A Wisdom Archive on Neolithic

At least since the late Neolithic, elaborate axes (battle-axes, T-axes, etc.) had a religious significance as well and probably indicated the exalted status of their owner. Certain types almost never show traces of wear; deposits of unhafted axe blades from the middle Neolithic (such as Somerset Levels in Great Britain) may have been gifts to the gods. In Minoan Crete, the double axe (labrys) had a special meaning. Double axes date back to the Neolithic as well. In 1998, a double axe, complete with an elaborately embellished haft, has been f ...

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Early stone tools like the hand axe were probably not hafted. The first true hafted axes are known from the Mesolithic period (ca. 6000 BC), where axes made from antler were used that continued to be utilized in the Neolithic in some areas. Chopping tools made from flint were hafted as adzes. Axes made from ground stone are known since the Neolithic. They were used to fell trees and for woodworking. Few wooden hafts have been found, but it seems that the axe was normally hafted by wedging. Birch-tar and raw-hide lashings were used to fix the ...

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BIRD GODDESS - Neolithic Goddess appearing with wings, a beak or a bird’s body. (NAD)

 
(See also: BIRD GODDESS, Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary )

Paleolithic A newly-coined term meaning in geology "ancient stone" age, as a contrast to the term neolithic, the "newer" or later stone age.

 
(See also: Paleolithic, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,  )

Stone Age According to current theories of human evolution, the comparatively recent time when man had found out how to make stone implements only, not having yet learnt the use of metals. Subdivided by scientific theorists into the Paleolithic and Neolithic (old and new stone ages).
 
Though people in all ages have used such implements and still do in some places -- which fact does not place us all today in the Stone Age -- it is evident that the use of stone implements by savage peoples in no wise tends to establish a theory of human evolution. Races branch out like the limbs of a tree, so that different people may be in various stages of their racial evolution at the same time; also a degenerating race may revert to the use of stone implements.

 
(See also: Stone Age, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul )

Until 3,000 years ago, all religions were pantheistic and polytheistic as Hinduism, Taoism and Shinto still are. They tolerated the religions of other tribes and cultures, recognising in their worship the same divine energies as their own, albeit with different names.
 
Why then did patriarchal, monotheistic religions arise in the Middle East 3,000 years ago, and spread in their Christian forms throughout Europe and then on to the European colonised overseas territories during the last 1,500 years? Why did these monotheistic religions fight so fiercely to eradicate nature worship in the lands they controlled? Why did Christianity promote a dualistic antagonism between the spirit and the flesh, with only the former conceived as being in the "image of God"?

 
(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Peace on Earth: Cosmic Balance and World Peace

Axe - Neolithic axes. W. Borkowski, Krzemionki mining complex (Warszawa 1995) P. Pétrequin, La hache de pierre: carrières vosgiennes et échanges de lames polies pendant le néolithique (5400 - 2100 av. J.-C.) (exposition musées d'Auxerre Musée d'Art et d'Histoire) (Paris, Ed. Errance, 1995). R. Bradley/M. Edmonds, Interpreting the axe trade: production and exchange in Neolithic Britain (1993). P. Pétrequin/A.M. Pétrequin, Écologie d'un outil: la hache de pierre en Irian Jaya (Indonésie). CNRS Éditions, Mongr. du Centre Rech. Arch. 12 (Paris 1993).

Read more here: » Axe: Encyclopedia II - Axe - Literature

Axe - Axes designed to cut or shape wood. Felling axe- Cuts across the grain of wood, as in the felling of trees. In single or double bit (the bit is the cutting edge of the head) forms and many different weights, shapes, handle types and cutting geometries to match the characteristics of the material being cut. Splitting Axe - Used to split with the grain of the wood. Splitting axe bits are more wedge shaped. Broad axe - Used with the grain of the wood in precision splitting. Broad axe bits are chisel shaped (one flat and one bevelled edge) faci ...

Read more here: » Axe: Encyclopedia II - Axe - Forms of Axes