Lot 229, Auction 3/19/2026: Archaic Northern Woodlands Stone Grooved Axe Head

$455.00

In stock

Native American, Northern Woodlands, Archaic period, ca. 3000 to 1000 BCE. A substantial grooved stone axe head from the Archaic cultures of the Northern Woodlands, expertly shaped from dense gray-green stone and finished through laborious pecking and grinding. The form is robust and symmetrical, with a broad, rounded blade end and a slightly narrowed waist encircled by a shallow groove designed for secure hafting to a wooden handle. The surface bears the granular texture characteristic of ground stone tools, with gentle smoothing along the working edge and subtle variations in tone across the stone. Such axes were essential implements in Archaic lifeways, used for woodworking, tree felling, and construction, reflecting the increasing technological sophistication of early North American communities adapting to forested environments. Size: 5″ L x 1″ W x 2.4″ H (12.7 cm x 2.5 cm x 6.1 cm)

Both functional and durable, grooved axes like this represent an important stage in the development of North American ground stone technology and stand as enduring examples of the ingenuity of Archaic toolmakers.

Condition: Softening to blade edge and chip to corner of shaft groove. Otherwise, very nice with smooth surfaces. Old collection label on one side.

Provenance: private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection; Mukwonago, Wisconsin, USA dealer, August 1976

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.

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