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PERFECTLY FORMED V-SHAPED WEDGE CHOPPER EDGE
MULTI-STRUCK CUTTING EDGE SHOWS SERRATED CHOPPING SIDE
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ONE OF OUR FINEST TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OLDOWAN PEBBLE CHOPPER IN PERFECT CONDITION Exposed Site - South Central Sahara Desert, Niger 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 is part of a very limited collection we acquired. 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 for public acquisition. This offering poses a rare opportunity to own an AUTHENTIC example of the first known tool type made by humans - a window into the mind and design thought process of our earliest ancestors. African pebble tools are not common on the market compared to their much later Acheulian relatives. This is an incredible example of this tool type and in no way could you ever find one that better typifies OLDOWAN PEBBLE CHOPPER technology. The shape and form demonstrate the pure textbook-example of the essence of what a PEBBLE TOOL CHOPPER is. Its simplicity in form seems rudimentary at first until you begin to understand how it would have been fashioned from the ultra-tough quartzite cobble it was made from. First, the tool was made on a nearly spherical cobble stone. Expert striking skill resulted in a PERFECT V-shaped wedge chopping end. Evidence of striking use can be seen with multiple-strike facets removed from the faces of the cutting end leaving a serrated appearance. There is even a flake removed from the proximal end where your fingers fit into it for a firmer grip. The spherical proximal end fits perfectly in the palm and would have been the most ideal shape for absorbing and spreading striking shock across the user's hand with ease. Of all the pebble choppers we have offered, this one is one of the best. It's not the largest but its form and type as well as the skillful execution of its prehistoric human manufacture make it a perfect specimen to demonstrate what an OLDOWAN PEBBLE CHOPPING TOOL should look like. If you made a cast of this piece and gave it to every history student to hold, immediately the understanding of this technology would be realized by experiencing such a simply yet, ideally executed form. This is not some nomad-collected, chipped and damaged piece like you see many other African artifacts are. This specimen has no damage and the patina is amazing - truly perfect Saharan wind erosion across the entire surface. If you wish to exhibit the finest possible example of an African Lower Paleolithic chopper, this is it! It has an original curved pebble outer surface on the proximal end. 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!!! THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE FINEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLES OF THIS TYPOLOGY - A TRUE MUSEUM SPECIMEN 2.85" long X 2.25" thick x 2.75 high SOLD PB071 Actual Item - One Only |
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