Record ID: CORN-2BB377
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two single-platform flint microcores, left with the scars of flake removals to produce microliths, dating from the Mesolithic period. One is 28.5 mm in length and 25.5 mm in width. The second is squatter than the first, 18 mm in length and 35 mm in width and retains a large patch of coarse cortex indicating that it was derived from a local beach pebble. The cores are coated with a creamy-white surface patina from exposure to hear and sunlight but would have originally been a darker grey in colour. Butler (2005) illustrates a group of Mesolithic, single-platform bladelet cores fr…
Created on: Thursday 19th March 2020
Last updated: Wednesday 22nd April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-AFF1E5
Object type: BLADE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint blade, tear-shaped in plan and lozenge-shaped in profile and section, dating from the Mesolithic period (c.9000-4000 BC). The blade is 34.5 mm in length, 17 mm in width, 4.5 mm in thickness and weighs 3.5 g. A tertiary flake, with no cortex remaining with a pale cream surface patina, derived from a local beach pebble. The dorsal face bears the scars form the removal of four earlier flakes or blades. The proximal end has been slightly damaged, obscuring the point of percussion but the bulb of percussion is visible on the ventral face. There is a small break at the distal end wh…
Created on: Wednesday 7th August 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 29th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-AFE174
Object type: AWL
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint piercer or awl, lozenge-shaped in plan, profile and section, dating from the Later Mesolithic period (c.6500-4000 BC). The piercer is 23.5 mm in length, 7.35 mm in width, 1 mm in thickness and 0.35 g in weight. It is produced from a tertiary micro-flake of mottled light to dark grey flint derived from a local beach pebble. The dorsal face bears the scars of removal of two earlier flakes whilst the conchoidal fractures from the original flaking process are still visible on the ventral face, but the bulb of percussion has been removed. The piercer has then been abruptly retouche…
Created on: Wednesday 7th August 2019
Last updated: Wednesday 29th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-094C06
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Mesolithic flint micro-core. The core is 48 mm long, 41 mm in width, 34.5 mm in thickness and 86.35 g in weight. A spherical flint beach pebble of fine-grained black flint, perhaps from Beer Head in Devon, with a thin sandy-brown cortex has been shaped in several distinct patches by the removal of multiple very small, shallow flakes from various directions. The resulting core has four flattened faces with the unaltered rounded surfaces at opposite ends. At one end, and on one side surrounding the largest of the flaked areas, the cortex is pitted with many small points of percussion …
Created on: Thursday 17th January 2019
Last updated: Monday 11th February 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-DA3498
Object type: TRANCHET AXEHEAD
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Bournemouth
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Mesolithic tranchet axe or adze, rectangular in plan, lozenge-shaped in profile, triangular in section at the butt end and lenticular at the slightly wider blade end. Made on an elongated flint nodule which has been flaked from both faces to remove most of the cortex, except for a small patch at the butt end, to produce the outline shape of the axe. Large flakes have been removed from one edge of both faces, mid-way along the axe, resulting in a thinning of the axe at this point, apparently for hafting the axe. At the blade end, the axe has been thinned on both faces by the removal …
Created on: Monday 23rd April 2018
Last updated: Thursday 26th April 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-040757
Object type: HAMMERSTONE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A greywacke pebble hammer or 'limpet scoop', 137 mm long, 50 mm maximum width and 24 mm thick, weighing 217.65 g. A rounded trapezoid in plan, an elongated rectangle in profile and oval in section. There are two linear fissures on one face of the pebble but these appear to be natural; several small linear scratches appear to be recent, possibly the result of plough damage. The narrow end has been damaged by percussion, suggesting that the pebble has been used as a hammer. Bevelled pebble tools of this type have been found at various locations in Cornwall, such as at North Cliffs (Andy…
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 12th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-03F8B0
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
One flint and one Greensand chert single-platform micro-core. The flint core is triangular in profile and sub-square in plan, and is 47 mm in length, 25 mm in width, 18 mm in thickness and 23 g in weight. At least six narrow, longitudinal blades have been removed from this single-platform core. The surface patina is white mottled with very small dark specks and some patches of iron staining. The patina, together with the careful workmanship suggest a date in the Mesolithic or early Neolithic periods. The chert core is 52 mm in length, 30 mm in width, 18 mm in thickness and 38 g in wei…
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 12th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-03C071
Object type: BLADE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Six complete flint blades that vary in length between 56 mm and 35 mm, with a maximum width of 13 mm and thickness varying between 3 mm and 6 mm. Total weight 26.4 g. The blades have roughly parallel edges which taper towards the distal ends. They are general triangular in section and plano-convex in profile. About half of the blades have a medial ridge, the remainder have two longitudinal ridges. The complete blades mostly retain distinct bulbs of percussion, the remainder all display concentric ripples along their ventral faces. The edges are generally sharp with little evidence of …
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Tuesday 12th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-03BA8C
Object type: MICROLITH
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Published
One snapped Greensand chert microlithic oblique point, 21 mm long, 9 mm wide and 3 mm thick, weighing 0.8 g. It has a smooth ventral face, is roughly triangular in plan although it may originally have been elliptical before the loss of the proximal end. It is triangular in both profile and section. One edge on the dorsal face had been steeply retouched. The colour of the chert is light brown and it is coarser than local flint and is likely derived from Greensand chert in Devon. Bond (2004) illustrates a similar obliquely blunted point from an Early Mesolithic site Thatcham Berkshir…
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Friday 15th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-03B133
Object type: MICROLITH
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Published
One flint microlithic backed oblique point, 39 mm in length, 9 mm wide and 2 mm thick, weighing 1.2 g. It has a smooth ventral face, roughly elliptical in plan with a snapped proximal end and a pointed distal end, sub-rectangular in profile and triangular in section. The left margin of the dorsal face has been vertically retouched along two-thirds of its length, to the point. There is no evidence of cortex which suggests that it was formed on a tertiary flake. The surface of the flint is pale grey mottled with darker grey and is likely to be derived from a beach pebble. Bond (2004)…
Created on: Wednesday 6th September 2017
Last updated: Friday 15th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C10A21
Object type: FLAKE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint truncated flake, sub-rectangular in plan, trapezoidal in profile and triangular in section. Made on a secondary flake with a small area of cortex remaining at the distal end. The flake has been snapped at an oblique angle; the broken, proximal end has then been modified by a line of abrupt retouch resulting in a concave edge with a point at the right margin (when viewed from the dorsal side). Truncated pieces are characteristic of Mesolithic assemblages although their function is not clearly understood. Bond (2004) illustrates a similar truncated flake from a Later Mesoli…
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Saturday 25th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C100F0
Object type: FLAKE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Eight flint microflakes. Five are complete and three snapped or broken. All are tertiary flakes although a very small strip of cortex remains along the margin of one flake. The surface colour of the flint varies from pale grey, through mottled pale with dark grey to pale brown. There is no evidence of modification or use-wear to any of the flakes. Microflakes are a characteristic waste-product of Mesolithic industries which are found in many places near the Cornish coast.
