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Product Description
SEE MORE EUROPEAN NEOLITHIC ARTIFACTS
One of the most iconic flint artifacts of the European Neolithic age are the polished, torpedo-shaped celt axes. This Neolithic stone tool was a staple in the Neolithic world of emerging societies. It was the primary tool to fell trees in order to clear land for farming, and produce lumber for building. You could say it was the tool that the FIRST societies were founded on.
European Neolithic flint celt axes from France are not so common and seldom are found in the U.S. market which makes this offering a special opportunity. This beautiful and unique white flint polished celt axe has patterns of golden bulls eye features in the stone. It is in perfect preservation as originally made, having none of the typical plow damage often seen in Neolithic flint artifacts found in Europe. There is no breakage or modern damage, and the original polish in the stone has a glossy patina from silica deposited on the flint over several thousands of years. The majority of the celt axe was ground and polished but some of the original flaked preforming and shaping can be seen along the sides. The chopping bit is intact and shows evidence of use. Ancient iron and mineral deposits and encrustations are also intact, providing proof of its authenticity and lack of any modern grinding or enhancement.
Many of these Neolithic axes are found in farming fields and are often broken or badly damaged by the plows, before they are discovered. This fine example shows no such damage and is complete in perfect preservation. The chopping edge is still sharp. The golden eye patterns in the white flint would have made this a prized possession even thousands of years ago as most of the flint of the region was dark gray and drab, not bright and colorful as this prize piece is. Considerable care and time was put into the polish and form of this specimen. The workmanship and unique color could easily have elevated this Neolithic Age object as one of status ownership and prestige, as much as it was an actual tool or weapon.
The way these axes were made is identical regardless of the size. A piece of flint was carefully shaped by grinding and flaking the stone. Further flaking squared up all the sides to the chopping end. Early forms were left only flaked. Later, the axe shapes were refined by grinding and the chopping end was later sharpened by grinding. While we have offered numerous flake tools, axes and some daggers from the European Neolithic, this is the ONLY specimen we have of a polished celt axe from France, we have to offer.
