From Alison Fisk: The photo shows an Acheulean biface handaxe knapped from dark grey flint with a creamy-white cortical layer, shown against a black background. The handaxe is roughly tear-drop shaped with a pointed tip and rounded bottom. There is a fossil shell centrally displayed on one face, identified as the Cretaceous bivalve mollusc Spondylus spinosus. Above the shell to the right is a small rectangular museum label. The toolmaker has knapped the flint in such a way as to retain the shell in a central position. Measurements 79mm x 35mm x 132mm Weight 0.375kg. Collections of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
Wow! Alison Fisk on Bluesky today showing "An extraordinary Acheulean handaxe knapped around a fossil shell c. 500,000-300,000 years ago!"
That's some serious dedication to the art of the craft. They wanted that shell to be in the hand axe. Of that I have no […]
[Original post on aus.social]