Ancient primitive stone implement from South America, Surinam region, ca. 900 - 1500 A.D. Originally, the country was spelled Surinam by English settlers who founded the first colony at Marshall's Creek along the Suriname River, and was formerly known as Nederlands Guyana, Netherlands Guiana or Dutch Guiana. Suriname's earliest inhabitants were the Surinen Indians, after whom the country is named. This early example is hand-crafted from "Devil's Toenail" Stone. While not a large number of these primitive tools exist today, most specimens were found in rivers, river banks or creeks. A simple petaloid axe like this one would have been inserted in a shaft, protruding from the back side of the handle. Stone axes were the most important tool in aboriginal Guianan and Amazonian society for wood-working, especially for farmers that used slash-and-burn agricultural techniques. Stone axes might have been used as weapons, but certainly that was not a general use of them. 6"L x 2-7/8"W x 1"D, intact/excellent condition. Category:Surinam Region Material:Stone Dimensions:6"L x 2-7/8"W x 1"D Condition:Intact

Antiquities
Ancient South America