2300 – 1800BC
The axe-hammer has been shaped by pecking and appears to be complete (with an overall length of 148.0mm and a weight of 1055.7g) but has an irregular facet adjacent to the hammer end. Both faces are near-flat for most of their lengths (with a thickness at the blade end of 39mm and a thickness at the perforation of 41mm), before having a curved divergence at the hammer end (with a maximum thickness of 46.9mm). Both sides of the axe have a smooth curve, reaching their maximum width (of 88.1mm) across the perforation, nearer the hammer-end. The perforation is positioned near the centre of the axe-hammer and is circular with a minimal hour-glass profile (with a maximum diameter of 21mm and a minimum diameter of 13.3mm). The interior of the perforation has been smoothed more than the exterior faces. The hammer end is asymmetric because of the facet to the side, probably resulting from the shape of the rough-out. The end is sub-circular (46mm diameter) no clear signs of battering.
The minerology of the rock was examined[1]; the weathered faces made a detailed identification difficult, however the stone is igneous, probably a microgabbro. Sources of similar stone can be found in Pembrokeshire or the Clee Hills in Shropshire.
Although the majority of the face profile of the implement is flat, this axe hammer would seem to be better suited to Roe’s (1979) [2] Class II, concave axe hammers and could be further refined to Class IIa. Axe hammers cannot be dated at present through association or context but are suggested as having a chronology contemporary with battle axes and therefore are suggested as being of Early Bronze Age date, c. 2300 – 1800BC. When Roe conducted her survey of shafthole implements in 1979 (ibid.) she recorded approximately 950 axe hammers from Britain, with a midlands, northern English and western British distribution focus. In Wales, the distribution largely excludes South Wales east of Pembrokeshire.
[1] By Dr Jana Horak, Head of Mineralogy & Petrology at Amgueffda Cymru
[2] Roe, F.R.S; 1979; Typology of Stone Implements with Shaftholes in Clough & Cummins ed. Stone Axe Studies; CBA Research Report 23; p. 23-48
George Whatley14821-3.55023871NMGW-043B4210206341NMWPA 2016.230BRONZE AGEAXE HAMMERSN9450finds-10206341188.16NMGW-0431CCComplete-2300x13712images/gwhatley/11129442PAS6010431C001C6942021-01-26T16:28:12ZCertainx1371281352.1380941BRONZE AGEStone41424BA1Circa13http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/BRONZE AGECertainCommunity2022-07-14T07:16:03.953ZMonmouthshire10Unitary AuthorityKnapped/flakedNEOLITHIC1Metal detector20162081.jpg25489119471NE24.7Unitary AuthorityCertain4NMGW25489Llantilio Crossennyx14337419.4Monmouthshire117942021-01-25T16:11:53ZReturned to finderWalesCirca
Neolithic stone axehead roughout
The axehead is complete (with a length of 204mm and a weight of 419.4g) but has a little recent damage at both the blade edge and the butt. The butt is straight (with a width of 23mm) and the sides are moderately straight, gently convex and gradually divergent to the blade, reaching a maximum width (of 65.8mm) just above the blade (39mm from the blade edge). The blade edge (with a width of 61mm) has a deep and even curve (26mm deep). Both faces have a different profile, one has a clear convexity across its with and a gentle convexity across its length, while the other face is a central flat section, across both its length and width (135mm long and 34mm wide). The flat section appears to have been formed by a geological vein of quartz, patches of which survives on the flat section. Areas flanking the flat section are flaked at a bevel to define the edge. The convex face has longer flaking scars, as far as a central undulating ridge The axe has a maximum thickness along this ridge, below the butt (with a maximum thickness of 24.7mm, 73mm below the butt). There is no evidence of polishing on the axehead.
A geological examination and identification was carried out by Dr Jana Horak[1] who identified the mineral as a fine-grained quartzite with possible sources of similar stone near Crickhowell, Powys.
