A Scraper from Wannock, East Sussex

Sid Jeffrey found this unusual end scraper at Wannock, (TQ568038) near Polegate, East Sussex, just off the north scarp slope of the South Downs.

It has been manufactured from a large blade-like flake, which has been well worked, including the removal of the platform and bulb of percussion. It has been abruptly retouched at the distal end, with the retouch extending along both sides and around the proximal end. Abrasion at the distal end indicates its use as a scraper, and other abrasion suggests it may have been hafted. There is no later retouch or damage. The flint raw material is a striking heavily patinated red-brown colour with occasional white speckles, and is very unusual for this area where almost all the flintwork is made from the local chalk and clay-with-flint raw material. It is difficult to date such a piece, but it is likely to be no later that the early Neolithic. The scraper was drawn by Yvonne Corcoran.