Neolithic polished axehead at Elsenham Place (EHER 4608)

A Neolithic axe of polished grey gritstone was found whilst digging the garden of Place Farm, Elsenham in about 1936. It is 27.5 cm long and 9.5 cm wide at the blade end. It was loaned to Saffron Walden Museum about 1951 and is currently (2009) held by the museum but is not on display.

Neolithic, polished axehead, 152mm (6"), found at Elsenham. <1> In Saffron Walden Museum. <2> Very fine, large polished grit axe. <3> NRHE data transfer: A Neolithic axe of polished grey gritstone was found whilst digging the garden of Place Farm, Elsenham about 1936. It is 267mm (10.5 ins) long, and from 38-89mm (1.5 ins-3.5 ins) wide. It was loaned to Saffron Walden Museum about 1951 by Mrs Smallwood who formerly lived at Place Farm. <4> A "very fine large polished grit axe" (presumably the same implement, although different reported dimensions) was held at Elsenham Hall. <5> According to the curator of Saffron Walden Museum (2009), the Neolithic axe is still held by the Museum. It is 275 mm long and 95 mm wide at the blade end. It is not currently on display. <6> July 1975. Field survey. The extensive garden of Elsenham Place (formerly Place Farm) is centred at TL 54062633. The present whereabouts of the axe cannot be ascertained. <7>