Record ID: PUBLIC-E2AD11
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete whetstone of probable early-medieval to medieval date (c. AD 800 - 1400). Description: The whetstone is formed from a very fine-grained, sedimentary, mica-rich stone. It is sub-trapezoidal in plan with parallel sides and is sub-rectangular in cross section. Both ends are broken, probably in antiquity. All sides are flat and very smooth, except one face that is slightly dished from the sharpening process. Measurements: Length 61.66mm: Width 28.01mm: Thickness 19.83mm: Weight 78.11g Discussion: Dating of whetstones is difficult as they were used from the la…
Created on: Thursday 20th August 2020
Last updated: Tuesday 20th October 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Skidbrooke', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WILT-9990B7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Swindon
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of undatable (200 BC-1800 AD) but probably Roman to medieval, hone or whetstone, measuring 42.21x41.00x20.59mm and weighing 48.45g. The stone has micaceous inclusions and is greyish in colour. The whetstone or hone is formed from a very fine grained sedimentary, mica rich sandstone or siltstone. It is rectangular in cross section and has a deep groove on both of the larger faces.
Created on: Friday 21st January 2011
Last updated: Friday 21st January 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LANCUM-941C91
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lancashire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Small stone fragment, possibly the remains of a whetstone. Date uncertain. The surfaces are too worn and damaged to be abolutely certain that this was, indeed, an artefact. It may be natural. It is was a whetstone, the date range would be 2000BC-AD1900, as single stray finds of simple whetstones are notoriously difficult to date.
Created on: Wednesday 2nd February 2011
Last updated: Friday 11th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Thornton', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LON-FC5492
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Greater London Authority
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A stone incomplete whetstone of uncertain date, probably late Early Medieval - early Post Medieval. This whetstone is rectangular in shape, flaring towards one end (from 20.00mm to 26.53mm), and wedge-shaped in profile. The other end is broken and missing. One of the sides has been deliberately scored with very regular lozenge-shaped cross-hatching; the other side has the natural striations of the stone. Hazel Forsyth notes that it is very difficult to date this object with any degree of accuracy. Dimensions: length: 85.39mm; width: 26.53mm; thickness: 14.58mm; weight: 46.36…
Created on: Monday 7th February 2011
Last updated: Monday 7th 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: LANCUM-35A3C5
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Cumbria
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete rectangular whetstone, which is very difficult to date, but is most likely to date from the Roman-post-medival period, i.e. c. AD43-1800. The stone is rectangular in shape and about 14.9mm thick. The surfaces are smooth, but the smoothest part are the sides which were probably used for resharpening blades of knives, axes and other tools. Stray finds of whetstones are notoriously difficult to date and only very few found out of context can be dated to, e.g. the Roman or medieval period because of their shape and/or a perforation for suspension. This whetstone does not bear a…
Created on: Friday 18th March 2011
Last updated: Friday 25th March 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cockermouth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: WMID-16E164
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Staffordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An igneous stone (granite?) whetstone of uncertain date. The stone is finely finished and shaped with a carved sub-oval 'tang' to slot into a handle. The sides are straight and there is a ridge running down the centre of one face, making the stone pentagonal in shape. The blade is truncated and as its terminal is not so smooth as the edges of the rest of the blade this would seem to be through damage rather than wear through use. The stone is a dark grey to black in colour with fine inclusions, but is an orangey brown in colour where it has been shaped to fit the handle, and to a less…
Created on: Tuesday 29th March 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 29th March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-E2AB92
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Worked object probably for use as a whetstone. The object is rectangular in plan and sub-rectangular in cross-section. Each end of the object is slightly rounded. The two sides of the object have both been worked and patterns of ware are visible. One side shows more use than the other, the centre of which is slightly convex. On the wider surfaces of the stone small inclusions of mica can be seen, however none are visible on the used sides. The stone is mid brown in colour. This object may have been in use from Pre-history to the Post-Medieval period. An exact date is unknown.
Created on: Tuesday 8th June 2010
Last updated: Thursday 24th June 2010
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Birdforth', grid reference and parish protected.

• 

  Image not taken

Record ID: WILT-42FE74Z
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Wiltshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of undatable (200 BC-1800 AD) but probably Roman hone or whetstone, measuring 48.37x37.89x20.74mm and weighing 63.8g. The stone is smooth on one face and rougher on the others. It is red/ brown in colour with micaceous inclusions. The whetstone or hone is formed from a very fine grained sedimentary, mica rich sandstone or siltstone.
Created on: Monday 19th July 2010
Last updated: Saturday 17th January 2015
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cricklade area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-ECBF12
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Stone: Fine grained sandstone with tiny ?mica flecks and black grains. Possibly Coal Measures Sandstone (non-specialist identification by MF). Hone. Tapered cylindrical hone, broken at both ends. The regular round section may suggest it was turned on a lathe, and/or used fitted to a spindle. Spiral gouges may have been inflicted after such use. Suggested date: Post-Medieval to Modern, 1600-1900. Length: 140.47mm, Diameter: 37.47mm, Weight: 240gms.
Created on: Tuesday 27th July 2010
Last updated: Monday 13th September 2010
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wickenby', grid reference and parish protected.

