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Collections > Archaeology > Pot Boiler

Pot Boiler

This stone was used to heat water in Prehistoric times. As there were no containers in which water could be heated directly, stones were taken from the fire and placed in a container of water which heated it up. The heating of these stones on the fire caused them to crack and sometimes shatter. This pot boiler has several cracks running through it. It was found in a Mesolithic site that was used as a temporary camp.

Place: Staple Crag

Object Type: pot boiler

Period: Mesolithic

Broad Date: Prehistoric

Material: Stone

Museum Accession Number: 1996/53/ARC