Sago adze with wooden handle [.1], wooden cross piece for hafting [.2] and cylindrical stone blade [.3] [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 18/4/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: Sago adze with wooden handle [.1], wooden cross piece for hafting [.2] and cylindrical stone blade [.3] [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 18/4/2005]
Geographical reference: Indonesia
Asia > South-eastern Asia > Indonesia; West Papua Teluk Jos Sudarso (Humboldt Bay)
Person: Field collector Henry Nottidge Moseley; Field collector HMS Challenger; PRM source Amabel Nevill Sollas
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1876
Date collected: 1872 - 1876
Acquisition information: Donated: 1915
Materials and processes: Material Sago Palm Fibre Plant, Material Stone, Material Plant Fibre, Process Bound
Dimensions: Length: max 86 mm, Length: max 610 mm, Length: max 405 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1915.25.34.1 Accession number: 1915.25.34.2 Accession number: 1915.25.34.3
Research and responses: Please note that the publication referred to in the Accession Book Entry should be 'Notes by a Naturalist' by H.N. Moseley and that this object is pictured on page 384 [L.Ph 18/4/2005]
Information from Notes by a Naturalist - "A curious stone implement, similarly mounted to the chopper [1915.25.31], was common in most of the Humboldt Bay canoes. It seems to be a kind of hammer. The stone head is cylindrical in form, tapering to fit the socket at one end, and hollowed slightly on the striking face. The exact use of the implement is uncertain. The awkwardness of its method of mounting is at once felt on trying to drive a nail with it." (383)

Search terms: Tool, Weapon, Adze

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