Full Grooved Ax   Save
James McBride Collection
Description: This very large ground stone ax has a wide, deep groove near the poll end that extends all the way around. The groove functioned to attach the ax head to a handle. The groove is also bordered by ridges, which are slightly flattened at the bottom. The poll end is a flat, elongated oval shape. The blade tapers slightly to a wide cutting edge and a large spall (piece) is missing from one face of the blade. The missing portion, likely the result of use, starts at the cutting edge and extends almost to the groove. The ax is made of igneous rock that is light olive brown and gray in color. This piece is from the Archaic Period. The Archaic cultures in Ohio existed from about 6,000 B.C. to 1,000 B.C. Their economy was based primarily on hunting and gathering, but they did experiment with cultivating squash. Most Ohio sites are seasonal camps, created as the Indians moved due to the weather and the availability of food sources. Archaic peoples hunted smaller game than their Paleoindian predecessors, who pursued mastodons and giant beavers. The Archaic people hunted deer, elk, bear, rabbit, quail, and wild turkey. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: A3728_000221_1
Subjects: Prehistoric peoples; Axes, Prehistoric;
Places: James McBride Collection