Stone axe rough out, New Abbey

A Large fine grained, greenish grey stone axe head rough-out. The axe shows that Large flakes have been worked from both faces with re-touching around the edges. This example was found in a field behind a roadside smithy. Many axeheads were finished at the site where the rock was mined, but sometimes they are found as rough outs so they must also have been traded in this condition. 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.