Hand Axe with Traces of Human Blood

200,000 BC - 100,000 BC
Flint
Barda Balka
1.5 cm x 3.0 cm x 4.0 cm
A64858

Oriental Institute Museum

Artifact Description

Hand Axe with Traces of Human Blood

This hand axe is made of a hard stone called flint, and dates to between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. Upon its discovery, the reddish-brown stain on the axe was believed by modern scientists to be the blood of an animal. After further analysis, the stain is now thought to be the blood of the craftsperson who used the axe to carve a wooden post or spear. Information gained from the analysis of the blood has been used in the study of modern-day diseases.

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