On a quiet beach in Sussex, England, a six-year-old boy named Ben made a discovery that would end up making international headlines in 2021. What appeared to be an ordinary stone turned out to be an important archaeological artifact dating back to thousands of years ago. . This discovery gained importance when, after three years forgotten in a family collection, the object aroused the interest of experts.
The rediscovery occurred thanks to the mother of Benwho decided to remove the dust from the stone and take it to the archeology specialist at the local museum. The evidence was a surprise: an ax from the Neanderthal era, which gave the find incalculable historical value. This revelation has opened a new chapter in Sussex’s rich history and the secrets its coastline can hide.
How important is the archaeological discovery of Sussex?
The importance of this ax lies not only in its antiquity, estimated at 50,000 years, but also in the rarity of such finds in this specific region of England. The find stood out for its state of conservation and peculiar characteristics, which include small dimensions and layers of dark stones.
Analysis conducted by archaeological curator James Sainsbury revealed that the ax would have been used for less conventional purposes than hunting, such as processing meat and breaking bones to extract marrow. The presence of this artefact suggests habits and life practices of Neanderthal men, offering new elements to understand their daily activities.
How do ancient objects reach us?
The origin of the ax Ben found remains unclear. Researchers consider the possibility that the object traveled through ocean currents, possibly originating from another region. This hypothesis is supported by the excellent state of conservation of the artefact, unusual for objects found on beaches.
- Transported by sea currents: the strongest hypothesis is that the ax arrived in Sussex across the sea, moving from its original position.
- Atmospheric deposition: Another possibility is that extreme weather conditions or atmospheric events played a role in the transportation of the artifact.
The future of the Neanderthal ax
The ax Ben discovered is now on display at Worthing Museum, attracting visitors and delighting experts. Ben’s family’s decision to lend the artifact to the museum allows more people to appreciate a rare piece of prehistory, while contributing to archaeological studies in the region.
EmmaBen’s mother expressed satisfaction observing the professionals’ reaction to the discovery and shared that the joy of seeing the past reawakened in this way is a gift. According to Adventures in History, with the ax on display until February, it is expected to inspire new discoveries and research into the Neanderthal communities that inhabited Europe many millennia ago.
Source: Terra
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