Possible Neolithic site, South of Mistley Churchyard wall (EHER 7437)

Polished flint axe found while recording section of a gas pipeline. To the west, was a scatter of flints and several undated features cut by the pipeline, possibly representing a neolithic settlement site.

Polished flint axe found immediately south of Mistley churchyard wall while recording section of a gas pipeline. It was found in a buried deposit of medieval building rubbish in an infilled ditch (see 0000); the debris contained knapped flints from the black flint facing of the C16 south aisle of the church. To the west, was a scatter of flints and several undated features cut by the pipeline, possibly representing a neolithic settlement site. The pipeline will be published in full elsewhere, the finds are in Colchester Museum. The butt and blade of the axe have been damaged, possibly in medieval times. However, four flakes removed from the middle, after polishing, give the axe a `waisted form' and this may represent reuse in neolithic times as a `ritual' object. <1> <2> See 3190 for another possible `ritual' axe found nearby. Site Assessment = Accession numbers of finds?