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Histories of Northamptonshire
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Thorpe (Neolithic) Axe

Neolithic 4,100 - 2,500 BCE Geologic to Prehistoric

The Thorpe axe, named after the finder of the Axe in the inter-war years, is a large neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers.

Neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire © NMAG
Neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire

This Neolithic (New Stone Axe) was found in Higham Ferrers between the wars and dates to between 4,100 to 2,500 BCE. The large pointed oval tool is typical of the axes used widely during this time. Flint is a fine grained hard stone that can be easily shaped to create a sharp cutting edge and axes such as these were widely used during the Neolithic period to clear forest for early farming; marking the start of Britain's deforestation and the impact of humans on the environment. Some Neoloithic axes and adzes may also have been status symbols or buried in ritual depostions which symbolised their importance in the early farming communities. Named the Thorpe Axe after Jack Thorpe who found it whilst farming the lands close to Chichele College, there has been some speculation that the axe is a modern fake but analysis by Leicester University suggests that, whilst not 100% certain, it is similar in composition to other Neolithic axes found in Northamptonshire.

Number 10 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects Exhibition 2025

Higham Ferrers - Chichele College farmland
Contributed by Higham Ferrers Tourism

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