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Product Description
SEE MORE NEANDERTHAL MOUSTERIAN STONE TOOLS
REFERENCE: For similar examples of importance, see "Old World Typology and Price Guide" of the 8th Edition "Overstreet Price Guide of Indian Arrowheads".
Made by a Neanderthal toolmaker exhibiting the peak skill of their craft between 160,000 and 40,000 years ago, this is THE LARGEST AND FINEST Mousterian point Neanderthal Spearhead we have ever offered. It was made on a type of flake called a Pseudo Levallois point which is defined as one that has an axis of its distal point positioned oblique, relative to the axis of the basal flaking strike. This prize specimen has the most incredible prehistoric shaping and retouching we have EVER encountered in a Mousterian Neanderthal point. The long, narrow original tip is still intact and sharp as originally made! With such care and masterful flaking imparted on this specimen, it was no doubt considered a prized prestige object of its day. A natural fossil impression was purposely oriented into the center of the body by its original Neanderthal master toolmaker.
Most Mousterian points are half this size and no where near as symmetrical! Not only is this a maximum size projectile point, it was fashioned out of a beautiful red flint that is famous from the region it was found. It shows masterful secondary flaking down both sides to refine and shape its spectacular form. Surface shows prehistoric patina and mineral deposits still embedded in the hinge fractures - irrefutable evidence of an authentic specimen.
As Neanderthals hunted large game such as Woolly Mammoth, Woolly Rhinoceros, Bison, Horse, Aurochs, and Megaloceros, they also needed an effective weapon to protect themselves from Cave Bear, Cave Hyena, Cave Lion, and most likely, each other! Such a massive projectile point as this would have been a requirement to take down the largest and most deadly beasts of their day! The large size and perfectly oriented pronounced central rib for strength, allowed this point to survive the penetration of a thick hairy hide, and be driven deep to reach a vital organ. This is an incredibly impressive specimen and impossible to improve on.
The Mousterian point is the scarcest of all Neanderthal stone tools - much more rare than hand axes! Mousterian points are Levallois points that show secondary flaking down the cutting edges, often refining the point's shape and allowing re-use by re-sharpening. The Mousterian point is theorized to have been used as spearheads mounted on the ends of wooden poles, and employed to stab large prey by Neanderthal hunters. By this time, Man had not yet invented the bow and arrow but intact Neanderthal wooden spears have been scientifically documented in situ. The Mousterian Point or Levallois Point would be humanity's first spearhead, and the precursor to the arrowhead! Lashed to a wooden pole, it was a milestone invention of a new weapon for hunting large game. Now, the megafauna of the day could be hunted with greater success. Such a weapon would have also given prehistoric humans a more effective weapon against each other.
Found in one of the most iconic regions of Stone Age history, France is home to some of Europe's most spectacular Paleolithic sites. These sites have long been closed and off-limits to any collecting, which makes this scarce prehistoric weapon a highly desirable acquisition piece for the best collections or investment! This Mousterian Point came from a very old French collection as is the case with all the best material being stashed for decades and decades in private collections of yesteryear when collecting was possible. Today, all source sites have been closed and protected for many decades, preventing further digging of any new artifacts - all the factors that will continue to drive values and prices for these rare artifacts up at a consistent rate of appreciation.
