Neolithic set of 7 Hand axe
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Saharan Neolithic set of seven artifacts comprising a long, oval sandstone whetstone, a woodworking adze fragment or Celt miniature, a granite handstone, a triangular herminette, a polisher, a black decorated pottery sherd, and a brown decorated pottery sherd, in good condition and authentic, acquired in 1976 from Mauritania from a private collection.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A set of five tools and two Saharan Neolithic pottery sherds. (around 8000 to 2500 BCE),
Including:
An elongated sandstone whetstone, typical of the Pastoral Neolithic (Bovidian) of Tassili/Acacus (southern Algeria), probably dating from 3000 to 1000 BCE. It is a direct witness to the transition between a verdant Sahara inhabited by pastoralist-farmers and the current desert.
The “Extended Oval” shape of Tassili/Acacus often has this elongated form (like a loaf or a shuttle), designed to be held with two hands or with a firm grip for a back-and-forth motion on a large flat slab (the resting whetstone).
In the southern Algerian region of this period, these objects were used both to grind wild seeds and to grind mineral pigments (hematite, ochre) used for the region’s rock paintings. (18x8x3.5 cm 684 g)
A splitting tool or a wood chisel
It was probably a finishing tool, used for wood carving, primitive cabinetmaking, or the production of fine objects (tool handles, bows, arrows).
It was likely fixed to a short haft or held directly in the hand for precision work.
Or a “Miniature Axe” or Prestige Object (6.5x4.3 cm 118 g)
A grinder / pestle (or handstone) of Saharan Neolithic times, made in medium-grained pink granite
This type of tool was mainly used for grinding and crushing:
- Grinding wild cereals (millet, sorghum) and seeds
- Preparation of pigments (ocres) for Saharan rock art
- Cracking minerals or medicinal substances
- Processing dried fruits and nuts
It was used in conjunction with a resting whetstone (large flat slab), in a back-and-forth or percussion motion (9x7x3.5 cm 369 g)
A splitting tool
This clear triangular piece, with an evident edge, is a fragment of a polished axe or splitting tool. The trapezoidal shape is typical of the Saharan Neolithic plano-convex-section axes. These tools were used for woodworking, shelter construction, or furniture making (8x5x1.5 cm 61 g)
A polisher or small whetstone used to sharpen or polish other tools ;
Or an object with symbolic/ornamental function, (4x2x1.5 cm 11 g)
A fragment of black decorated pottery
This dark shard bears a raised-impressed decoration (corded or corrugated). It belongs to the Sahelian/Saharan pottery tradition with “wavy line” decoration or decorated dotted wavy line, characteristic of the early Saharan Neolithic (VIth–Vth millennia BCE)
A fragment of brown decorated pottery
This shard features a decoration printed with horizontal parallel bands, typical of Northwestern and Central Saharan Neolithic ceramics
This type of decoration is associated with the Ténéréan and late Capsoid cultures, and attests to the importance of pottery in the storage and cooking of food
A set of five tools and two Saharan Neolithic pottery sherds. (around 8000 to 2500 BCE),
Including:
An elongated sandstone whetstone, typical of the Pastoral Neolithic (Bovidian) of Tassili/Acacus (southern Algeria), probably dating from 3000 to 1000 BCE. It is a direct witness to the transition between a verdant Sahara inhabited by pastoralist-farmers and the current desert.
The “Extended Oval” shape of Tassili/Acacus often has this elongated form (like a loaf or a shuttle), designed to be held with two hands or with a firm grip for a back-and-forth motion on a large flat slab (the resting whetstone).
In the southern Algerian region of this period, these objects were used both to grind wild seeds and to grind mineral pigments (hematite, ochre) used for the region’s rock paintings. (18x8x3.5 cm 684 g)
A splitting tool or a wood chisel
It was probably a finishing tool, used for wood carving, primitive cabinetmaking, or the production of fine objects (tool handles, bows, arrows).
It was likely fixed to a short haft or held directly in the hand for precision work.
Or a “Miniature Axe” or Prestige Object (6.5x4.3 cm 118 g)
A grinder / pestle (or handstone) of Saharan Neolithic times, made in medium-grained pink granite
This type of tool was mainly used for grinding and crushing:
- Grinding wild cereals (millet, sorghum) and seeds
- Preparation of pigments (ocres) for Saharan rock art
- Cracking minerals or medicinal substances
- Processing dried fruits and nuts
It was used in conjunction with a resting whetstone (large flat slab), in a back-and-forth or percussion motion (9x7x3.5 cm 369 g)
A splitting tool
This clear triangular piece, with an evident edge, is a fragment of a polished axe or splitting tool. The trapezoidal shape is typical of the Saharan Neolithic plano-convex-section axes. These tools were used for woodworking, shelter construction, or furniture making (8x5x1.5 cm 61 g)
A polisher or small whetstone used to sharpen or polish other tools ;
Or an object with symbolic/ornamental function, (4x2x1.5 cm 11 g)
A fragment of black decorated pottery
This dark shard bears a raised-impressed decoration (corded or corrugated). It belongs to the Sahelian/Saharan pottery tradition with “wavy line” decoration or decorated dotted wavy line, characteristic of the early Saharan Neolithic (VIth–Vth millennia BCE)
A fragment of brown decorated pottery
This shard features a decoration printed with horizontal parallel bands, typical of Northwestern and Central Saharan Neolithic ceramics
This type of decoration is associated with the Ténéréan and late Capsoid cultures, and attests to the importance of pottery in the storage and cooking of food
Details
Culture
Neolithic
Century/timeframe
Néolithique
Name of object
Hand axe
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
1976
Material
set of 7
Country acquired from
Mauritania
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Gallery / Antique dealer
Previous owner - year acquired
1950
Previous owner - country acquired from
Mauritania
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
