Five Pre-Columbian Neolithic Celts from Central Panama

Item PL21   

This Item was Sold on 24 April 2022 for $58


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This item is a set of 5 Pre-Columbian Neolithic stone tools (stone axes or celts) found in Central Panama. All of these celts are made from Basalt. The 4 largest celts were found on the South East shore of a large island in Gatun Lake near the south end of the Gatun Locks. The Zonians called this island Navy Island, but the official name is Guarapo Island. Before the Panama Canal was constructed, this island was a tall hill on the banks of the Chagres River. All of these artifacts are surface finds. As a teen living in the town of Gatun, I visited Navy Island often to fish and camp. The wave action from the ships leaving Gatun Locks would wash against the steep hillside and erode the red clay soil to expose lithic artifacts. I collected these between 1966 and 1968. All of the artifacts were collected in the American Canal Zone prior to when the territory was ceded back to Panama in 1999. The smallest celt was found on the shore of Madden Lake by George Chevalier. It is the smallest celt I have ever seen. It is smaller than an arrow head. The approximate dimensions are as follows

Celt #1: Length = 52 mm ; Width = 37 mm ; Thickness = 12 mm ; Weight = 31 gm

Celt #2: Length = 44 mm ; Width = 30 mm ; Thickness = 16 mm ; Weight = 36 gm

Celt #3: Length = 39 mm ; Width = 29 mm ; Thickness = 11 mm ; Weight = 21 gm

Celt #4: Length = 41 mm ; Width = 27 mm ; Thickness = 10 mm ; Weight = 18 gm

Celt #5: Length = 25 mm ; Width = 19 mm ; Thickness = 4 mm ; Weight = 3 gm



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