Jadeite axeheads deliberately deposited in rivers and wetlands as ritual offerings. The Sweet Track in the Somerset Levels was constructed in 3,826 or 3,827 BC (determined by dendrochronology) and used for about 12 years A beautiful jadeite axehead was deliberately placed alongside an axe head of Sussex flint (from flint mines) and a deposit of French Middle Neolithic 2 pottery At Kilmory K Aubrey in southwest Scotland, a deliberately broken and burnt axe head fragment was found in an early chamber tomb

The Somerset Levels Sweet Track (dated precisely to 3,806/3,807 BC by dendrochronology) contained a jadeite axehead deliberately placed alongside Sussex flint and French pottery—clearly a ritual deposit. Scottish sites show deliberately broken and burnt axe fragments in early chamber tombs. Some were planted in riverbanks like the River Ericht.

Key facts claimed:

- The Sweet Track in the Somerset Levels was constructed in 3,806 or 3,807 BC (determined by dendrochronology) and used for about 12 years

- A beautiful jadeite axehead was deliberately placed alongside an axe head of Sussex flint (from flint mines) and a deposit of French Middle Neolithic 2 pottery

- At Kilmory K Aubrey in southwest Scotland, a deliberately broken and burnt axe head fragment was found in an early chamber tomb

- Inverness railway stores contained a fragment of a deliberately broken axehead

- Axes were sometimes planted in riverbanks, such as along the River Ericht in Scotland

Key Facts

  • The Sweet Track in the Somerset Levels was constructed in 3,826 or 3,827 BC (determined by dendrochronology) and used for about 12 years
  • A beautiful jadeite axehead was deliberately placed alongside an axe head of Sussex flint (from flint mines) and a deposit of French Middle Neolithic 2 pottery
  • At Kilmory K Aubrey in southwest Scotland, a deliberately broken and burnt axe head fragment was found in an early chamber tomb
  • Inverness railway stores contained a fragment of a deliberately broken axehead
  • Axes were sometimes planted in riverbanks, such as along the River Erich in Scotland
  • Some axeheads were polished when in hafts, as shown by a pattern of polish on the butt and blade ends but not the middle of a jadeite axe found near Glasgow

Related site: Sweet Track — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: THE MAGICAL ALPINE AXEHEADS of Neolithic Europe | Interview with Dr. Alison Sheridan by The Prehistory Guys