Record ID: SOM-FB1139
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: PALAEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A  Lower Palaeolithic bifacial flint handaxe of Acheulean tradition dating to c. 500,000 to 250,000 BC. This is a 'ficron' type handaxe which belongs to the Middle Acheulean tradition. Acording to Wymer (1999) typology, the handaxe is sub-triangular in plan, with straight sides (edge type e), a slightly rounded tip (point type i) and a flat based butt (butt type d).  There are multiple large flaking scars covering both the dorsal and ventral sides with slightly finer flake removal along the edges. The whole artefact has orange/brown iron staining as well as heavy ab…
Created on: Tuesday 23rd January 2024
Last updated: Thursday 25th January 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOM-8D4799
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: PALAEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Palaeolithic chert handaxe with a broken tip, possible originally of ficron form. The axe has a convex curved butt with creamy cortex remaining on one face. Shallow invasive parallel removals on both faces covering the entire faces with one large later flake removal, possible accidental damage, towards the butt on the side with cortex. More recent damage has also removed the point and part of the left edge on the same face, the paler orange of the original chert shows through in these breaks. The remaining surface is bright orange from iron staining and the chert is slightly granular …
Created on: Sunday 12th November 2017
Last updated: Sunday 12th November 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOM-250DFF
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: PALAEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A bifacially worked Lower Palaeolithic chert handaxe, dating to the period c. 500,000-150,000 BC. It is ovate in form, lenticular in cross section and has a slight reversed 'S' profile. It has been struck from an orange/brown chert that has extensive dark orange patination. Both faces have covering, scaled, semi-abrupt flaking. One face exhibits old damage in the form of a chip. The other face exhibits a large area where more recent damage has occured, evidenced by a break in the patination. The handaxe measures 141.36mm in length, 92mm at its widest, 37.98mm in thickness and weigh…
Created on: Thursday 29th October 2015
Last updated: Thursday 19th November 2015
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Enmore', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-40E374
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: PALAEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Published
Palaeolithic Acheulian chert handaxe of ficron type with an elongated tapering point and larger rounded butt.The point is formed with invasive shallow flaking and is pointed oval in cross section, more convex on one face than the other. There are several post deposition chips from the edges and the tip is missing to more recent damage. The point widens and thickens to the large rounded butt. The widening is a fairly consistant taper down the ficron with the widest point about three quarters of the way down the length. The thickness is more variable, one face appears almost complete an…
Created on: Tuesday 8th April 2014
Last updated: Friday 9th May 2014
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Burrowbridge', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-1B3E57
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Published
Part of a knapped chert tool, probably a handaxe made from an Upper Greensand nodule. It is now D shaped in plan with a a convex blade leading to the start of straighter sides and a break opposite the blade. The break is angled in profile but relatively straight in plan and appears accidental. It is as worn as the other working. There is evidence of old, worn invasive shallow retouch on both sides with possible long flake removal. In section this creates an even convex curve to each face meeting at a point along the blade. The tool is orange-brown in colour, typical of Upper Greensand…
Created on: Wednesday 19th December 2012
Last updated: Wednesday 27th October 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cheddon Fitzpaine', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-B0E148
Object type: HANDAXE
Broad period: PALAEOLITHIC
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Published
Lithic implement described as 'a small, incomplete Acheulean handaxe dating to the Lower Paleolithic. Bifacially worked on a tertiary flake. The axe appears to have been roughly heart-shaped originally, with a rounded butt, curving inwards slightly, and a slightly pointed tip at the opposite end. A curved section is missing from one side of the tip. This appears to have occured following deposition as the edges of the break are still sharp. Both faces are largely covered with flaking scars. There is further finer, but irregular, retouch to some of the edges. Both faces have become smo…
Created on: Thursday 4th February 2010
Last updated: Wednesday 27th October 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'St Cuthbert Out', grid reference and parish protected.