Middle Stone Age Flake Scraper - Barberton, South Africa
Brand : Jensan Scientifics LLC
- SKU:
- JPT-81406
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Usually ships in 24 hours.
- Weight:
- 1.00 LBS
- Minimum Purchase:
- 1 unit
- Maximum Purchase:
- 1 unit
- Shipping:
- Calculated at Checkout
Middle Stone Age flake scraper from the Barberton region of South Africa
This scientist-collected Middle Stone Age flake scraper preserves the form and surface character of a hand-held lithic tool from the Barberton region of South Africa. The artifact shows a dark gray to black chert surface crossed by pale mineral veining, reddish-brown weathering on the reverse, and irregular margins consistent with scraping or cutting done by ancient man.
For collectors, educators, and institutions, this is a tangible example of early stone-tool technology from one of South Africa's most geologically diverse regions.
Middle Stone Age Flake Scraper Geological and Archaeological Context
The Middle Stone Age in Africa represents a long and important period of human technological development, marked by more refined stone-tool production and increasingly specialized tool forms. Flake tools such as this scraper were made from struck stone and used as practical hand-held implements for working, scraping, trimming, or cutting natural materials.
This artifact is especially appealing because it combines archaeological significance with strong visual character. The dark chert surface, pale veining, reddish-brown reverse weathering, and naturally aged margins give this piece fascinating character.
The specimen is from the Barberton region of South Africa, an area internationally recognized for its deep geological history. Its archaeological context adds another layer of interest, connecting ancient human tool use with a region already valued for some of Earth's oldest preserved rocks and landscapes.
| Object Type | Middle Stone Age flake scraper |
| Material | Black chert with pale mineral veining and reddish-brown reverse weathering |
| Specimen Details | 60 mm L x 39 mm W x 12 mm D Weight: 39.8 grams |
| Locality | Barberton, South Africa |
| Collection History | Scientist-sourced material from an old scientific collection, circa 1980s; legally collected |
| Scientific and Educational Significance | A hand-held ancient lithic tool, useful for teaching Stone Age technology, prehistoric culture, and the practical uses of stone implements |
| Included With Purchase | Certificate of Authenticity, Specimen tag, Tag stand, Information about the specimen |
| Display Note | Plexiglass riser and sizing cube shown in photographs are not included |
| Shipping | Shipping calculated at checkout |
| U.S. Shipping | Free Priority Shipping within the USA |
Images professionally photographed under controlled studio lighting using Zeiss optics and a pro-grade Canon camera.
This Middle Stone Age flake scraper is suitable for a private archaeology collection, classroom demonstration, museum-style display, or historical science gift.
Questions Commonly Asked About This Middle Stone Age Flake Scraper
Why call this a flake scraper?
A flake scraper is a stone tool made from a struck flake, with one or more margins suitable for scraping, trimming, or cutting. The term describes the form and likely functional category without forcing the object into a narrower label such as arrowhead, knife, or point.
Why is the Barberton region significant?
The Barberton region is internationally known for its ancient geological landscapes. An archaeological object from this region adds interpretive value by connecting human material culture with one of southern Africa's most scientifically significant terrains.
This Middle Stone Age flake scraper offers a direct, object-based connection to early human technology: a compact hand tool of dark chert, scientist-sourced from South Africa, with the aged surface character and edges that make lithic artifacts so interesting to study and display.
