West Africa, Mali, Mousterian Period, ca. 120,000 to 40,000 years old. A handsome chert biface, a stone tool made by Homo neanderthalensis to use as a hand axe. The tool has a nice manageable size and shape that neatly fits in the palm of a hand - unlike their much larger predecessors of the Sahara during the Acheulian period. Note the flaking and indentations polished and smooth with use and age. This is an exceptional example with a clear form, made from a beautiful piece of chert in hues reddish-mauve and beige. Size: 4.6" L x 2.4" W (11.7 cm x 6.1 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection acquired February 2023 via Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA; ex-private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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Item # 201971

  • Condition: Flaking / old losses to periphery of one face. No repair or restoration. Great coloration! Old inventory label on one face.

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by Artemis Fine Arts
June 25, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Artemis Fine Arts

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