Stone tool?

[has]

I have something which resembles a stone tool from centuries ago that I found on a beach. Who would be able to give me more info on this?

[dizmouk2009]

To start with, take a photo and send a link :)

[dothawkes31]

A stone stool would be quite impactical as stools were meant to be portable and used for alot of domestic and rural tasks. It is possible it is some sort of grinding stone on legs.

[Sandy-Wroe]

Take it to a local museum. They could identify it for you. I'd guess it's either a flint knife or an axehead.

[dothawkes31]

lol sorry, i rerad it as stone stool!!! It's probably a flint, very common, used as a basic hand cutting tool. The location of the beach would be a good clue too,.

[Lil O'lady]

Hi Has - am I right in guessing you were on a beach in the south-east or maybe east anglia? There are many prehistoric stone and bone objects washed up around there, and even caught in trawlers' nets, from the land covered by the post-glacial flodding. It's called 'Doggerland' now and archaeologists are trying to map and record it properly. So first and foremost, the nearest county archaeologist, eg this one for Suffolk might be interested in a photo and some information: http://www.suffolk.go...ironment/Archaeology/ = put something in the photo to give it scale, such as a ruler or a 2p piece.

It's impossible to judge its age with any accuracy without seeing it, but broadly speaking stone tools become smoother and more polished in finish towards the New Stone Age (c4000 BC in UK) and Bronze age. Stone tools continued to be used even into the 1600s - flintlock rifles and tinderboxes for lighting fires used flint. But these were tiny and if you've noticed something on the beach I'm guessing it's about hand size or bigger?

[heathfield]

A real giveaway Freudian slip there, Dot!!

[saxy_jag]

As Sandy says, take it to a local museum. It can be assessed as part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Details here: http://www.finds.org.uk/