Description

Stone wedge showing lots of wear, particularly at the pointed edge. [CAK 29/05/2009]

Longer Description

Stone wedge showing lots of wear, particularly at the pointed edge. The tool is shaped to a point on end end. At the other end, one side has been worked to produce four grooves, presumably to allow the tool to be gripped in the hand. The stone has grey and brown grains in it. [CAK 29/05/2009]

Primary Documentation

Accession Book Entry - C. HARRISON, Esq. Specimens collected from the HAIDA of QUEEN CHARLOTTE ID., B.C. - Long stone adze-blade, with narrow cutting edge & 4 notches for hafting-thongs

No additional information on catalogue cards. [JC 5 9 1996]

Written on object - HAIDA adze, QU. CHARLOTTE ID. Pres. by C. Harrison, 1924. [CAK 29/05/2009]

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This tool as viewed alongside other stone tools on Monday Sept 14, 2009. Delegates did not necessarily accept the description of this tool as an adze. Christian White proposed that it is a wedge used to remove planks from cedar logs. Wedges, it was noted, however are usually made from wood. Other delegates thought this might used as a pick-axe. See also the entry for 1924.33.2.
In response to the collection of stone tools, delegates commented that the manufacture of stone tools occurred on Haida Gwaii and that it is possible to identify places where tools were made today based on archaeological analysis of detritus at the sites. They noted that there are a variety of stone types on Haida Gwaii and most of the tools found on Haida Gwaii were produced locally. There are sources of obsidian, for instance, although basalt is more common. [CAK 17/05/2010]