Difference between revisions of "Groundstone Tools"
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| − | <p>Archaic people ground and polished hard stones such as granite into a variety of durable tools. | + | | caption = Large ground stone axe has a wide, deep groove near the poll end that extends from the flat base around the sides and top, which functioned to attach the axe head to a handle. The base is flat. Opposite end tapers to a thin, wide cutting edge. The surface of the igneous rock is very dark gray and light olive gray and is very highly polished. Item was found in Hamilton County, Ohio. |
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| + | <p>By archaeologist's distinctions, Ohio's so-called "Archaic people" ground and polished hard stones such as granite into a variety of durable tools. Cobbles of granite, gabbro, diorite, gneiss, porphyry, and slate could be found in glacial outwash along most Ohio streams and rivers.</p> | ||
| + | <p> When making a tool, the stoneworker first chose a cobble of the right size and weight. He or she then shaped the tool by striking the cobble many times with a hammerstone. Finally, the tool was smoothed using objects with rough surfaces, much as a carpenter uses sandpaper. With this method the toolmaker was able to make a polished axe, adz, or chisel for woodworking, a pestle for grinding nuts, or an ornament to wear.</p> | ||
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| + | <p>The axe pictured here is especially large and fine. It is more than six inches long.</p> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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Latest revision as of 14:03, 20 November 2015
 Large ground stone axe has a wide, deep groove near the poll end that extends from the flat base around the sides and top, which functioned to attach the axe head to a handle. The base is flat. Opposite end tapers to a thin, wide cutting edge. The surface of the igneous rock is very dark gray and light olive gray and is very highly polished. Item was found in Hamilton County, Ohio. |
By archaeologist's distinctions, Ohio's so-called "Archaic people" ground and polished hard stones such as granite into a variety of durable tools. Cobbles of granite, gabbro, diorite, gneiss, porphyry, and slate could be found in glacial outwash along most Ohio streams and rivers.
When making a tool, the stoneworker first chose a cobble of the right size and weight. He or she then shaped the tool by striking the cobble many times with a hammerstone. Finally, the tool was smoothed using objects with rough surfaces, much as a carpenter uses sandpaper. With this method the toolmaker was able to make a polished axe, adz, or chisel for woodworking, a pestle for grinding nuts, or an ornament to wear.
The axe pictured here is especially large and fine. It is more than six inches long.