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
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