For over a century since its discovery in south Norfolk, the West Tofts handaxe has fired the imagination and sparked debate. A Palaeolithic flint biface dating to either MIS 11 (424-374 thousand years ago) or MIS9 (337-300 thousand years ago), its striking feature is the central presence of a fossilised mollusc (Spondylus spinosus), shell embedded in the cortex of the flint nodule.<\/p>
Whether it represents one of the earliest examples of artistic expression in material culture, or\u2014as a recent paper has argued\u2014is merely a \u2018remarkably average, structurally flawed, utilitarian\u2019* artefact, it is one of the most recognisable archaeological artefacts in the world.<\/p>
Held at the University of Cambridge\u2019s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Accession No. 1916.82<\/p>
Digital illustration by Rob Hedge<\/p>
*Flanders and Key 2023; https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jas.2023.105888<\/p>","brand":null,"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"For over a century since its discovery in south Norfolk, the West Tofts handaxe has fired the imagination and sparked debate. A Palaeolithic flint bif...","metaImage":null,"noIndex":false,"giftWrapCompatible":true,"approvalStatus":"approved","ecoIcons":[],"isBundle":false,"type":"Mug","specifications":"11oz ceramic mug. Dishwasher and microwave-safe with a durable, high-gloss finish.","sizeChartId":374,"sizeCount":1,"urlName":"west-tofts-handaxe-ceramic-mug","customiseIt":false,"enableAddToCart":true,"collection":{"title":"New","urlName":"new"},"reviews":{"raw":[],"rating":0,"count":0,"summary":null},"lifestyleImages":[{"full":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/c8mj0lzbidedsapnyyywnj9axa5nxyla1fmexy9emspyjqmd.jpeg","1080":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/c8mj0lzbidedsapnyyywnj9axa5nxyla1fmexy9emspyjqmd.jpeg.jpg?w=1080&h=auto","640":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/c8mj0lzbidedsapnyyywnj9axa5nxyla1fmexy9emspyjqmd.jpeg.jpg?w=640&h=auto","480":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/c8mj0lzbidedsapnyyywnj9axa5nxyla1fmexy9emspyjqmd.jpeg.jpg?w=480&h=auto","120":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/c8mj0lzbidedsapnyyywnj9axa5nxyla1fmexy9emspyjqmd.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=120","altText":"","color":""},{"full":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mnd872hpqvwtgzudjy0cakapi5yi6h8kdsnwf264vs4zwiku.jpeg","1080":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mnd872hpqvwtgzudjy0cakapi5yi6h8kdsnwf264vs4zwiku.jpeg.jpg?w=1080&h=auto","640":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mnd872hpqvwtgzudjy0cakapi5yi6h8kdsnwf264vs4zwiku.jpeg.jpg?w=640&h=auto","480":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mnd872hpqvwtgzudjy0cakapi5yi6h8kdsnwf264vs4zwiku.jpeg.jpg?w=480&h=auto","120":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mnd872hpqvwtgzudjy0cakapi5yi6h8kdsnwf264vs4zwiku.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=120","altText":"","color":""}],"ugcImages":[],"videos":[],"designCrossSellData":{"enabled":false,"designFile":null},"crossSellProducts":[],"options":{"White":{"colour":"White","groupColour":"White","sizes":{"One Size":{"price":10,"salePrice":0}},"flatImage":{"full":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dtakpbrixpkudt3jo3jkqa9agyhy4e5mouhilwpd4fbl8kpa.png","1080":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dtakpbrixpkudt3jo3jkqa9agyhy4e5mouhilwpd4fbl8kpa.png.png?w=1080&h=auto","640":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dtakpbrixpkudt3jo3jkqa9agyhy4e5mouhilwpd4fbl8kpa.png.png?w=640&h=auto","480":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dtakpbrixpkudt3jo3jkqa9agyhy4e5mouhilwpd4fbl8kpa.png.png?w=480&h=auto","120":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/dtakpbrixpkudt3jo3jkqa9agyhy4e5mouhilwpd4fbl8kpa.png.png?w=auto&h=120"},"backFlatImage":null,"additionalImages":[],"price":10,"thumbnail":{"type":"color","value":"#ffffff"},"backImage":false}},"bundleItems":[],"price":10,"totalBundlePrice":0,"salePrice":0,"labels":[],"tags":["archaeology","norfolk","prehistory","handaxe","west tofts","palaeolithic"],"baseSku":"RNK25","personalizationTemplate":null,"showSaleBadge":true}