Christopher O'Rourke
18 February, 2025
News

A fascinating find or a fabulous fake: Stone age flint axe found in Higham Ferrers field to feature in Northamptonshire museum exhibition

When Higham Ferrers Tourism and its sub committee Chichele College Management were offered a Stone Age flint axe that had been unearthed in a local field, they jumped at the offer.

Carol Fitzgerald, left watches Dr. Christina Tsoraki, study the Higham Ferrers Flint axe

Always keen to tell stories about historic Higham Ferrers , they knew that the donation would prove an interesting talking point at various exhibitions.

The Town Council was approached by a former resident Ivan Driver, at last September's Farmers Market. He told how his boyhood had been spent in Higham Ferrers and that he had several artefacts, including the flint axe, and felt the collection should be returned to the town.

Councillor Chris O'Rourke, a member of the Tourism Committee, told him that the the committee would be interested in the offer and Carol Fitzgerald, chair of Chichele College Management committee, a Tourism sub-committee, agreed and began to consider ways the artefacts could be shared with the town and kept for posterity.

Olwen Mayes Chair of Higham Ferrers Archaeology Society seen here with Doctor Rachel Armitage took along pieces of Roman Samian ware that had been found in the town as well as the replica bowl she had commissioned. Using state- of- the -art equipment, Dr Armitage, the technical services manager at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History was able to provide her with 3D images
Olwen Mayes Chair of Higham Ferrers Archaeology Society seen here with Doctor Rachel Armitage took along pieces of Roman Samian ware that had been found in the town as well as the replica bowl she had commissioned. Using state- of- the -art equipment, Dr Armitage, the technical services manager at the School of Archaeology and Ancient History was able to provide her with 3D images Credit: Robert Barnatt

''The flint axe was particularly fascinating, it was found by Jack Thorpe sometime between the two world wars. Jack, a close friend of Ivan Driver, lived and farmed at Chichele College in the days when the College was a farm and a farmhouse,''  Carol explained. 

He uncovered the axe while ploughing a field in the lower end of what is now Vine Hill Drive.

Believing that the town's treasure should be shared with as many people as possible, the Chichele College Management team contacted North Northamptonshire Council, suggesting that it be considered for ''A History of Northamptonshire in 100 objects'' an exhibition to be staged at the Northamptonshire Museum in September.

The precious axe,  IS IT A FASCINATING FIND OR A FABULOUS FAKE,  THE MYSTERY MOUNTS
The precious axe, IS IT A FASCINATING FIND OR A FABULOUS FAKE, THE MYSTERY MOUNTS Credit: Robert Barnatt

''Our application was successful and we are very proud that the axe will be part of the exhibition'', Carol said.

The Higham Ferrers Archaeological Research Society (HiFARS) who meet at Chichele College, were interested in the flint axe, and a member Professor Sarah Scott, who works at the University of Leicester , suggested it be taken to the University for further research.

And not long after, a busload of interested members of the Tourism Committee, the Chichele College Management Committee and HiFARS,  headed off to the university , where the School of Archaeology and Ancient History has an advanced Microanalysis Laboratory , boasting specialised  state-of-the-art  equipment

The equipment including light microscopes providing magnification up to 500 times of an object - enables its world class, international team of scholars to study the production and use of ancient artefacts and carry out cutting-edge research

Asked by Carol Fitzgerald if the flint axe was genuine or fake, Dr Christina Tsoraki, a ground stone and gold expert, said a lot of things had to be considered and far more investigation was necessary before that could be decided.

Comparative data from different flint stones would have to be gathered. And even if it was not real, it still had a very interesting history, she said.

The axe was made of good quality material and was made by someone who was skilled and had knowledge of different materials.

''It is beautifully made: there has been no use of modern tools in its making'' she said.

Carol said that research was at an interesting stage

'' Its all quite exciting , and even if it is a fake, it remains fascinating and will still go into the ''History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition''.

'' It will be kept for safekeeping at the Archaeological Resource Centre at nearby Chester House, until then''.

As the guest curator of the Higham's axe display , Carol now awaits the results of the further detailed research before writing the content information for the 100 objects exhibition.

A copy of the axe will go on display for the first time  at Chichele College in June, featuring an exhibition about the life of Chichele College being held during Great Big Green Week.

It will also form a major part of the Northampton Heritage Forum History Day on October 18th.