Acheulean Biface, Flint, N. Africa, Lower-Paleolithic Era

Let's refresh on a few items in order to appreciate this wonderful piece of stone. 

- The Acheulean industries lasted from 1.5 million years ago to 200,000 years ago, during which the presence of a good stone tool was a determining factor in the distribution of early humans. They later learned to bring stones with them, thus freeing them to travel farther. 

- Humans began to migrate out of Africa and into Eurasia, as the climate shifted from wet to very dry, about 70,000 years ago.

- The Acheulean hand-ax, such as this bi-face, is extremely significant in providing evidence of early humans and their development. 

So what we have here, thanks to a wonderful collector and historian, is an Acheulean bi-face hand-ax from the lower-paleolithic era, used by early Homo-erectus in a variety of ways from skinning animals to carving wood. This example is very well made, with several sharp angles on both faces. The stone is made from quartzite. The evolution of such tools suggests that not only were they valued for their function and innovation, but they are also evidence of the human interest in form and beauty. 7 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch.