Shaft-Hole Axe Head

The shaft hole of this axe head has flared lips at the top and bottom, although one end is flat and the other forms a diagonal (1). There is a raised seam along the exterior back of the shaft. Inside the shaft hole are two circular-sectioned rods, which cross each other at right angles to form an X-shape inside the shaft hole when viewed from above (the rods do not make contact with each other). There are no marks on the outside showing that the rods are separate components affixed to the shaft hole, so they must be part of the casting. The blade emerges from the front of the shaft hole with slight curves on the top and bottom. The blade tapers and flattens as it approaches the convex edge. The blade is not sharp, and there are no signs of use. NOTES: 1. Compare R. Dussaud, “Haches a douille de type asiatique,” Syria 11.3 (1930): 245-71, esp. 247, figs. 3-4; and R. Maxwell-Hyslop, “Western Asiatic Shaft-Hole Axes,” Iraq 11.1 (1949): 90-129, esp. 92-93, pl. 34.5-8. Lisa M. Anderson