Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1104)   « Less

Through the regions of Margianaand Bactrialocalstonecarversexperiencednoshortage in material; the main raw material was soft steatite or a dark soapstone, but also various  More »

Through the regions of Margianaand Bactrialocalstonecarversexperiencednoshortage in material; the main raw material was soft steatite or a dark soapstone, but also various kinds of marble and white-veined alabaster. The main source for thesestones,including semi-precious lapis-lazuli, was in Bactria, at Badakhshan in north-western Afghanistan, which provided material not only for the Bactrian and Margian carvers but also farther to the west into Mesopotamia, for the Assyriankings.White-veinedalabasterwasindeed used for varied vessels, including small vases with disproportionately long stems and low capacity, such as the one here illustrated. ,p> For a comparable Bactrian example see, V. Sarianidi, Margus, Turkmenistan, 2002: p.136. - (LO.1008).Bactrian Alabaster Goblet -LO.1008Origin:Turkmenistan Circa:2000BCto1500BCDimensions:9"(22.9cm) high Collection: Central Asia Style: Bactrio-Margiana Medium: Alabaster   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.125" (5.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.125" (5.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1105)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1106)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 2.375" (6.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1107)   « Less

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit of the ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember  More »

The bold, abstract geometry that decorates this charming vessel seems to convey the lively spirit of the ancient people through whose hands it passed so long ago. We remember that these were individuals who laughed and sang, talked, argued and loved. In appearance they were similar to us, though their vision of the world was vastly different. This pot--which perhaps held ritual oil or wine--links us directly to that ancient world. Our hands rest where other hands did in Biblical times; the energy, the bond, is there to be felt. - (P.0452)   « Less

Terracotta figurines such as these ones have been unearthed also at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, suggesting a commonality of style and purpose throughout the Indus Valley during  More »

Terracotta figurines such as these ones have been unearthed also at Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, suggesting a commonality of style and purpose throughout the Indus Valley during the mature Harappan period (ca. 2600-2450 BCE). Like many figurines datable to this period, the front and back legs are joined together. In one excavated examplefrom Chanudaroaholewaspokedinthebelly,indicatingthatitwouldhavebeenattachedoastickoruseasapuppetorasmallstandardofthekindcarriedintheprocessionsdepicted .Inothers,theholewasindeedplaceonthebackoftheanimal,thussuggesting an alternative function, perhaps linkedtomusic.Painted Earthenware Zebu Bull-LO.1025 Origin: Central Asia Circa: 2600 BC to 1900 BCDimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 7.25" (18.4cm) wide Collection: Indus Valley Style: Mature Harappan Medium: Earthenware   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.625" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.625" (6.7cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1108)   « Less

With double holes looking like wide round eyes and a plump, tapering body, this delightful little vessel resembles an owl. What might it originally have contained to evoke  More »

With double holes looking like wide round eyes and a plump, tapering body, this delightful little vessel resembles an owl. What might it originally have contained to evoke the presence of a night bird? A stimulant to keep one alert? A potion to help conquer insomnia? After all these centuries, the little bird keeps that information secret; only however, its considerable charm is very much in evidence. - (P.0453)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 6000 BC to 4000 BC Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Neolithic Medium: Flint The creation of tools utilizing the natural environment is what distinguishes man from animal. What was once created using stone and wood has, over the centuries, evolved into metalworking and modern-day plastics. But it is the simplest tools, those carved from stone, which allowed mankind to conquer the natural environment and to prosper. Holding this flint axe head in our hand, although it appears rough and crude, we are holding the nascent breath of the great civilization of Egypt. From such axe heads would eventually rise the pyramids. Tools allowed mankind to altar the natural settings and to create his own habitats. An axe head like this one, when tied securely to a wooden shaft, could be used to chop wood or to carve meat from a fallen prey. This axe head represents the innate human drive to altar the environment, to innovate, and to create something stronger and more durable. It is in these earliest tools that we are able to witness the birth of civilization. From such tools, mankind learned to carve stones and rocks into new shapes and forms that suited the needs of the people, slowly evolving from primitive axe heads into pyramids and temples. - (N.1109)   « Less