Find Spot record 1440/0/14 - Alderley Edge Shovel

Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Watson, M. 24/0/1/2014 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

GIS location for this site changed from SJ8330 7840 to match that given for the prehistoric pit workings at Brynlow Field (HER 1440/0/19) which the Alderley Edge project archive associates this find with.

<1> Various, Current Archaeology, 137/1994/172-175 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1031.

Wooden spade: long and narrow blade with a steeply rounded end;one side of blade missing, and an old split running with the grain between this break and the handle. The handle is short and tapers to a point - possibly part split away. Probably oak. Max length 59.4cm, length of handle 26.5cm, width 12.3cm. From excavations at Alderley Edge 1875. Thought to be Bronze Age. Date confirmed with carbon dating at calibrated range of 1888 - 1677 cal. BC. This description is from the Manchester Museums Accession register and reproduced at the beginning of this article which also documents the rediscovery of the shovel by Alan Garner.

<2> Trinity Mirror, 1981-Present, Wilmslow Express and Advertiser (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH3712.

Undated Article in newspaper regarding discovery and dating of the shovel

<3> 1998, Alderley Edge Landscape Project Archive, 188 (Unpublished Report). SCH4334.

The discovery of the shovel is documented and includes a description of a site of prehistoric pit-workings in Brynlow Field. (1440/0/19).

<4> Timberlake, S. and Prag, A.J.N.W., 2005, The Archaeology of Alderley Edge (Book). SCH4769.