A chance find on a fossil walk at Brook Bay has turned out to be an incredible discovery.
Mel Harrison, who was on a guided fossil hunt along with keen fossil hunters Jack (9), Charlie (9), husband Tony and friend Laura, led by “Island Gems Fossil Trips” last Wednesday (29th Oct 2025), picked up a hand-sized flint stone which the tour guide, Martin Simpson immediately recognised as a Stone Age implement.
Authenticated by experts
Martin, who has been organising regular fossil trips on the Island for 40 years, said,
“It had the right look and feel about it.”
The flintstone was later authenticated by Dr Ferrero, the Isle of Wight Finds Liaisons Officer, who confirmed the stone tool was “a Palaeolithic or pre-Palaeolithic hand axe perfectly in tact and could possibly be the oldest to be found on the Island”.
Mel said,
“It’s incredible to think that this stone tool was made between 250,000-600,000 years ago and has lain undiscovered all this time.
“We had a great time on the fossil trip and this has been the highlight of our visit, we can’t wait to book another.”
Simpson: These finds are exceedingly rare
Martin explained,
“These finds are exceedingly rare and emanate from a time when the Island was joined to the mainland. The coastal erosion in this case is actually doing some good by uncovering rare treasures.
“On our trips it’s finders-keepers, although with rarities like this we like to contact the relevant specialists to record the details.”
News shared by Jenny on behalf of Island Gems Fossil Trips. Ed
