Britians Secret Treasures on ITV

Apparently, the greatest find in England and Wales was a flint handaxe, and was found on a beach. Did anyone else watch this programme?

The judges reduced the number of entries for 'greatest treasure' to just 50, but since it seemed to involve the portable antiquities scheme, neither Scotland or Northern Ireland could put finds forward.

Still a fine collecton though.

i never watched lhe last few programmes but would like to see the axe if anyone has a pic

Been looking for a picture, but so far only found piccies showing gold and other shiny objects.

Obviously flint isn't 'sexy' enough.

From what I saw of it, and the replica that was made, it was a lovely black looking bit of flint. Unfortunately, they didn't let us look at it long enough to take in much detail.

Never saw the show, but looking at the results it's interesting they chose something as unglamorous as this rather poor quality handaxe over all the pretty shiny stuff.

Here's it is in the PAS database,

http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/512140

Well found! Yes, I agree about the choice of the axe. It was a surprise, but was chosen for all the right reasons.

I suppose, being involved in metal detecting as well, I'm used to the media being way more interested in the monetary value or 'bling' of an object.

One up for the judges!

Since the programm we have had an influx of new members on the detecting forum all wanting to get rich quick - i am pleased the axe was chosen - thanks for the link G

It's the usual. Everyone seems to think we're pulling lumps of gold out of the ground every time we go out.

I was out last Sunday, dug up 51pence and a horseshoe out the ground.

Now that's REAL detecting.

Too right Lumendoodle, it's a mission to find anything thats actually old, let alone find something thats exciting.
By the way the illustration on finds.org of "the" Happisburgh Handaxe is my own work, and it is in very fresh condition being found in situ in the peaty ground under the sand. It's not the best work though, it's hammerstone all the way and the flint was frost flawed on the butt.
Over the years there have been around thirty handaxes from the area from Happisburgh to Horsey on the Norfolk coast and they are still coming up, I have two more to draw.They are loose and rolling around but "the" handaxe was only one recovered from a dateable context.
A proper monkey stone!

I'm impressed with your work. A very clean, concise drawing, not everyone can do that.

As for the quality of the flint, that fresh condition definately makes it look way higher quality flint than you say it is. Or is the camera just kind to it.

Great illustraton, I have wondered why in this day and age drawings of flint finds are still made?

Because they rock! hur hur!
It's so you can see the flake pattens properly without the distortion from the camera lens and the colour of the flint getting in the way, it's to scale and the sections (when drawn) are also useful. Photos are good but illustration is better.
It'll be interesting to see how useful 3D scans will prove in the future...

There is also 3D printing, which once the flint is scanned, it can then be reproduced in plastic or metal.

An exact replica, machine made.

You probably know about this already, however it may interest you.

I didn't know about this! Have met Hugo and he is an excellent knapper to boot, I was a little tipsy at the time so god knows what he made of me! It does beg the question though: does anyone really enjoy illustrating Lithics? It's one of the most challenging thing to draw. Must admit I love it but some illustrators hate it.
Good work Hugo, hopefully this will improve standards.