A Shiny Stone That Changed Everything
In the summer of 2021, nine-year-old Ben Witten embarked on what seemed like an ordinary family trip to Shoreham Beach in Sussex, England. Little did he know that a simple walk along the shoreline would lead to an extraordinary archaeological find that would capture the imagination of experts and the public alike.
The Accidental Archaeologist
During his beach exploration, Ben spotted something unusual – a shiny flint rock that stood out from the typical pebbles scattered along the shore. With the curiosity typical of a child, he picked up the stone and brought it home, where it would sit in his bedroom for the next three years, occasionally getting lost and found among his belongings.
A Museum Visit That Changed Everything
The turning point came during a recent visit to the Worthing Museum. As Ben wandered through the Stone Age exhibit, he noticed a striking similarity between the axes on display and the mysterious stone he had collected years earlier. Intrigued, he and his mother Emma decided to reach out to James Sainsbury, the museum’s curator of archaeology.
An Unexpected Revelation
What happened next was nothing short of remarkable. Sainsbury, initially expecting a routine inquiry, was stunned when he examined the photos. The “simple” stone Ben had found was actually a Neanderthal hand ax – a prehistoric tool dating back 40,000 to 60,000 years.
A Rare and Significant Find
Experts noted the exceptional nature of Ben’s discovery. The hand ax showed remarkably little wear and is so rare that most professional archaeologists might never encounter such an artifact in their entire careers. The precise origin of the tool remains a mystery, with possibilities ranging from its original placement by Neanderthals to more recent geological movements.
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From Bedroom to Museum Display
Despite initially wanting to keep his treasure, Ben understood the significance of his find. “They said it’s their best find in 10 years,” he told BBC, his excitement palpable. The hand ax is now displayed at the Worthing Museum, allowing others to marvel at this piece of prehistoric history.
Inspiring Future Explorers
James Sainsbury hopes that Ben’s story will inspire other amateur archaeologists to remain observant and report unexpected discoveries. It’s a testament to the fact that remarkable finds can come from the most unexpected sources – even a nine-year-old’s curious exploration of a local beach.
The hand ax will remain on public display until at least February, after which Ben can choose to reclaim his incredible discovery. His mother, Emma, perfectly captured the sentiment: “Seeing how it lit up the face of the archaeologist at the museum, it’s great that others can enjoy it.”
