This wonderful Early Neolithic flint ( silex ) artifact is a
"Thin Butted Ax Axe Type I".
Belonging to the middle part of Early Funnel Beaker Culture I the TRB, also called Dolmen Period (Megalith Tomb) 4000-3400 bc).
Agriculture and animal husbandry were introduced in Denmark c. 4000 BC. Wheat and barley were grown and oxen, sheep, goats and pigs domesticated. Large parts of the land were cultivated during the oldest peasant culture, 4000-2800 BC, and the earliest farmers were energetic builders. They constructed large assembly areas surrounded by moats and palisades like the one found near Sarup on Funen. They also built the oldest stone burial monuments, the dolmens and the passage graves, many thousands of which have been preserved in Denmark. Flint mines were opened and a whole new industry emerged which specialised in the production of elegant, polished flint axes. Large numbers of offerings have been found, including clay pots, flint tools and amber ornaments, and there is evidence of human and animal sacrifices. The first metal was brought into the country from Central Europe in the shape of simple ornaments and flat axe heads made of copper.
Thin-butted flint axes, possesing gently convex sides and edges, and often only slightly curved blade and edges sloping evenly to a broad thin butt; the cross-section of the primary type is therefore a gently rounded rectangle, though some examples possess so narrow edges that the cross-section becomes a pointed oval. This axe is the characteristic work-axe of the Early Neolithic period and a very large number of speciems is known from settlements, dolmens, earth graves and votive deposits over the whole country. They are normally 10-20 cms. long, though the largest measure up to 46 cms. Many speciems are considerably shorter than their original length as a result of use and resharpening; This is especially true of settlements finds, while the long and completely undamaged specimens, often found in groups of a number together, come from votive deposits. The axes are completely polished on both sides and both edges, only slight traces of the flaking remaining. The butt end, however, is often unpolished and even in some cases bears traces of cortex. A heavier type with poorer polishing on the edges belongs to the beginning of the middle neolithic period. Similar types are found over a large area of Western Europe, whence the two-sided type is derived, and in Northern Germany. This type is undoubtedly based upon axes of metal, though their derivation is seen most clearly in the related stone axes. Once the shape was transposed to flint the demands of efficiency in use caused a rapid evolution into the characteristic nordic type.
Type I-axes are the first kind of thin-butted-axes, slender (butt-end < 40-50 mms) with a small-side angle of 4-12°.
With the first Neolithic axes like this, it was possible to cut down an oak tree with a diameter of 45 cms (17.72 inches) within one hour, it took 12 hours for one Stoneage worker to cut down 500 square meters of oak forest.
This was one of the most decisive event in the history,
from hunter and gatherer to farmer.
Provenance is an old collection.
More informations will follow the artifact.
I guarantee absolutely for the authenticity
of this Stone Age working ax.
Please view also my other auctions with
relics from the European Prehistory.