Dr. James Dilley explores one of the first types of hafted axe in Britain: The Tranchet Axe. Dating to the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), these axes are unlike later examples, but what is a tranchet? Why did people make axes like this? And how do you make one? We look at the meaning behind the word “Tranchet” and some of the possible origins. As well as making a couple of examples, he also tests a Tranchet axe in some tree felling.

Filmed Edited & Produced by Emma Jones of ELWJ Media - www.elwjmedia.co.uk

References:

Andersen, S.H., 1985. Tybrind Vig: a preliminary report on a submerged Ertebølle settlement on the west coast of Fyn. Journal of Danish Archaeology, 4(1), pp.52-69.

Brown, T., 1997. Clearances and clearings: deforestation in Mesolithic/Neolithic Britain. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 16(2), pp.133-146.

Roberts, M.B., Parfitt, S.A., Pope, M.I., Wenban-Smith, F.F., Macphail, R.I., Locker, A. and Stewart, J.R., 1997. Boxgrove, West Sussex: rescue excavations of a Lower Palaeolithic landsurface (Boxgrove Project B, 1989–91). In Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society (Vol. 63, pp. 303-358). Cambridge University Press.

Sheridan, A., Cooney, G. and Grogan, E., 1992. Stone axe studies in Ireland. Journal of Social Archaeology, 58, pp.389-416.

Images:

Boxgrove quarry and handaxes: UCL Institute of Archaeology

Boxgrove handaxe model: Dr. Paula García Medrano

Hermitage adze: Dr Aimée Little

Lough Boora axes: Lough Boora Discovery Park

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