This late Neolithic (3200-2400 BC) ‘Orkney’ pestle macehead has been well shaped, exhibiting strong concave sides, but a perforation has not been bored. It is unclear why this artefact was not completed, but extensive pecking on the surface indicate that this artefact was put to other uses. The pattern of damage indicates use as a pouner or hammerstone and some fine areas of pecking of the side may indicate use as an anvil for flint knapping.
This artefact was recovered from secondary floor deposits in Structure 10 at the Ness of Brodgar, Stenness, Orkney, Scotland. It may have been a votive offering.
This model was produced for a Leverhulme Trust funded project ‘Working stone, making communities: technology and identity on prehistoric Orkney’. This model will feature on a web resource about Orcadian stone tools, which is currently under development.
SF 13461. Excavations directed by Nick Card, ORCA. For more info see: http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/nessofbrodgar/
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