Record ID: YORYM-ACA3C7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Published
A large fragment of whetstone, which is probably early-medieval in date. Numberous whetstones made in this material have been found in the East Ridings of Yorkshire in Viking contexts. The stone from which the whetstone has been carved is a fine-grained Mica Schist, sourced in Scandinavia. The stone has been chipped and ground into the whetstone shape and has large chamfered edges. The chamfered edges are still very obvious. Weight: 94g.
Created on: Wednesday 14th November 2007
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Brantingham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: YORYM-4399F2
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Published
A large fragment of whetstone, which is probably early-medieval in date. Numberous whetstones made in this material have been found in the East Ridings of Yorkshire in Viking contexts. The stone from which the whetstone has been carved is a fine-grained stone such as Mica Schist, sourced in Scandinavia. The stone has been chipped and ground into the whetstone shape and has large chamfered edges. The chamfered edges are still very obvious. Weight: 85g.
Created on: Thursday 12th February 2009
Last updated: Friday 18th May 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Yapham', grid reference and parish protected.

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: YORYM-AF84D7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A large fragment of worked stone, that could be a whetstone, which is probably early-medieval in date. Numberous whetstones made in this material have been found in the East Ridings of Yorkshire in Viking contexts. The stone from which the whetstone has been carved is a fine-grained Mica Schist, sourced in Scandinavia. The stone has been chipped and ground. It is unusually shaped with a waisted section and a rounded, bulbous terminal. The opposite terminal is broken.
Created on: Tuesday 19th August 2008
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Yapham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-3303E1
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a Roman to Medieval pendant whetstone. The stone is rectangular in plan and square in cross-section. At one end it is perforated by a circular hole to secure it via a thong or suspension ring to a strap or belt. The material is brown to grey in colour and is possibly a finegrained sandstone or even a form of Schist. The faces are marked with scored lines as the scars of use. Manning (1995 :261-262) notes that whetstones are very common on Roman sites, especially military ones. Likewise it is known that Vikings wore pendant whetstones from the belt. Shopland N. A…
Created on: Saturday 9th September 2006
Last updated: Tuesday 12th March 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Letcombe Regis', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-0E2784
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: West Berkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A very fine early medieval polished whetstone pendant, made from a light black stone. There is a suspension hole at the top which has been pierced fom both sides to give a clean even finish. There are numerous shallow linear scores visible on both sides of the whetstone. This whetstone was probably used for the final finishing sharpening rather than the initial sharpening. The whetstone measures 76.50mm long, 13.91mm wide and 6.89mm thick. It weighs 15 grams.
Created on: Thursday 11th June 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
No spatial data available.

Record ID: SWYOR-095CA7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Published
A rectangular length of lightweight, dark, fine-grained stone that has probably been used as a whetstone (hone or sharpening stone) as there are a number of shallow grooves on three of the surfaces. It is difficult to date with certainty but it probably dates from the Early-Medieval to Medieval periods. It is pierced at one end and a copper-alloy rivet remains in the piercing. At each end of the rivet is a small section of copper-alloy plate, probably forming a suspension mount, most of which has broken away in antiquity and is missing. The opposite end of the stone to the suspension …
Created on: Friday 15th January 2010
Last updated: Tuesday 4th September 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SF-469FF2
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A hone stone, of possible Anglo-Saxon to Medieval date. It is approximately rectangular, 41.79mm in length and 14.54mm in width tapering to one terminal. This is worn with rounded edges but broken off at the tip, and is perforated with a circular hole 6mm from the terminal edge. The hone is 5.4mm in thickness here, but tapers to 2.3mm at the opposite terminal, the edge of which is also worn.Both sides have been worn smooth. The hone weighs 4.37g. Hones of this type were for personal use and were perforated in order to suspend them from a leather belt. Examples are known from Viking …
Created on: Tuesday 13th October 2009
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Brockley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-59D611
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: ROMAN
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fine grained honey coloured Sandstone, possible whetstone fragment. Rectangular section fragment, possibly from a bar shaped workshop or kitchen whetstone - as distinct from hones worn or carried at the belt. All four sides appear smoothed, and one side may also be lightly dished. A break at one end is ancient damage inflicted before a prolonged period of immersion; the break at the other end is recent, exposing tiny quartz inclusions. The rest of the surface has been smoothed after its ancient breakage by prolonged immersion and rolling by water. The material is not ideal for sharpen…
Created on: Monday 10th June 2013
Last updated: Tuesday 2nd February 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-7C5F48
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment of a probable Early Medieval to Medieval pendant whetstone. The stone is rectangular in both plan and cross-section. At one end it is perforated by a circular hole to secure it via a thong or suspension ring to a strap or belt. The thickness is greater at the perforated end where it tapers in a shallow curve to the broken terminal end. The greater thickness at one end probably derives from the fact that it was held by this end when in use. The material is dark grey in colour and is probably a form of Blue Phyllite, the surface of which is smooth and fine, but the sides i…
Created on: Friday 22nd February 2013
Last updated: Monday 25th March 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: KENT-CCE2E7
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Published
An Early Medieval or Medieval Whetstone or hone. The stone is sub rectangular, narrowing slightly towards each end. One end is complete with rounded corners, the other ends in an old break. In section it has straight sides and slighty convex faces. It thickens slightly towards the complete end before thinning to a rounded edge. At the complete end there is a circular perforation for suspension. the hole is hour glass shaped having been drilled from both sides and is 4.1mm in diameter in the centre. The stone is fine grained, grey to slightly grey green in colour and appears to have fi…
Created on: Friday 8th May 2015
Last updated: Wednesday 23rd September 2015
No spatial data available.

