Ancient history unearthed: two 500,000-year-old flint handaxes discovered on Norfolk's Happisburgh shoreline are being protected from export with a temporary ban. The intervention by Culture Minister Baroness Twycross gives UK museums time to raise funds and secure the artefacts for Britain's heritage.
The storm-battered coastline has revealed the tools of early hunter-gatherers, crafted using basic techniques that involved striking flakes from flint to create sharp edges – a testament to their ingenuity in adapting to harsh northern climates. One handaxe measures 13cm long and weighs 465 grams, featuring an asymmetrical shape with orange-brown staining. The second, slightly smaller at over 10cm and weighing 308 grams, exhibits mottled light brown and grey colouration with a patch of the original chalky outer cortex remaining.
Baroness Twycross highlighted the significance of these finds, saying "These handaxes provide a window into the lives of some of our oldest ancestors. They give us valuable insight into a world we know little about." She expressed hope that a UK buyer will come forward to keep them accessible to the public and researchers.
Tim Pestell, member of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art (RCEWA), described Happisburgh as "the first page in British history", underscoring how these handaxes, alongside other finds, provide internationally significant evidence of early human occupation. He urged their preservation in a museum where they can continue to unlock secrets for both the public and scientists.
This marks the seventh temporary export bar issued by the Government this year, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding Britain's rich cultural and historical items. Previous deferrals have included diverse objects like a bust of John Gordon of Invergordon and an archive from the Scots Mining Company.