Pre-Columbian, Belize, New River (Rio Nuevo), Maya, Late Classic Period, ca. 550 to 900 CE. An impressive hand-knapped chert stone dagger with a lengthy blade and prominent midrib on one face, while the other side is nearly perfectly flat. The chert is a lovely smokey gray with beige inclusions, and the planar underside displays the natural veining beautifully. This type of knife was likely ceremonial rather than utilitarian, the have been found at several archaeological sites throughout southern Mesoamerica and the Caribbean in funerary or ritualistic deposits. Size: 7.6" L x 2" W (19.3 cm x 5.1 cm) Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #173684