A giant ax has been found in the remains of an ice age in Europe from 300,000 years ago. As it is not practical due to its considerable size, the possibility that it was used for external display was raised.
An archeology research team at University College London (UCL) in the UK reported on the official channel on the 6th that an unprecedentedly huge ax was excavated from an ice age site 300,000 years ago.
The axes were wedged among some 800 Ice Age artifacts from the middle of the Medway Valley in Kent, England. Two axes were particularly large, with the length of the ax head being more than 30 cm.
Front and side views of two of the largest ax heads in British archaeological history. over 30 cm. <사진=CUL 공식 홈페이지>
“These 300,000-year-old ax heads were made of flint, as they come from other European regions, such as France,” said an excavation official.
The person in charge said, “Considering the lifestyle of people at the time, such as hunting and food, if the ax head is 22 cm or more, it is large.”
According to UCL, ancient artifacts discovered so far in Britain include several axes, none larger than this one. In particular, UCL’s position is that it is too large for an ax used during the Ice Age, so further research is required to know its exact use.
An ax excavated from the ruins of Medway Valley. At first glance, it is large. <사진=UCL 공식 홈페이지>
“Usually ancient axes were used to dismantle or skin game,” said an excavation official.
“Perhaps these axes, compared to other tools, served more symbolic than practical purposes, i.e., to show off their toughness against other tribes or beasts,” he added.
During the Ice Age, the Medway Valley area was home to human prey such as wild deer and horses, as well as threatening predators such as saber-toothed tigers. UCL speculated that the ax owners also confronted Neanderthals, who had just sprouted a nation and culture in this fierce hunting ground.
Reporter Yoonseo Lee [email protected]
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