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VERY RARE NORTH AFRICAN OLDOWAN PEBBLE TOOL Exposed Saharan Site - Algeria, North Africa LOWER PALEOLITHIC PERIOD: 1.8 - 1 million years ago Pebble Oldowan tools from primitive humans of Africa are seldom seen in private collections or public exhibits. Oldowan sites exist in numerous regions of the continent but it takes a very knowledgeable collector to be able to weed out all the naturally-occurring rocks that litter the ground from an actual pebble tool specimen. As the origin of humanity and as the earliest of tool technologies, this African Oldowan specimen poses a very important potential addition to any advanced collection of Paleolithic artifacts. African pebble tools are not common on the market compared to their much later Acheulian relatives. This specimen was decommissioned from a private museum collection and is the only example we have to offer. Despite the fact that there are probably more Oldowan tools in Africa compared to the European specimens we offer, very few African pebble tools are collected or available. This splendid example is a small chopper / robust scraper. It has an original curved pebble outer surface on the proximal end. The distal end has been flaked in several locations to obtain a sharp cutting edge and grips for the fingers. Expectedly, with this kind of extreme age and desert exposure, there must be surface evidence of the blowing wind and sand as well as the overall wear. The entire surface has a very heavy, thick patina with an extreme version of 'desert varnish", the heavy, shiny surface an exposed Saharan tool develops due to the extended time of environmental exposure. Workmanship is excellent affording a well-thought out design and functional grip when held. This tool was made from quartzite which has developed a dark brown surface patina. NO MODERN DAMAGE, NO REPAIR and NO RESTORATION. As found and with our highest recommendation. No one can doubt the importance that pebble tools hold in the history of human development. Their very emergence in Africa nearly two million years ago allowed the earliest humans to butcher animals for their meat - the needed nourishment that allowed humans to survive and flourish to one day populate and rule the earth. AN ULTRA-RARE PEBBLE TOOL FROM THE CONTINENT WHERE HUMANITY BEGAN AFRICAN OLDOWAN SPECIMENS ARE SCARCE IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS!!! 3" across SOLD PB024 Actual Item - One Only |
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