INVESTMENT-CLASS LARGE AMYGDALOID ACHEULEAN HAND AXE MADE BY HOMO ERGASTER OF AFRICA *ACH462

Product Description

SEE MORE LOWER PALEOLITHIC ACHEULEAN STONE ARTIFACTS

This GENUINE Acheulean hand axe was made and used by early humans of the primitive species Homo erectus (ergaster).  It was surface-collected from an exposed Lower Paleolithic Acheulian site in the South Central Sahara Desert in West 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.

As one of the most beautiful and finest made Lower Paleolithic African hand axes we have ever sold, this remarkably aesthetic Acheulean bifacial AMYGDALOID golden quartzite hand axe should not be missed by advanced collectors. We acquired it years ago from an old private collection dating to the 1960's and 1950's, of a former desert safari guide from France.  Prehistoric hand axes from West Africa are normally not available on the market  

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 INVESTMENT-CLASS specimen, not to mention its extraordinary size!  Hand axes of this magnitude are theorized to be PRESTIGE PIECES as they were made to a much higher standard and with much more effort than would have been needed for a simple utilitarian tool.  This leads many to theorize that these hand axes were the earliest form of art, flaked by master toolmakers to a degree that conveys prestige, status and achievement.  Seldom will you find examples of this size, condition and form, ever available for sale.  To date, this is one of the finest Saharan Acheulean hand axe we have offered since we first went online in the year 2000.

The flaking on this example is superb and shows masterful craftsmanship from its primitive human creator.  The almond-shaped form is literally PERFECT with a flat facet on the grip end where a naturally flat surface of the stone was purposely oriented to serve as a comfortable palm grip.  The sharply pointed tip and edges are intact and perfectly-made with no modern damage or alterations.  All surfaces of the axe display a rich pumpkin orange patina and heavy "desert varnish" - 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. 

The finest quality Stone Age artifacts are extremely rare, and often move from one private collection to the next as most sites are now depleted, destroyed, or built over, and all are protected by law forbidding modern day digging.  The market rule of supply and demand have shown that over time, these rare collectibles will most definitely continue to appreciate in price.  Strong collector desire and a growing population of buyers continue to put an ever-increasing demand on the small and finite supply of the BEST specimens circulating amongst collectors that buy and never resell.  Investment aside, no rare collectible collection should be without a good representation of Early Man's first inventions on our planet.

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 Stone Age artifacts of primitive humans remain one of the most promising investments in rare collectibles.  

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 Tradition.