Mysterious giant 300,000-year-old hand axes were found at an Ice Age site in England. Scientists can't work out why they are so big.
Marianne Guenot
Thu, 6 July 2023
An archeologist measures the biggest of two "giant" prehistoric hand axes uncovered in the south of England.
Archaeologist Letty Ingrey holds up the smallest of the two "giant" prehistoric hand axes, shortly after uncovering it on site.Archaeology South-East/ UCL
At the time, the Medway Valley site would have been a prime hunting ground roamed by deer, horses, as well as now-extinct straight-tusked elephants and lions that lived in the area, per the press release.
Early humans would have shared the landscape with Neanderthals whose peoples and cultures were just beginning to emerge in the area, per the press release.
"Right now, we aren't sure why such large tools were being made or which species of early human were making them," said Ingrey.
"This site offers a chance to answer these exciting questions," she added.
Marianne Guenot
Thu, 6 July 2023
An archeologist measures the biggest of two "giant" prehistoric hand axes uncovered in the south of England.
Archaeology South-East/ UCL
Two giant hand axes have been uncovered in prehistoric sediment in England.
The tools, which are more than 300,000-year-old, are so big they are difficult to handle.
Archaeologists think they may have been used as part of demonstrations of strength and skill.
Two giant prehistoric hand axes, one of which is about a foot long, have been uncovered in deep Ice Age sediments in the south of England.
The 300,000-year-old tools, slabs of flint chipped on both sides to create jagged edges, were found among than 800 artifacts buried on a hillside above the Medway Valley in Kent.
"We describe these tools as 'giants' when they are over 22cm long and we have two in this size range," senior archaeologist Letty Ingrey of the UCL Institute of Archeology said in a press release.
The largest of the two hand axes, which is about 12 inches long, is "one of the longest ever found in Britain," said Ingrey, who participated in the excavation.
Archaeologist Letty Ingrey inspects the largest of two "giant" prehistoric hand axes.Archaeology South-East/ UCL
Archaeologists think these types of tools were typically used to butcher or skin animals.
But these particular hand axes "are so big it's difficult to imagine how they could have been easily held and used," Ingrey said.
"Perhaps they fulfilled a less practical or more symbolic function than other tools, a clear demonstration of strength and skill," she said.
Two giant hand axes have been uncovered in prehistoric sediment in England.
The tools, which are more than 300,000-year-old, are so big they are difficult to handle.
Archaeologists think they may have been used as part of demonstrations of strength and skill.
Two giant prehistoric hand axes, one of which is about a foot long, have been uncovered in deep Ice Age sediments in the south of England.
The 300,000-year-old tools, slabs of flint chipped on both sides to create jagged edges, were found among than 800 artifacts buried on a hillside above the Medway Valley in Kent.
"We describe these tools as 'giants' when they are over 22cm long and we have two in this size range," senior archaeologist Letty Ingrey of the UCL Institute of Archeology said in a press release.
The largest of the two hand axes, which is about 12 inches long, is "one of the longest ever found in Britain," said Ingrey, who participated in the excavation.
Archaeologist Letty Ingrey inspects the largest of two "giant" prehistoric hand axes.Archaeology South-East/ UCL
Archaeologists think these types of tools were typically used to butcher or skin animals.
But these particular hand axes "are so big it's difficult to imagine how they could have been easily held and used," Ingrey said.
"Perhaps they fulfilled a less practical or more symbolic function than other tools, a clear demonstration of strength and skill," she said.
Archaeologist Letty Ingrey holds up the smallest of the two "giant" prehistoric hand axes, shortly after uncovering it on site.Archaeology South-East/ UCL
At the time, the Medway Valley site would have been a prime hunting ground roamed by deer, horses, as well as now-extinct straight-tusked elephants and lions that lived in the area, per the press release.
Early humans would have shared the landscape with Neanderthals whose peoples and cultures were just beginning to emerge in the area, per the press release.
"Right now, we aren't sure why such large tools were being made or which species of early human were making them," said Ingrey.
"This site offers a chance to answer these exciting questions," she added.
by University College London
The largest giant handaxe. Credit: Archaeology South-East/ UCL
Researchers at the UCL Institute of Archaeology have discovered some of the largest early prehistoric stone tools in Britain.
The excavations, which took place in Kent and were commissioned in advance of development of the Maritime Academy School in Frindsbury, revealed prehistoric artifacts in deep Ice Age sediments preserved on a hillside above the Medway Valley.
