Find Spot record 76 - Bronze Age axe hammer

<1> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Vol 55-6 (1903-4), p.326 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.

Stone axe-head found at Mersey Brine Works belonging to the Salt Union Ltd. These works were erected 25-30 years ago on a portion of alluvial land that stretches from the base of Runcorn Hill and the high land of Weston to the River Mersey, immediately adjacent to its eastern shore bank as it existed prior to the construction of the Runcorn and Weston Canal. Found during the excavations for foundations for extension to the works. Recovered 10 foot 6 inches from surface; overhanging it was a strata of gravelly nature, and between this and the surface soil was a bed of white and grey sand. The lower beds bore no evidence of previous disturbance. The implement is a granite wedge, heart-shaped measuring about 10 inches, by 5 inches width, by 3 inches depth. Front end is bluntly rounded, with a piece chipped off on one side; the flaw seems as old as the implement. The hole is 'true' being smoothed and perfectly polished.

<2> Shone W, 1911, Prehistoric Man in Cheshire, p.37 (Book). SCH2710.

A perforated stone axe-hammer was recently discovered at the Mersey Brine Works, Weston Point, Nr Runcorn.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ48SE5, 1959 (Index). SCH2487.

Formerly at the Shaw Museum, Runcorn, it is of sheared dolerite. Now at Norton Priory Museum.

<4> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, Artefact Record Sheet, No. 374 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

Siltstone, perforated, axe-hammer (SJ 4984 8174) found, circa 1900, in the locality of the Mersey Brine Works, Weston Point (Runcorn). Its front end or point is bluntly rounded, a piece on one side is broken off, also on the same face but the pointed end, there is a second piece missing. The perforation is slightly bevelled at each opening. Length 24.5cm, width 12cm at widest point, thickness 7cm at thickest point, diameter of perforation 4cm. Location - Weaver Hall Museum. Illustration included.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, Record Card, Site No. 374 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<6> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, Vol 1, p.89, Longley D, 1987 (Book). SCH3556.