This item is a very large Pre-Columbian Neolithic stone tool (stone ax or celt) found on the shore of Madden Lake in the former Panama Canal Zone. George Chevalier collected lithic tools and other artifacts from the Las Cruces Trail and along the shoreline of Madden Lake at the end of the dry season when the lake level was lowest. It was collected back in the late 1950s or early 1960s. This celt was made out of Basalt. It is unusual because it is very large (1 1/2 pounds!). George marked this celt on one side with his collection notes. This includes the initials "CZ" for Canal Zone and "ML" for Madden Lake.

I brought several of my celts to U.C. Berkeley in 1969 for identification. I was told that they are similar to artifacts in the U.C. Berkeley collection that were dated between 500 B.C. and 600 A.D.

These celts are in very nice condition with only minor chips as shown in the photos.

The approximate dimensions and weights are as follows: