Rare Failed Barbed Tanged Arrowhead Artefact British Stone Age Lithic Cornwall

Rare British Stone Age Arrowhead Artefact from Cornwall

This listing offers a rare failed barbed tanged arrowhead artefact, an authentic British Stone Age lithic tool discovered in Cornwall. Although unfinished or imperfect in its manufacture, such a piece is of great archaeological importance, illustrating the skill and challenges faced by prehistoric toolmakers. Arrowheads of this type were designed with a tang and barbs to allow secure hafting onto wooden shafts, transforming them into deadly projectile weapons used for hunting and, potentially, conflict.

This specimen, though failed in its intended form, is a fascinating insight into the learning process, material limitations, and trial-and-error craftsmanship of our ancestors. For collectors and students of prehistory, such tools are prized not only for their rarity but also for the story they tell about ancient daily life and survival.

Tool Type and Manufacture

Barbed and tanged arrowheads are characteristic of the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age, typically dating between 2500–1500 BC in Britain. Crafted from chert or flint, they were produced through careful pressure flaking techniques, with fine retouching used to create barbs and a tang for secure attachment.

This particular artefact demonstrates an attempt at the barbed-tanged form but was abandoned or failed due to a break, flaw, or mis-strike during the knapping process. Such artefacts are significant because they reveal the challenges of lithic technology—only the most skilled knappers could consistently produce perfect arrowheads. Even failed examples retain the tell-tale working edges, flake scars, and shaping attempts that identify them as genuine prehistoric tools.

Cultural and Archaeological Context

During the British Stone Age, arrowheads were essential components of survival. They allowed communities to hunt game efficiently, providing meat, hides, and bones for food, clothing, and toolmaking. The innovation of the barbed and tanged design improved the effectiveness of arrows by ensuring deeper penetration and better retention within targets.

In Cornwall, a region with a rich archaeological record, such artefacts are part of the broader prehistoric landscape of farming, settlement, and ceremonial activity. They represent not just hunting tools but also technological advancements in weaponry that were central to the success of early communities. A failed example like this highlights the experimentation and craft behind these tools, making it an important piece of prehistoric evidence.

Collector’s Details

• Artefact Type: Failed Barbed Tanged Arrowhead Tool
• Cultural Period: British Stone Age (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age)
• Material: Chert/Flint lithic
• Origin: Cornwall, UK
• Provenance: Genuine Stone Age lithic artefact
• Condition: Unfinished/failed form with visible flake scars and shaping attempts
• Sizing: Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1cm. Full sizing visible in photographs.

Authenticity and Presentation

Every artefact offered is 100% genuine and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, providing full assurance of its provenance. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, carefully chosen for its archaeological and collector interest.

This rare failed barbed tanged arrowhead is not just an object—it is a direct link to the ingenuity and resilience of prehistoric peoples. For collectors of Stone Age tools, students of archaeology, or enthusiasts of Britain’s ancient past, it represents an exceptional and meaningful addition to any collection.