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2019-12-17 10:30:49   •   ID: 2140

Late Neolithic Knob- Hammer axe (Knaufhammeraxt)

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3


Figure 1-3: This is Hammer Axe from a middle to late European Neolithic context. It is an intact item made of amphibolite.

European Neolithic Knob-Hammer Axes show a vertical and horizontal Symmetry. The body of the axes is usually straight. The neck is cylindrical with a fully formed, clearly separated round knob (Figure 3).

The example, shown here has almost no use wear and the cutting edge seems to be too blunt for a practical use.

Therefore this axe may be part of a Funeral / Ritual context or a Prestige object. As a single surface find it may come from a disturbed grave.

In Central and North Europe such „ Knaufhämmeräxte“ are hallmarks of the middle to late Neolithic and were usually detected within a Michelsberg , TBK and Mondsee context.

They appear during a time interval between 4,4 and 2,8 k.a. BC. Some isolated findings are also known from Eastern Europe, but their dating and context remains unclear.

Suggested Reading:

Ulrike Weller: Äxte und Beile. Erkennen – Bestimmen – Beschreiben Hrsg. von der Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen in Bayern, LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, Archäologisches Museum Hamburg, Landesamt für Archäologie Sachsen. 2014



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