An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s2.8

v1.c11.s2.8

Compared to axes, the evidence of adzes is scanty and not very dependable. It appears that axes described as ‘long and narrow’ might have served the purpose of adzes as well in the Harappa culture [4.9]. The Chalcolithic cultures [4.14], however, have not yielded any specimen. Specimens made of iron sheets have been discovered from the Megalithic tombs of KHAPA, TAKALGHAT, GANGAPUR and KOTIA. They are double concave with a convex section of the body and a rectangular section and compressed mid-portion. In all probability these were used for cutting leather. Some specimens of iron of the early historical period have been reported from RAIRH, HASTINĀPURA, VAIŚĀLĪ and NEVASA. The NEVASA specimen has a flat side with a tang fixed at an angle to the wooden handle, the like of which *mutatis mutandis* continued even in the later ages.