Below are five sets of images of an object. The first set is super zoomed in, the second a little more zoomed out and so on.
Below is set one, look closely at the 5 images and see if you can guess what kind of object it is. Why not start by deciding if it's animal, vegetable or mineral. What clues can you use to deduce an answer? Grab a sheet of paper a write down your answer.
Set one:
Here comes the next set of images, we have zoomed out slightly here, but there are only 4 images this time. Look closely for clues and see if you can add more detail to your guess. What could it be? Do you think it is naturally formed or man made?
Set 2
Ok, so we are zooming out again for our next set, only 3 images this time. Look at the markings on the object, what do they look like and what do they tell you? Keep adding to your answer.. Perhaps you know what it is already
Set 3
Set 4
Only two images this time. Keep adding detail to your answer - what can you see here and what does it tell you about the object.
Here's our final zoom out, last chance to guess!
And here's the answer
The is a hammer stone or mace head, made by prehistoric man sometime between the Neolithic and Bronze age. It was found in Littlebury in 1926.
The hole in the centre is where the wooden shaft would have been fixed.
But how did they drill holes to fix the handle?
They probably used a fiddle bow to turn a shaft of wood which was "tipped" with sand. The rotation of the shaft of wood would grind the sand against the stone and eventually - after a long time, create a hole . Archaeological experiments have shown that it could took more than a day to manufacture a hammer stone/mace head. Most likely these objects were more of a prestige or status symbol for the owner, rather than a working tool.
Below is a picture of a bow drill which illustrates how they can be used to start fires - but the principle is the same.
If you would like to learn more about life in the stone age check out our stone age lesson here: https://exploresaffronwaldenmuseum.blogspot.com/p/stone-age.html
Below is set one, look closely at the 5 images and see if you can guess what kind of object it is. Why not start by deciding if it's animal, vegetable or mineral. What clues can you use to deduce an answer? Grab a sheet of paper a write down your answer.
Set one:
Here comes the next set of images, we have zoomed out slightly here, but there are only 4 images this time. Look closely for clues and see if you can add more detail to your guess. What could it be? Do you think it is naturally formed or man made?
Set 2
Ok, so we are zooming out again for our next set, only 3 images this time. Look at the markings on the object, what do they look like and what do they tell you? Keep adding to your answer.. Perhaps you know what it is already
Set 3
Set 4
Only two images this time. Keep adding detail to your answer - what can you see here and what does it tell you about the object.
Here's our final zoom out, last chance to guess!
And here's the answer
The is a hammer stone or mace head, made by prehistoric man sometime between the Neolithic and Bronze age. It was found in Littlebury in 1926.
The hole in the centre is where the wooden shaft would have been fixed.
But how did they drill holes to fix the handle?
They probably used a fiddle bow to turn a shaft of wood which was "tipped" with sand. The rotation of the shaft of wood would grind the sand against the stone and eventually - after a long time, create a hole . Archaeological experiments have shown that it could took more than a day to manufacture a hammer stone/mace head. Most likely these objects were more of a prestige or status symbol for the owner, rather than a working tool.
Below is a picture of a bow drill which illustrates how they can be used to start fires - but the principle is the same.
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