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The single largest artifact in My Uncle's Collection (late 1920's to early 1930's, northeastern Illinois) is this ax head. Slightly longer than 6" and weights 1# 13oz. Other ax head images that I have seen on the internet have a groove on one or both faces and this one only has the side grooves. Is this unusual? Is the method of attaching a handle by splitting the handle to either side and binding criss-cross around and over the handle and side grooves? In the details (I commented to my own post to include the 2nd photo) you can see the work that was done to form the blade end. The chipped end certainly isn't a recent break, but I was wondering if it was period, i.e., broken in use, or broken over many, many years of in-situ abuse until it was found. Age: Paleo, Archaic or early Woodland period? Thank you all for any comments.
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Last edited by Timberrock Ranch; 09-02-2019, 08:05 AM. -
Here are the detail photos.
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Bannerstone!
Professor Shellman
Tampa BayComment
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I was just about to say that! It looks like an unfinished bannerstone! Way better than an axe. (Although axes are sill cool.)Originally posted by tomclark View Post"The education of a man is never completed until he dies." Robert E. LeeComment
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I was told by an expert on this site....I think it was....that my artifact is a "notched, fully grooved axe." Previous owner said it was found in Ohio/Indiana.
Cayuga County, NY Finger Lakes RegionComment
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So, from some reading up on bannerstones, you are thinking that the two side notches would,if finished, been a hole clean through the stone then?Comment
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I am asking because I truly know very little about bannerstones: The piece is described as almost 2 pounds. I've messed a round some using an atlatl, and can't imagine swinging it right with that kind of weight on it. Did they really make them that big?Central VirginiaComment
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No expert here on axes, bannerstones or anything really, but looks unwieldy for a bannerstone imo, even in unfinished form. The wear on the bit almost looks like some adzes, spades or hoes. So my guess is notched hoe if there is such a thing in Illinois, that isn't highly developed. Just my guess. Calling Midwest hardstone experts lol!Last edited by Kyflintguy; 09-02-2019, 09:02 AM.Josh (Ky/Tn collector)Comment
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In my opinion, that is an axe, with a damaged bit. I can show you such examples from New England. Sometimes there are only notches on the side, with no grooves present on the faces. I'll post a photo in a bit. Just my opinion, of course....Rhode IslandComment
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Might be a weapon they carried around.South DakotaComment
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Note the description for full groove axes in the artifact guide of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society. It includes side notched axes. I can be mistaken, of course, but assumed the damage in the left side of the artifact is a broken bit...
And here is an example from Rhode Island, and from my personal collection...
Rhode IslandComment
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Thank you all for your interest and taking time to comment and add photos and references. As a newbie, I really appreciate that. Since the grooving, or lack thereof on the face has generated interest, here is a closeup side-view. You can see the side groove. There appears to be tapering, from the "bulge" left to right in the photo, but this inexperienced eye doesn't see any evidence of face grooves in the area of the side groove. Looking forward to more comments.
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Probably a club head like Gary suggested. A type of weapon Or finishing club for game kills that would be my guessNW Georgia,Comment
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