Blade
Object
Flint tool
Object number
1991.671
Physical Description
Stone, irregular, one flat curving side, angled spine on other, brown.
Dimension
Length: 180mm
Width: 58mm
Depth: 25mm
Width: 58mm
Depth: 25mm
Exhibition Label
From ‘Hackney 300,000 BC: Meet the Neanderthal neighbours and curious creatures of the borough's Old Stone Age’
Fantastic Flint
The majority of the ancient tools found in Hackney are made of a particular stone, flint. It breaks in predictable ways when hit, making it easy and quick to create sharp edges. It can be resharpened and reused again and again.
Other types of stone to shape into tools were also available, as seen by this non-flint example of a sharpened cutting tool.
These stone tools show us that their makers had a knowledge of, and preference for, certain materials. They would know where in the landscape they could be found, and plan ahead to collect needed resources. They would carry unworked flint with them to use at a later time, even making a tool needed for a particular task in the moment.
Fantastic Flint
The majority of the ancient tools found in Hackney are made of a particular stone, flint. It breaks in predictable ways when hit, making it easy and quick to create sharp edges. It can be resharpened and reused again and again.
Other types of stone to shape into tools were also available, as seen by this non-flint example of a sharpened cutting tool.
These stone tools show us that their makers had a knowledge of, and preference for, certain materials. They would know where in the landscape they could be found, and plan ahead to collect needed resources. They would carry unworked flint with them to use at a later time, even making a tool needed for a particular task in the moment.
On display?
No