- IJ
90: Ancient & Unusual Adzes
A group of adzes, rarely seen, have emerged as worthy of revealing, (at least by us). You will not find them in the collection lists of the museum of Auckland, at least not by identifiable makers or photos. Yet these adzes were sketched from the collections there in 1931.
These group of adzes are ancient in design, most likely that of those here before Maori improved in design and quality, what they saw already here when they arrived. All are various types of stone (not more recent use of pounamu - hint there!). Two have raised ribs - something not seen on any Maori adze. Nor is a spiral usual on an adze and this particular adze is made of schist! No Maori ever carved adzes from schist as it wasn't strong enough for warfare.
Another thing to note is that they are all from the South Island, a land largely ignored by Polynesian Maori until about 1600. They'll be early Waitaha in origin (those there before Kati Mamoe arrived in 1600 who themselves were invaded by Kai Tahu around 1700).
Only one is wood has a figurehead upon it in the same fashion as the Waitotara amulet This mallet was possibly for tattooing or ceremonial use but has an unusual form on it's head. Next to it is the Waitotara amulet already proved as non-Maori.
Take it as you will, but with the possible exception of the last item, these patu are definitely not Maori, not Polynesian immigrant and therefore must belong to those already here when the Polynesians arrived.
