Axe Shaped stone, Sanquhar

This axe shaped stone found in Sanquhar in 1889 is puzzling as it is made of sandstone, a soft material. It may have been used as a whetstone for sharpening.   Despite the large demand for axeheads for forest clearance, neolithic peoples took great trouble to obtains the best material, and good stone was traded over considerable distances. The rock had to be strong and capable of bearing a sharp edge without wearing down or shattering.   Underground seams of flint were exploited at places such as Grime's Graves in Norfolk where red deer antlers were used as picks, and shovels were made from the shoulder blades of cattle. In the north and west, igneous rocks were used, and often traded into flint country because of their superior strength. Amongst the most important sources of rock were Great Langdale in Cumbria, Graig Lwyd in Wales, Tievebulliagh Hill in Antrim and Penwith in Cornwall.