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C0D77F
Object type: FLAKE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Four broken, calcined, fire-cracked flint flakes. Due to calcification from the burning process the flint is white both externally and, where visible, internally. One flake retains a clear bulb of percussion and another the edge of the bulb; the two others display remnants of conchoidal rippling. The flakes are surface finds, found in association with flints from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods but are too fragmentary to be attributed to a particular prehistoric period.
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C08ACC
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Five prehistoric flint core fragments. These vary in shape and size and although they all bear the scars of deliberate knapping all appear to be the waste from initial roughing-out prior to the commencement of more deliberate processing. The irregular nature of the fragments does not allow them to be attributed to a particular prehistoric period, but the size of the flake scars suggest that they date from the later Mesolithic to the Earlier Neolithic. All but one of the fragments retain patches of cortex which indicate that the flint was derived from local beach pebbles. The surface o…
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C07B16
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two flint microcores, ovate in plan and triangular in profile. The smaller of the two cores has a single prepared striking platform from the edge of which several microflakes or blades have been removed. The larger core also has a pre-prepared platform from which microflakes or blades have been removed; additional flakes have then been removed from the adjacent edges of the core without the deliberate preparation of a second striking platform. Both cores are a mottled light to dark grey colour and both retain small patches of cortex which indicate that they are derived from local beac…
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C06195
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two opposing platform flint cores, rhomboidal in plan and trapezoidal in profile. The cores each have prepared platforms at both ends and the negative scars of the removal of up to half a dozen blades and small flakes can be seen originating from the edges of the opposing platforms. The surface of one of the flints is a mottled light to dark grey and the other is uniformly light grey. Both cores retain patches of the original cortex which indicate that they are derived from local beach pebbles. Bond (2004) illustrates similar cores with opposing platforms on page 120, fig.5.104, no…
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-C054E8
Object type: CORE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Two single platform flint cores, ovate in plan and triangular in profile. Both cores have prepared platforms at one end and bear the negative scars of the removal of up to half a dozen blades and flakes, which originate from the edge of the platform. In both cases the edges of the platform have been trimmed or abraded to remove overhangs in preparation for the next series of removals but have then been discarded. The surface of both flints is a mottled grey-brown colour and both cores retain patches of the original cortex which indicate that they are derived from local beach pebbles. …
Created on: Tuesday 11th April 2017
Last updated: Friday 24th April 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-98FE78
Object type: SCRAPER (TOOL)
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint hollow or concave scraper, sub-rectangular in plan, rectangular in profile and triangular in section. Made on a short, thick secondary flake with a patch of cortex remaining at the proximal end and extending along one lateral surface. A small bulb of percussion remains at the proximal end of the ventral face and a small negative bulb on the opposite dorsal face. The distal end of the flake is broken, resulting in a right angle between the broken edge and both the ventral and dorsal faces. The right margin of the ventral face has been abruptly retouched by the removal of about …
Created on: Tuesday 28th March 2017
Last updated: Thursday 30th March 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-98F497
Object type: MICRODENTICULATE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint microdenticulate from the Mesolithic period, plano-convex in plan and profile and trapezoidal in section. Made on a secondary flake with a very small area of cortex remaining at the distal end. A very small remnant of the striking platform is visible at the proximal end. The bulb of percussion and conchoidal ripples can be seen on the surface of the ventral face. The dorsal surface bears the scars of the removal of several previous longitudinal flakes or blades. The proximal end of the dorsal surface has been retouched by the removal of around eight or nine very small pressure…
Created on: Tuesday 28th March 2017
Last updated: Thursday 30th March 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: CORN-98E304
Object type: MICRODENTICULATE
Broad period: MESOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A microdenticulate, sub-rectangular in plan, an elongated rectangle in profile and plano-convex in section. The central portion of a flint bladelet, modified by the removal of a spall from the right margin to form a point at the right edge of the distal end. Both side margins of the dorsal face have been retouched to produce a denticulated edge. The distal end has also been retouched, resulting in an edge which would be suitable for scraping. The completed tool is a combined burin (or graver) and end scraper. The flint is grey-brown in colour and likely derives from a local beach pebb…
Created on: Tuesday 28th March 2017
Last updated: Thursday 30th March 2017
Spatial data recorded.