M046 – Mesolithic / Neolithic Fire Cup, Lamp (British Find)

Mesolithic stone tools

The Mesolithic is the name given to the period between the end of the last ice age, In Britain the Mesolithic (Middle Stone) period began around 12,000 years ago as the climate began to warm up at the end of the last Ice Age. Trees and plants began to grow again and forest animals such as deer crossed the land bridge that then linked Britain to Europe.

This period in history was the beginning of settled farming around 5,500 years ago. This period saw a big movement of people and many hunting parties began to visit England regularly, Eventually the British Isles became their home.


Mesolithic / Neolithic Fire Cup – Would have been used with a fire drill to create fire and drill holes.

Description – A bow drill is a simple hand-operated type of tool, consisting of a rod that is set in rapid rotary … A bow drill for forming holes in stone axes … For use as a fire drill, the shaft should have a blunt end, which is placed into a small cavity of a stationary piece.

The item may also be an early stone lamp. I have three near identical items.

Provenance – Found close to the River Ter Valley near Chelmsford, Essex

Size – 10cm x 8cm

Weight – 396g

Age – 8000 BCE – 4000 BCE

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