The stone age in North America, vol. 1 of 2Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
History
The stone age in North America, vol. 1 of 2
Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
Indians of North America -- Antiquities; Stone age -- North America
FIG. 283. (S. 1–1.) Phillips Academy collection. Two small objects in
celt-axe class and a beautiful double-edged axe from a ruin near
Phoenix, Arizona.
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“A small number of axes have both ornamented blades and polls. In some
specimens the poll only is ornamented. The method of its ornamentation
may consist of a number of grooves radiating from the crown downwards
toward the handle groove, as seen in no. 4, Fig. 276, or of a spiral
groove, or a circle, or number of concentric circles, as are shown in
the other types illustrated. There are other styles of treatment.
“The finest examples of the fluted stone axes are undoubtedly those of
the long-bitted form (see Figs. 277, 281). One of these has eighteen
longitudinal grooves cut into the two faces and front of its blade. In
their style and finish these graceful, slender axes are unsurpassed. A
small number of fluted celts and fluted grooved hammers have also been
found. Several of these are in the State Museum.
“We now have record of the recovery of about two hundred and fifty
fluted stone axes and other implements in Wisconsin, a considerable
increase since 1901 when the existence of only slightly over one hundred
was known. Almost all come from the southern half of the state and the
greater number from eastern Wisconsin. None are known to have been
secured from mounds or graves.
“Fine series of these axes are now to be seen in the collections of the
Logan Museum, at Beloit, in the Milwaukee Public Museum, and in the
State Historical Museum at Madison. Several private collectors also
possess fine examples. There are a few specimens from Wisconsin in
Eastern museums.
“Outside the State of Wisconsin only a few fluted implements have been
found. Mr. Harlan I. Smith has described a fluted celt from the Saginaw
Valley in Michigan, and Dr. David Boyle another from Ontario. We should
expect to find a few stray examples in the adjoining states of Illinois,
Iowa, and Minnesota, but none have yet been reported.
“The significance of the fluted ornamentation of these axes is unknown.”
CONCLUSIONS AS TO CELTS, ADZES, GOUGES AND AXES
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