Eccentric French hand-axe

A French paleolithic handaxe of orange, glossy patinated stone. 150,00 BC or before. Distinguishing this handaxe from thousands of others is its construction by its maker around a large hole in its center. Was this a utilitarian feature designed to hold the thumb and a forefinger when using it? Or was there some sort of magical/ ritual significance to this feature? Stone was plentiful. The maker of this hand-axe did not need to start with a stone with a hole at its heart.

Scholars debate regularly on the intelligence and capabilities of our homo erectus ancestors. This is the sort of piece which restarts the discussion on the aesthetic and refinement of our otherwise mute ancestors.

From a famous French collection of top end paleolithic material, extraordinarily rare.

length: 16.5 cm / 6 ½ in
width: 10 cm / 4 in
weight: 0.60 kg / 1 lb 6 oz

Price on Request

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