[1] Head of Mineralogy & Petrology; AC-NMW
George Whatley2042-2.9009307NMGW-EEE33610204951NMWPA 2016.208.1NEOLITHICAXEHEAD ROUGHOUTSO3814finds-10204951165.88NMGW-EEDC22Completex14337images/gwhatley/11129237PAS600EEDC200120042021-01-25T16:11:46ZCertainx143374951.821168NEOLITHICStone41424NE1Circa9http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/NEOLITHICCertainCommunity2022-07-14T07:16:03.876ZPembrokeshire10Unitary AuthorityGround/polishedNEOLITHIC1Metal detector20161991.jpg254901240121NE30.6Unitary AuthorityCertain1NMGW25490Coshestonx14337310.6Pembrokeshire117942021-01-25T14:52:27ZReturned to finderWalesCirca
Neolithic polished stone axe
The axe is fragmentary, represented by approximately half with the blade-end present (with a surviving length of 108.3mm and a weight of 310.6g). The break occurred in antiquity but a further flake has been detached from the broken end and blade more recently. The axe has an oval body section, with a flat facet on each side (with a width at the break of 65.2mm, a thickness of 30.6mm and a side facet width of 4mm – 6mm). The surviving lengths of the side are near-straight, slightly convex (reaching a surviving maximum width of 66.4mm, 42mm from the blade edge). The blade edge (with a width of 63.2mm) has a moderate curve (19mm deep). The faces were moderately convex across their lengths before converging at the blade. The surfaces are well-polished although the bases of a number of flaking scars remain evident. There are a number of flaking scars and edge damaged on the blade that has patinated and is likely to be contemporary with the use of the axe.
The mineralogy of axe was examined visually and microscopically by Jana Horak[1] who identified the mineral as a fine-grained siliceous rhyolite, a tuff with weak banding and pale weathering. The stone is likely to have been local to South West Wales and may potentially be Group VIII stone.
[1] Head of Mineralogy & Petrology; Amgueddfa Cymru
George Whatley108.32-4.86606648NMGW-EDB49310204681NMWPA 2016.199.1NEOLITHICPOLISHED AXEHEADSN0203finds-10204681166.48NMGW-EDADE3Fragmentx14337images/gwhatley/11129194PAS600EDADE0013B542021-01-25T14:51:10ZCertainx1433712951.69074452NEOLITHICStone41424NE1Circa9http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/NEOLITHICCertainCommunity2022-07-14T07:16:03.865ZEarlyCounty of Herefordshire10Unitary AuthorityPOST MEDIEVAL1Metal detector201724.jpg38904135971PM9.5Unitary AuthorityCertain4NMGW3890428.61700Madleyx4104712.6County of Herefordshire117942020-12-30T12:44:26ZReturned to finder1West MidlandsCirca
Stone spindle whorl of uncertain date, Roman to early Post Medieval, c. 100 - 1700
The sub- circular spindle-whorl is made from coarse-grained sandstone and is of near rectangular section with slightly convex faces, with a thickness of 9.5mm. The whorl has a maximum diameter of 28.6mm and weighs 12.6g. The central perforation has a consistent profile and has a diameter of 6.5mm.
It has been suggested that the weight of a spindle whorl is demonstrative of the thickness of yarn produced, with lighter spindle whorls (3 - 5 grams) being used for spinning cotton and the heavier ones (30 - 35 grams) for spinning wool (Margeson 1993, page 184). As the weight of this particular spindle falls between these categories it is somewhat difficult to determine the material it would have been used to spin. Spindle whorls are difficult to date precisely out of their original context, since they were used through most historical and archaeological periods. Many of the later examples tend to be undecorated. Egan (1998, page 256) has argued that there was an apparent lack of interest in developing decorative styles of spindle whorls during the Medieval period, compared to the decorative examples known from the Roman and Early Medieval periods. Although decorated examples are known of from Medieval and Post Medieval periods.
