Western Africa, Mauritania, Lower Paleolithic, Acheulean period, ca. 700,000 to 130,000 years ago. This is a large hand axe made and used by early humans of the species Homo erectus (ergaster) of a bifacial and convex form, hand-knapped from a desert red quartzite. The tool is defined by a thick handle end, sharpened edges, and a broad curved cutting tip. Acheulean hand axes represent some of the earliest tools made by our ancestors, and this example has a surface that is polished to a smooth, almost silky surface from exposure, attesting to the tool's great age. During the time of this axe, there were large elephant and hippopotamus species as well as giraffe species in Africa that primitive humans would have hunted. An axe like this was necessary for butchering such large kills and scraping hides. Size: 6" L x 3" W (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)
Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000
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#169682
Condition
Great weathered patina and smooth edges. Intact and excellent. Inventory and description label on one face.