Archaeological Museum of Bologna

During the Neolithic, axes as well as other raw materials such as flint and obsidian were traded and exchanged, even over long distances, bearing witness to the close relations established among prehistoric European communities.

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Because of its large size and highly polished finish, this axe must have been a very prestigious object. Various types of “green” stone were used to make this kind of artefact. The stones were gathered from the beds of rivers and streams, and were then tooled; polishing or grinding produced the edge and made it possible to sharpen it during use.

Polished stone axes are closely connected with the spread of Neolithic cultures, as the earliest farmers used them to clear forests in order to obtain timber for huts and, above all, to create open spaces where they could plant fields and raise livestock.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: Neolithic (5700–3500 BC)
Material: Jade (Na-pyroxenite)
Dimensions: Lunghezza cm 14,5
Inventory #: 445