E0457: Inuit- Adze

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0457

Classification Category:

4:Tools & Equipment for Materials ➞ Woodworking T&E

Marks/Labels:

Tag that says "Northwestern Alaska Fair Association" on the top. Open lines are filled in with pencil.

Materials:

animal ➔ bone
animal ➔ hide/skin ➔ rawhide
stone/minerals

Dimensions:

29 cm L
10.5 cm W
6.5 cm H

Use/Function:

"The Eskimos used adzes to cut up food, and they made special ones, for digging roots. The commonest form, an elbow as on a hoe, was varied by setting the blade at all degrees of angles. These angles became so acute as to create a U-shaped adze. Blades for the later adzes in all these areas were mostly metal, but numerous stone blades are found among which are examples of shell and elkhorn blades." - page 70, Indian and Eskimo Artifacts of North America.

Source Locality:

Point Hope, Alaska, USA

Acquisition Date:

1947

Description:

An Inuit adze with a bone handle and Jade blade. Used for chopping and shaping wood pieces.

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