From Jarlshof, Shetland
This slate cleaver or chopper was found at Jarlshof in Shetland. It dates from between 950 and 400 BC. It would have been useful as a butchery tool, for dismembering carcasses.
The large handled cleaver is made from a large flake of slate. It has a straight back and short handle.
The inhabitants of Jarlshof made use of the abundant local supplies of stone to make crude-looking but effective tools.
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