• 

  Image not taken

Record ID: BERK-BF8163
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
These items form part of a collection of 60 sherds of Roman and Medieval pottery and other finds that were submitted for identification in November 2009. The two whetstones that were submitted are, like the nails very hard to date without contextual information. Whetstones have been in use for many hundreds of years. On whetstone is perforated, probably for suspension; this practice was not common during the Roman period. These whetstones may date anywhere from the post Roman period (AD 410) into the post-medieval period.
Created on: Wednesday 18th August 2010
Last updated: Wednesday 18th August 2010
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HAMP-E48B53
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A whetstone of Norwegian ragstone, late Saxon or medieval in date. The stone is sub-rectangular in cross-section with rounded corners. It tapers from the plain, flat end to an old break at the other end. Each side is slightly concave from wear. It measures 22.6mm by 20.1mm at the complete end, and 17.5mm by 11.1mm at the break. A very similar example was found in a 15th- to 16th-century pit in Winchester, but it may have been residual (Rees et al., 326-327; ref. 2441).
Created on: Friday 20th August 2010
Last updated: Tuesday 24th August 2010
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Owslebury CP', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LVPL-8A5863
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Cheshire West and Chester
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Stone tool of uncertain date. The object is irregular in plan and oval in cross-section. The outer surface of the stone is very smooth with deliberate transverse scratches. It is likely that it was a natural stone which was used as a whetstone and is blackish brown in color.
Created on: Thursday 9th September 2010
Last updated: Thursday 30th September 2010
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Beeston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: LIN-DBA476
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete schist whetstone. The whetstone is rectangular in plan and in cross-section.
Created on: Thursday 7th October 2010
Last updated: Thursday 1st February 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-E3C6E4
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Stone; Grey fine-grained micaceous sandstone. Hone fragment. Fragment from a lathe-turned whetstone of conical form, broken at both ends. The object retains a regular round section, which could suggest it was mounted on a turning axle in a frame when in use. Suggested date: Post-Medieval to Modern, 1700-1900. Diameter: 33.7mm, Length: 90.4mm, Weight: 115.73gms.
Created on: Thursday 26th May 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 31st July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wickenby', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-E415D7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Stone. Moderately compacted medium grained quartzitic Sandstone. Hone. Fragment of a conical whetstone, probably lathe turned and perhaps also used on a sharpening wheel or spindle, broken at both its ends. The stone does not appear especially suitable to this use. Suggested date: Post-Medieval, 1600-1800. Diameter: 39.8mm, Length: 76.7mm, Weight: 133.72gms.
Created on: Thursday 26th May 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 31st July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wickenby', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-E1A5D1
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MODERN
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fine Grained Moderately Compacted Sandstone Whetstone fragment. Segment broken from a wheel-mounted whetstone of estimated external diameter 300mm. Both sides have a broad flat rim. The central aperture had an estimated diameter of 140mm, suggesting an axle engaged another wooden element in contact with the stone itself to make it lighter and easier to turn. Suggested date: Modern, 1850-1950. This object was kindly identified by Sandra Firth, Hazel West and Helen Fry of the North Lincolnshire Pottery Research Group. Thickness: 40mm, Weight: 470gms.
Created on: Tuesday 7th June 2011
Last updated: Monday 30th July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wickenby', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SUSS-F19393
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: West Sussex
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Three medium-grained sandstone whetstones of probable Medieval to post-Medieval date. All three whetstones seem to be composed of different forms of sandstone, and may possibly be Tertiary stones from Hampshire.The longest and narrowest whetstone (far right in photo) is rectangular in section and measures 76.23 mm long, 21.59 mm wide (at base), and 16.75 mm thick; it weighs 31.01 grams. The second whetstone (middle in photo) is sub-triangular in section and measures 66.70 mm long, 21.60 mm wide, and 25.96 mm thick; it weighs 83.96 grams. The third whetstone is probably a fragment (far…
Created on: Monday 20th June 2011
Last updated: Thursday 6th June 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Climping', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-321244
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A possible whetstone, hone-stone or polishing stone. A shaped quartzite pebble (probably a beach pebble). The pebble has several angular facets resulting in its broadly rectilinear shape. The profile shape is pentagonal. On both of the long faces there are areas of wear at the short edges. The upper surface, where two facets join together producing a central ridge (the point of the pentagonal profile) is slightly more smooth than the other surfaces. Date: Uncertain Dimensions: 83.81 mm x 47.53 mm x 58.63 mm Weight: 420 g (approx)
Created on: Tuesday 5th July 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 5th July 2011
Spatial data recorded.