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ORANIAN/CAPSIAN LARGE FLINT COMBINATION END AND SIDE SCRAPER Mauritania (Former Spanish Sahara) - Northwest Africa UPPER PALEOLITHIC PERIOD (ORANIAN / CAPSIAN): 12,000 - 6,500 years ago This fine grade ORANIAN / CAPSIAN TRADITION stone tool was found on a site in Mauritania in the Northwestern Sahara Desert. It was fashioned by early modern man (Homo sapiens sapiens) between 12,000 and 6,500 years ago. This unique and large combination tool features an extensively knapped surface on a large region of the surface. It resembles a large partial unifacial point. One side as well as the entire thick curved end features excellent secondary flaking and retouching. The patina is indicative of hydration to the flint over thousand of years caused by exposure to water, an ancient stream bed typical of these sites. The flattened back is not damage but remains from the tools initial manufacture and is along a cleavage plane of what was initially a piece of tabular flint. Very interesting and well-shaped working edge. NO RESTORATION, NO REPAIR and NO MODERN DAMAGE. In the final Pleistocene and early Holocene Periods around 10,000 years ago, the Sahara was believed to be a highly favorable environment for hunters, gatherers and pastoralists. Freshwater lakes existed between the dunes in what is now the Tenere region, Lake Chad was eight times its current size, the highlands supported Mediterranean forest trees, and a large fauna of animals flourished. The slow drying out process of the Sahara, began 7,000 years ago and ended 4500 years ago resulting in the barren conditions that exist to this day. As we progress from the time from the end of the Pleistocene to the end of the Paleolithic Period, we see man relying more on meat from raised animals as opposed to hunted animals. The earliest blade industry in North Africa is classified as the ORANIAN or also known as the IBERO-MAURUSIAN TRADITION. This tradition begins in the region around 12,000 years ago and is eventually superceded by another blade tradition called the CAPSIAN TRADITION. The Capsian industry runs simultaneously with the Oranian beginning 11,000 years ago (9,000 years ago in the Northwest region). This later tradition is responsible for the influence of the Oranian industry and eventually succeeds it as we near the end of the Paleolithic Period. Most notable during the era of these two traditions is the proliferation of various blades and bladelets ushering in MICROLITHIC technology. Microliths are tiny flake blade tools and segments of blades that are used as they are or set in composite tools of wood or bone for use as barbs or to make saws. The blades and projectile points of the ORANIAN / CAPSIAN TRADITION represent some of the most delicately flaked and beautifully executed smaller stone tools of primitive man. By this time, the flaking methods utilize small punches for extreme control in the removal of material and shape of the blade being made. Some points were so perfectly executed that they were not used at all but served as items of prestige by their owner and are sometimes found in association with burials. These finest points and blades from this period rival any stone implement ever made by primitive man and were sometimes manufactured out of the most stunning gem-grade material such as fine translucent chalcedony and agate as well as transparent crystalline quartz. By this late age of lithic tool manufacture, stone implements have undergone man's development by both trial-and-error and cognitive thinking spanning an overall time exceeding one million years. EXCELLENT LARGE TOOL OF UNIQUE DESIGN WITH LARGE RETOUCHED CUTTING EDGE! 3.2" in length $115 ORCAP-016 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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