Broken Early Bronze Age knife from the Cathedral Close excavations
Back to Time Period
This plano-convex knife of cortical flint (i.e. flint from the exterior surface of a nodule) belongs to a distinctive type, datable to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Originally it would have been leaf-shaped and elongated, with a semi-circular profile. The cutting edge has been achieved by 'pressure-flaking'. The knapper would remove flakes by pushing an antler tine against the edge of the knife.
This artefact may have been brought to Cathedral Close at a much later date, in gravel used for levelling and roads.
Acknowledgments: © 2015 Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter City Council
 belongs to a distinctive type, datable to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Originally it would have been leaf-shaped and elongated, with a semi-circular profile. The cutting edge has been achieved by 'pressure-flaking'. The knapper would remove flakes by pushing an antler tine against the edge of the knife.
This artefact may have been brought to Cathedral Close at a much later date, in gravel used for levelling and roads.)