The researchers, from UCL Archaeology South-East, discovered 800 stone artifacts thought to be over 300,000 years old, buried in sediments which filled a sinkhole and ancient river channel, outlined in their research, published in Internet Archaeology.
Among the unearthed artifacts were two extremely large flint knives described as "giant handaxes". Handaxes are stone artifacts which have been chipped, or "knapped," on both sides to produce a symmetrical shape with a long cutting edge. Researchers believe this type of tool was usually held in the hand and may have been used for butchering animals and cutting meat. The two largest handaxes found at the Maritime site have a distinctive shape with a long and finely worked pointed tip, and a much thicker base.
Senior Archaeologist Letty Ingrey (UCL Institute of Archaeology), said, "We describe these tools as 'giants' when they are over 22cm long and we have two in this size range. The biggest, a colossal 29.5cm in length, is one of the longest ever found in Britain. 'Giant handaxes' like this are usually found in the Thames and Medway regions and date from over 300,000 years ago."
Researchers at the UCL Institute of Archaeology have discovered some of the largest early prehistoric stone tools in Britain.
The excavations, which took place in Kent and were commissioned in advance of development of the Maritime Academy School in Frindsbury, revealed prehistoric artifacts in deep Ice Age sediments preserved on a hillside above the Medway Valley.
The researchers, from UCL Archaeology South-East, discovered 800 stone artifacts thought to be over 300,000 years old, buried in sediments which filled a sinkhole and ancient river channel, outlined in their research, published in Internet Archaeology.
Among the unearthed artifacts were two extremely large flint knives described as "giant handaxes". Handaxes are stone artifacts which have been chipped, or "knapped," on both sides to produce a symmetrical shape with a long cutting edge. Researchers believe this type of tool was usually held in the hand and may have been used for butchering animals and cutting meat. The two largest handaxes found at the Maritime site have a distinctive shape with a long and finely worked pointed tip, and a much thicker base.
Senior Archaeologist Letty Ingrey (UCL Institute of Archaeology), said, "We describe these tools as 'giants' when they are over 22cm long and we have two in this size range. The biggest, a colossal 29.5cm in length, is one of the longest ever found in Britain. 'Giant handaxes' like this are usually found in the Thames and Medway regions and date from over 300,000 years ago."
ASE Senior Archaeologist Letty Ingrey measures the largest giant handaxe.
Credit: Archaeology South-East/ UCL
"These handaxes are so big it's difficult to imagine how they could have been easily held and used. Perhaps they fulfilled a less practical or more symbolic function than other tools, a clear demonstration of strength and skill. While right now, we aren't sure why such large tools were being made, or which species of early human were making them, this site offers a chance to answer these exciting questions."
The site is thought to date to a period in the early prehistory of Britain when Neanderthal people and their cultures were beginning to emerge and may even have shared the landscape with other early human species. The Medway Valley at this time would have been a wild landscape of wooded hills and river valleys, inhabited by red deer and horses, as well as less familiar mammals such as the now-extinct straight-tusked elephant and lion.
While archaeological finds of this age, including another spectacular 'giant' handaxe, have been found in the Medway Valley before, this is the first time they have been found as part of large-scale excavation, offering the opportunity to glean more insights into the lives of their makers.
"These handaxes are so big it's difficult to imagine how they could have been easily held and used. Perhaps they fulfilled a less practical or more symbolic function than other tools, a clear demonstration of strength and skill. While right now, we aren't sure why such large tools were being made, or which species of early human were making them, this site offers a chance to answer these exciting questions."
The site is thought to date to a period in the early prehistory of Britain when Neanderthal people and their cultures were beginning to emerge and may even have shared the landscape with other early human species. The Medway Valley at this time would have been a wild landscape of wooded hills and river valleys, inhabited by red deer and horses, as well as less familiar mammals such as the now-extinct straight-tusked elephant and lion.
While archaeological finds of this age, including another spectacular 'giant' handaxe, have been found in the Medway Valley before, this is the first time they have been found as part of large-scale excavation, offering the opportunity to glean more insights into the lives of their makers.
ASE Senior Archaeologist Letty Ingrey inspects the largest handaxe.
