Getting to the core of the problem: petrological results from the Irish Stone Axe Project

Abstract

When a distribution map of Neolithic stone axes in Ireland was published in ANTIQUITY (Grogan & Cooney 1990), the new Irish Stone Axe Project (ISAP) was mentioned. Stone axes, it turns out, are unusually common in Ireland. Here Project progress is outlined, with special attention being given to those axes identified as having been moved across the Irish Sea.

Using Geochemistry to Interpret Porcellanite Stone Axe Production in Ireland

“…Given the location and nature of the two known sources, the detailed investigation of the distribution patterns of their products, in combination with the study of the movement of axes and other lithic artefacts from Britain to Ireland (e.g. Group VI tuff axes from Cumbria and pitchstone from Arran; Simpson, 1993;Saville, 1994;Cooney & Mandal, 1995), offers an opportunity to determine communication and contact patterns across the Irish Sea. Cooney & Mandal, 1995, figure 3).…”

“…Group VI tuff axes from Cumbria and pitchstone from Arran; Simpson, 1993;Saville, 1994;Cooney & Mandal, 1995), offers an opportunity to determine communication and contact patterns across the Irish Sea. Cooney & Mandal, 1995, figure 3). This map illustrates that porcellanite axes are common throughout Ireland, and are particularly abundant in the north-east close to the source areas.…”

“…Included in the research strategy is a systematic programme of raw material identification and sourcing. Research by the project has shown that porcellanite accounts for more than half of the 20,000 known stone axes in Ireland (Cooney & Mandal, 1995). What is particularly interesting is that two sources of this rock type, over 25 km apart, are known to have been exploited in the Neolithic (in Ireland; 4000-2500 : see Jope, 1952;Sheridan, 1986).…”

Bosiliack and a Reconsideration of Entrance Graves

“…The western and coastal areas of Cornwall show evidence for being receptive to new ideas and engaging with communities across the sea. From the earlier Neolithic, monuments such as portal dolmens (Cummings & Whittle 2004, 88-91) are found in west Cornwall and some artefacts, including Group I axes, could have travelled from the south-west peninsula to other parts of the Atlantic region (Cooney & Mandal 1995). In the 2nd millennium artefact types, including lunulae (Taylor 1980, 40) and possibly star-shaped faience beads (Sheridan & Shortland 2004), which are more widely found around the Atlantic façade, arrived in Cornwall through seaborne contacts, whereas Cornish Trevisker pottery has been found in France, South Wales, and Dalkey Island in Ireland (ApSimon & Greenfield 1972, 375).…”

Non-destructive provenancing of bluestone axe-heads in Britain

“…The fact that four out of these six implements appeared not to be of Preseli spotted dolerite has, in large measure, prompted the present study. Cooney and Mandal (1995), working within the Irish Stone Axe Project, have suggested on geochemical grounds that three further axes found on Lambay Island, near Dublin, may have originated in Preseli (Cooney & Mandal op.cit. : 973,).…”