2806 - Somme Valley French Stone Age Handaxe. Lower Palaeolithic Period, Acheulean, circa 650,000-350,000 B.P. Piriform in plan and biconvex in section with broad butt. 184 grams, 10.2 cm (4 in.). [No Reserve]

Somme Valley French Stone Age Handaxe. Lower Palaeolithic Period, Acheulean, circa 650,000-350,000 B.P. Piriform in plan and biconvex in section with broad butt. 184 grams, 10.2 cm (4 in.). [No Reserve] Found in the Somme Valley, France, December 1917. From the collection of an Australian collector before being brought back to the UK. Acquired on the UK art market in the 2020s. From a private collection. Attributed to Homo Heidelbergesis. After the Battle of the Somme during WW1, the area around the Somme became a quieter location where soldiers recuperated. There are reports that many Stone Age artefacts were found during this time while soldiers were not on the front line. With the landscape being turned over considerably and trenches being hand-dug, this is not surprising. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.