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RARE INGENIOUS AMBIDEXTROUS DESIGN BI-POINTED HOMO ERGASTER (ERECTUS) 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 of North Africa. This Lower Paleolithic tool represents the first intelligent design type known to science that was made by primitive humans. Prior to these Saharan Acheulian handaxes, only crude pebble and flake tools existed in the human fossil record. At first, this was a puzzler. Out of the multitudes of these we have handled in the past, such a double-pointed design comes as a rare type and one that dodged explanation. Finally, after some experimentation, it hit and this axe will surely be one of the most impressive we will offer when it comes to ingenious design. Where these Saharan Acheulian handaxes are almost always designed for either right or left-handed use, this amazing specimen is designed to be used by EITHER! This axe is held one specific way for either right or left-handed users and each point is meant for only one way. Whether the early human owner was ambidextrous or intended to share this tool amongst his (or her) early human associates, it is a design in which we find most fascinating! This is a robust specimen with dramatic classic features for this period and technology. It possesses a well-executed form and palm rests for both hands on the INTERCHANGEABLE proximal ends. Perfect for bashing big mammoth bones to get that scrumptious marrow! Bi-color patina differs on each side, indicative of long-term exposure on one side as it lay undisturbed and exposed for millennia. In "as found" ORIGINAL condition with NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. An absolute excellent demonstration of the advanced intellect of EARLY MAN. 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 (large handaxes with a flat 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 large game. Scientists have shown that these tools exhibit wear common to butchery uses and these tools have been found in association with prehistoric elephant bones on intact "kill sites" of this period. 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. RARE, UNIQUE DESIGN WITH SUPERB DIFFERENTIAL COLOR FROM EXPOSURE! 5.75" in length x 3.5" wide $395 ACH-031 Actual Item - One Only |
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