Afterword

150 years after it was found the search began for the missing flint that was photographed and described on 27 April 1859. This chapter explores what other documentation was lost and, in particular, the two photographs taken on the day of discovery. The idea of archaeology as an experiment is also discussed. The historically important flint was re-discovered in the Prestwich collection that, after his death in 1896, went to the Natural History Museum. Until 2008 its importance was not recognised. It was possible to match the flint tool, identified by a well-glued label in Prestwich’s handwriting, with the close-up photograph taken in 1859. But when examined in detail a question emerged about its authenticity. Was it a genuine artefact or a forgery by one of the quarrymen that deceived both Evans and Prestwich?