Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Scientists from the University College London (UCL) Institute of Archaeology have found some of the largest early prehistoric stone tools within Britain.
During the excavations conducted in Kent for the development of the Maritime Academy School in Frindsbury, an intriguing discovery emerged. The project, commissioned by UCL Archaeology South-East, unearthed prehistoric artifacts from deep Ice Age sediments, carefully preserved on a hillside overlooking the Medway Valley.
Immersed in the sediment layers that filled a sinkhole and an ancient river channel, the researchers encountered a remarkable collection of approximately 800 stone artifacts. These artifacts are estimated to be over 300,000 years old, as indicated by the findings outlined in their publication in Internet Archaeology.
Among the treasures brought to light were two exceptionally large flint knives, commonly referred to as “giant handaxes.” Handaxes are stone tools meticulously shaped through the process of chipping or “knapping” on both sides, bringing about a symmetrical form with an elongated cutting edge. It is believed that such tools were predominantly held in the hand and likely served purposes such as animal butchery and meat cutting. The two largest handaxes discovered at the Maritime site exhibit a distinctive design characterized by a lengthy, finely crafted pointed tip and a substantially wider base.
According to Letty Ingrey, a Senior Archaeologist from the UCL Institute of Archaeology, these remarkable tools are commonly referred to as “giants” due to their impressive size. When a handaxe measures over 22cm in length, it falls into this category. The largest handaxe discovered during the excavation measures a colossal 29.5cm, making it one of the longest ever found in Britain.
The presence of these “giant handaxes” is typically associated with the Thames and Medway regions, and they are estimated to date back over 300,000 years. Such significant findings provide valuable insights into the ancient history of the area and the tool-making practices of our early human ancestors.
