Artefact Material

Easy access to sources of suitable stone for artefact production, is one of the main factors of importance in prehistoric economy and the settlement of a site.

Most of the artefacts found on the Culverwell site were made of Jurassic chert. This material occurs in thick seams within the exposures of Portland's geological strata along the whole of the cliffs. It fractures as easily as flint (if not better) and can be used for the making of all types of artefacts (see artefacts).

The material for the coarser core tools, e.g. picks came from the exposures of tabular pieces of chert and limestone in the loamy rubble above the Raised Beach. (Environment).

Building material

The limestone slabs which were used in constructing the floor on the Culverwell site were collected from the so-called slat-beds above the Portland and Purbeck Beds which are exposed all along the cliffs. The presence of this stone is possibly one of the main factors which encouraged the Mesolithic people to live a more sedentary life-style on Portland.

Trade or Barter

Artefacts made of Portland chert have been found on many Mesolithic sites in southern England while only a few have been found in the same material on sites of other periods. This suggests that the Mesolithic people of Portland preferred the chert, even though flint and other material was available to them in the form of pebbles from the Raised Beach and Chesil Beach (see environment).

Skins suitable for the making of clothes and hut covers would possibly have been in short supply on Portland as no bones of larger animals, such as deer, have been found on the site. It is probable that the Portland people traded artefact material for skins with groups who had access to big animals.

Sturdy wood for the erection of the frames for huts would have been obtained from areas further inland and from the Fleet. Thatch or reeds would have been in plentiful supply along the Fleet and in the wet areas round what is now the town of Weymouth.