SUPERB ACHEULIAN QUARTZITE HANDAXE - Exposed Site - Algerian Sahara Desert, North Africa

LOWER PALEOLITHIC PERIOD (ACHEULIAN):  1.2 million - 500,000 years ago

This wonderful bifacial quartzite handaxe was made and used by early humans of the primitive species Homo erectus.  It was surface-collected from an exposed Acheulian site in the Algerian Sahara Desert.  This is a complete and unbroken specimen of very high quality.  It features a superb display of design features having been created with very high skill and careful thought.  A thumbrest was flaked and can be seen just below the thumb in the first image.  There exists a one-sided patina from laying on the surface for hundreds of thousands of years.  Chopping tip is very thin and entire handaxe displays an uncommon symmetry that puts it at the top of the chart for workmanship.  One very tiny chip at chopping tip is present but does not detract and is .  Wonderful shaping and design execution is present on this tool.   In "as found" ORIGINAL condition and of the finest quality with NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION.  

In Africa, the Acheulian Tradition is well-defined and most diverse when compared to other regions where it eventually spread to.  HANDAXES are the most typical bifacial tool associated with this period.  Different from the bifacial tools from the earlier Oldowan Period, Acheulian tools are fashioned from large flakes as opposed to using a whole cobblestone as the core.  Along with handaxes, other bifacial tools that are Acheulian are CLEAVERS (handaxes with a broad, parallel (as opposed to pointed) chopping edge) and PICKS (robust elongated, trihedral tools).  Other stone implements found at Acheulian sites are small tools like NOTCHES, SCRAPERS and SPHEROIDS (round flaked stone balls).  Most tools of this period were fashioned from basalt or quartzite.

The actual function of handaxes is debated.  Some suggest they were not used as a chopping tool but for butchering game.  Scientists have shown that these tools exhibit wear common to butchery uses.  Other scientists have theorized they were thrown into a herd as a deadly spinning projectile.  Probably the most interesting theory and one that explains why many unworn and pristine condition tools have been found abandoned is that of the tool's use not as a tool at all but as an aid to sexual attraction.  Possibly, males used techniques of being able to fashion symmetrical stone axes to attract females and demonstrate they were the most capable individual for survival and support of a family.  If you were a primitive human able to make a large symmetrical handaxe, this would show you were genetically superior and an excellent candidate for mating.  There is much evidence that contradicts this theory but it sure is quite an interesting hypothesis.  Based on the varieties of utilitarian handaxe designs, and not only obvious wear from use but actual well-thought flaking designs to best fit ones hand, there's really little doubt that these stone tools were relied upon on a daily basis for primitive man's existence.

SUPERB WORKMANSHIP WITH THUMBREST AND SUPREME SYMMETRY!

4.75" in length x 3" wide

$285     ACH-002     Actual Item - One Only

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