Editing Hand axe (section)

==Construction==
Experiments in [[knapping]] have demonstrated the relative ease with which a hand axe can be made,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Semenov |first1=S. A. |title=Tecnología prehistórica: estudio de la herramientas y objetos antiguos a través de las huellas de uso |date=1981 |publisher=Akal |isbn=978-84-7339-575-5 |language=es }}{{pn|date=March 2024}}</ref> which could help explain their success. In addition, they demand relatively little maintenance and allow a choice of raw materials–any rock will suffice that supports a [[conchoidal fracture]]. With early hand axes, it is easy to improvise their manufacture, correct mistakes without requiring detailed planning, and no long or demanding apprenticeship is necessary to learn the necessary techniques. These factors combine to allow these objects to remain in use throughout pre-history. Their adaptability makes them effective in a variety of tasks, from heavy duty such as digging in soil, felling trees or breaking bones to delicate such as cutting ligaments, slicing meat or perforating a variety of materials.

Later examples of hand axes are more sophisticated with their use of two layers of knapping (one made with stone knapping and one made with bone knapping).

Lastly, a hand axe represents a [[prototype]] that can be refined giving rise to more developed, specialised and sophisticated tools such as the tips of various projectiles, knives, adzes and hatchets.