THE VOLGU LAUREL-
LEAF POINTS (CASTS)
SOLUTREAN PERIOD
LE VOLGU
EASTERN FRANCE
UPPER PALEOLITHIC PERIOD
COPYRIGHT DECEMBER 31, 2007 PETER A. BOSTROM
CASTS ARE FROM LITHIC CASTING LAB'S PRIVATE COLLECTION OF CASTS
RETURN TO PAGE 2

    These two Solutrean Laurel-Leaf points were discovered in 1874, along with twelve other similar points, by workmen engaged in digging a small canal. They were found approximately one meter (39.4 inches) below the surface. George MacCurdy wrote in 1924 "The points lay horizontally, not flat but on one edge, and pressed together as if to avoid breakage through pressure from above." The Volgu cache or hoard was found at Le Volgu in the Department (County) of Saonet-et Loire in eastern France. The Volgu cache points are the most skillfully crafted stone tools that were produced during the Solutrean period. MacCurdy further wrote "They varied in length from 232 to 350 mm (9.1 to 13.8 inches), in breadth from 50 to 88 mm (2 to 3.4 inches), and in thickness from 6 to 9 mm (.2 to .4 inches)." The largest example measures 13 3/4 inches (35 cm) long and is slightly more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick.
    Francois Bordes wrote that "The majority of these specimens (Volgu cache) were chipped by direct percussion; but for the finer ones, indirect percussion or pressure has been used." Jacques Bordaz wrote that "The obvious fragility of some of the specimens (Volgu cache) suggest rather a ritual use, or perhaps they were simply examples of some knapper's bravura."

 RECENT LISTINGS  HOME  ORDERING