I was just writing the auction description for this Archaic period axe and decided to toss up a few pics as it is such a great example of an axe that was used to the point of exhaustion.  As axe bits got dull or dinged from use, the ancient user would reshape/resharpen the bit, just like we do on our modern axes. Each time they would do this, the axe would become shorter. after many repeated resharpenings, the body of the axe would become too short for continued use, thus reaching the point of exhaustion, at which time it would be discarded.  The axe pictured here measures 3″ long. When it was first made, it was probably between 5 or 6 inches.  That’s my little relic tidbit for this morning.  Have a great day all!

Jim Bennett