From the collection of the estate gardener P. S. Petersen (1882-1964)
Söbysögaard Manor on the Island of Funen and on South Zealand.
This wonderful Danish Neolithic flint ( silex ) artifact is a
"Thick Butted Chisel with almost square cross section".
Belonging to the latest part of the Younger Funnel Beaker Culture, the TRB,
also called Passage Grave Culture (3400-2800 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. Flint chisels are among the objects most frequently found in Passage Graves, and they also occur in large numbers on settlement sites.
They have not been found in early Neolithic burials.
Both completely polished speciems and speciems with only cutting edge
polishes occur in the same deposit.
Provenance is an old collection.
More details will follow the artifact.
I guarantee absolutely for the authenticity
of this European Stone Age flint chisel.
Please view also my other auctions with
relics from the European Prehistory.