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Flint Arrowhead, circa 1800 BC

Contributed by John Freeman

Flint Arrowhead, circa 1800 BC

The arrowhead was found by chance on a visit to Hembury Fort near Honiton, Devon, the British Museum classified it as Neolithic, about 1800 BC. I've treasured the item for 50+ years as my small piece of local history. The arrowhead was skilfully and delicately shaped from flint by hands that were much more capable than mine, and it would have been bound to a shaft with a strip of skin to form an arrow for hunting food or maybe defence from human or animal attack. The ability of these people to make and use these tools and to live and survive in the harsh conditions of their times required very different skills from of today. Hembury Fort looks out over a valley bordered by the Blackdown Hills towards the busy and bustling market town of Honiton and its surrounding hamlets. I sometimes wonder what the arrowhead makers would make of the view today if they looked out over the mix of arable and grazing fields bordered by their hedges and fences. So much green space, so few trees, so little wildlife and so much unnatural noise. Not to mention the numbers of strange people, cars, roads and buildings. I fear that today we may have lost their skill of living in harmony with the world

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Location

Hembury Fort, Honiton, Devon

Culture
Period
Theme
Size
H:
4cm
W:
2cm
D:
0.2cm
Colour
Material

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