An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c24.s2.15

v1.c24.s2.15

There are three such pieces, one each in the Lucknow Museum, Haripada Museum and Patna Museum. These were apparently intended for use as battle-axes, the shaft being split at the end and the narrow neck of the axe-head firmly bound in the cleft. The largest axe measures 101 cm in length and 40 cm in breadth and might have been intended for ceremonial or sacrificial use. The other two measure 25·5 × 21·5 cm and 26·7 × 18 cm respectively. They are made by casting or hammering out a roughly oval disc of metal, sharpening the edges and then cutting out two more or less circular pieces to form the neck. Two such examples have been found at HALLUR, in the Neolithic-Chalcolithic [4.6.9, 14.14.8] level. Its butt end is sharp and rounded in shape as the primary working edge. The butt portion is shorter and narrower than the primary end. [For BHAGRAPIR specimens see 6.2.]