Stone Axes and Celts

Stone Axes and Celts

Artifacts

These ground stone axes and celts were found at a site in Henry County in the southern Piedmont. Ground stone tool production involved pecking and grinding the stone down to shape instead of chipping the stone away. Ground stone tools were often made from granite or greenstone metabasalt, and they were repaired by flaking. Once finished, the axe or celt would have been hafted to a wooden handle, which decomposed over time. The hard basalt made an excellent tool for cutting wood. Ground stone technology first appeared during the Late Archaic period, but continued in use through the Late Woodland period. (Photo enhanced)

Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, VA

500 B.C.E. - 1600 C.E.

.JPG, 615 × 483

Image

Henry County

Photograph

615 × 483