handaxes

Handaxes are one of the oldest and most recognizable forms of stone tool. They are typically large, bifacially worked implements with a broad, teardrop- or oval-shaped profile and a sharp edge around the perimeter. The defining characteristic is that both faces have been systematically flaked to produce a thin, sharp edge, often with a pointed end and a rounded or squared butt.

Materials and production methods vary by available resources, but handaxes are commonly made from fine-grained stones such as flint or chert, sometimes from quartzite or basalt. The production process involves initial percussion flaking to remove large flakes and establish a rough shape, followed by thinning and refinement through controlled flaking or pressure technique on both sides. The result is a durable, multi-purpose tool that could range from a few centimeters to several tens of centimeters in length.

Chronology and geography place handaxes in the Lower to Middle Paleolithic, with the Acheulean industry often tied to their development. Originating in Africa around 1.8 million years ago, handaxes spread to Europe and Asia and persisted for many hundreds of thousands of years, displaying regional variation in form and technique.

Uses and interpretation vary; handaxes are thought to have served multiple purposes, including processing animal carcasses, hide preparation, woodworking, digging, and cutting tasks. Their prominence and durability have made them central to debates about early human cognitive abilities, motor skills, and dispersal patterns. Handaxes remain a key reference point in studying early stone-tool technology and human evolution.