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Product Description
SEE MORE ACHEULEAN STONE AGE TOOLS
This authentic prehistoric hand axe was made and used by early humans of the species Homo erectus (ergaster). It was surface-collected from an exposed Lower Paleolithic Acheulean site in the Sahara Desert of North Africa. This Lower Paleolithic tool represents the FIRST intelligent tool design made by primitive humans. Prior to these Saharan Acheulean hand axes, only crude pebble and flake tools existed in the human fossil record.
This is a superb UNIFACIAL OVATE HAND AXE made out of quartzite. Despite its broad, rounded profile, it has a unique feature - a pointed piercing tip on the end has been flaked by its original maker. This brilliant concept allowed the axe to pierce bone and flesh of hunted large game, but its broad cutting edges would have allowed it to simultaneously cut deeply. It was expertly made on a large flake. A prominent "bulb of percussion" can be seen on the flat side - a feature ONLY found on human-made struck stone flake tools, not on flakes caused by natural, environmental forces.
It is complete as made with superb preservation and workmanship. Tip and edges are intact with obvious detail in the flaking on the edges. Original sediment deposits are still intact in microscopic crevices, as well as a lack of any modern flaking or crushing - traits ONLY found in authentic Paleolithic artifacts such as this.
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 this Acheulean specimen.
