museum of the stone Age

Palaeolithic Stone Tools

The Palaeolithic, or early stone age period began in Britain Between 800,000 and 1 million years ago and lasted until the end of the last ice age, around 12,000 years ago. For much of that time, Britain was an arctic region of glaciers or tundra. But during warmer interglacial periods successive waves of humans occupied the region. Very few sites of habitation are known. The earliest is at Happisburgh (Pronounced Hazeboro) on the Norfolk coast which is as much as a million years old. Another notable site is that near the village of Boxgrove, just outside Chichester in West Sussex, which is 550,000 years old. Many of the Palaeolithic tools found in England have not been found at such sites of habitation but in river terrace gravels where they were deposited by the waters from rivers and melting glaciers.

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Stone Age Tools

	Acheulian culture ovate hand axe found at Ayelesford, Kent, in terrace gravels of the River Medway. 122x76mm Age possibly more than 100,000 years. Author's collection. Click to see pictures		Palaeolithic 'bout coupé' hand axe found on field surface in Hampshire. 75x50mm The flat base indicates Neanderthal origin. Age 30,000 to 40,000 years. Author's collection Click to see video

	Palaeolithic pointed flint hand axe. Found in terrace gravels of River Medway at Aylesford, Kent. 149x83mm Age possibly greater than 100,000 years. Author's collection Click to enlarge		Palaeolithic flint hand axe. A pointed ficron. Part of the tip has been broken Found at Warsash, Hampshire. 107mm in width. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe collection Click to enlarge

	Palaeolithic flint hand axe. Large Ovate. 153mm x 98 mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic flint handaxe. The tip is missing. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures

	Palaeolithic flint hand axe. A crude ovate. 83 mm wide. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic flint pointed handaxe. 97mm 50mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures

	Palaeolithic flint ovate hand axe. 98mm x 76mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic flint pointed handaxe. 107mm x 74 mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures

	Palaeolithic large flint ovate hand axe. 190mm x 107 mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic large crude flint ovate. 202 mm x 104 mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures

	Palaeolithic flint pointed hand axe. 186mm x 85mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic flint hand axe. 135mm x 70mm Found at Winchester, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. Private Collection Click for more pictures

	Rough-out for a Palaeolithic flint hand axe. 145mm x 84mm Found in terrace gravels of River Medway at Sturry, Canterbury, Kent. Author's collection Click for more pictures		Palaeolithic flint hand axe. A large pointed ficron. 194mm x 116mm Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection. Click for more pictures

	Palaelothic flint cordate hand axe. 96mm x 69 mm. Found at Warsash, Hampshire. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. John Sharpe Collection Click for more pictures		Acheulian culture hand axe found at Ayelesford, Kent, in terrace gravels of the River Medway. The axe has lost its tip. Age possibly more than 100,000 years. 85x75mm Author's collection. Click to see more pictures