| 1 ground edge flake | location unknown |  |
| 2 hatchet heads | Central Australia & Queensland |  |
| 1 hafted hatchet | QLD |  |
| 1 hafted axe | Arnhem Land NT |  |
| 5 axeheads | Queensland |  |
| 1 hatchet head | Joanna River NT |  |
The ground edge tools are more recognisable as tools by most people who do not know what to look for. This may be because of the distinct alterations made on the stone by the previous owner in the past. There are 6 different types of ground edge tools in the collection, all of which were probably made using the same techniques using either an axe grinder or grinding on the nearest outcrop of rocks. Many ground edge tools are made from waterworn pebbles (like the hatchet head from Joanna River) or hard, volcanic rock which was then shaped by a variety of techniques like - flaking, pecking, polishing and grinding. Any of these techniques would provide a strong, sharp cutting edge.
The 2 hatchet heads from the collection
note - the cutting edge
The 6 ground edge tools in the collection all vary in size and some are hafted onto a wooden handle. The hafted axe below was collected on the surface of a camp site in Arnhem Land, later a modern wooden handle was produced and attached at Milingimbi in 1965.
The hafted axe from the collection
When hafted, a strip of vine, bark or soft wood was bent around the axe head, sealing the joint with gum. The handle is then bound onto axe-head in several places, this technique of hafting varied throughout Australia. Some of the ground edge tools, like the 2 hatchet heads are 'waisted' or 'grooved' making it easier to be hafted. The hafted axe, like most of the ground edge tools, served many different purposes, mainly to do with wood working, but often they were used for hunting and as ceremonial objects. The axe heads were not always hafted, some where made especially to be hand-held, and acted as objects like wedges, and cutting tools (some of the 5 axeheads in the collection probably served this purpose.
"Aborigines climbing a tree by cutting steps in the trunk"
(with hafted axe)
Joseph Lycett, c.1820.(Parbury, 1988: p37)
Any ground edge tool or any hafted stone tool, more than likely has been hafted with a modern day handle, often painted or decorated in some way. Wood does not preserve well in Australias harsh climate, unless placed in extremely unusual conditions.
Because ground edge tools can vary in size and shape, they are a very versatile tool. They can be used for a great number of functions as mentioned earlier. They fit into almost every daily activity, and when the cutting edge begins to get blunt they can be easily re-sharpend. They can also be relatively easy to transport if necessary, as they can vary greatly in size, shape and weight.
