Flint tools found between Topsham and Countess Wear

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Flint tools found between Topsham and Countess Wear

A large collection of flint and chert artefacts, including scrapers, cores and retouched flakes, has been found in the ploughed fields between Topsham and Exeter. The material is of varying quality, probably collected from various east Devon sources. The largest artefact class in this assemblage is the scraper - a tool with a steep working edge used primarily to scrape the fat from the inside of animal hides. The collection probably extends from the Mesolithic (10,000-6,000 years ago) to the Bronze Age (2,000-700 BC). Among the selection of material shown here are at least two Mesolithic end-scrapers (2nd row from top, 3rd in from the left and 2nd row from the bottom, centre) and at least two Bronze Age button scrapers (Middle row, first two artefacts on the left).

The museum holds similar collections from prehistoric occupation from the Denver Nurseries at Topsham and from Countess Wear.

Acknowledgments: © 2015 Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter City Council

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