M383 - RARE FINEST MUSEUM EXAMPLE EGYPTIAN ACHEULEAN HAND AXE WITH UNUSUAL NATURAL ANIMISTIC FEATURE

Product Description

ID

Acheulian Tool

FOUND

Exposed Site - NE Sahara Desert, Egypt

AGE

ACHEULIAN:  500,000+ years

SIZE

4.5" long x 3.25" wide

CONDITION

INTACT AND COMPLETE - NO REPAIR
OR RESTORATION.  HEAVY NATURAL
GLOSS FROM "DESERT VARNISH"
WIND POLISHING DUE TO LONG-TERM
OPEN EXPOSURE.

NOTE

FINEST MUSEUM EXAMPLE OF A 
SUPER-RARE ACHEULIAN EGYPTIAN
HAND AXE.  ONLY EXAMPLE WE
EVER OFFERED!  

EX-BELGIAN COLLECTION FORMED 
IN THE 1960's

INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX

Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of
authenticity / information sheet

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ACHEULIAN TOOLS

This RARE Acheulean handaxe was found in Egypt on an exposed site in the Northeast Sahara.  It was made and used by Homo erectus.  This Lower Paleolithic tool represents the first intelligent design type known to science that was made by primitive humans.  Prior to these Acheulean tools, only crude pebble tools existed in the human fossil record.

You simply can not improve on this SPECTACULAR museum specimen of an EGYPTIAN Lower Paleolithic handaxe.  This is THE FIRST AND ONLY example we have to offer from Egypt.  It was acquired from an old Belgian private collection formed over 50 years ago.  Not only is this handaxe rare for its Egyptian provenance, it possesses a strange feature that most definitely was held in high regard in prehistory - a natural but dramatic "EYE" on the one side that was caused by an anomaly in the surface.  What's more, the axe was designed so that when you hold it in your hand, the "EYE" falls under your thumb and serves as a grip.  It is fascinating to think what beliefs in prehistoric animism there were.  Did the ancient humans that came into contact with this axe think it possessed special powers or offered special powers to its user?  The "eye" feature is so pronounced down to the eyebrow and raised eyeball.  Coincidentally, later in Ancient Egyptian culture, the EXACT shape of THIS eye would become one of the most prominent glyphs and icons of ancient Egyptian religion!  Even to this day, many Middle Eastern cultures still regard the "Evil Eye" as one of protection.

This hand axe was fashioned out of TABULAR flint, with one side showing the original natural surface of the unworked stone.  The other side showing extensive flaking with both sides showing expert shaping all around the perimeter.  The well-made grip is classic Acheulian and the axe fits well on the hand.  If you were to demonstrate what an Acheulian flint Egyptian Acheulian hand axe is in an encyclopedia, no finer example could be shown as this!

This is a rare and finest grade reference specimen featuring all the premium features for this period and technology.  "Desert varnish" gloss indicates extreme long-term exposure undisturbed and polished by the wind.  Mineral and sediment deep in the micro-crevices - traits only found in authentic Acheulian prehistoric artifacts.  NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. 

During the time of this axe, there were large elephant and hippopotamus species as well as giraffe species in Africa that primitive humans would have hunted.  An axe like this was necessary to butcher such large kills.