US DOLLAR
EURO
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
Product Description
SEE MORE AFRICAN NEOLITHIC TOOLS AND ARTIFACTS
This extremely unusual and exceptionally large ground basalt grooved axe is from the African Capsian Neolithic culture. Where the majority of this type of axe had a lateral cutting or chopping edge, this example has a blunt pointed end, designed more for puncturing and breaking, rather than chopping. Thus, with such shape, we can rule out this was anything but a weapon of warfare, and one of great intimidation and deadly effectiveness! With most Capsian Neolithic ground stone celt axes being LESS THAN HALF the size of this massive example, one must wonder why such a large axe was made. Not only would this axe have been able to inflict a fatal injury with a singly blow to the head of an enemy, large hunted game of the time might have required some large weapon like this to dispatch an injured animal. In all our decades of experience with African Neolithic weapons, this is the largest ground and grooved stone axe of its type we have ever seen!
This grooved axe was found on an exposed African Neolithic site in the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa, and dates to over 5000 years ago. Axes like this are made by grinding a single stone entirely into a desired form. The groove would have been used to securely lash the axe head onto a wooden shaft handle.
Made of basalt and with a flattened cross-section, the entire surface has a wonderful 'Desert Varnish' sheen. One side has been stained red from the red Saharan sands as it lay flat, undisturbed for thousands of years. This fine specimen lacks any modern damage or alterations. This axe was part of our own personal collection we amassed over the past 25 years of the most exceptional and rarest specimens, that we are now selling. Intact original mineral deposits and patina deep within all micro-crevices, and lack of any modern grinding are definitive traits of authenticity and age, not found in modern forgeries often seen on the market.
