Information for record number MWA1417:
Findspot - Neolithic stone axe/adze

Summary Findspot - a Neolithic stone axe or adze was found in the area of Ratley.
What Is It?  
Type: Findspot
Period: Early Neolithic - Early Bronze Age (4000 BC - 2351 BC)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Ratley and Upton
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 38 47
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 A Neolithic stone axe/adze found when moving soil from the side of a 17th century house and donated to the Museum. Found in 1971. Fair condition, complete (chipped). Non local stone.
2 Dating confirmed as Neolithic.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: Axe from Ratley
Author/originator: WM
Date: 1971
Page Number: A1721
Volume/Sheet: Catalogue Card
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Verbal communication
Title: Aggregates Assessment
Author/originator: Stuart Palmer
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Neolithic axe from Ratley
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
period Neolithic About 4000 BC to 2351 BC

The word ‘Neolithic’ means ‘New Stone Age’. Archaeologists split up the Neolithic period into three phases; early, middle and late. The Neolithic period comes after the Mesolithic period and before the Bronze Age.

People in the Neolithic period hunted and gathered food as their ancestors had but they were also began to farm. They kept animals and grew crops. This meant that they were able to settle more permanently in one location instead of constantly moving from place to place to look for food.
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period Bronze Age About 2500 BC to 700 BC

The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.

The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.

During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument FAIR * A site where a periodical gathering of buyers, sellers and entertainers, meet at a time ordained by charter or statute or by ancient custom. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record