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This rare French Acheulian prehistoric hand axe was fashioned by Homo erectus (H. heidelbergensis), the first humans to occupy Europe. This specimen dates back to the Acheulian Period of France. It was made with an ingenious use of the original bulbous nodule cortex as a comfortable, naturally ergonomic grip. The Acheulian Tradition was the predominant tool technology of the Homo erectus people in Europe currently dating back as far as 900,000 years ago. Fine quality European Acheulian hand axes are far more rare than their Saharan counterparts and often move swiftly, from one private collection to the next as many sites are now destroyed, built over or protected. In the past decade, European auctions have routinely set records for the highest prices realized on spectacular examples of Prehistoric European artifacts like this. Finest grade specimens are so few in number while the buyer market continues to expand and chase after the best material with no apparent price ceiling in sight. Nevertheless, the prices STILL are a paltry comparison to much of the more mature rare collectibles on the market and Paleolithic artifact prices still really don't reflect the substantially higher rarity of these artifacts. As ever-increasing buyer demand continues to pursue the best pieces, the actual amount of this available material is sobering and we are likely to see prices easily rise ten-fold on top-grade specimens, in the next several years. The words "undervalued" and "collectible" are seldom found together in today's world but the realm of European and African Paleolithic artifacts is one where you can still find an emerging market and one of the greatest promises for future appreciation.
Displaying a remarkable milk white patinated flint, this biface hand axe displays an ingenious early human accomplishment of an ideally made hand grip. A natural flint nodule feature in the stone was incorporated into a perfectly ergonomic hand grip. Bifacial flaking around portions of the original flint nodule in the body give rise to a pointed form with a sharp chopping edge on the distal end. The tip is still intact as it was the day it was made. The sides have flaked depressions for finger and thumb grips. The skill and workmanship to form this axe and achieve the flaking is magnificent and represents a remarkable understanding and achievement in Early Human tools.
From a very old former French collection. Today, digging for new specimens is forbidden and has been for decades with most of the best pieces being found in the first half of the last century. Finding an exquisite piece like this ONLY comes from coveted old collections in Europe and hand axes like this usually move from one collection to the next in private collector circles, rarely making it out of the country. FINEST CONDITION AS ORIGINALLY MADE IN PREHISTORY! NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. Very highly recommended! No Paleolithic collection should be without representative tools of Europe's first humans!
WARNING: This specific specimen possesses a fine prehistoric patina and mineral deposits. Such traits are missing in the fake tools being passed off as genuine tools by fraudulent and/or uninformed dealers selling in auctions, online, at shops and shows. The market is currently awash in fakes and ancient debris rock shards sold as genuine Paleolithic tools. Make sure you get an unconditional certificate of authenticity and know your dealer is knowledgeable AND informed.
