LOWER PALEOLITHIC (ACHEULEAN) EARLY MAN HAND AXE.  The term Paleolithic was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865.  It derives from the Greek palaios (old) and lithos (stone), meaning Old Stone Age, compared to the later Neo-lithic or New Stone Age. The Paleolithic Era is divided into 3 ages, the Upper (10,000 to 50,000 BP), Middle (30,000 to 300,000 BP), and Lower (up to 2 million years ago).  It is in the Lower Paleolithic that we find the Acheulean Tradition, which covers a time span of from 100,000 to over 1 million years before our present time.  

Surviving artifacts of this period are known as paleoliths and were manufactured by early hominids, from Homo habilis and Homo erectus to early Neanderthal, all predecessors of our species, Homo sapiens. To hold one of these very ancient artifacts in your hand, to know that it was made hundreds of thousands of years ago by a primitive human species to aid in daily survival, is truly a humbling experience and a direct connection to our far distant past. No one knows exactly how many of these incredible artifacts actually exist or will ever be discovered, but one thing is certain... they are wonderful collectible artifacts while they are available!

This piece is 6.25" long, 4" wide, a little over 1.5" thick and weighs almost 2 pounds. It is in very good condition with a deep, rich patina, traces of desert sands, and a very interesting chopping blade bit, not unlike our hatchet blades today. This is truly a meaningful piece of the history of mankind and a great prehistoric collectible artifact. I offer 1-day shipping as a matter of course, and often ship the same day payment is received. I figure once you've paid for it, you own it, and might as well have it as soon as possible. As with all of my artifacts, it is Guaranteed authentic for life! 

MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: If you are not satisfied with this item for any reason, return it undamaged within 60 days for a full refund of purchase price. 

SALES TAX: Colorado residents will be charged 8.9% sales tax. Other states that require sales tax paid for mail order purchases will be charged the applicable tax for that state.

*The field of Sahara Neolithic Artifacts was expanded by the advent of GPS technology available to meteorite hunters in the Sahara Desert. Thousands of years ago North Africa was a temperate environment similar to our own Great Plains. Countless generations of Stone-Age Man lived, hunted, fought and died there, leaving behind their weapons and tools. Today North Africa consists largely of the Sahara Desert, an inhospitable area almost the size of the United States. Constantly shifting sands and the ability to now safely travel off established trade routes have expanded this fascinating field of study by making these artifacts available to scholars and collectors around the world.