hand ax
One-handed chopper
A hand ax is a prehistoric stone tool shaped to fit in the hand, with one or more cutting edges.
These teardrop or oval-shaped implements were among the earliest human technologies, used for cutting, scraping, and chopping.
The term also applies to modern single-handed axes, shorter and lighter than full-sized axes: Keep a hand ax in the truck for campfire wood.
Striking stone to shape tools
- coreCentral essential portion
- hammerstoneStone-shaping striking implement
- retouchImprove an image's appearance
- percussionSound through impact
flake · cortex · platform · reduction · nodule · chert · obsidian · quartzite
Cutting into pieces
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- scrapingRubbing away material
- butcheringProcessing animals into cuts
- diggingRemoving earth below
woodworking · processing · multipurpose · pounding · cleaving · splitting · skinning · utility
Pursuing wild game
- defenseProtection against harm
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- throwingPropelling by arm motion
- strikingNoticeably impressive
killing · warfare · melee · projectile · blow · impact · thrust · aggression
Earliest archaeological era
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- stone toolsShaped rocks for tasks
- flintknappingStriking stone to shape tools
archaeology · artifacts · excavation · fossils · stratigraphy · anthropology · Pleistocene · early humans
Invariance under transformation
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- shapingGiving something its form
- artistryExceptional creative skill
technique · workmanship · refinement · mastery · handiwork · intentionality · aesthetic · balance
flintknapping
Striking stone to shape tools
- coreCentral essential portion
- hammerstoneStone-shaping striking implement
- retouchImprove an image's appearance
percussion · flake · cortex · platform · reduction · nodule · chert · obsidian · quartzite · striking
chopping
Cutting into pieces
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- scrapingRubbing away material
- butcheringProcessing animals into cuts
digging · woodworking · processing · multipurpose · pounding · cleaving · splitting · skinning · utility · hunting
hunting
Pursuing wild game
striking · killing · warfare · melee · projectile · blow · impact · thrust · aggression · attack
Paleolithic
Earliest archaeological era
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- stone toolsShaped rocks for tasks
flintknapping · archaeology · artifacts · excavation · fossils · stratigraphy · anthropology · Pleistocene · early humans · hominid
symmetry
Invariance under transformation
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- shapingGiving something its form
artistry · technique · workmanship · refinement · mastery · handiwork · intentionality · aesthetic · balance · proportion
- Stone Agecave painting, paleolithic, handaxes, handaxe, stone tools
- human evolutionhuman evolution, hominid, hominids, hominins, hominin
hand axsplitting maul
Heavy log-cleaving tool
broadax · poleax · sledgehammer · two-man saw · maul
hand axscalpel
Precise surgical knife
precision knife · surgical instrument · microblade · laser cutter
hand, ax, hands, handed, handing, handy, handful, handily, handedness