Stone Age hand axes at the bottom of the North Sea

An amateur archaeologist has uncovered an unprecedented collection of Stone Age axes among many of the objects collected at the bottom of the North Sea.

The Dutchman, Jan Meulmeester, discovered 28 axes, possibly up to 100,000 years old, in an undersea gravel sand dug up by a cherry material supplier. He also found samples of mammoth bones, teeth, ivory and antlers and a number of other animals that could have been cut by the same tools.

Humans of this period used stone tools for many purposes, much like the versatile knives of the Swiss army today. During the ice age of the Paleolithic period, which ended 10,000 years ago, the sea level was lower and the North Sea was a meadow.

Discovering axes proves that antiquities from this era are still well preserved under the seabed. Phil Harding, of the Wessex nonprofit organization, said: 'This is what we dreamed of - we know for sure that it exists somewhere. But I guess most of us won't be able to believe this is happening. '

An ancient land is preserved

Fishermen occasionally pull up stone or bone tools from the North Sea, but this artifact - 13 kilometers off the coast, near Great Yarmouth, UK - shows that this is no longer an accidental discovery. .

Hans Peeters, an archaeologist from the National Archaeological Agency (RACM) in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, said 'The artifact condition shows that it actually comes from a single location. We may encounter ancient scenes preserved in a certain area on the North Sea bottom. '

'It's almost impossible to find anything more convincing. The remnants are quickly covered by peat and clay so they preserve very well organic materials. " RACM envisages with the British Heritage, a partnership with RACM, to explore the region. This is deeper.

Harding added that axes appeared to come from a camp or settlement, where humans used this tool to cut off prey.'These axes are so incredible that they are incredible. They are as new as the first day of use. '

Although the evidence of a North Sea inhabited area is still sketchy, this recent discovery may release doubts that such well-preserved areas exist - and one day That will be discovered.

Treasure hunt

Meulmeester spotted the axes thanks to a bit of luck and a lot of effort as he searched the bridge of sand and gravel in Flushing, southwestern Netherlands. British Company Hanson dug these things up and dumped there after dredging the seabed. No one is sure where these axes come from. While scientists and Hanson collaborated to determine the exact location, the company stopped operating in the area to temporarily protect the place.

If they find the area, there is a possibility that the camera or even divers will be taken to exploration, but the water here is 30 meters deep and the visibility in the North Sea is quite poor. Peeters adds, 'The sand and gravel layer that covers the axes can be as deep as 5-10m below the ground. These are conditions that make it difficult to survey this place. '

An amateur archaeologist discovered 28 Stone Age axes, including this one, between a gravel sand in the bottom of the North Sea. (Photo: National Geographic)

Window overlooking the Ancient World?

Because axes were discovered from the sand and not from a mine that could date, so scientists are not sure about their age. The calculation initially suggested that they were about 100,000 years old but Harding said that this number currently seems unrealistic. During the Paleolithic period, the period of these tools, lasting about 750,000 years.

'Some of the oldest regions in Europe, a distance from the Norfolk coast, dates back about 700,000 years.' In fact, the Norfolk antiquities detection area is only 48 km away from the discovery of the ancient ax. 'It is entirely possible that axes are so ancient. I doubt that they are younger than that, but we simply can't be sure. '

Besides chronology, what makes Harding excited is that information can be obtained from a more detailed study.'If we could put all the pieces together and study how they were created, this would be a huge step forward.' He wants scientists to study mammoth bones and identify species as well as animal health status, search for insects, pollen and soil samples. 'These are evidence that it is no longer merely a stone tool, but begins to tell us what the world was like and what humanity is doing.'

These tools, now judged at about 100,000 years old, may be used to kill and cut flesh, found along with mammoth bones and ivory pieces. Experts say the finding will help scientists better understand the Stone Age culture.