Adze, tranchet adze, axehead, Thames pick

A Mesolithic flint tranchet adze or axehead dating 11,500 to 6,000 BCE. This adze or axehead has the distinctive tranchet flake removal scar across the cutting edge.

These objects are also known as 'Thames picks'. Tranchet axeheads are found across Britain, with the highest numbers found where flint naturally occurs such as the river Thames. They are first made in the Mesolithic and are distinctive for having a tranchet flake removed from across the cutting edge. This flake was removed to make a fresh, razor-sharp cutting edge. As the edge became damaged through use, another flake was removed and a fresh cutting edge could be created.
Adzes and axeheads are both tools used for cutting down trees and shaping wood, the difference between the two is how they are hafted. Adzes were set horizontally to the handle and axes were set vertically to the handle. These objects were likely hafted within an antler sleeve and a wooden handle.