E7 Forest Gate, Upton Park

This small flint hand-axe was found in Paragon Road, Forest Gate, near Upton Park in Newham. It can be dated to about 300,000 bc. It was made and used by one of our earliest human ancestors.

Different styles

Hand-axes come in many shapes and sizes. They were probably used to butcher animals. Modern experiments have shown how efficient they can be in skilled hands.

Worn down over time

This hand-axe is very worn. It must have tumbled about in an ancient riverbed for many thousands of years.