Stone axehead, Keir

A small fine grained, greenish grey stone axehead. Narrow, with wide flattened sides and a curved blade, it was found on Barr Hill near Keir, and once belonged in the collection of Dr Grierson.   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!   PREHISTORIC ANTIQUITIES Stone Implements, &c 13. Axe of Felstone, 7 by 2 1/2 inches, with flat sides and very sharp cutting edge. Found at Barrhill, Keir.   Dr Grierson's Manuscript "Catalogue of Museum" 1147. Stone Celt found at Barhill in the parish of Keir by Mr McKie, farmer there in or about 1882 and presented by him. Feb 1883. [sketch]