Rare Neolithic Scraper Arrowhead British Stone Age Flint Tool Lithic Norfolk With Certificate of Authenticity

Description

Overview of This Rare Neolithic Scraper Arrowhead from Norfolk

This beautifully preserved Neolithic Scraper Arrowhead is an authentic British Stone Age tool originating from Norfolk, an area celebrated for its rich archaeological record and exceptional flint resources. Carefully selected for its distinctive form, clear working edges, and historical significance, this artefact represents a hybrid lithic tool combining features of both scraper and projectile technology. The photos show the exact specimen you will receive, with full sizing details available in the listing images.

All of our artefacts are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Neolithic period in Britain (c. 4000–2500 BCE) marked a transformative era when communities shifted from nomadic foraging to settled agriculture, domestication of animals, and more complex societal structures. Flint remained the primary raw material for tools, used for cutting, hunting, woodworking, hide processing, and everyday domestic tasks.

Arrowheads and scrapers were among the most essential tool types of this period. While arrowheads served as hunting projectiles, scrapers were indispensable household implements used to prepare hides and other materials. The presence of dual characteristics in this piece reflects the innovation and adaptability of Neolithic flintworkers, who crafted multifunctional tools suited to a wide range of needs.

Norfolk, with its abundant chalk-based flint deposits, was one of Britain’s most important prehistoric toolmaking regions. The quality of flint found here enabled precise knapping techniques, resulting in tools like this that remain sharp, durable, and archaeologically meaningful thousands of years later.

Material Composition and Knapping Technique

This artefact is expertly fashioned from high-grade Norfolk flint, a cryptocrystalline silica rock known for producing clean, conchoidal fractures ideal for toolmaking. Its surface exhibits classic indicators of skilled workmanship:

• Defined Scraping Retouch: Fine pressure flaking along one or more edges creating a durable scraping surface.
• Projectile-like Point: A tapered, pointed form suitable for hafting onto an arrow shaft or spear.
• Conchoidal Fracture Rings: Ripple marks radiating from the main percussion point, confirming controlled flake removal.
• Bulb of Percussion: Present on the ventral surface, showing how the blank was struck from a larger core.
• Ergonomic Form: Carefully shaped to fit effectively into a composite tool or serve as a standalone implement.

The flint’s natural coloration—typically greys, creams, and honey-browns—reflects local geology and long-term mineralisation.

Function and Archaeological Significance

This hybrid scraper–arrowhead design illustrates the practical ingenuity of late Stone Age communities. Tools like this likely served multiple roles:

• Hunting: When hafted, the pointed end could function as an arrowhead or spear tip.
• Skin and Fibre Processing: The retouched scraping edge allowed for hide cleaning, plant fibre work, or woodworking.
• General Domestic Utility: Versatile and portable, this type of tool was suited to varied tasks during daily life and seasonal movements.

Microscopic use-wear analysis on comparable artefacts has shown edge polish, striations, and micro-chipping consistent with both hide scraping and projectile impact—further supporting the dual-purpose interpretation.

This artefact also contributes to broader archaeological understanding of:

• Neolithic hunting strategies
• Composite tool construction
• Settlement patterns and resource utilisation
• Technological continuity from Mesolithic blade industries

Provenance and Regional Importance

Norfolk’s prehistoric landscape—rivers, wetlands, and chalk hills—made it a hub of Neolithic activity. Its vast flint deposits were exploited for tens of thousands of years, producing tools that travelled through trade networks or remained within local communities. Artefacts from this region are highly valued for their quality, authenticity, and strong ties to Britain’s early cultural development.

Collectability and Display Appeal

This Neolithic Scraper Arrowhead is a superb addition to any archaeological collection, museum display, educational programme, or private showcase. Its well-preserved form, visible knapping features, and dual-function design make it scientifically valuable and visually compelling. It offers a direct, tactile link to Stone Age innovation and craftsmanship.

Authenticity and Customer Assurance

You will receive the exact Neolithic Scraper Arrowhead shown in the photos. Each artefact has been professionally inspected and verified, and every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity confirming its genuine Stone Age origin, provenance, and historical importance.