Inventory #:

542

Type:

Art

Material:

Slate

Period:

Neolithic of Capsian Tradition 5500-2000 B.C.

Provenance:

North African Sahara Desert

Measurements:

7.7 cm x 3 cm x 1 cm

Design strongly resembles female idol objects of other Neolithic Cultures in Eastern Europe, for instance. See specimens 132, 118, 119.

Evidence for human manufacture exist by the presence of grinding marks on the side not exposed to wind erosion (see second to last photograph above) and on the sides of the pointed end, as well as some flat ground areas of these sides. Last photograph shows other side which reveals stone layers and extended exposure. On lesser eroded sde, there are grinding marks on the scalloped out cross-wise regions that run at a 90 degree axis contrary to the natural grain of the stone. The edges of the object in this region are curved. The edges of the lower half of the object where it terminates to a point show are very flat and true surfaces with sharp, slightly beveled edges to the faces as a polished axe would possess. This lower pointed portion has very obvious multiple flat faceted areas on the edge that are consistent with stone forming by grinding and polishing such as grinding a flat surface and repositioning the object thereby creating another crisp and flat ground facet. These seemingly ground facet marks lack any consistency to the natural formation of this stone's physical structure. Converging end on bottom comes to an extremely sharp and crisp blade-like point.

Color, patina and SUPERFICIAL wind erosion is identical to ENTIRE surface but if this is a naturally formed object ruling out partial long-term burial to protect certain areas for crisper preservation then all edges would be worn equally. Some edges are well rounded and others are very crisp and are not equally distributed like the patina, color and wind polish is.