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Product Description
SEE MORE AFRICAN NEOLITHIC TOOLS AND ARTIFACTS
This BEAUTIFUL plum-colored flint African Capsian Neolithic knapped celt axe was found on an exposed African Neolithic site in the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa. It was made over 5000 years ago by grinding a blank and then expertly knapping the entire surface to form its refined shape and thin cross-sectional profile. While most Capsian celt axes are thicker and feature more grinding on the body, this exceptional example shows flaking over the ENTIRE SURFACE to achieve its thinness. The chopping end was finished by grinding. This large celt war axe features excellent preservation, workmanship and color. There are many examples of these axes floating around the market of both, modern forgeries and authentic but poor examples of drab colors and modern breakage. Most authentic specimens lack the spectacular features this superb axe possesses. This celt axe was selected out of hundreds and hundreds of inferior examples and represents the finest possible piece of its type - one of the best few of a large, life-long collection! Intact original mineral deposits and patina deep within the flake scars and micro-crevices of the flaking are signs of authenticity and age not found in modern forgeries often seen on the market.
This type axe would have been inserted into a wooden handle and further lashed in place to secure it to the shaft. This Neolithic axe was masterfully fashioned by Neolithic humans between 10,000 and 4,700 years ago. It could have served in both a utilitarian role but was most likely a deadly weapon of warfare. By this period in time, the northern Sahara was nearly devoid of trees as the African Humid Period was ending and the phase of desiccation was underway. The use of axes to cut wood became less common compared to the increase in warfare due to a reduction of resources, so the main purpose left for axes of this nature was as a weapon.
Similar to the European Neolithic celt axes, the African Neolithic celt axes were either completely flaked or made by grinding a blank and finishing by knapping. The cutting edge of the axes are also similar to their European counterparts in that they are ground to form a sturdy chopping edge in most cases with some sharpened by only knapping. Specimens like these were hafted in wood or bone handles.
