| Description | This small, finely polished stone axehead dates to the Neolithic (New Stone Age), about 3000BC. It was found at Auchinbaird Crossing, near Sauchie and was acquired by the Museum as a result of Scotland's Treasure Trove law. It is made of baked green siltstone.
The blade edge has been made by chipping and polishing the stone until there is a sharp edge, while the other end has been shaped to a rounded point. The axe was probably held in the hand when used, as there are no signs of it having been tied to a piece of wood for a handle.
Very little is known about the Neolithic in Clackmannanshire, as all of the known sites - stone circles east of Alloa, in Tillicoultry, Tullibody and perhaps Alva - have been destroyed.
No settlements have been found yet, but other stone axeheads said to have been found along the foot of the Ochils and an unusual ornamental stone ball found near Dollar (on display in Dollar Museum) all show that people were living here five millennia ago. |