Stone axehead, Stoneykirk
Kirklauchline, Stoneykirk
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!
Some of these axeheads have had small sections removed. When
these were examined under a microscope it was possible to
identify where the stone came from, revealing much about ancient
trade routes. Most of the axes here were made at sites in
Great Langdale in Cumbria. Some were probably exported as
rough outs and finished locally, but others would have
been finished on site.
Object no :
RPD0048
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
290mm x 40mm x 85mm
Materials :
NA
Location :
Kirklauchline, Stoneykirk
Accession number :
1945.1.5
Copyright :
NA
