Name: Basalt Adze
Origin: Hawaiian Islands
Artist: unknown
Description:The physical technology of ancient Hawaii was based on stone tools, such as this large adze. Special craftsmen would locate large outcroppings of very dense crystallized basalt, sometimes called "blue stone." The cutting end of the adze was highly polished and the rough end was fitted to a handle. One source says that kukui nut oil was used in some way to soften the stone for carving. |