Credit: Archaeology South-East/ UCL
Dr. Matt Pope (UCL Institute of Archaeology), said, "The excavations at the Maritime Academy have given us an incredibly valuable opportunity to study how an entire Ice Age landscape developed over a quarter of a million years ago. A program of scientific analysis, involving specialists from UCL and other UK institutions, will now help us to understand why the site was important to ancient people and how the stone artifacts, including the 'giant handaxes' helped them adapt to the challenges of Ice Age environments."
The research team is now working on identifying and studying the recovered artifacts to better understand who created them and what they were used for.
Senior Archaeologist Giles Dawkes (UCL Institute of Archaeology) is leading work on a second significant find from the site—a Roman cemetery, dating to at least a quarter of a million years later than the Ice Age activity. The people buried here between the first and fourth centuries AD could have been the inhabitants of a suspected nearby villa that may have lain around 850 meters to the south.
Dr. Matt Pope (UCL Institute of Archaeology), said, "The excavations at the Maritime Academy have given us an incredibly valuable opportunity to study how an entire Ice Age landscape developed over a quarter of a million years ago. A program of scientific analysis, involving specialists from UCL and other UK institutions, will now help us to understand why the site was important to ancient people and how the stone artifacts, including the 'giant handaxes' helped them adapt to the challenges of Ice Age environments."
The research team is now working on identifying and studying the recovered artifacts to better understand who created them and what they were used for.
Senior Archaeologist Giles Dawkes (UCL Institute of Archaeology) is leading work on a second significant find from the site—a Roman cemetery, dating to at least a quarter of a million years later than the Ice Age activity. The people buried here between the first and fourth centuries AD could have been the inhabitants of a suspected nearby villa that may have lain around 850 meters to the south.
Archaeologists excavating at the Maritime Academy School site in Frinsdbury.
Credit: Archaeology South-East/ UCL
One of the handaxes at the point of discovery on site.
Credit: Archaeology South-East/ UCL
The team found the remains of 25 individuals, 13 of which were cremated. Nine of the buried individuals were found with goods or personal items including bracelets, and four were interred in wooden coffins. Collections of pottery and animal bones found nearby likely relate to feasting rituals at the time of burial.
Though Roman buildings and structures have been extensively excavated, cemeteries have historically been less of a focus for archaeologists and the discovery of this site offers potentially new insights into the burial customs and traditions of both the Romans who lived at the villa, and those in the nearby town of Rochester.
Jody Murphy, Director of Education at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust said, "We, at Maritime Academy and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, feel very lucky to be a part of this phenomenal discovery. We take great pride in our connection to our local community and region, with much of our school identity linked to the history of Medway. We look forward to taking advantage of this unique opportunity to teach our young people about these finds, creating a lasting legacy for those who came before us."
More information: Letty Ingrey et al, A New Palaeolithic Giant Handaxe from Britain: Initial Results from Excavations at Maritime Academy, Medway, Kent, Internet Archaeology (2023). DOI: 10.11141/ia.61.6
The DOI for the data is https://doi.org/10.5522/04/c.6673061.
Provided by University College London
Explore furtherCanterbury suburbs were home to some of Britain's earliest humans, 600,000-year-old finds reveal
The team found the remains of 25 individuals, 13 of which were cremated. Nine of the buried individuals were found with goods or personal items including bracelets, and four were interred in wooden coffins. Collections of pottery and animal bones found nearby likely relate to feasting rituals at the time of burial.
Though Roman buildings and structures have been extensively excavated, cemeteries have historically been less of a focus for archaeologists and the discovery of this site offers potentially new insights into the burial customs and traditions of both the Romans who lived at the villa, and those in the nearby town of Rochester.
Jody Murphy, Director of Education at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust said, "We, at Maritime Academy and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, feel very lucky to be a part of this phenomenal discovery. We take great pride in our connection to our local community and region, with much of our school identity linked to the history of Medway. We look forward to taking advantage of this unique opportunity to teach our young people about these finds, creating a lasting legacy for those who came before us."
More information: Letty Ingrey et al, A New Palaeolithic Giant Handaxe from Britain: Initial Results from Excavations at Maritime Academy, Medway, Kent, Internet Archaeology (2023). DOI: 10.11141/ia.61.6
The DOI for the data is https://doi.org/10.5522/04/c.6673061.
Provided by University College London
Explore furtherCanterbury suburbs were home to some of Britain's earliest humans, 600,000-year-old finds reveal
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