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Product Description
For comparison prices, please see the "Old World Typology and Price Guide" section of the "OVERSTREET IDENTIFICATION AND PRICE GUIDE TO INDIAN ARROWHEADS" editions 7th, 8th and 9th.
SEE MORE LOWER PALEOLITHIC ACHEULEAN STONE ARTIFACTS
This INCREDIBLE Acheulean hand axe was made and used by early humans of the primitive species Homo erectus (ergaster). It was surface-collected from an exposed Lower Paleolithic Acheulean site in the Sahara Desert of Northwest Africa. Acheulean Lower Paleolithic hand axes from Africa represent the first scientifically documented intelligent tool made by primitive humans. Prior to these Saharan Acheulean handaxes, only crude pebble and flake tools existed in the human fossil record.
Coming from a unique private collection of a former German surveyor who found this hand axe while on a Saharan expedition in the 1960's, there is a back story of how we acquired this specimen. For the last several decades, it resided in a very select private collection of ours, made up of the absolute best pieces we had ever come across in our career and travels. Years ago, we made a deal with the original German collector and acquired about 12 of his BEST lifetime discoveries - the most incredible Saharan hand axes we had ever seen. It's important to note that nearly ever stone tool coming from the Sahara was originally found by desert nomads who did not always take care of their finds, and usually damaged the tools as they transported them to market. On the contrary, this small group of hand axes we acquired, came from the original German expedition explorer who carefully wrapped each magnificent find to protect from any transportation damage. Despite them being the most amazing examples we have seen in workmanship and type, they have NONE of the customary modern nicks or damage that most stone tools have coming from the Sahara. We have greatly enjoyed these masterpieces but now it is time to pass on these treasures to another steward.
This finest collector specimen is unique in many ways. Whereas, most Saharan Acheulean hand axes are made of quartzite or basalt, this example was made of plum root beer tabular flint. It is classified as an AMYGDALOID BIFACE hand axe, and features classic intelligent flaking with a purposely flaked recess was removed from the center to serve as an ergonomic thumb grip (see photos). Recessed secondary areas were flaked for finger grips when the hand axe is held in use. The symmetry is fantastic and all profile shaping and edge flaking is on the highest level! There is none of the customary modern collecting and handling damage often associated with Saharan prehistoric hand axes. The tip is sharply pointed exactly as originally made with no modern damage, EXTREMELY RARE for something so delicate. The entire hand axe is still in the same perfect condition as when originally made. The notch in one side edge is an original anomaly of the stone and not a result of any damage. It too, is polished smoothly indicating it was exposed at the time the hand axe was originally flaked by its original Homo ergaster artisan.
Because this hand axe lay flat on one side for untold millennia, the hand axe has a strongly contrasting bi-colored hue. The side facing down absorbed the minerals of the desert sand and took on iron-colored pigments and original outer layers. It was also protected from the blowing winds so it became much less polished than the other side which lay up and was exposed to the wind and elements. This extreme long-term exposure brought out the core root beer-colored flint and yielded a heavy glossy surface that resembles melting ice cream! Millennia of desert wind exposure has polished the surface to a level we have rarely seen in Saharan prehistoric stone artifacts!
Many theorize that these prehistoric hand axes were the earliest form of art, flaked by master toolmakers to a degree that conveys prestige, status and achievement. Seeing this specimen certainly supports that claim.
Original sediment and mineral encrustations are still present in microscopic crevices and on some surfaces - a trait ONLY found in authentic Paleolithic artifacts like these. These features are a testament to the age and authenticity of ALL Saharan Paleolithic artifacts.
The finest Lower Paleolithic hand axes often move from one private collection to the next as many discovery sites are now destroyed, built over or protected. In past decades, European auctions have routinely set records for the highest prices realized on spectacular examples of prehistoric European Stone Age artifacts like this, often likening them to the earliest forms of human-created art. Fine specimens are so few in number while the buyer market continues to expand and chase after the best material, with no apparent price ceiling in sight. Nevertheless, the prices STILL, are a paltry comparison to much of the more mature rare collectibles on the market and Paleolithic artifact prices still really don't reflect the substantially HIGH rarity of these artifacts. As ever-increasing buyer demand continues to pursue the best pieces, the actual limited quantity of this material is sobering, and we are likely to see prices easily rise ten-fold on top-grade specimens, in the near coming years. The words "undervalued" and "collectible" are seldom found together in today's world but the realm of European and African Paleolithic artifacts is one where you can still find an emerging market and one of the greatest promises for future investment.
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 those found in the Acheulian Period.
