Amethyst Crystal, Arbigland
Maxwellfield and Powillimont Farms, Arbigland
A specemen of amethyst crystal from a collection of
mesolithic cores, blades and waste found over a three year period
in fields on Arbigland estate. This example was donated to Dumfries
Museum by Mrs Blackett, who lists Maxwellfield among the places
where the material was found.
In an age before metal people used stone to make a sharp edge.
The sites where they worked are known as chipping floors, and are
sometimes still littered with stone. Some of it is waste, but
sometmes broken or lost tools are found. Not all types of stone are
suitable for making tools, and the knapper had to choose the raw
material carefully. The best stone was of uniform texture and had
no cracks or flaws. The hunter gatherers had a good knowledge of
the land and they may have visited certain locations to build up
reserves of useful rocks.
Object no :
RPD0006
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
NA
Materials :
NA
Location :
Maxwellfield and Powillimont Farms, Arbigland
Accession number :
1967.405.2
Copyright :
NA