Today’s image shows a very large, polished, late Neolithic flint axe from Northdown, Margate. The axe was found in 1940 by a Mr Kelf while he was digging an Air Raid shelter behind his shop on Northdown Road.

The axe is unused and made of non-local flint. The true reason for making it is unclear; it may have been more a status object rather than a useful tool, or perhaps,  for ceremonial use, or maybe it was made to show off the skill of its creator. We can only guess at its purpose.