Behold, the mother of all mechanisms! This 'Oldowan chopper' – a 2.5 million-year-old sandstone tool - is a testament to the ingenuity of our earliest ancestors. It was the cutting edge of technology back in its day!

North Herts Museum is rallying local support to vote for their truly remarkable piece of human history in this year's Hertfordshire Museum Object of the Year.

In total, 22 museums across the county have submitted items to compete in the annual competition which is overseen by the Hertfordshire Association of Museums.

The North Herts Museum nomination: an unassuming piece of sandstone that is one of the earliest human tools in the world, dating back around 2.5 million years. It was discovered by explorer and amateur archaeologist Heywood Seton-Karr, who travelled widely in Africa and Asia.

Cllr Tamsin Thomas, Executive Member for Enterprise, said: "Our Oldowan chopper is an amazing artefact! It shows the beginning of tool making among some of our earliest human ancestors, even though it can look like a simple piece of stone to the untrained eye. It's fascinating to think this piece of 'caveman cutlery' has lasted to the modern day, truly a window into the past."

Voting closes on 17 February and the winner is set to be announced on 22 February.

Head over to the Hertfordshire Association of Museums' website to find out more and vote for your favourite object: www.hertfordshiremuseums.org.uk/object-of-the-year-2025.aspx