Find Spot record MDO7787 - Flint tool, Lytchett Matravers

SY 94099812. While lifting potatoes about 2 months ago, a flint implement was found. This has been identified as a good example of a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age ovate knife, though one point has been broken off. No other finds have been made in this field, but for one or two flint flakes with secondary working and many waste flakes. These occur mainly within a radius of 30.0m. of the site of the knife.

The site of the knife when found was pointed out on the map by Miss Chandler, and the object itself was seen in her possession. It is of brown flint, approximately 4 1/2cm. long and 3 1/2cm. wide and 2 1/2mm. thick.

The knife has been well worked with very fine secondary working along the edge, except for the end which has broken off. Miss Chandler retains possession, but the knife will be sent to Dorset County Museum in due course. The field from which this knife came was inspected, but only two flakes were found. Miss Chandler said she had picked up most of the surface flakes, but these were not available for inspection. The number of flakes amounted to about 1 lb. in weight.

The area is one of sandy soil, with a subsoil of gravel and flints, and it seems possible that a small flaking-site is situated in or near this field, and perhaps of Neolithic/early Bronze Age date. <2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1952, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1951, 114-115 (Serial). SDO51.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 26-NOV-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2.1> Chandler, V M, Miss V M Chandler, Dullar Farm, Lytchett Matravers, 24.11.55 (Verbal communication). SDO20067.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457294 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 15 2023 9:04AM