Hi members,I picked up the smaller stone a while ago (and posted it one the forum) The larger stone I bought recently for about $4 (sold as a doorstopper) I know these stones can be weaving weights,fishnet weights and digging stick stone weights. So is this larger stone again a San people digging stick weight? I ask because the stone seems much darker in colour than the San people ones normally seen (well I think) I wonder what type or rock it is? Maybe a digging stick weight from a different country? Or something else? It weighs about 2kg and stands about 9,5cm tall and 12cm wide. Thanks for any replies
Not sure what the average size of a digging stone was. But it seems the sizes/weight were varied. I would think different types rock was also used. But it’s not something like this right? https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pri...naqada-iii-basalt-mace-head-c-4-000-3-500-bc/
Every time I see or handle one of these holed stones I am awed by the realization of how much effort, an' time, is represented by that smooth, almost polished, absence-of- stone through it...a void that speaks so eloquently of much hard skilled work involved in its production. Whether chiseled or abraded, given the tools an' techniques available to the crafter, long periods of constant, repetitive effort were required...an' when at long last the work was done, there was just the one! How many net weights were necessary for those in the village who fished to feed their family, their neighbors an' their Gods? It blows me clean away to think about!
The workmanship of these fascinating items never ceases to amaze me. A piece from my own collection is this cute little acheulean gouge. Only some 4 1/2" long and 2" wide (11.5cm X 5cm), the working surfaces of this item are smooth beyond belief. Even in my workshop today I would have trouble getting it this smooth! Up here in the frozen north we have a lot of history from the Stone Age and flint and stone tools and weapons are quite common, especially in Denmark, where my collection came from. However, I did some time ago dig up a flint spear head in a friends garden, which is now in a museum here.
That’s very cool. I agree the skill level is amazing. Also nice that spear head is now in a museum for everyone to see and appreciate. Thank you for the reply and for sharing.
