Find Spot record MDO2026 - Upper Palaeolithic tool from Pilsdon Pen, Pilsdon

ST 412013. A Late Upper Palaeolithic flint implement was found during excavations of 1964-71 on the Iron Age fort at Pilsdon Pen (ST 40 SW 9).

It is a shouldered point 7.8 cm in length by 1.9cm across, and is thought to have been used as either a knife or a spearhead.

A fine Neolithic leaf-shaped arrowhead was also found during the excavations. (1)

National Record of the Historic Environment, 193123 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1974, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1973, 83-84 (Serial). SDO73.

The published note describes this object and the circumstances in which it was found as follows:

'A chance examination of some of the flint artefacts recovered during Mr. P. S. Gelling's excavations at Pilsden Pen hill-fort (ST 412013) brought to light the implement illustrated here (Fig.1), which seemed of sufficient importance to merit separate publication. The implement was found in the topsoil and therefore has no stratigraphic significance in the context of the excavation. I would like to thank Mr. Gelling for showing the flints to me, and for his co-operation in the preparation of this note, which has also benefited from a discussion with Dr. J. B. Campbell .

Description: The implement is fashioned on a slightly curved flint blade. The pointed tip has broken off, but otherwise the dimensions are intact: length 7.8 cm., breadth 1.9 cm., thickness 0.55 cm. The flint itself is mottled grey in colour, with some lighter inclusion, and has faint bluish-white patination in places. Secondary working consists of steep blunting retouch on the lower right-hand side, and some marginal trimming on both edges at the distal end. All retouch is from the bulbar surface. Other small flake scars which occur on both faces along the lateral edges are probably the result of use or damage. Cont …' (1)

Record last edited

Dec 21 2024 7:20AM