A looped and socketed axe of square section with ribbing, is on exhibition in Maidstone Mus. Acc. No. 85/1953. It was purchased from a dealer in Yorkshire and provanced "from the sea at Whitstable",but nothing is known of its early history. (1). Described by Grove as "a socketed axe from the sea at Whitstable", a provenance supported by the patina and the presence of marine material within the socket. Although purchased in 1953 by Maidstone Museum, date of discovery was likely to have been much earlier. It is likely, as with other axes (see associated records) with an "off Whitstable" provenance, that it was dredged up by oystermen working off the north Kent coast. (2) Additional references (3-4).

<1> Arch Cant 68 1954 210 (LRA Grove) (OS Card Reference). SKE35431.

<2> F1 CFW 18.09.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42615.

<3> Field report for monument TR 16 NW 11 - September, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5538.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Canterbury Sites and Monuments Record, 11 (Index). SWX11836.