Record ID: CORN-C88526
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete sandstone whetstone, used on two sides and one face, so that they are smooth, and broken at one end. Romano-British, judging from the majority of material that it was found with. Carlyon (1987) illustrates a similar example from Carvossa, Probus on page 137, Fig.14, No.4, which is dated from the 1st to the 4th century AD. Quinnell (2004) illustrates a similar example from Trethurgy on page 141, Fig.67, No.18, which is dated from c.AD 150-550.
Created on: Monday 23rd April 2007
Last updated: Tuesday 21st July 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-28ABAB
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An assemblage of 3 almost-complete probable whetstones, of prehistoric date (likely Mesolithic to Bronze Age c.8300-800 BC). The object is a oval shaped pebble, especially worn on one edge, of heavily patinated dark brown coloured stone, probably gabbroic in nature.  Dimensions (objects from L-R): Whetstone 1 (the largest): Remaining length, 105.67, width, 40.82mm, thickness, 19.97mm. Weight: 131g. Whetstone 2 (the smallest): Remaining length, 72.26mm, width, 30.35mm, thickness, 13.17mm. Weight: 53g. Whetstone 3: Remaining length, 86.68mm, width, 48…
Created on: Thursday 25th January 2024
Last updated: Tuesday 27th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-89FC47
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: IRON AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete whetstone for sharpening metal tools or flensing tool for cleaning hides with both ends broken off, engraved with a lobe and circle pattern on one face that is comparable to the decoration seen on Iron Age metalwork. There is also the beginnings of this pattern with S-shaped scrolls on the opposite flat face of the whetstone. This decoration is under, and therefore earlier than, one set of parallel linear grooves on the side edge of the whetstone, that consist of three shorter, wider lines, 5-6 mm in length and 2-3 mm in width, followed by another nine lines, 8 mm in length…
Created on: Thursday 22nd October 2015
Last updated: Monday 27th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-DC10C1
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Greenstone (epidiorite or dolerite) whetstone or muller with two worked edges, probably used to polish metal, although the base may also have been used as a rubbing stone, to grind grain. The muller is sub-oval in plan, with one rounded end and one flat, where the edge is slightly damaged. The stone is sub-triangular in section, flat on the side that was used for rubbing, and also worked on the other two oblique faces, where it was used instead as a base for polishing metal implements. The muller base would have been used with a larger saddle quern to grind grain between the stones …
Created on: Thursday 23rd August 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-E43286
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete whetstone worked from a bladed beach pebble of silty sandstone that has trimmed and faceted ends and a faceted edge on both sides (Dr Roger Taylor pers comm). The whetstone is sub-rectangular in plan, with two rounded ends and straight sides. There are percussion marks and damage at both ends and a large chip missing from one edge. There are also many grooves cut into the surface, perhaps by the plough, though there are three incised chevrons in a herring-bone pattern on one face, which may be deliberate. Both faces are flat and worn where they were used for sharpening and …
Created on: Monday 14th March 2011
Last updated: Monday 21st March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-138FA4
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete whetstone worked from a bladed beach pebble of silty sandstone that has a trimmed and faceted end (Dr Roger Taylor pers comm) and flat vertical sides. The whetstone is rectangular in plan, with straight sides and one broken end. There are percussion marks at the faceted end and a large flake missing from the opposite end. Both sides and one face are flat and worn where they were used for sharpening and polishing metal. There are Devonian (Portscatho Formation) sandstones, potentially suitable for whetstones, on the coast between Loe Pool and Polurrian Cove in the northwest …
Created on: Wednesday 16th March 2011
Last updated: Monday 21st March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-ED5387
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Hornfels whetstone, triangular in plan, tapering to one end, and rectangular in profile. The length of one side of the stone has been smoothed and flattened by continuous use, probably sharpening a metal blade. The opposite side is also worked and worn, but has a square section that is recessed, which may have been deliberate or through damage. Nowakowski (1991) illustrates a similar whetstone from Trethellan, Newquay on page 147, Fig.61, No.95, which is dated to the Bronze Age. Ashbee (1999) illustrates similar examples of whetstones with tapering ends from Halangy Down on page 99, F…
Created on: Tuesday 1st April 2003
Last updated: Saturday 18th February 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-ED9EE0
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Elvan or fine-grained granite whetstone or rubbing stone, semi-circular in plan, rectangular in profile and tear-shaped in section. The length of one side of the stone has been smoothed and flattened by continuous use, probably sharpening a metal blade. The opposite side is also worked and worn, but has an area that is slightly recessed, which may be a result of the pitting of the surface over time. The base of the stone is also slightly hollowed and may have been used as a rubbing stone, to grind grain, rather than blades, initially, and then when it broke in half, it was re-used as a…
Created on: Tuesday 1st April 2003
Last updated: Tuesday 18th October 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-E94D5B
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A sandstone, possibly greywacke, whetstone with damaged end. 146 mm in length, 60 mm in width, 30 mm in thickness and 482.1 g in weight. The whetstone is sub-rectangular in plan and in profile and oval in section. Made from a beach pebble, all the edges are rounded, and the surfaces of the implement are generally smooth. The two longer edges are worn smooth and flat through use as a whetstone to sharpen metalwork. One end is worn and pitted through repeated percussion where it was used as a hammer. The undamaged part of the opposite end is similarly pitted by percussion but was subseq…
Created on: Wednesday 28th November 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 12th December 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C3A944
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Broken section of a narrow bladed cobble, probably metamorphosed slate, rectangular in plan and profile, and oblong in section. One face has been ground to a smooth flat surface, as a whetstone facet, and there are scratch marks along the edge of the stone. This is one of a group of cobbles found in the same area, made of various materials, that were used as domestic artefacts such as mullers, rubbers and whetstones. All of these would be at home on a Middle Bronze Age settlement. Unfortunately we know insufficient about the range of stone artefacts used in Neolithic Cornwall to make …
