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TUBUAI ARTIFACTS Adze fragment, Type 2Ac, 453-332-2Ac-1f. This adze fragment (illustrated on the opposite page) is from a very rare rectangular cross sectioned adze, one or two early 1A adzes demonstrate similar cross sections such as adze 1A-7 (in the 170 Cat. page 14) however the fragment opposite is not as well formed and shows some pecking on the posterior surface. Being almost unique there may be no point in placing too much emphasis on this example however the shape is very ancient and all fragments of this sort deserve careful attention. In this specimen we see a rather dark grey colour which perhaps rather deceptively, does not appear overly patinated, the polished areas still show a light reflecting shine. This adze was roughly chipped into shape then heavily ground on the front and sides so as to remove most scars, however the back which is roughly formed has been hardly ground at all and the rough edges rounded off by pecking. The bevel was thoroughly ground and is only slightly concave transversely. The adze was then well polished, which in this very fined grained heavy stone has much protected the surfaces against patination. Some calcium deposits are evident and the age of this specimen may be considerable despite its dark colour. If it were not for the pecking this adze form resembles some of the early quadrangular adzes of Hawaii. It was recovered from the western end of Parcelle 332 TIIRUA where there are also a number of important structures (see page 42 this Volume). This area in general is artifact rich, with many artifacts from all periods, now however the majority of this Site has been sacrificed for Potato farming and little remains in an undisturbed state. Perhaps the last sacred ground will be found under the limited area that is occupied by the remains of the structure TIIRUA *1. Complete systematic excavation of this Marae should be considered a high priority, not only considering the possibility that something may be found in association with the Marae but in the hope that some vestige of an earlier period may have been sealed in by the later construction. Furtherly, it may still be possible to discover some undisturbed deposits along the all the un-farmed boundaries. Here as at TEADA, where the deposits are significantly richer than almost any other part of the Island, undisturbed deposits, however limited must be fully exploited. |
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