About the decoration of the chalcolithic ornamental axe (double axe Zabitz type, Flonheim variant) from Dieblich, district Mayen- Koblenz - a contribution to the origins of counting

Abstract

In 2013, two matching halves of a rare ornamental axe of the Zabitz type, Flonheim variant, were found during systematic surface prospecting in the area of a prehistoric, probably Corded Ware settlement. The double axe is to be added to the five known old finds from the area of Vorderpfalz-Rheinhessen, whose area of distribution it extends to the Moselle estuary. Together with two undecorated Zabitz axes of the Cochem variant, a separate distribution area for Copper Age double axes on the Lower Moselle is indicated for the first time. The punched decoration of vertical chevron lines in the middle part of the axe and horizontal chevron lines on its blades fits into the scheme of the well-known old pieces. The conspicuous number of five chevron lines and multiples thereof (10, 20, 40) is found
repeatedly on the axes of the Flonheim variant and is possibly derived from a decimal number system or from the motif of the five fingers of a human hand.