HAND AXE ACHEULEAN

Description

Replica Acheulean Hand Axe – 1.2 MYA from East Africa. The definitive tool of the Acheulean. Although the size varies, the ovoid shape and the proportions remain very consistent over all of Africa, Europe and the Middle East, for more than a million years. Their use is controversial. Edge wear analysis shows that some were used for ordinary purposes like cutting meat and wood. However, the consistent shape and proportions over such a long period have led some to claim that they were missiles; that is, they were thrown. Research conducted at UCLA involved students throwing actual hand axes [not casts]. This research has shown that the axes have some very real aerodynamic properties, and with only a little practice, a student with a strong arm was quickly able to become fairly proficient at hitting a target.