Flint axehead, Castle O'er, Eskdalemuir
Grey flint axehead with rough flaked surfaces. Found on a bank
near Castle O'er. This remains the sole flint axehead in the
collection.
Stone axeheads were surprisingly efficient. Fitted to a shaft of
wood, antler or bone they could be used to remove the bark and
phloem, which carried the nutrients of a tree, and in time it died.
Large areas of forest could also be cleared by felling. Experiments
in Denmark have revealed that this type of axe was most effective
if swung from the elbow with short, sharp cuts. In this way three
men cleared 500 square metres of silver birch forest in four hours,
felling over a hundred trees!
Object no :
RPD0032a
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
L 145mm, B 23mm, W 45mm
Materials :
flint
Location :
NA
Related site :
Accession number :
DUMFM:1969.175
Copyright :
Dumfries & Galloway Council
