A stone axe is primarily made by shaping a suitable rock into an axe head, typically through two main methods: flaking (knapping) or pecking and grinding. The choice of method depends on the type of stone and the desired axe head's characteristics.
The Art of Stone Axe Making
Creating a functional stone axe is an ancient craft, involving careful selection of materials and skilled manipulation. The process transforms a raw stone into a tool capable of cutting, chopping, and clearing.
Method 1: Flaking (Knapping)
This method, often used for flaked stone axes or handaxes, involves striking a stone to remove controlled flakes, gradually shaping the core into the desired form.
- Material Selection:
- Flint, chert, obsidian, or quartzite are preferred due to their conchoidal fracturing properties, meaning they break with predictable, sharp edges.
- The Process:
- Core Selection: Choose a suitable stone core with good internal structure.
- Percussion: Use a hammerstone (a harder, round stone) or an antler billet to strike the core at specific angles. This removes flakes, gradually reducing and shaping the core.
- Pressure Flaking: For finer shaping and sharpening of the edge, a pressure flaker (e.g., an antler tine or bone) can be used to press off small flakes.
- Characteristics: Flaked axes typically have a jagged, sharp edge and can be made relatively quickly compared to polished axes. They are excellent for chopping softer materials.
- Example: Ancient handaxes from the Paleolithic era were often created using this method.
Method 2: Pecking and Grinding (Polished Stone Axes)
This technique produces polished stone axes, known for their durability, smoother finish, and exceptionally sharp edges. It's particularly common for tools from the Neolithic period onwards.
- Material Selection:
- Tough, dense stones like basalt, dolerite, granite, or sturdy river rock are ideal. These stones might not flake well but are very durable.
- The Process:
- Pecking: Begin by slowly pecking away at the river rock with a hammering rock to achieve the rough shape of the axe head. A durable stone, such as a quartzite rock, makes an ideal hammering rock. This process involves chipping at the river rock very slowly, or "pecking," with another rock until the basic form is achieved.
- Grinding: Once the desired shape is roughed out, the axe head is ground against a larger, stationary grinding stone (often sandstone) using water and abrasive sand. This step removes the pecked marks, smooths the surface, and refines the edge.
- Polishing: Further polishing with finer abrasives gives the axe head a smooth, sometimes glossy finish, which reduces friction and increases penetration during use.
- Characteristics: Polished axes are stronger, less brittle, and maintain a sharp edge longer. They are excellent for heavy-duty tasks like felling trees or woodworking.
- Example: Many Neolithic axe heads found around the world are polished stone axes.
Hafting the Axe Head
Once the stone axe head is shaped and refined, the final step is to attach it to a handle, a process known as hafting.
- Methods of Hafting:
- Socketing: A hole might be drilled into the stone head, or the handle shaped to fit into a socket in the stone.
- Lashing: More commonly, the stone head is secured to a wooden handle using strong cordage made from materials like animal sinew, rawhide, plant fibers, or sap. This often involves shaping a groove around the axe head for the lashing to sit securely.
- Cleft Hafting: The handle (e.g., a sturdy branch) is split at one end, the axe head inserted, and then lashed tightly to hold it in place.
- Handle Material: Typically, a sturdy piece of wood is selected, often naturally curved for better leverage and ergonomics.
Comparison of Axe Making Methods
| Feature | Flaking (Knapping) | Pecking and Grinding (Polished) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material | Flint, chert, obsidian, quartzite | Basalt, dolerite, granite, tough river rock |
| Shaping Method | Controlled removal of flakes by striking | Slow pecking with a harder stone, followed by abrasive grinding |
| Edge Quality | Jagged, very sharp, but can be brittle | Smooth, extremely sharp, durable |
| Surface Finish | Rough, faceted | Smooth, often polished |
| Time to Make | Relatively quicker | More labor-intensive and time-consuming |
| Typical Era | Paleolithic (early stone tools) | Neolithic (new stone age, agriculture) |
Stone axes were indispensable tools for early humans, essential for hunting, building, agriculture, and defense. Their creation showcases remarkable ingenuity and skill in manipulating natural materials.
