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Stone Axe-head

Ballygar.ie Exclusive!

This Axe-head was found in the bog of Aughrane Castle Kelly c1930.

It is made of shale, which was the second most popular stone type used for axeheads in prehistory. Shale is very common west of the Shannon. It is 18.2cms long which is well above the average size for shale axeheads (8-12cms on average).It is very well made, but has damage to the edge. The sharpness of most of the damage suggests it occurred after disposition, and is not from use. There is a larger chip missing from one side of the blade which is also likely later damage. There is slight damage to the butt. The overall shape suggests it was made from a secondary sourced cobble; they used a cobble with an already axe shaped profile, rather than quarrying a block and shaping it from scratch. This is consistent with other shale axeheads.

Date wise, shale is difficult as it was in use from the beginning of the Mesolithic, right the way through to the early Bronze Age, so it can be anytime between 7700BC and 2500BC.

This artifact is currently in the reserve collection of the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology and not on display.

Description copyright of the National Museum of Ireland.
Articles and photographs acquired by Shane Coyle.
Below is the original article from the Leitrim Oberver dated Saturday June 28th 1930
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All Images are reproduced with the kind permission of the National Museum Of Ireland, in whom the copyright vests.