Neolithic macehead
Neolithic macehead found at Pitgrudy, Dornoch
The following information was sent by Treasure Trove:
An incomplete stone mace head dating to the Late Neolithic period (c.3100-2200 BC).
The object is broadly rectangular and convex in shape with a slightly rounded edge,
which is heavily chipped.
The remains of a circular perforation are present at one edge of the now broken
macehead. It appears as though the artefact has been broken down the longitudinal
axis, as well as the whole of the butt portion being missing. It is uncertain whether the
breakage was deliberate, and further research may help to ascertain this.
It is probable that only a quarter of the original artefact is what remains. Based on the
shape of the surviving edge and the slightly inward sloping sides, it could be
suggested that this is a pestle type macehead. Though incomplete, it is nonetheless
important as it adds to the corpus of Late Neolithic Scottish maceheads.
The stone is an igneous rock that is light/mid grey in colour with one surface broadly
flat, rough and heavily chipped and the other is surface is smoother.
Dimensions: Length: 54mm, Width : 53mm, thickness: 20mm,