Northwestern Africa, Sahara Desert, Caspian culture, Neolithic period, ca. 6500 to 4500 BCE. This is a superb stone mill and rubbing stone used by Neolithic people to grind grain. Such a large and intact artefact is a rarity; this is an essential addition for any Neolithic collection! The large basin is solid quartzite and shows desert exposure with expected wear and patina, as well as mineralized sediments still attached. The rubbing stone or pestle is a rectangular, handheld tool, which is nearly perfect and complete. The basin has a substantial thickness with pecked shaping and grinding along the edges. The underside is also nicely pecked and ground with extensive mineral deposits from extreme age. Stone mills and mortars symbolized the transition from Paleolithic nomadic hunters to settled Neolithic farmers, preparing food from domesticated crops using heavy tools that would be impractical to transport with their previous nomadic existence. Size of basin: 19" L x 10" W (48.3 cm x 25.4 cm); pestle: 6" L x 3" W (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)

This Neolithic of Caspian tradition artifact was found on an exposed African Neolithic site in the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa. It was made and used by African Neolithic humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) between 8,500 and 6,500 years ago. These mills large size have made them easy to spot by later and modern-day nomads who roam the Sahara. Because of this, the Northern Sahara Neolithic mills are rarity! Over the last 10 years, complete and authentic examples like this piece have become extremely scarce. All traits are present that mark the extreme age of this mill and pestle.

Provenance: ex-private French collection acquired in 2007

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#166814

Complete with no repairs or restoration. Intact with scattered mineral deposits.