1. The Archaeological Context

Stone implements represent one of the earliest and most reliable records of human activity in prehistory. Understanding the provenancing of stone used for toolmaking, through macroscopic, microscopic, and increasingly through geochemical analysis, allows archaeologists to understand the dynamics and mechanics of implement production and exchange (Davis 1997). At present, over one half of all implements examined by the IPG remain ungrouped (Clough and Cummins 1988) and increasingly the IPG has become more concerned by the limitations of provenancing stone implements, and establishing petrological groups using macroscopic and microscopic analysis alone. Non-destructive analytical techniques have been developed, which complement the more traditional microscopic analysis (Emerson et al. 2007). Interest by archaeologists in the Carrock Fell Gabbro Complex (Fig. 1) as a rock source for implement manufacture has been increased by the existence of a prehistoric hill-fort enclosure situated on the summit of Carrock Fell (Pearson 1996).

Figure 1: Carrock Fell location map (after Pearson 1996)

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