The Sub Committee of the South West Implement Petrology Committee (SWIPC) was formed in 1936, 70 years ago. 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.
For an introduction to the group click here.
if you have an axe to sample click here for an entry form in word format or RTF format.
Reports to Federation Committee:
For a good summary of archeology in the South West of England, learn more about the South West Archeology Reseach Framework (SWARF) here
