3rd millennium BC. A pecked and ground axe in grey quartzite with slightly convex cutting edge, tapering towards the butt, broken across perforation in antiquity and with partial re-drilling showing intention to re-use, this drilling clearing showing the use of a hollow (bone?) drill. 443 grams, 11cm (4 1/4"). From the London collection of Aleksey Vinokurov, formed from the 1920s-1951; collection number 20, found near Shillingstone, Dorset, UK, between 1932-1935; accompanied by a copy of the collection inventory dated 1951. This piece is technically interesting, showing as it does, the technique used by Neolithic craftsmen in drilling the perforated stone implements using a hollow drill (presumably fire-hardened bone with sand or grit as a cutting medium); it also shows the value placed upon such implements in that it was obviously considered worthwhile to prolong the useful life of a broken tool.

Fine condition. Rare.