A Palaeolithic flint handaxe was found in 1897, in a load of ballast being used for railway works. The exact findspot is unknown, with the ballast thought to have been dug somewhere on land at Skellingthorpe. The axe was described as being small and of rough character, lustrous with crust patches on both faces, and with a creamy patina with the edge-chipping darker. The axe was donated to the British Museum in 1922, who described it as of Acheulean type, and measuring 3.1" long. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}{6}{7}{8}