The T-shaped “axe” from Northeast Honduras: Observations on chronology and function of a pre Columbian stone tool

IF 1.1 0 ARCHAEOLOGY
P. Healy, D. Savage
{"title":"The T-shaped “axe” from Northeast Honduras: Observations on chronology and function of a pre Columbian stone tool","authors":"P. Healy, D. Savage","doi":"10.2218/jls.5771","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"This paper provides a description and analysis of a distinctive type of pre-Columbian stone tool, usually termed a T-shaped axe, found almost exclusively in Northeast Honduras, Central America. There have been very few detailed or technical studies of lithics from Honduras. Early archaeological research and the current understanding of the regional prehistory are included, with Northeast Honduras viewed as a frontier zone located between the Mesoamerican and Isthmo-Columbian culture areas. Our study examines, in particular, a collection of these tools curated today at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (CUMAA). The 39 (whole and fragmentary) specimens were collected between 1937 and 1939, from the Bay Islands, Northeast Honduras, but have never been published. This paper classifies the collection specimens into five varieties, based on morphology, with sample statistics, form dimensions, and illustrations provided for each. Manufacturing technology is primarily percussion flaking. The tool type is compared with similar specimens excavated and described from the Bay Islands and adjacent Honduran mainland, and with similar appearing implements from elsewhere in Central America. Insights about the possible age and function of these unusual, and distinctive, lithics are included. Based on preliminary macroscopic and microscopic analyses, it is concluded that the tools may have been employed as agricultural implements (hoes or spades), primarily for digging activities, rather than as axes or weapons used for cutting and slicing. It is most likely that these implements first appeared about 800 CE, and continued in use until at least 1400 CE. The tool type is most probably a local (not imported) product. More functional analysis is encouraged.","PeriodicalId":44072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Lithic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2021-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Lithic Studies","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.5771","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"0","JCRName":"ARCHAEOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper provides a description and analysis of a distinctive type of pre-Columbian stone tool, usually termed a T-shaped axe, found almost exclusively in Northeast Honduras, Central America. There have been very few detailed or technical studies of lithics from Honduras. Early archaeological research and the current understanding of the regional prehistory are included, with Northeast Honduras viewed as a frontier zone located between the Mesoamerican and Isthmo-Columbian culture areas. Our study examines, in particular, a collection of these tools curated today at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (CUMAA). The 39 (whole and fragmentary) specimens were collected between 1937 and 1939, from the Bay Islands, Northeast Honduras, but have never been published. This paper classifies the collection specimens into five varieties, based on morphology, with sample statistics, form dimensions, and illustrations provided for each. Manufacturing technology is primarily percussion flaking. The tool type is compared with similar specimens excavated and described from the Bay Islands and adjacent Honduran mainland, and with similar appearing implements from elsewhere in Central America. Insights about the possible age and function of these unusual, and distinctive, lithics are included. Based on preliminary macroscopic and microscopic analyses, it is concluded that the tools may have been employed as agricultural implements (hoes or spades), primarily for digging activities, rather than as axes or weapons used for cutting and slicing. It is most likely that these implements first appeared about 800 CE, and continued in use until at least 1400 CE. The tool type is most probably a local (not imported) product. More functional analysis is encouraged.
洪都拉斯东北部的T形“斧头”:前哥伦布石器的年代和功能观察
本文描述和分析了一种独特的前哥伦布时代石器,通常被称为T形斧,几乎只在中美洲洪都拉斯东北部发现。很少有关于洪都拉斯锂的详细或技术研究。早期的考古研究和目前对该地区史前史的理解包括在内,洪都拉斯东北部被视为中美洲和哥伦比亚地峡文化区之间的边界地带。我们的研究特别考察了今天在剑桥大学考古与人类学博物馆(CUMAA)策划的这些工具的收藏。这39个(完整和碎片)标本是在1937年至1939年间从洪都拉斯东北部的海湾群岛收集的,但从未出版。本文根据形态学、样本统计、形态维度和插图,将采集的标本分为五个品种。制造技术主要是冲击剥落。该工具类型与从海湾群岛和邻近洪都拉斯大陆挖掘和描述的类似标本以及中美洲其他地方出现的类似工具进行了比较。关于这些不寻常的、独特的锂石可能的年龄和功能的见解也包括在内。根据初步的宏观和微观分析,可以得出结论,这些工具可能被用作农具(锄头或铁锹),主要用于挖掘活动,而不是用作切割和切片的斧头或武器。最有可能的是,这些工具最早出现在公元前800年左右,并一直使用到公元前1400年。工具类型很可能是本地(而非导入)产品。鼓励进行更多的功能分析。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
自引率
10.00%
发文量
6
审稿时长
8 weeks
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信