Welsh Journals

gives a general discussion of axe distribution and states that in Wales there were axe factories operating during the secondary neolithic period (2,750-2,500 radiocarbon years b.c.) at Graig Lwyd, Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd, Mynydd Rhiw in the Lleyn Peninsula of Gwynedd, and at a site in Pembrokeshire. References J G. Rutter, Prehistoric Gower, Welsh Guides, Swansea, 1949. C. Houlder, "Stone axes and henge monuments", in Welsh Antiquity (eds. G. C. Boon and J. M. Lewis), National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, 1976. Appendix Report on the Rock Type and Possible Source of a Polished Stone Axe found in Gower. A polished stone axe, reference number WMIT (13.1.89), was examined in hand specimen at the Open University. The axe was found in a surface deposit (scree fall) in Gower, S. Wales, in 1989. It is about 15cm long and its shape and size are consistent with a date of manufacture in the Neolithic period of Britain (c. 3500-2200 b.c.). It has no shaft hole (compare shaft hole implements characteristic of the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period in Britain; e.g. Smith, 1979), and the cutting edge is slightly blunted, though this may be the result of burial conditions rather than use. The axe was examined macroscopically only. Most of the surface was weathered but one very small area of freshly broken material could be seen (about 3mm across). The axe is made of rock of basic chemical composition, probably a dolerite. Crystals of pyroxene are visible. The fresh surface shows a dark greenish grey fine-grained texture. A composition- ally graded layer of darker coloured material about icm wide, which may be the result of mineral segregation within the source rock during cooling, is visible at the butt end of the axe. Geological sources of British Neolithic dolerite axes have been investigated by the British Implement Petrology Group since c.1950 (summary in Kempe and Harvey, 1983). Sources are believed to have been in Northern England (quartz dolerite of the Whin Sill; axe group XVIII) and in South Wales (quartz dolerite of St. Davids Head area, and spotted dolerite of Preseli; axe groups XXIII and XIII respectively). No axe factories (that is manufacturing sites with flakes and debris of working) have been found at these localities. A dolerite axe factory has been located in Britanny near Seledin (axe group X) and products of this factory are believed to have reached Britain in the Neolithic. In addition outcrops of dolerite exist in the U.K. which have not yet been considered by the Implement Petrology Group, for example the English Midlands, Welsh Borderlands and Scotland Midland Valley Sill. The axe examined is not of spotted dolerite characteristic of group XIII (Preseli). The remaining outcrops are not sufficiently distinctive in macroscopic appearance to permit exact provenancing of the axe to an individual outcrop without further study by petro- logical and chemical methods (which would necessitate removal of a small sample from the axe). However, one may note that the dolerites of St. Davids Head (axe group XXIII) are noted for their banded appearance (compare above). While other outcrops could contain such banding, this feature and the proximity of St. Davids Head to Gower make this a potential source for the axe. R. S. Thorpe and O. Williams-Thorpe 6th March 1989 References Smith, I.F. 1979. The chronology of British axe implements. In Clough, T. H. McK and Cummins, W.A., Stone Axe Studies, vol. CBA Report 23. Kempen, D.R.C. and Harvey, A.P. 1983. The petrology of archaeological artefacts. Oxford; Claredon Press.