Mesolithic Deeside | The lithics

The lithics

Read the latest from Ann Clarke HERE

Ann Clarke has been studying the lithics (flints and other stones) found during the fieldwalking. A total of 1586 flaked lithics were collected during fieldwalking of several locations along the River Dee. This short report is produced with a view to indicating areas of potential consideration for future planned field walking. It is not a final assessment of the assemblages. This is an initial report and the information will be fed into the mapping to allow the locations of Mesolithic finds to be plotted. We will then be sourcing funding to test pit at these locations to determine if structural remains survive.

A table is presented below for each location showing types and totals of flaked lithics. A short summary of the characteristics of each assemblage with reference to dating activity is also given.

Key for core types: SP – single platform core; OP– opposed platform core; MP – multi-platform core; FP – flaked pebble; B – Bipolar core; CF – core fragment

Potarch

Mesolithic with two oblique truncations and two notched blades.

	Flint	Types
Core	7	SP x 3, CF x 3, B
Retouched tools	11	Oblique truncation x 2, Notched blades x 4, End scraper x 2, Edge retouch x 2, Awl
Flakes	38
Blades	13
Chunks	10
Small flakes	3
Spalls	6
Pebbles
Total	88
Calcined (burnt) Burnt/frost shatter	22 3
Other

EP 2017

Mesolithic with microliths of various forms: a broad triangle, a long triangle and crescent 29mm and 25mm in length; and two backed narrow blade microlithic fragments. Also two oblique truncations and a microburin.

Also occasional Late Neolithic elements.

	Flint	Types
Core	18	SP x 12, MP x 3, FP, Disc core?
Retouched tools	33	Notched blades x 6, Scrapers x 7, Edge retouch x 5, Microliths various x 5, Knives x 5, Awl x 2, Microburin, Oblique truncations x 2
Flakes	190
Blades	88
Chunks	60
Small flakes	157
Spalls	28
Pebbles	4
Total	578
Calcined (burnt) Burnt/frost shatter	79 20
Other