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Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Event ID 562302
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/562302
In 1883, a Neolithic stone axe was found at Mersington when it was brought to the surface during ploughing. Measuring approximately 180mm x 80mm, it was made of polished sandstone. The fabric indicates that this artefact was not made for practical use; sandstone is very soft and would soon wear.
It is thought that polished stone axes were made for ritual purposes; they could have been intended as offerings for gods or ancestors, or kept as personal possessions or symbols of status.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