Created on: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C424B2
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Small bladed cobble, probably metamorphosed slate, oblong in plan and lozenge-shaped in profile, and plano-convex in section. One face has been ground to a flat surface, probably for rubbing or whetstone use, with some flakes having been removed along the edge of the stone. This is one of a group of cobbles found in the same area, made of various materials, that were used as domestic artefacts such as mullers, rubbers and whetstones. All of these would be at home on a Middle Bronze Age settlement. Unfortunately we know insufficient about the range of stone artefacts used in Neolithic …
Created on: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 15th February 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-0EE8C3
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Flat tabular block of fine quartzite, sub-rectangular in plan, profile and in section. Both surfaces are waterworn with patches of iron staining and some shallow concavities due to damage. There are also areas of grinding, particularly on the base and the sides, where there are shallow grinding grooves, which suggest that it was probably used as a whetstone. This is one of a group of cobbles found in the same area, made of various materials, that were used as domestic artefacts such as mullers, rubbers and whetstones. All of these would be at home on a Middle Bronze Age settlement. Un…
Created on: Sunday 19th February 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-2DDECA
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete whetstone of hornfels or metamorphosed spotted slate (Roger Taylor pers comm), trapezoidal in plan and rectangular in profile and in section. It is 134.5 mm in length, maximum width 68.5 mm close to the undamaged end, narrowing to 45.5 mm at the broken end, 26 mm maximum thickness and weight 397.5 g. The convex dorsal surface has been pecked and slightly polished to produces an irregular but smooth surface which narrows towards the broken end. The implement has been split longitudinally so that the ventral surface is flatter and rougher; there is a ridge 25 mm from the w…
Created on: Monday 18th November 2019
Last updated: Monday 25th November 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-24C7BA
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete fine-grained sandstone or siltstone whetstone, rectangular in plan, profile and section. One of the wider faces is smooth and might have been used to sharpen blades, and the opposite face with an ovate recess, 42 mm long, 38 mm wide and 4 mm deep, was perhaps used as an anvil for crushing limpets, nuts or smaller foodstuffs. The finder has also found references to prehistoric stones with similar indentations that have been used as anvils for knapping flint from the Iberian peninsula. There are deep grooves on the smooth face that have been caused by later damage, possibly f…
Created on: Thursday 27th October 2016
Last updated: Wednesday 9th November 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-0E64CA
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A broken whetstone, trapezoid in plan, an elongated rectangle in profile and a narrow oval in section. Made from a flat, elongated greywacke sandstone beach pebble from the Crackington Formation dating from of the Upper Carboniferous age (332 to 290 million years BP). Both surfaces and both side margins have been polished to a smooth finish. One side margin is flat, the opposite side margin is curved through repeated use for sharpening metal tools. Both faces are slightly concave. Both ends have been broken off: the proximal end by a single break perpendicular to the side margins. …
Created on: Monday 7th November 2016
Last updated: Thursday 12th January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-0E7885
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A whetstone, made from a flat greywacke sandstone beach pebble from the Crackington Formation dating from of the Upper Carboniferous age (332 to 290 million years BP). Sub-oval in plan, both ends having been carefully shaped to a blunted point. The side margins are parallel and both surfaces are flat. All surfaces were polished to produce a completely smooth, polished artefact which is comfortable to hold, with no sharp edges or corners. The two flat faces are very slightly concave, suggesting that the whetstone was not subjected to extensive use and may have been lost soon after i…
Created on: Monday 7th November 2016
Last updated: Thursday 12th January 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-0653DB
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A greenstone whetstone, ovate in plan, profile and section with all the edges rounded, and the surfaces generally smooth as it was made from a beach pebble. The dorsal and ventral faces are worn smooth and flat through use as a whetstone to sharpen metalwork. Both ends are worn and pitted through repeated percussion where the tool was also used as a hammer or pestle. The narrower proximal end has had the removal of a single flake from one edge but it looks as if it might be damage through use as a hammer. There are also several areas of damage which have been caused by agricultural ma…
Created on: Thursday 17th January 2019
Last updated: Monday 25th March 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-2A974E
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A sandstone whetstone with bevelled end. Trapezoid in plan, sub-rectangular in profile and ovate in section. Made from a local beach pebble, all the edges are rounded and the surfaces of the implement are generally smooth. There are two patches of percussion marks, one on each of the broader surfaces, close to the wider, proximal end of the object. The narrow distal end of the tool has been rubbed smooth from both sides to produce a bevelled edge. The sharp edge of the bevel has been worn through use. There is a small area of pecking at the proximal end of the shorter side edge of the…
Created on: Monday 3rd April 2017
Last updated: Wednesday 5th April 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-687982
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete whetstone of medium brown sandstone. The object is a narrow, tapered rectangle, with rounded corners, in plan, and plano-convex in profile and section. The ventral face is almost flat with two very slightly dished areas either side of the mid-point. The tool is thinner at the wide end, becoming thicker towards the narrower end. When viewed from the dorsal side, the left-hand edge is flat and highly polished through continuous use; the right-hand edge is less highly polished, flat in places but convex towards the wider end and has also been used as a whetstone to sharpen met…
Created on: Tuesday 18th April 2017
Last updated: Thursday 8th June 2017
Spatial data recorded.