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SUPREME NEANDERTHAL MOUSTERIAN FLINT HAND AXE FROM FAMOUS FRENCH PREHISTORIC SITE REGION Vendôme (Loir-et-Cher), France EARLY MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD (MOUSTERIAN): 300,000 - 200,000 years ago This rare, museum-grade handaxe was originally collected long ago from a famous region extensively researched in France known for its Lower to Middle Paleolithic artifacts and prehistoric human habitation. One paper that discusses the findings can be found here http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=15416527. Specimens from this site are supreme examples of scientifically dated artifacts from prehistoric human manufacture and an addition of this handaxe greatly enhances the advanced level of a collection. This specimen came from a very old private French collection and was simultaneously collected from the same site as M227 which we also offer now. These are the ONLY two handaxes or artifacts we can offer that were found associated, together from the same site. The site this specimen was excavated from is now closed and protected by the government. France is considered by many to be the capitol of prehistoric human history in Europe. Fine quality and aesthetic Lower and Middle Paleolithic handaxes from France have become insanely desired by European collectors since the ban on digging in 1986. France is most famous for its Neanderthal sites, as well as history, and Mousterian handaxes of size and beauty such as this example have become exceedingly rare and desirable! This is a CHOICE GRADE example of an MOUSTERIAN HANDAXE from France. It is from the Early Mousterian Period and shows a rich, dark golden orange prehistoric patina. The color and workmanship are incredible to say the least! An added bonus is an ingeniously designed thumb grip that was oriented out of an original exterior portion of the flint nodule this handaxe was made from by its intelligent Neanderthal creator. This feature must be held in person to truly appreciate its "magic" when felt. This handaxe demonstrates true master craftsmanship with a perfectly ergonomic grip design. Excellent overall bifacial workmanship and form. All edges are superbly made and flaked faces shows stunning beauty. There is NO MODERN OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE - this handaxe is PERFECT AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY MADE. A well-formed tip is present and thin body profile make for a sharp chopping tool. Soil sheen is beautiful, natural and a testament to tens of thousands of years of burial. Unlike their much larger predecessors of the Sahara during the Acheulian, Mousterian handaxes are much smaller in comparison. Mousterian handaxes are considered the most prized tools of the Neanderthals. Overall workmanship clearly indicates a HIGHLY SKILLED Neanderthal craftsperson fashioned this superb and truly MUSEUM GRADE specimen. NO RESTORATION AND NO REPAIR. The MOUSTERIAN tool tradition gets its name from artifacts discovered at a primitive rock shelter named Le Moustier located in southwestern France. Compared to the bulkier tools of the Acheulian produced by the Levallois technique, Mousterian tools are comprised of smaller flakes from an exhaustively worked core which are then retouched on the edges to make a large variety of tools. These tools are not only smaller than Acheulian specimens, but they are more specialized for their various tasks. Mousterian tools can be broadly put into four classes: 1) SAWS (Denticulate Tools) and KNIVES, 2) SCRAPERS 3) BORERS 4) HANDAXES, CHOPPERS and CLEAVERS. Mousterian tool-makers were the primitive humans knows as the NEANDERTHALS. Neanderthals had massive skeletons and teeth, flat foreheads and heavy brow ridges. Their skulls were larger than a modern man and contained an average brain capacity of 1500 cc, averaging slightly larger than humans of today. RARE NEANDERTHAL HAND AXE OF IMPECCABLE QUALITY - FAMOUS RESEARCHED SITE - PERFECT WITH RICH GOLD HUE! 3.75" in length SOLD M226 Actual Item - One Only |
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