Archaeological Pitchstone in Northern Britain: Characterization and Interpretation of an Important Prehistoric Source

Today the number of pitchstone-bearing sites in northern Britain has multiplied several times and approximately 20,300 worked pieces from c. 350 sites have been found; pitchstone artefacts have been reported from practically all parts of Scotland (apart from Shetland), as well as from northern England, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man. Most of the new locations represent excavated material with well-defined find contexts. Contents: 1) Introduction; 2) Archaeological volcanic glass - a brief research history; 3 Pitchstone types; 4) The evidence - basic characterization of archaeological pitchstone in northern Britain; 5) The date of pitchstone use in northern Britain; 6) Pitchstone technology; 7) The social context of pitchstone use - Neolithic territories and exchange networks; 8) Future perspectives; Bibliography; Appendix 1 - List of all examined pitchstone-bearing sites; Appendix 2 - List of all unexamined pitchstone-bearing sites.