Olduvai Gorge Hand Axes on display in Hampshire

[Green Arrow]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Olduvai Gorge hand axes are on display in Andover Museum, Hampshire.

These are amongst the oldest stone tools in the world and are on loan from the British Museum until the 21st July. Not only do you get a chance to study these fantastic tools and examples of the knappers art but you can also enjoy the rare oportunity of handling some of the finds from the Gorge itself found by Louis Leakey.
Please ring the museum to check when handling sessions are on (01264 366283).

There is also a talk by Jill Cook Keeper of Palaeolithic & Mesolithic collections at the British Museum on Saturday 16th June at 2pm , please ring to book. The exhibition, talk amd handling is all free!
website www.hants.gov.uk/museum/andoverm

cheers

Mods I have a conection to the museum service as I work for them but hope it is ok to put this on as it is all free, if not please delete and appologies.

 

[Toddy]

No Green Arrow this is fine; it's an interesting thread for a free activity that we're only finding out about because you're working there. It's not a self promotion thing.

Wish it was nearer.

atb,
Toddy

 

[Beer Monster]

Cool. Wish I lived down that way. Thought I'd post a few pics of some hand axes I found in Kenya a couple of months ago:-

 

[British Red]

It is very close to me - thanks very much Green Arrow - a treat indeed for an axe freak!

Red

 

[British Red]

Oh yeah - you will never believe how jealous I am Beer Monster - seriously!

Red

 

[Beer Monster]

Oh yeah - you will never believe how jealous I am Beer Monster - seriously!

Red

....... there were loads of them just lying about the place. The 9 in the bottom photo were found in about 15 minutes searching in the area. I put them all back where I found them so that other people could enjoy, take nothing but photos leave nothing but foot prints and all that so they are still there is you want to go and have a look! The area is crying out for an archaeologist to go along and have a gander. There used to be even more than there are now but numbers have decreased over the years as more and more people keep on nicking them (they are just lying in a field next to a track!), shame really (I must confess I was very very tempted though).

I saw and absolutley beautiful one (not in the above location but at Olorgesailie) made from pure black obsidian, it was a true work of art and still amazingly sharp!

 

[British Red]

I hope I could have left that behind.......

I doubt my strength though

Red

 

[RobertRogers]

Amazing! Most people wouldn't even see them, never mind know what they were looking at.

 

[Green Arrow]

Great photos Beer Monster, the materials look very similar to some of the axes that the British Museum have loaned us!