A cast of a Lower Paleolithic Hand Axe from Suffolk, England. It was made out of flint, and measures 115mm long. It represents the classic Acheulean style, and is approximately 500,000 years old.   This Hand Axe was loaned to Occpaleo from the Slade collecton in England.   It was found in South Acre Pit in 1999, where a great archaeological history of Paleolithic finds have been made.  Hand Axes represent the longest running tool type in human history, and even now are still steeped in mystery.    They show some of the first attempts at symmetry and human art, and have at least two functions as functional tools.   There are many theories about how they were used, but most archaeologists agree that they provided usuable flakes as a portable core, as one of those functions.   Other uses might have included digging, animal processing, and cutting/chopping shelter materials such as poles.  (cast copyright Occpaleo 2015)