Adelle Bricking2-2.86153356NMGW-C755B210189431NMWPA 2017.2.4POST MEDIEVALSPINDLE WHORLSO4138finds-1018943118NMGW-C74749Complete100x41047images/dellbricking/11125762PAS5FEC747400197E42020-12-30T12:37:08ZCertainx412183652.03724838POST MEDIEVALStone41426RO1Circa21http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ROMANCertainCivil Parish2022-07-14T07:16:02.899ZGwynedd1Unitary AuthorityGround/polishedNEOLITHIC1Metal detectorNMWPA201923copy.jpg254831208511NEUnitary AuthorityCertain4NMGW25483-2100Beddgelertx14337295.2Gwynedd117942020-07-21T16:43:35ZReturned to finderWalesCirca
Neolithic partially polished stone mace head dating to 3rd millennium BC (c. 2800 – 2100BC)
The polished mace-head is complete or near-complete (with a length of 98.8mm and a weight of 395.2g) and is of unusual form with a well-defined blade at one end. The butt is rounded and convex (61mm wide, 9mm deep and approximately 20mm thick) but is battered and irregular, possibly resulting from its use as a hammer. Both sides are near-straight, slightly concave across their lengths (83mm and 76mm) and rounded across their widths. The mace head is widest at the blade (with a width of 72.6mm), which is shallow (with a depth of 10mm). The perforation is sub-circular and of ‘hour-glass’ form (with a diameter at the face of 26mm – 28mm), positioned of-centre, slightly closer to one side and to the blade end. The interior of the perforation is highly-polished. Both faces are convex across their length and the mace head reaches its maximum thickness (of 36.4mm) at the rear of the perforation (61mm from the blade). The mace-head has been shaped by pecking and is polished at the blade on both faces, below the perforation.
The geology of the mace head was examined[1] and suggested as being an acid volcanic, now weathered. The surface is heavily-pitted possibly from felsitic crystals or lithic clasts weathering out, the voids are elongated and generally of 1-2mm in size. The precise minerology could not be determined but similar acidic volcanic are derived from the region of discovery, around Snowdonia.
The mace head is of unusual form with a well-defined and polished blade and heavily-battered butt. The form, as a mace head is perhaps best paralleled in Roe’s (1979, p. 30)[2] ‘Proto-Cushion’ mace head forms, which she argues is an intermediate form between Ovoid C and Cushion varieties. Roe’s study (ibid.) has a distribution gap around North West Wales. Culturally, mace-heads have been found associated with Grooved Ware, suggesting a date within the 3rd millennium BC.
It may be possible to suggest that the blade and damaged butt may be from a reworked Neolithic polished stone axe that was previously damaged or deliberately reworked. The blade has some edge damage that may be post-depositional but otherwise is reasonably regular, with no clear erosion through use. The extensive polishing, restricted to the blade is more commonly seen on axes, where as a mace head is more likely to have undergone more even polishing across the surfaces. A brief assessment of published mace heads has not identified a close parallel for a mace head reworked from an axe.
Although the axe was found on the gravel beach of the river, it does not appear to be water-rolled and may have eroded out of a nearby bank sometime relatively recently.
[1] By Dr Jana Horak, Head of Mineralogy & Petrology at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
[2] Roe, F.R.S; 1979; Typology of Stone Implements with Shaftholes in Clough & Cummins ed. Stone Axe Studies; CBA Research Report 23; p. 23-48
Adelle Bricking98.82-4.10217926NMGW-70D22410078211NMWPA 2019.23NEOLITHICMACESH5946finds-1007821116110NMGW-70B382Complete-2800x14337images/dellbricking/11110427PAS5F170B380011DC42020-07-21T16:35:20ZCertainx1433712952.99271886NEOLITHICStone41424NE1Circa9http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/NEOLITHICCertainCommunity2022-07-14T07:15:55.151Z