Some Lithic Material

We have been recovering some interesting lithic material at both Chesterfield Farm and at Clarabad Farm. The most significant find hitherto has been the barbed-and-tanged projectile point found by John Hume Robertson from the field at Chesterfield Farm; this shall be photographed shortly and posted here on the project blog. It is not the finest example of such a projectile point, however, it is the single diagnostic artefact–that is to say, its form is associated with a specific and relatively well circumscribed period. The barbed-and-tanged projectile point occurs in the period between ca. 2000 BC and 1500 BC, or during the centuries that witnessed a transition from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. The other lithic finds probably belong to this period also, for the material seems to be produced on good quality flint and there are some large and inelegant flakes amongst them. We generally see the circulation of flint beginning with the onset of the Neolithic (6000 BC), but at this time there is not a profligate waste of material represented by the discard of large flakes that could subsequently be worked into other types of implements such as scrapers. Only in the Later Neolithic and in the Bronze Age does such profligacy become evident in this region. We prefer not to base our suppositions concerning the dating of the material exclusively on these criteria, but in the absence of any other diagnostic finds and radiocarbon dates, we have to resort to this argument in an attempt to formulate a working hypothesis regarding the antiquity of the site.

We are especially pleased to see a relatively large quantity of burnt material in the assemblage. This suggests to us that we are near domestic or industrial deposits such as hearths where the temperature reached sufficient levels to cause any scattered lithic waste to burn. The specimen below was found at Chesterfield Farm, in the immediate vicinity of the features which Hilary has been excavating:

Burnt Flint from Chesterfield Farm

If you look closely at the find, there are small fissures on the surface resembling a meshing. This occurs when flint or chert is subjected to intense heat, because there is water in the fabric of the stone at a molecular level and this causes cracks or holes resulting from the steam escaping; the latter class of features are commonly referred to as pot-lids. It is possible for natural fires to cause these transformations in the flint, but it is quite rare. Moreover, burning of fields can also achieve the same results, although this is also very unusual. The most likely cause of this burning remains the accidental situation of the flint in an hearth in the prehistoric era.

At Clarabad Farm we have a modest collection of flints, yet even here there are some interesting specimens. Again, we see large flakes produced in flint of reasonably good quality which is compelling us to regard them provisionally as belonging to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Below are images of a fascinating flake produced in red-brown flint:

Red-Brown Flake from Clarabad

The distinctive colour is seen more clearly on the ventral side of the specimen:

Red-Brown Flake from Clarabad, Ventral View

Finally, we have an anomalous specimen from Clarabad Farm produced in an odd material that may be chalcedony. This is an awkward blade, and may represent earlier settlement in the region. We have other specimens made in chert and chalcedony from Chesterfield Farm, and some of the larger blocks are likely Mesolithic blade cores.When the photographs of these specimens are taken, we will post them and discuss the material on the project blog. As ever, you are welcome to ask any questions concerning the material and our conclusions.

Anomalous Blade from Clarabad Farm

Anomalous Blade from Clarabad Farm, Ventral View