Jadeite axeheads first appear in mid-6th millennium BCE, travel across Europe

Jadeite axeheads first appear in mid-6th millennium BCE, travel across Europe. Jadeite axeheads first appeared around the middle of the 6th millennium BCE (5,300-5,500 BC) The beautiful green stone was sourced almost exclusively from high in the Italian Alps, primarily from Monte Viso and Montebua (Montebua) They traveled astonishing distances, turning up in Britain, Scandinavia, Atlantic coast, Balkans, and as far as the Black Sea coast

The first jadeite axeheads appeared around 5,300-5,500 BC, sourced almost exclusively from Monte Viso and Montebua in the Italian Alps. These stunning green stone artifacts then traveled astonishing distances—appearing as far as Britain, Scandinavia, Atlantic coast, the Balkans, and Black Sea. Production continued until roughly 3,500 BC, with the Beug type being the earliest form, either axe heads or adze heads.

Key Facts

• Jadeite axeheads first appeared around the middle of the 6th millennium BCE (5,300-5,500 BC)
• The beautiful green stone was sourced almost exclusively from high in the Italian Alps, primarily from Monte Viso and Montebua (Montebua)
• They traveled astonishing distances, turning up in Britain, Scandinavia, Atlantic coast, Balkans, and as far as the Black Sea coast
• Production continued until about 3,500 BC
• The first type was the Beug type, which were long and could function as either axe heads or adze heads
• A cutoff point of 13.5 cm arbitrarily distinguished large ceremonial axeheads from everyday work-a-day ones

Source: THE MAGICAL ALPINE AXEHEADS of Neolithic Europe | Interview with Dr. Alison Sheridan by The Prehistory Guys