Rare Neolithic Knife British Stone Age Tool from Lowestoft Suffolk | Genuine Flint Lithic Artefact with Certificate of Authenticity

Description

Rare Neolithic Knife – British Stone Age Flint Tool from Lowestoft, Suffolk

This rare Neolithic knife artefact is an outstanding example of early British Stone Age craftsmanship, discovered near Lowestoft, Suffolk, in the heart of East Anglia’s prehistoric landscape. Expertly fashioned from high-quality flint, this genuine lithic artefact dates to the Neolithic period (circa 4000–2500 BCE) — a transformative era when early communities across Britain shifted from hunting and gathering to farming and settlement. The exact specimen pictured is the item you will receive, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its provenance and genuineness.

Archaeological and Cultural Context

The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, represents one of the most important chapters in human history. It was a time of innovation and progress, as people developed agriculture, built permanent homes, and established trade networks. In Britain, this cultural revolution led to the construction of early monuments such as long barrows and stone circles — and the widespread use of flint tools, which were central to everyday life.

Flint was the lifeblood of the Neolithic toolkit, used to make knives, scrapers, axes, and arrowheads. Artefacts such as this knife reveal the high level of skill and understanding early toolmakers possessed in manipulating stone. Found in Lowestoft, Suffolk, this example originates from a region famed for its chalk geology, rich in fine-grained flint deposits ideal for knapping. These geological resources supported generations of toolmakers whose work has survived as some of the most remarkable artefacts of early British prehistory.

Material, Construction, and Function

Material: Knapped Flint (Siliceous Sedimentary Rock)

Type: Knife Tool Artefact

Cultural Period: Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Provenance: Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom

This knife was skillfully crafted by hand through a precise and deliberate process known as flint knapping. The maker would have struck flakes from a carefully chosen flint core using controlled blows from a hammerstone. The resulting flakes were then shaped and refined using finer pressure-flaking techniques to create a sharp cutting edge.

The finished blade exhibits the distinct conchoidal fracture patterns typical of expertly knapped flint. Its elongated, tapered form suggests that it was used as a multi-functional tool — suitable for cutting meat, scraping hides, or processing plants. The sharpness and symmetry of the edge highlight the craftsmanship of Neolithic artisans, who understood the mechanical properties of flint in astonishing detail.

Some knives of this type were hafted into wooden or bone handles using natural adhesives such as birch tar or resin, secured with sinew. Others may have been used as hand-held blades, offering versatility and portability. These tools were indispensable to Neolithic life, representing the perfect balance between function, form, and practicality.

Geological and Historical Significance

The flint used in this artefact formed over 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period, within the chalk beds of what is now East Anglia. Composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), flint nodules developed through the gradual replacement of calcareous material by silica derived from ancient marine organisms. When fractured, flint reveals a glassy, sharp edge, making it the ideal raw material for prehistoric tool production.

The discovery of this artefact near Lowestoft places it within an area rich in archaeological significance. Suffolk’s landscape has yielded countless traces of Neolithic occupation — including flint mines, settlement debris, and ritual monuments — demonstrating its importance as a hub of early human activity. This knife, a practical yet elegant piece, offers a tangible connection to those early farming communities who shaped the land and laid the foundations of modern civilisation.

Authenticity and Presentation

Every artefact offered by UKGE LTD is a 100% genuine specimen and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying its provenance. The actual knife shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive. A 1 cm scale cube is visible in the image to provide accurate size reference.

This Neolithic knife from Lowestoft, Suffolk is more than an ancient tool — it is a piece of living history, hand-crafted by early Britons thousands of years ago. Whether for collectors, museums, or enthusiasts of prehistory, this artefact captures the artistry, resilience, and ingenuity of humanity’s earliest innovators.