IV.—The Perforated Axe-hammers of Britain

Abstract

A Natural tendency to regard perforated axe-hammers as belonging to the Neolithic period, the Age of polished stone, is soon corrected by a study of the available evidence, which shows that most of the specimens found in Britain date from the Bronze Age, several having been discovered in association with that metal. If any reliance can be placed on the division of the Bronze Age into two parts, characterized respectively by inhumation and cremation, in that order, then it is clear that axe-hammers cover practically the whole of the period, extending over some fifteen centuries. The lower limit is not at present fixed; but there are primitive examples that from their form and method of boring may well be assigned to the Late Stone Age, and there is reason to believe that at least one type was introduced during the period of transition to Bronze—that is, in the Copper or Aeneolithic period.