Find Spot record MDO5401 - Perforated stone adze found at Bullhill Farm, Alderholt

Stone tool with shaft hole, had been used as part of a gate hinge at Bullhill Farm, Alderholt.

A shaft-hole adze was found by a farm worker at Bullhill Farm, Alderholt, where it was being used to support a gate. The implement has a maximum length of 103 mm, a maximum breadth of 60 mm, and a maximum thickness of 30 mm. Although it has been slightly damaged in antiquity, and the stone has weathered over its entire outer surface, the sides of the implement are noticeably parallel to one another. The butt end, which is almost straight, is roughly at right angles to the sides. The cutting edge possesses a gentle curve and is blunted, presumably through use. The blade end of the body of the implement is slightly thicker than the butt end. A shaft-hole passes through the implement transversely to the cutting edge, though not quite at a true right angle to it. It is neither perfectly straight nor hour-glass in shape; it is 25 mm in diameter at each face of the implement, and narrows to 18mm for the central third of its length. The surface of the hole is well polished, which would be consistent with its having been bored with a rotary drill or possibly with its having been in friction with the haft when in use. The axe weighs 331.6 grams. The adze has been examined petrologically. Its serial number is 1618 Dorset 122. It is described macroscopically as of "Green/brown rock with obvious banding - cf. Schist structure" and microscopically as of "Medium grained, pronounced schistocity - hornblende, ilmenite, quartz. Some feldspar. Well banded". The suggested source of the rock is Cornwall and it is ascribed to Group XVII. <1> A Neolithic shaft-hole adze was discovered by Mr. R. Miles on Bulhill Farm, SU 107139, where it was being used to support a gate. The original find-spot is thought to be very probably in the vicinity. The adze, of green-brown rock (Petrological Group XVII) is 103mm. long, 60mm. wide, 30mm. thick and weighs 331.6 grammes. It is in the possession of J F Bayes of Cranborne. (1)

Record last edited

Aug 8 2022 4:33PM