The earliest mattocks were deer antlers but later evolved into several basic designs. They have a broad blade, at 90 degrees to the handle, and another parallel with the handle, like the one shown here, that is perfect for cutting. It has been renowned for centuries for its versatility as a hand tool for breaking up hard ground, grubbing out tree roots and digging out stones, they are used by the army for digging 'foxholes' and were also used as primitive pole weapons in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Smaller versions are invaluable in archaeological excavation.
I have a special affinity for this particular mattock, it has been a constant companion while clearing gardens. It once enabled me to grub out a giant 'Lime Tree' root, when hydraulic machinery was unavailable. Gradually, this became a personal challenge and after several weeks hard graft, we were triumphant!
Matthew Biggs' Mattock
Contributed by Gardeners Question Time
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ or the British Museum. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in London.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
´óÏó´«Ã½ iD
´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation
´óÏó´«Ã½ links
´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments
Try using one on Salisbury Plain to dig a trench! The chalk yields painfully little; despite battering all night with this tool we often resorted to kneeling in the first light "stand-to" gloom, disguising our puny scratches on the earth as a 1/2 decent slit-trench to bleary eyed young officers on inspection rounds!!