Two Keokuk Axes from Illinois (extract)
Mike Wayland, San Jose, Illinois
Originally published in the Central States Archaeological Journal, Vol.57, No.2, pg.68

Hunting has always been good in our area. Many years ago my father-in-law, Justus Roberts, was an avid surface hunter. He hunted two or three sites in southern Henderson County, Illinois. Two of his favorite finds were the two undamaged and fine Keokuk axes shown in Figures 1 through 4.

The near axe in the photograph is made from a yellow and black speckled bannerstone type hardstone. It appears to be a wirey granite materiĀ­al. The axe has been resharpened. It will stand up on its pole end, which is kind of unusual because of its narrow slab style. It is slightly ridged and has two flutes. Interestingly, there are two studs, or feet, opposite the handle side. Weighing one pound four ounces and measuring five inches in length, it was found close to Lomax, Illinois. It has no farm implement damage.
The far axe is made from a black and yellow speckled hardstone and has a full polish. It has one flute on the handle side. It measures just over five inches in length and weighs two pounds.

Southern Henderson County, Illinois, is the apex of the Keokuk type axe territory. It must have been thrilling for my father-in-law to find these.  He passed away in 1969.
Used by Permission of the publisher
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