The Neolithic British Isles refers to the period of British, Irish and Manx history that spanned from c. 4000 to c. 2,500 BCE. The final part of the Stone Age in the British Isles, it was a part of the greater Neolithic, or “New Stone Age“, across Europe.
Humans first settled down and began farming. They continued to make tools and weapons from flint. Some tools stayed the same from earlier periods in history, such as scrapers for preparing hides.
But the Neolithic also saw the introduction of new stone tool. First there was a movement away from using microliths to make spears and arrows as composite weapons and instead the universal adoption of flint arrow heads.
Neolithic tools were often retouched all over, by pressure flaking, giving a characteristic appearance and were often laboriously polished, again giving them a distinctive look.
Pottery also developed in this period and there are examples of Neolithic Pottery recorded in this collection
Polished Neolithic Tool 
Polished Neolithic Tool 
Polished Neolithic Tool 
Polished Neolithic Tool 
Polished Neolithic Tool
Polished Neolithic Tool
Provenance – Found near the River Ter Valley, Chelmsford, Essex
Description – This small implement is one of two found in the same location, the stones are blue and not local to Essex, both implements look polished. I am unsure if they are a natural formation or meant for something. possible game pieces, or a very small intricate hammer-stone. one of the items is chipped (but polished), and the stone feels softer then the usual hammer-stones found in the area. This implement has a perfectly smoothed edge
Size – 4.5 cm x 3.6 cm
Weight – 78g
Age / Period – Neolithic 4000 BCE – 2500 BCE
