Northwestern Africa, Algeria / Morocco, Acheulean (Lower Paleolithic), ca. 1.7 million to 130,000 years ago. A sizeable and splendid stone tool, hand-knapped to function as a hand axe. The bifacially-flaked body has an elongated profile with a rounded proximal end, partially incorporating the natural curve of stone as a grip, while the chopping tip tapers to a point. Boasting a dark and smooth "desert varnish" surface from millennia of exposure to the elements and sand, the hefty tool displays rich hues of gray and taupe, as well as wonderfully preserved, sharp edges. The Acheulean stone tool tradition - named after the location in France where tools of this kind were first identified in 1847 - represented a technological revolution. This blade was likely manufactured by homo erectus, a close ancestor of modern humans, and was made to be used in a variety of tasks, such as cutting, digging, and scraping hides. It is always thrilling to hold such ancient artefacts and imagine our prehistoric ancestors using these tools! Size: 8.5" L x 3.5" W (21.6 cm x 8.9 cm)
Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010
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#169514
Condition
Expected nicks and chips not from knapping process. Otherwise, intact and excellent.