Accession No
1978.172.3-4
Description
Two painted 'Azilian' pebbles, possibly fake. Both marked in dark red, with a thin outer line and dots and stripes respectively.
Place
Europe; France; Mas d'Azil
Period
Palaeolithic
Source
Fyffe, J. (Mrs) [donor]; Burkitt, M. C. [collector]; Edouard Piette [excavator]
Department
Arch
Reference Numbers
1978.172.3-4
Cultural Affliation
Material
Bone
Local Term
Measurements
Events
Context (Amendments / updates)
The pebbles were inspected by Claude Couraud (16/06/1980) and he considered that these two could be fake. See catalogue card note for further details.
Event Date 16/6/1980
Author: Chloe Pearce
Context (CMS Context)
Original catalogue card says "One of the pebbles marked 'Mas d' Azil (Ariege) (R. Gauche) 1888. Harpoon with bone collection (?Mas d' Azil). From a small collection of various specimens from various sites - Miles Burkitt's last treasures', kept by Mrs. Peggy Burkitt as personal mementos. Given to the Museum by their daughter Mrs. J. Fyffe July 1978." Collected by: Burkitt.M.C
Event Date 13/8/1991
Author: maa
Description (CMS Description)
4 painted 'Azilian' pebbles and 1 'Azilian' bone harpoon
Event Date 13/8/1991
Author: maa
Context (CMS Context)
Handwritten note dated 16/6/80 on catalogue card reads: '2 of the painted pebbles seem fakes. Two pebbles [see drawings on card] seem modern - the stones are not "old", that on the right is thick & limestone (genuine Mas d'Azil pebbles are normally flat and schist). Paint was usually applied by finger, whereas on these two it was done with a piece of hematite. The colour of the right example is wrong and its paint enters a fracture on the back - genuine pebbles were chosen for their shape and & intact when painted. Examined by M. Claude Couraus, 16/6/80.'
Event Date 6/8/2013
Author: Peter Rooley
Description (Physical description)
Four painted 'Azilian' pebbles. Each marked with different dark red patterns, including edge lines, stripes, and dots.
Event Date 17/2/2025
Author: Chloe Pearce
Description (Physical description)
Two painted 'Azilian' pebbles, possibly fake. Both marked in dark red, with a thin outer line and dots and stripes respectively.
Event Date 17/2/2025
Author: Chloe Pearce
Context (Amendments / updates)
Edouard Piette added as excavator as he was excavating the Mas d'Azil around 1888 and wrote about the painted pebbles.
Event Date 17/2/2025
Author: Chloe Pearce
FM:324816
Images (Click to view full size):