Anglo-Saxon whetstone

M/1992/23. Small rectangular Anglo-Saxon whetstone with a hole drilled through it at one end, so that it could be hung round the neck or from a belt. This is one of several Anglo-Saxon objects found by workmen when they were building Edridge Road in Croydon, between February 1893 and September 1894. Some of the objects were given to the old Grangewood Museum in Croydon and are now looked after by Croydon Museum Service. The rest were given to the British Museum. Between 1600 and 1300 years ago, Edridge Road was the site of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery. This whetstone was buried there with its owner, who was also buried with an axe (Museum reference number M/1992/22). The whetstone was probably included so that the axe could be kept sharp for use in the afterlife. Noticed a mistake? Have some extra information about this object? Please contact us museum@croydon.gov.uk