Find Spot record MDO1906 - Unfinished stone axe found east of Peak Coppice, Piddlehinton

SY 704 952. A fairly large roughly shaped ovate axe or chopper found on the surface of an arable field. Dr K P Oakley (Dept of Geology British Museum) suggests that it is not earlier than Neolithic, and though it may be a roughly finished chopper, it is more likely to be a preliminary rough for a polished celt. (1) Found in a field to the east of Peak Coppice. Now in the Dorset County Museum. Acc.No. 1952.78. <2>

The field in which this axe was found is now under grass. Siting accepted from authority 1. <3>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1953, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1952, 109 (Serial). SDO52.

'Flint axe or chopper, probably Neolithic, from Piddlehinton. A fairly large, roughly shaped ovate implement (D.C.M. 1952.78), 6 X 3 and 3 quarters ins., and 2 and a half ins. thick at maximum, was picked up on the surface of an arable field, SY(30)/704952, east of Peak Coppice, whilst pursuing traces of Celtic fields on the chalk downs.

The flake scars are large and deep, producing pronounced S-curved cutting edges, and there is no secondary working. Considerable parts of the cortex still remain, especially on one face. The colour is a slightly mottled greyish white, and the freshness of the flaking is against any considerable antiquity. Dr. K. P. Oakley (Dept. of Geology, British Museum, Natural History section), who kindly examined the implement, suggests that it is not earlier than Neolithic, and though it may have been a roughly finished chopping tool, it is more likely to have been a preliminary rough for a polished celt.'

<2> Dorset County Museum, Dorset County Museum Accessions Book, 1952 (Unpublished document). SWX1315.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 02-DEC-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454752 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 26 2023 2:31PM