Pebble hammer

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This pebble hammer of quartzite was found at Illeray on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Because of its simple shape, it is hard to date.

This oval pebble has had a shafthole drilled from either side. There may be traces of batter from its use as a hammer at its broader end.

Simple pebble hammers could have been used for a variety of everyday tasks at many periods in the past. Stray finds such as this one are particularly hard to date.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-792-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.AH 67
• Date: Unknown
  
• Material: Quartzite
  Hammer head
  
• Dimensions: 2.67" x 1.88"
  
• What: Hammer head
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, North Uist, Illeray
  
• Event:
• Description: Hammer head of quartzite from Illeray, North Uist, Inverness-shire
  
• References:
  • Roe, F.E.S. Typology of stone implements with shaftholes. In: Clough, T.H.McK. and Cummins, W.A. (eds). Stone Axe Studies. London: Council for British Archaeology (Research Report 23), 1979, pp 23-48. 
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