Probably the oldest-known axe found in Australia

Archaeologists from The Australian National University discovered fragments from the edge of the world’s possibly oldest-known axe. The discovery was made in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The artefact dates back between 46000 and 49000 years, around the time people first arrived on the continent.

Stone flakes of an axe found during excavations (by Popular Archaeology)
Stone flakes of an axe found during excavations (by Popular Archaeology)

This is the earliest evidence of hafted axes (axes with a handle attached) in the world. In most countries in the world they arrive with agriculture after 10000 years ago. In Japan such axes appear about 35000 years ago. Evidence suggests the technology was developed in Australia after people arrived around 50000 years ago.

Example of a hafted axe similar to the one that the flakes would have come from (by Popular Archaeology)
Example of a hafted axe similar to the one that the flakes would have come from (by Popular Archaeology)

(after Popular Archaeology)

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