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Stone Age Tools Sell at Auction for £41k After Kent Coast Discovery

We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.

Sofia Catherine
Sofia Catherine
3 Min Read
Story from Jam Press (Ancient Axes Sale) Pictured: The remarkable private collection of rare Stone Age tools discovered by late history buff David Blake is set to fetch £10,000 at auction. VIDEO: Biggest private collection of rare Stone Age axes made by cousin species of humans set to sell for £10,000 The biggest private collection of rare Stone Age flint tools made by a cousin species of humans is set to sell for £10,000. The prehistoric treasures are over 400,000 years old and were discovered by history buff David Blake in an old gravel pit. Most are lower palaeolithic flint handaxes but there are also mesolithic and neolithic items in the collection of 68. The handaxes have often been referred to as the Swiss Army knife of the Palaeolithic. They likely had multiple uses, which may have included butchering, digging, and working wood, hide, and furs. Carpenter Mr Blake who died 10 years ago found them on the foreshore between Herne Bay and Reculver, Kent between 1987 and 2013. They are thought to have been made by Homo heidelbergensis - the most likely human species in Britain at the time they were made, as reported by What's The Jam. Mr Blake's daughter Sharron Blake-Allan, said he had an amazingly sharp eye. “He’d be out in all weathers, sorting through flint falls. "He found everything from axes to arrowheads to coins and sharks’ teeth, too,” she said The haul is described as “an exciting opportunity for any collector who wants an exceptional example of early man’s history” The Reculver site is one of the most important in Britain as it was one of the first where palaeolithic tools were first recognised in 1860. Since then, many hundreds of hand axes have been found, but they rarely come up for auction. It is an area of ongoing active research into early expressions of human culture, which are reflected in the handaxe shapes. An excavation revealed that the sands and gravels being exposed in the cliff face from which the palaeolithic tools were found were laid down by an ancient course of the River Stour in a warm interglacial period lasting up to 10,000 years, probably around 410,000 years ago. Since this time, there have been at least three other similar warm periods, separated by cold ice ages. During these warm periods, Britain experienced occupation phases by different human species, including Neanderthals and ultimately Homo sapiens, each using distinct stone tool technologies. Each would have taken some 20 minutes to knapp into the desired functional shape, which required complex thought. The ancient humans had brains approaching similar sizes to modern humans and may have even been capable of abstract thought, which could have been represented in handaxe form. All of the tools balance the functional solidity of stone with delicate scalloping around the cutting edges, revealing the gleaming translucent colours of the flints: shades of greys, ginger and browns. In 2000, whilst looking for handaxes on the beach near Reculver, Mr Blake met John Wymer, one of the country's leading palaeolithic archaeologists. Mr Wymer recorded in his notebook that the likely reason he hadn't found any handaxes in the last decade was probably due to David's collecting. Mr Blake’s enthusiasm passed to his daughter, who became a history teacher. But not his wife who Sharron recently realised had been using one of the larger axe heads to prop open her garden gate before it was rescued. The tools vary in estimate between £200 and £1,000. The full collection is being auctioned by Canterbury Auction Galleries online on August 1st and 2nd. ENDS EDITOR’S NOTE: Video Usage Licence:(PROFESSIONAL PARTNER) We have obtained this material from a professional partner for use by our news media clients (company press release / other media agency). Video Restrictions: None.

Stone Age Tools Fetch £41,000 at UK Auction

A fascinating set of Stone Age tools discovered along the Kent coast has sold for over £41,000 at auction.
The sale drew strong interest from history lovers and collectors. The tools include hand axes and early implements, believed to be around 400,000 years old. They were uncovered by amateur collector David Blake over a span of nearly 30 years.

Contents
Stone Age Tools Fetch £41,000 at UK AuctionDiscovering Stone Age Tools on the Kent CoastStar Lot: Rare Stone Hand Axe Sells for £3,000Auction Draws Bidders with Varied InterestsStone Age Tools Offer a Link to Prehistoric LifeCollectors’ Interest in Early Human History GrowsSummary

Discovering Stone Age Tools on the Kent Coast

Between 1987 and 2013, David Blake explored the beaches and cliffs of Bishopstone, Reculver, and Herne Bay. Over time, he unearthed a remarkable set of 68 tools, including several rare and well-preserved examples of Acheulean hand axes. The careful documentation and condition of the pieces contributed significantly to their value at auction.

Star Lot: Rare Stone Hand Axe Sells for £3,000

One standout item was a Wymer type D Acheulean grey hand axe. It exceeded expectations by selling for £3,000.
The tool’s unique shape and excellent preservation impressed bidders. It achieved one of the highest prices in the sale, highlighting its historical significance.

Auction Draws Bidders with Varied Interests

Held at The Canterbury Auction Galleries on August 1 and 2, the event drew strong participation from collectors. In addition to the Stone Age tools, other notable lots included a collection of Pokémon trading cards, which fetched over £10,000, and a rare Victorian feather-filled golf ball, both of which drew interest from niche audiences.

Experts highlight that tools like those sold in this auction offer a unique glimpse into prehistoric human behavior, craftsmanship, and survival. The Stone Age, which began roughly 2.5 million years ago and ended around 3000 BC, is defined by the use of stone for tools and weapons. Discoveries like Blake’s help archaeologists and historians better understand life in ancient Britain.

Collectors’ Interest in Early Human History Grows

As public fascination with early human history increases, auctions featuring paleolithic artefacts continue to rise in prominence. This particular sale not only emphasized the monetary value of historical items but also showcased how personal passion—like Blake’s dedication to his coastal searches—can contribute to broader archaeological awareness.

Summary

The successful sale of this Stone Age tool collection illustrates growing interest in tangible connections to our prehistoric past. From hand axes shaped by early humans to fossilized remains, such artefacts remain vital in piecing together the timeline of humanity’s development.

SOURCES:rubynews.comtimenews.com
VIA:ThemeRubyMarsNews
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