Re: axes | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

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FourWinds Jul 2, 2004 06:56:50

Replying to fitzcoraldo

>> Richard Bradley has identified that the axes from the most inaccessible peaks held the
>> highest value.

And how has he done that? Found a price list? Sorry, but if that's what he said then what a stupid comment he made. He has proposed that these axes might have had or probably had the highest value.

The mace at Knowth and several other finds show that there was a need, maybe a market even, for ornamental axes. We can presume that there was a market for normal axes too, but finds of disgarded axes amongst tree cleared area show that your common, bog-standard axes weren't all that valuable.

The theory that there were huge axe markets seems solely based on Burl's need to explain the presence of axe carvings at sites. It's like ley-lines. Someone mentions a thought and everyone runs wild with it. If there is more solid to it than this will somebody please point me at it.

I am about to read the Stone Axe Project, a study of Irish stone axes undertaken by the Discovery Program, the branch of the Royal Society of Ireland that did all the Tara surveys etc. If I find anything of import I'll comment here.

fitzcoraldo Jul 2, 2004 08:48:17

Replying to FourWinds

Bradley's theory is based upon grave goods and petrology.
locating the precise source of an igneous rock rocks can be done extremely accurately by comparing chemical composition, crystal size ands all that good stuff.

I agree that most axes were bog standard but some obviously weren't - hence the grave goods.

StoneLifter Jul 2, 2004 08:50:29

Replying to FourWinds

And I'll fettle up an axe for basecamp - which at least is just in sight of Cumbria. Which axe should I prepare, the Victorian hard steel hatchet or the soft iron blade that looks as if it might have dropped out of the Bayeux Tapestry ?

fitzcoraldo Jul 2, 2004 10:05:46

Replying to FourWinds

I think your being a bit harsh on Mr Burl. The theories about the axe trade are the 'best fit' we have based on solid evidence and field work.
You ask for evidence - hit the books fella, it's all there.
I'll scratch the surface for you.
Scandanavian, Alpine, and Breton axes are found around Britain. Large concentrations of axes from the Lizard (group I) found in Suffolk, the greatest concentration of Langdale axes (group VI) occur most commonly in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, Group VII axes from North Wales are found in Kent, to name just three examples. I dunno about huge axe markets but there is plenty of evidence of the passing of good amounts of axes between communities, which implies trade.
People were travelling the length and bredth of Britain and Ireland seeking axes, these were people who had access to local stone that would have done the job just as well but they chose to undertake journeys to aquire 'exotic' axes for some reason. Many of the finest axes had no practical use whatsoever and have been found deposted in burial monuments, henges and other ritual settings.
No lay-line-ologies there just years of solid fieldwork & research.

fitzcoraldo Jul 2, 2004 14:06:34

Replying to FourWinds

"The special fine-grained stone used to make the Langdale axes doesn't only outcrop at that remote spot, but nonetheless, that was the place selected. In simple, practicle terms, it doesn't make sense - any more than it makes sense to transport huge bluestone rocks from the Preseli Hills of South Wales to Stonehenge; but that's what happened. Strangely, there is a link between the two places: they are both high and remote, with spectacular views, but more than that, the rock itself is sharp, angular, strangely columnar and most artificial in appearance. It would not take an overactive imagination to see these rocky outcrops as something removed from this world, perhaps assembled or created by a race altogether more powerful beings than us".

Francis Pryor
Britain BC