PITCHSTONE - Isle of Arran, Scotland
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Isle of Arran, Scotland
Like obsidian, pitchstone is a natural volcanic glass, formed when lava from a volcano cools extremely quickly leaving little time for crystals to grow. Pitchstone has a higher water content than obsidian and has a jagged or ‘hackly’ fracture rather than the characteristic conchoidal fracture of obsidian.
Isle of Arran, Scotland
Like obsidian, pitchstone is a natural volcanic glass, formed when lava from a volcano cools extremely quickly leaving little time for crystals to grow. Pitchstone has a higher water content than obsidian and has a jagged or ‘hackly’ fracture rather than the characteristic conchoidal fracture of obsidian.
Pitchstone from the isle of Arran was used to make weapons and other items during the Mesolithic to the Early Bronze Age, which were exported to other parts of Britain.
This specimen is from an old teaching collection.
Click on a picture for a larger image
Size: 8 x 4.5 x 4 centimetres
Weight: 123 grams
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