Accession Number

Cultural Group

Material

Process

Region

Field Collector

Acquired

PRM Source

Dimension

Keyword

Class

Description

Stone tool, probably an adze or wedge. [CAK 11/05/2010]

Longer Description

Stone tool, probably an adze or wedge. The tool is rounded at one end, with two grooves on one side near the rounded end. The opposite end is sharpened to a thick blade. There is evidence of wear on the blade, visible as a change in the colour of the stone. [CAK 11/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession book entry (for 1891.49.89 -.91): 'From Rev. Ch. Harrison, 80 Halton Rd, Canonbury Sq. N. Collection of Haida objects collected by him.... - [One of] 2 stone adzes & fragment of third. £45. [Purchase price includes 1891.49.1-110]

No additional information on catalogue cards. [JC 4 9 1996]

Written on object - HAIDA QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS Purchased 1891 C. Harrison colln [CAK 29/05/2009]

Written on object - [in pencil] Hahadlu (Tlahadlu?) [CAK 29/05/2009]

Written on object - [in pencil] 4 [KJ 05/06/2009]

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 was viewed alongside other stone tools on Monday Sept 14, 2009. Delegates were uncertain what term best describes this tool: adze, pick axe or wedge. Ruth Gladstone Davies said that wedges made from stone were used to split wood in the past, including during her grandfather's time. Other delegates thought wedges were usually made from wood. Another delegate suggested the shape of the tool lent itself to downward strokes. It was noted that the end and edges are still sharp. Written on the object in pencil is 'Kahadhu' or 'Hahadhu', which translates as 'digging out' in Haida. The presence of this word suggested to some that the tool was used in the early processes of carving a canoe, like a gouge. Christian White thought this tool was like an axe, used for the roughing out of canoes in the forest. He suggested that this tool could be used for shaping the ends of a canoe by splitting the wood away. To strengthen this stone it could be heated (but not too much) and plunged into oil. This could account for the fact it looks burnt. It would be lashed to a ‘T' shaped handle, glued on with pitch and then lashed. He provided additional information on the building of canoes: The inside of the canoe would be hollowed out by the use of a controlled fire. Red hot stones would be used to create the fire. The wood would be protected from the fire with clay. Solid sections would be left across the canoe. Cedar has a straight grain, which can be readily worked when not dried out. Canoes were sometimes carved miles from water. The solid parts were left in place so that it was not too flexible whilst it was being transported. Over the winter, the canoe was placed underwater in a salt-marsh. It would be saturated with salt water ready for its final shaping in spring using mussel shell adzes. The solid blocks, previously left in position, would then be removed. The canoe was then placed on gravel and fires were built around it. Cedar branches would be placed in the base and it would be filled partially with water. Hot stones would be placed in the canoe. The water would then boil. It would be covered to hold the steam in until the canoe became flexible and the sides would be stretched to the final shape. The rocks may need to be changed several times.
Cara Krmpotich note: Although delegates were uncertain about the designation of adze, and provided pick axe or axe as an alternative, adze has been maintained here because of its technical definition regarding the orientation of the blade: the blade of an adze (or a pick axe) strikes the surface horizontally, rather than vertically.
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 11/05/2010]

The word written in pencil on the side of the object may be Haida. Charles Newcombe recorded "hlatlo" as the word for a stone adze he collected from Massett, and a metal adze collected from Massett was recorded as "hota" (Royal BC Archives, Newcombe Family Papers MS-1077, Volume 42, File 2, "Collections sent to Liverpool in 1898"). [CAK 29/05/2009] Newcombe's recording of 'hlatlo' is very near to the word provided by Haida delegates for stone axe: hlga tl'uu. [CAK 28/05/2010]