Object: Saddle Quern
Date: Neolithic
Description: A saddle quern with rubbing stone. The base of schistose grit is broken and probably half its
original length, now 360mm x 270mm. The upper stone is oval porphyritic basalt with one face smooth,
dimensions 240mm x 165mm x 80mm.
Origin: In the late 19th century and early 20th century, a gravel pit at Townhead was being worked. In
1914 a Neolithic stone axe head was found. Until the digging of gravel came to an end in 1919 and the
pit was filled in, many more items including pottery were discovered, suggesting that this was the site of
a Neolithic settlement. There were further excavations in 1929. The site is under the new Creamery
building. BNHS Transactions Vol X.