Prehistoric Artefacts

There are three finds of the prehistoric period in the collection. The oldest of these is probably the group of flint flakes picked up at Tentsmuir, an area where many traces of occupation have been found. Two of these flakes have been used probably for cutting, and have a slight polish to the edge. This can be caused by harvesting grain, or cutting leather or meat; but it is not obvious exactly how this wear was produced.

The polished stone adze or axe from Burnfield Hollow, Scotscraig was found in 1951 at a depth of three feet below the ground, but not apparently with anything else. The stone is epidiorite and could have come from the beach or from a glacial deposit, and, though a slightly awkward shape, it was polished to give a sharp cutting edge. Shown here as if it were an axe, it might be better described as an adze blade suitable for digging rather than chopping. Such a tool was probably neolithic in date, that is from about 3500 to 2500 BC. (Catalogue No. 76-163).

A very fine example of a loop-and-socket bronze axe was found near Gauldry many years ago, and was donated to the collection when the family of the finder left the district. Axes of this type were made in the Late Bronze Age around 800 BC and are found over most of Britain. Several others have been found in Fife.

The Gauldry axe was cast in a two-piece mould, and was so well finished that the join was almost smoothed away. The decoration of four ribs and pelletes propbably served to strengthen the meatl, though it could be perhaps a decorative version in metal of fastenings which were formerly functional and made of leather. Inside the axe traces of casting ridges can be seen. These ridges were fucntional, probably being casued by grooves on the plug which was fitted into the mould during casting to form the socket. (Catalogue No. 70-89).