Record ID: PUBLIC-848D45
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fine grained, dark grey, oval-ended sandstone, broken at one end, used as a whetstone. A cone shaped stone with 3 sides having flat surfaces that have been smoothed by wear, and show evidence of being used for sharpening blades. The back is slightly concave and rougher. The improvised use of various stones from glacial drift for sharpening or rubbing stones is characteristic of the Roman and early Medieval periods until the Viking Age, when Scandinavian stones from the Telemark region became widely available. Suggested date: Unknown, Roman to early Medieval, 43 - 850. The known hist…
Created on: Wednesday 9th December 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 9th August 2016
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-CC5855
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fine grained Sandstone possible Whetstone fragment. A flat-sided water-rolled cobble with both flat surfaces apparently smoothed or dished by wear, which may extend to one slightly concave side. Broken at one end. The improvised use of various stones from glacial drift for sharpening or rubbing stones is characteristic of the Roman and Early Medieval periods until the Viking Age, when Scandinavian stones from the Telemark region became widely available. Suggested date: Unknown, Roman to Early Medieval, 43-850. Length: 76.6mm, Width: 57mm, Thickness: 24.1mm, Weight: 159.18gms.
Created on: Thursday 12th February 2015
Last updated: Friday 13th February 2015
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: LVPL-1B5301
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: East Riding of Yorkshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete whetstone, dating to the early Medieval to Medieval period (c.AD 700-1400). The object is broadly triangular in plan tapering in width from the sub-oval pierced end to a rounded point. The wider end or top of the object is pierced with a circular perforation measuring 5mm in diameter. This appears to have been drilled from each face. It is likely that this hone would have been suspended around the neck by means of the hole at one terminal. A fragment of the stone has broken away in recent times at the holed terminal end. Thin horizontal striations or scratches are vis…
Created on: Wednesday 14th December 2016
Last updated: Tuesday 20th December 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Skirpenbeck', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NLM-FEC0CD
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North East Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Compacted Sandstone water rolled cobble, probable whetstone; a sparkling surface indicates the presence of mica or other abrasive constituents in a sandy matrix, and hence suitability as a sharpening stone. This large sub-triangular flat-sided stone has one large flat surface smoothed and dished by wear. Other surfaces are unmodified, though scratches from plough strike appear on all. The use of improvised hones is characteristic of a long period from later Prehistory to the Viking Age. A rock of this size might be used to sharpen large tools such as a scythe or spade iron. It may hav…
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Monday 30th July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'East Ravendale', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HAMP-437FB5
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A whetstone or hone made of a fine grained brown grey stone with a high mica content, possibly a schist. The whetstone is 78mm in length, sub rectangular and narrow with rounded ends and oval cross section. The wider end has a drilled hole for suspension. There is an oblique notch across the narrow end which may be post-depositional damage.
Created on: Monday 12th October 2020
Last updated: Monday 12th October 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-D97F1F
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete whetstone of probable early-medieval date (c. AD 800 - 1100). Description: The whetstone is formed from a very fine-grained, sedimentary, mica-rich stone. It is sub-trapezoidal in plan with tapering sides and is sub-rectangular in cross section. Both ends are broken, probably in antiquity. Two sides are flat and smooth, with one having a 45mm long, thin groove, typical of those found on many whetstones and part of the sharpening process.. The other sides are slightly rougher and this may be due to post-depositional damage. Measurements: Length 75.90mm: Width 16…
Created on: Wednesday 7th April 2021
Last updated: Thursday 8th April 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'South Somercotes', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: NARC-94B8CB
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Buckinghamshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete possible Whetstone of Uncertain date (AD 800 BC – AD 850). The object is composed of a compacted sandstone water rolled cobble; there is some indication of the presence of mica or other abrasive constituents in a sandy matrix. The object is sub-triangular with slightly convex sides. There is a recent removal scar at one end, at the opposing end of the same side is a circular concave depression. Length: 127.70mm, Width: 74.59mm, Thickness: 37.43mm, Weight: 402.2g Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database: BM-CFB553, SOM-A830D0 a…
Created on: Monday 10th May 2021
Last updated: Friday 4th June 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NLM-D6615D
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: North Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Stone possible whetstone. A small dense compact dark grey pebble of triangular section with rounded ends and sharply defined arises between its flat faces, probably initially formed by wind erosion in a dusty or icy environment. One side, however, is lightly hollowed, probably by wear arising from use as a sharpening stone, and handling may have contributed to the smooth finish of other surfaces. The use of improvised whetstones, often recovered from Glacial Drift, was characteristic of a long period from Prehistory, through the Roman period, and up to the Viking Age introduction of s…
Created on: Wednesday 21st February 2018
Last updated: Wednesday 21st February 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Low Burnham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-89AD03
Object type: WHETSTONE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Early Medieval or Medieval whetstone or hone. The stone is sub rectangular with slightly concave long edges so it widens slightly towards each end. One end is complete with rounded corners, the other ends in an old break. In section it has straight sides and slighty convex faces. It thickens slightly towards the complete end before thinning to a rounded edge. Just before the break is a circular perforation for suspension. the hole is hour glass shaped having been drilled from both sides and is 3.8mm in diameter in the centre. The stone is fine grained, grey to slightly grey green in c…
Created on: Tuesday 18th September 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 12th December 2012
Spatial data recorded.