Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Giant Stone Age handaxes may have been made to impress
Researchers studied giant flint handaxes found in southern Britain that were made more than 300,000 years ago.
The tools, called ficrons, had curved sides and pointed tips, while most examples were about 8 to 15 centimetres long.
The study found seven unusually large ficrons among 817 handaxes examined at seven archaeological sites.
Six of the seven had exaggerated proportions and were more symmetrical than smaller examples, suggesting they were made to look distinctive.
Making a giant ficron took more skill and time, and students using replica versions cut rope more slowly than with ordinary-sized tools.
Researchers say the giant axes may have been made to show skill or help build social bonds, rather than to improve cutting.
Their exact purpose remains uncertain, and the study does not establish how the tools were used.
Hominins in Britain made some giant flint handaxes more than 300,000 years ago, and researchers say they may have been intended to impress rather than serve as practical tools.
The giant handaxes, called ficrons, could measure up to 30 centimetres long and weigh up to 3 kilograms.
Researchers examined 817 handaxes from seven archaeological sites in southern Britain, including seven giant ficrons.
The giant examples were generally more symmetrical and had straighter edges than smaller ones, suggesting they were made with greater skill and precision.
In tests, students took 22 per cent longer on average to cut rope with giant replicas than with ordinary-sized ones.
- Who
- Hominins in Britain made the handaxes; Malaika Standley Barrow and colleagues studied them.
- What
- Researchers suggest giant Stone Age ficrons may have been made to stand out or build social bonds, rather than for practical cutting.
- When
- More than 300,000 years ago.
- Where
- Southern Britain, including sites in the Thames valley, Kent, Hampshire and Devon.
- Why
- Their purpose is uncertain; researchers say they may have been made to display skill or create social bonds.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hominins in Britain made giant, skilfully shaped handaxes.
Standley Barrow and colleagues examined 817 ficrons and other handaxes from seven southern British archaeological sites.
Experienced flintknappers made 10 giant and 10 normal-sized replica ficrons, which 20 students used in rope-cutting tests.
- Handaxes examined
- 817 ficrons and other handaxes
- Archaeological sites
- Seven sites across southern Britain
- Giant ficrons in the study
- Seven measuring at least 22 centimetres long
- Maximum size
- Up to 30 centimetres long and 3 kilograms
- Rope-cutting test
- Students took 22 per cent longer on average with giant replicas
What people are saying
These giant ficrons really are lovely, and it seems they’re meant to visually stand out and be appreciable to other group members as something unusual and interesting to look at
One misplaced strike and it will snap in half, and all that work has gone to waste.