The basic shape of hand axes is incredibly consistent for over 2 million years. It is the thing we have made the most of for the longest time. They were replaced by the rich array of weapons developed by modern humans, but seemingly persisted in some cultures into modern times. How can we not know what they are? They have to be the equivalent of the ubiquitous hunting knife, and they have some similarities. The thick edge is more like that of a hunting knife than a chef’s knife. Flakes would be much finer cutting tools; these were for butchery, and perhaps the occasional fight.
Personally though, once you have held one in your hand, it is difficult to escape the idea that they would be very effective when thrown. Given that making a sharp edge all the way around is more difficult that leaving one blunt for grasping, there must be a reason for it.
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