Description

Summary: A Late Neolithic flint long-tailed oblique arrowhead excavated at Marden henge excavated by Jim Leary in 2010.

Research results

Along with a second incomplete arrowhead and a narrow rod of flint, this arrowhead is discussed by Bishop et al (2011) and used to define a new form of late Neolithic arrowhead.

An incomplete Neolithic oblique arrowhead, from the late Neolithic enclosure at Marden Henge, Marden, Wiltshire, excavated by J Leary in 2010-2012. The arrowhead is extremely finely made and is one of two from the site used as type specimens to define a new type of 'long-tailed' oblique arrowhead. Although missing its tip, this damage is not necessarily indicative of its use as a projectile, and examination under a microscope showed little to no evidence of wear. It is likely therefore that the arrow may have been for display purposes, or potentially as a demonstration of skill. It is perhaps worth being open minded about high-status arrowheads such as this however: recent microwear analysis of Early Bronze Age Armorican Arrowheads has demonstarted that a number were used to cut grass, prior to being hafted.

This and 5 other worked flint artefacts from Marden Henge have been examined under a microscope by Dr Ben Chan of the University of Southampton in order to assess the suitablility of the wider assemblage for use-wear analysis. Marden henge is set upon greensand geology, rather than chalk, reducing the post-depositional changes which obscure such detail on the flint of most Wessex henge monuments.