Neolithic bone shovels of Britain: replication and reflection of a neglected artefact type

The earliest industrial monuments in Britain are the Neolithic flint mines, dating to around 4000 bce . These mining shafts, which tunnel deep into chalk geologies, evidence extremes that ancient Britons were willing resort order obtain valuable raw materials. Numerous scholars, marvelling at excavation processes and hand tools used aid extraction of flint, have studied flint-mining industry. Recognition a toolset including antler picks, scapula shovels possibly woven baskets has led multiple experiments artefact replication testing, with least emphasis on shovel. This article explores results an experiment designed bridge gaps understanding shovel, as well active future research aims, attempt bring this neglected type out its current obscurity.