AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR
CANADIAN DOLLAR
EURO
POUND STERLING
US DOLLAR
Product Description
No artifact could be more important or impressive than the first stone tool of primitive humans. This particular tool is a classic PEBBLE CHOPPER AXE manufactured in the Oldowan tradition. It dates back to the VERY FIRST humans of Europe! This magnificent pebble tool was fashioned by Homo erectus over half a million years ago, made from a flint pebble. It was found where a primitive settlement of these early humans once lived, near the eastern English Coast by the Thames River in England. The site's age has been determined through stratigraphic studies.
We acquired this English Oldowan pebble axe with a lifetime collection from the same site, mostly made up of pebble scrapers. There were a few pebble choppers but all were much smaller than this specimen. This was THE LARGEST of the entire original collector's collection! This tool and the other scrapers we are offering, are the only Oldowan pebble tools from England we have ever had the opportunity to acquire for sale. They are ALL rare but this specific pebble axe is ESPECIALLY rare and should not be missed by advanced collectors of the finest pieces!
This large pebble chopper axe was made on a naturally flat, large pebble cobble of flint. The grip and flaking were oriented to utilize a naturally rough spot for a thumb grip - ingenious! Opposing strikes on the same edge created an initial split of the cobble and then a sharpening of a chisel chopping edge. The patina and colors of the flint are GORGEOUS and really make this not only an incredibly rare Lower Paleolithic British artifact, but one of immeasurable beauty, as well! Much of the original pebble outer cortex remains, providing a naturally ergonomic grip on the tool. A heavy colorful patina and intact mineral deposits deep in flaked micro-crevices, provide proof of the age and authenticity and are features not seen in modern forgeries. Workmanship is excellent affording a well-thought out design and functional grip when held.
WARNING: There are a host of these "tools" for sale on Ebay and many online sellers' websites providing less information and understanding of Lower Paleolithic specimens. Many of these sources offer nothing more than damaged ancient river cobbles caused by environmental action (glacial disturbance, frost damage, etc.) or modern made fakes. Every broken cobblestone found is NOT a human-created Paleolithic tool! The determination of what is man-made and what is an ordinary broken river rock requires a very high level of understanding Paleolithic tool manufacture and technique as well as the experience to be able to differentiate the two and authenticate a genuine stone tool from this culture. Know your source and only deal with well-informed sellers who can help you understand the difference.
