Hohokam Prehistoric 3/4 Grooved Stone Axe
The Hohokam were prehistoric Native Americans who lived and farmed around the Gila and Salt River, or Phoenix Basin area, and southern Arizona, between 300BC - 1400AD. During the 15Th century, the Hohokam culture disintegrated. This artifact comes from that culture, and is made of a hard, dense, green/gray basalt; it is a classic, 3/4 grooved design, and very, very old. Most of the Hohokam axes were much larger than this one, and some have been re-sharpened down to a short size like the one we are offering. We believe the largest ones were most likely used as hoes for planting, and when they were re-sharpened, they still retained their huge aft portions from the original tooling of the stone. This one has a very small, original aft section, and shows no signs of being re-sharpened and consequently shortened. This could be more of a true axe, for protection in nature. The wear and mineralization on the axe-head is consistent with its age and use. As you can see in the photos, there are some chips on the axe tip. This is a wonderful ancient artifact that displays well, and as a collector, I personally like the used items, as they are so genuine. Old stone pieces were usually utilized as tools and or weapons, and the lithics industry rarely takes this into account. I have seen many a collector turn up his nose if the tip is broken on an arrow head ~~ I get suspicious if they have no damage... these are different ways of looking at the same artifacts. Dimensions: 5-3/4" long, 3" wide, 2" thick. This axe is from the Estate of an old Tucson businessman, collector and amateur archaeologist, Mr. E. L.Thomas. Mr. Thomas was meticulous in detailing and documenting all of his finds; most of the pieces from this important collection were acquired & documented between 1950 - 1962, and this item is from Arizona.
The axe head has also been authenticated by Mr. Fred Gumbart, owner/appraiser of Arizona Galleries (520-322-6388). He specializes (by appointment only) in consultations and official, licensed, and accredited appraising of Fine Period Antiques, Fine Art, Ethnographic Art, Pre-Columbian Art and the Asian Arts. Fred is a lifelong collector of artifacts, and has the most astounding memory of anyone I have personally known.
You may view this item or any of our other antiquities, fine art or artifacts at our gallery, by appointment only.
We are Antiquities, Plus...
David Fredericks
2752 North Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone 520-991-2153
Refunds will be made only upon receipt by us (within 14 days of buyer's receipt of the item), of a written verification from a major University Department Head, or Major Museum Curator from a recognized institution in the appropriate field.
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