Axe Head (Adze)

Stone tools were hardy. The early peoples used them to crack and pound nuts, cut trees and carve wooden objects. Their axe heads, grinding and pounding tools have been found in many parts of South America and the Caribbean proving that the objects themselves, or the technical knowledge of how they were made, travelled widely. We even have evidence of tools made 6000 years ago, well before the major Ceramic Periods.

Not all islands had rocks that were suitable for making axe heads so the people traded for stone (especially valuable greenstones) with other islands. Trade in axe heads also extended to the South American mainland. They made different shapes and types of axe heads. Some were hand-held and used for cutting things; others had notches for wedging into wooden handles. Those marked with motifs (images) had ritual, cultural meanings.

This axe head was made before the 15th century.