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This early axe was used as a fighting war axe among the eastern Iroquois tribes.
Among the Iroquois culture, the large size axes were used by the women of the tribes to set up shelters, butcher game, and do the domestic chores. The smaller size axes were lighter and more suited to deliver a fast deadly blow on raids. Native Americans believed in life after death and the men were buried with their tomahawks, war axes, knives, etc., believing it would all be of use in the next life.
This early style grave axe is 7” long and features a forged lap eye seam, teardrop eye, and approx 3”cutting edge. It has white inventory markings indicating New York State 1700s though the provenance is unknown.
Excavated, showing pitting and dark patina. A rare example of a fighting axe from our nation’s Native American history.
