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Product Description
SEE MORE LOWER PALEOLITHIC ACHEULEAN STONE ARTIFACTS
This genuine Acheulean ELONGATED AMYGDALOID bifacial hand axe was made and used by early humans of the primitive species Homo erectus (ergaster). It was surface-collected over 50 years ago from an exposed Lower Paleolithic Acheulean site in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania, Northwest Africa. Acheulean Lower Paleolithic hand axes from Africa represent the first scientifically documented intelligent tool made by primitive humans. Prior to these Saharan Acheulean handaxes, only crude pebble and flake tools existed in the human fossil record.
Made of golden yellow silicified sandstone, and polished smooth over hundreds of thousands of years, this is one of the most beautiful Lower Paleolithic African hand axes we have ever offered. Viewing the edge of the hand axe, you can see some areas that reveal the layers of the sandstone. The elongated typology, with an unusually long and narrow body, demonstrates a form that would have been very difficult to achieve without breaking before completion. The perfect symmetry, and delicate, thin tip would have been DIFFICULT to flake meaning exceptional specimens like this were the masterful handiwork of extremely highly-skilled early humans! They were the superstar artisans of prehistory tool-making! Made well beyond what would have been needed to serve as a tool in an ordinary task, this specimen would have been considered more of an exhibit of prestige and accomplishment. Such as object would not have been practical to take the time to make and then just leave discarded by a hunting kill site or damage in use! This hand axe demonstrates ARTISTIC APPRECIATION and ARTISAN PRIDE, as well as the skill and ability of Early Man's ability, to the highest order. It features every possible aspect of a prize specimen, not to mention its extraordinary size! Hand axes of this level of workmanship are theorized to be PRESTIGE PIECES to early humans, and even can be considered human's first example of art creation and appreciation.
Not only is the workmanship on this hand axe beyond exceptional in form, the one side that looks like a face, serves as a finger grip side in ambidextrous use. Each "eye" of the face that is a flaked depression, holds the forefingers of either the right or left hand, when held. The proximal end is so perfectly made that is appears perfectly spherical! The entire surface is adorned with a stunning "desert varnish" natural gloss - a natural glossy surface where the artifact lay undisturbed and exposed to blowing sands, for millennia. The wind-driven sand polished and deposited microscopic layers of silica on the surfaces of the artifact, giving it a sheen. Original sediment and mineral encrustations are still present in microscopic crevices and on some surfaces - a trait ONLY found in authentic Paleolithic artifacts like these. These features are a testament to the age and authenticity of ALL Saharan Paleolithic artifacts.
Genuine Saharan Acheulean hand axes of this quality are rare and recent realized prices at major auction houses are proving what we have been saying for years that authentic high grade tools of primitive man remain one of the most promising investments in the rare collectible market. Specimens like this are only a few of many, many thousands of ordinary examples, making them extremely scarce. Collectors consider prized features to include either size, workmanship or color but when ALL exist, then it is truly an important piece to include in a collection as this one is.
HISTORY
During this time in prehistory when this Lower Paleolithic tool was made, the Sahara Desert (where this stone tool was found) was a savanna rich in wildlife. Prior to the prehistoric global warming that turned the vast region to desert, early humans lived alongside prehistoric giraffe, bison and elephant, which were vital to their survival. Hunting and butchering these animals would have required specialized tools such as those found in the Acheulian Period.
