File:Palaeolithic handaxe (FindID 411393).jpg

English: Lower Palaeolithic, Acheulean, bifaced ovate flint hand axe. The hand axe is oval, and the thickest area about half of the way down. It is generally symmetrical in plan and profile with a slight S shape to the edge, more prominent on one side to the other. The axe is almost completely covered in shallow flake removal scars with evidence for more precise retouch around some edges. There is some small evidence of relatively modern edge damage particularly around the edges. The arises on both faces are slightly smoothed consistant with some post depositional wear but not long term rolling or erosion. The surface colour is comprised of a range of browns, one side being slightly darker than the other.

Such hand axes were in widespread use from c.600,000 to 245,000 years ago in Britain although most finds date from 500-300,000 years ago corresponding to a period of warmer climate. They were produced by the hominid species Homo heidelbergensis. It has been suggested ovate hand axes were used more for cutting like a knife rather than as an axe.