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The South West Implement Petrology Group (SWIPG) was formed in 1936, 73 years ago as the Federation's Sub-committee for the Petrological Identification of Stone Implements. The aim was to study the petrology and distribution in Wessex and in the adjoining counties of Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall with special reference to their probable source of origin.

The group continues to record, thin section, analyse the petrology of prehistoric stone axes and publish the results.

A collection of thin sections is held in trust by the group in agreement with Somerset County Museum - Taunton.

Members meet twice a year, with one meeting being a seminar reviewing the latest research.

It is hoped that this website will grow to provide a resource for all archaeological and petrological researchers world wide, as well as the members of the IPG.

if you have an axe to sample click here for an entry form in word format or RTF format.

Reports to Federation Board:

• Report for April 2009
• Report for 22 Jan 2009
• Annual report to Fed AGM 2008
• Annual report to Fed AGM 2007
• Report for 7th March 2007
• Report for 9th November 2006

For a good summary of archaeology in the South West of England, learn more about the South West Archaeology Reseach Framework (SWARF) here