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TUBUAI ARTIFACT Adze fragment - unclassified 452-318-UN-1f This interesting adze fragment was brought to the surface by the recent deep ploughing of Parcelle AHOAPOFATU (452-318). It is a well patinated uniform dull gray colour, and although once well ground and polished now no longer displays a light reflecting shine. The ground surfaces are smooth to the touch and have not proceeded to the chalk like touch of heavily patinated surfaces. The artifact is nearly rectangular without significant back to front width differences, the front being the side which appears better ground while the sides may be also well ground and the back showing more scars and being ground somewhat less. There is no sign of pecking, chip scars are of the deep scoop variety and show clean edges. Although the grinding has been intensive many scars remain partially due to the deep nature of the particular chipping technique which has been employed. This technique which produces deep curvilinear scar craters (scooped or spoon shaped) is noticeable in many of the early well to heavily patinated tools, these are often finished by heavy grinding and are noticeably unpecked. A number of these almost square sectioned early adze fragments have be found at this site and at the TEADA/HANATAL Site, most being small to medium in size and beyond classification as not one complete specimen is known nor are parallel artifacts seemingly found elsewhere. Some Marquesan and or Hawaiian artifacts may be of this type however it is rather premature at this point to speculate as to the origin of such an incomplete form. Their greater significance is that of being a certainly early artifact and wherever found may be a sign of early settlement deposits. |
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