Prehistoric — Neolithic
Axehead, polished axehead
Found in the Thames at Mortlake, this finely ground and polished axe is made from jadeite. Its perfect condition indicates that it was never used. It was probably an offering made to a river deity around 6,000 years ago. Jadeite is found in the western Alps, so this piece must have been brought across to Britain by boat. The beauty of the axe, and the great distance it had been carried, would have increased its prestige among local Thames valley communities.
- Category:
- Prehistoric
- Object ID:
- 31.48
- Object name:
- axehead, polished axehead
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- —
- Related events:
- —
- Related places:
- —
- Production date:
- Neolithic
- Material:
- stone
- Measurements/duration:
- L 165 mm, W 70 mm, T 18 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Credit:
- —
- Copyright holder:
- digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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