Axe factory in Ballaghaline

On a SSW-facing storm beach. Storms in 2013/14 revealed shale flakes and axe roughouts in a clay layer beneath the sand at high tide level. Three trenches and one test trench were excavated in the area in 2015 following a monitoring and survey programme (Licence No. 15E0145). Trench 1 produced a large amount of shale flakes along with four concentrated lithic deposits which were the result of knapping stone axe roughouts. The lithics in Trench 2 were more dispersed although some axe roughouts were found. Some large blades from struck cobbles suggest alternative tool production. Trench 3 was notable for the high proportion of hammer stones found with roughouts and flakes. Charcoal, bone and shell samples will allow radiocarbon dating of the various activities on the site. It is likely given the excavation results that the manufacture of axes and other tools is spread over a large area at this location. (Lynch, M. 2015; Lynch, M. 2015a) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 28 June 2016