A Clactonian grey flint chopping tool from Henley upon Thames

A Clactonian grey flint chopping tool from Henley upon Thames

Code: 2617

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Description: A grey flint chopping tool with dense mottled brown patination and of plano-convex cross-section. An area of cortex remaining at the butt end. Some recent chips along one edge exposing the natural colour of the flint, otherwise condition good and a nice example with attractive patina. From Henley upon Thames, Oxfordshire.

Size: 79 mm/3.1 ins. in length

Culture: Lower Palaeolithic, Clactonian

Date: c. 400,000 years B.P.

Provenance: Ex F.S. Clark Collection, Woking, Surrey.

Background: Mr Fred Clark (1923-2016) ran the Old Curiosity Shoppe, The Quadrant, Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey, in the 1970’s-1980’s selling a range of collectables. A passionate collector and field-walker, he built up a fine collection of antiquities, notable for British prehistoric items, a significant number of which he obtained through trade with Dr. H.A. Fawcett. Like Fawcett, he was meticulous in documenting his collection, even the most humble tools were catalogued and fully labelled with locality, accession number and his characteristic monogram.

Clactonian tools date back to around 400,000 years ago and represent some of the earliest artefacts found in Britain.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A UK export license will be needed to export this item outside of the United Kingdom.