Dublin Core
Title
axe axehead
Identifier
Description
Jadeite axe head, thin lenticular section, ancient breaks at blade end.
Creator
Cruickshank, George
Date
Early: -4000 Late: -2400. Period: NEO
Contributor
Cruickshank,George
Relation
stone jadeite
Format
L: 191 mm W: 81 mm Th: 17.5 mm
Coverage
Europe Scotland North.East.Scotland Blackhouse.Farm Methlick Aberdeenshire
Abstract
During the later Neolithic some finely-made, highly-polished axes were made of a green stone known as jadeite, from the Alps. The axes were among the earliest items brought to the east coast of Britain along a route through the Rhineland, which is used up to the present day. Too fine to be used as tools, they would have been symbols of status, and were deliberately buried as hoards or in significant places. This is one of six jadeite axe-heads from the North East Scotland. This axe has a triangular shape, with a pointed butt and curved blade, with the cutting edge extending around the perimeter. The cross-section is a flattened lens-shape. The axe is broken and chipped at the blade end. Its flat, triangular shape is typical of jadeite axe-heads from northern Britain. Unusually this one was found recently in a secure context, at Blackhouse Farm, Methlick, Aberdeenshire.