Code: 2628
Description: A mottled fawn chert handaxe with an area of cortex remaining on one side and with wavy twisted cutting edges and a dull patina. Some minor edge chips otherwise condition good. An old ink inscription records this as being found in the western valley, Baban-el-Malook, Thebes, in 1909.
Size: 125 mm/4.9 ins. in length
Culture: Egyptian
Date: c. 300,000-150,000 years B.P.
Provenance: Ex Dr H.A. Fawcett Collection and with his collectors mark
Background: Dr Hugh Alderson Fawcett (1891-1982) built up an important collection of ancient implements, weapons and ornaments that eventually numbered some eight thousand items. The bulk of this collection is now in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, but Fawcett previously sold or traded many pieces in order to improve his collection. His distinctive monogram and careful recording of provenance makes his pieces readily identifiable.
