Figure 202.
Rarotongan Adze, quadrangular in section Type I.

The butt (in this instance) is longer than the blade. It is shaped into a grip by working the anterior surface and the adjoining parts of the lateral surfaces. A distinct butt shoulder has been formed. The blade is convex longitudinally and transversely, and narrows towards the cutting edge. The posterior surface is much narrower than the anterior. It widens out towards the lower end and merges into the bevel surface there being no bevel shoulder. The bevel surface is convex longitudinally and distinctly concave transversely. See section through bevel surface, Fig. 202. The two lateral surfaces are convex transversely.

The general appearance reminds one of the triangular adze, Type I. The cross section of the blade, near the butt shoulder, shows that the bevel angle made by the lateral surfaces with the anterior surface is much the same as in the triangular form. But the stone was not thick enough to allow the lateral surfaces to meet as indicated by the dotted lines in the upper section, Fig. 202. The adze was page 234only 26mm. thick, instead of being over 30mm., as in the triangular adzes of similar width.

Here we have a further stage to that in Fig. 198. Not only has the posterior longitudinal edge been removed, but a considerable part of the apex of the triangle. Both adzes are 50mm. in width across the anterior surface near the butt shoulder. In the thicker adze, with a depth of 35mm., the two sides almost meet. For practical purposes it became triangular in section, in the thinner adze the lateral surfaces were shaped in the same manner for 26mm., but as they could go no further, the adze remained quadrangular.

This type may be regarded as being derived from the triangular form. Type I. The adze-maker used the same methods in shaping, but he finished with a narrow posterior surface instead of a mesial posterior longitudinal edge, because his material was not thick enough.

If the adze becomes thinner, the posterior surface becomes wider. The posterior surface may be further widened by making the angles of the lateral surfaces with the anterior surface greater. Then we approach more

Figure 203.
Aitutaki Adze, quadrangular in section, Second Type (in Auckland Museum).

page 235 nearly to the usual form of Maori adze that Skinner classified as Type I. One of the Aitutaki adzes seen by him was described by him as of this type.

The adze is characterised by four well-marked longitudinal edges, separating four surfaces. There is a distinct butt shoulder, formed by a transverse ridge across the anterior surface of the adze. The ridge distinguishes the butt from the blade. The distinction would otherwise be impossible, as all the surfaces of the butt are as equally ground and polished as those of the blade. The butt narrows towards the poll, and the longitudinal edges that define the posterior surface, though distinct, become more rounded off.

Figure 204.
Dimensions of Aitutaki Adze, quadrangular in section, second Type.

The blade increases slightly in width to about half-way down, and then narrows towards the cutting edge. It has both a longitudinal and transverse convexity. The bevel surface is markedly concave transversely, and merges into the posterior surface without a bevel shoulder. The posterior surface is much narrower than the anterior and it narrows towards the poll. The lateral surfaces are markedly convex transversely. The line of the cutting edge is concave posteriorly.

The adze is well made and well finished. It is marked by its thickness, being 44mm. immediately above and below the transverse ridge forming the butt shoulder. The ridge itself is 3mm. above the surface of the adze.

This adze has no affinity with the triangular form. There was more than sufficient material to develop the triangular form had it been desired. The cross section of a typical triangular adze of the same width across the anterior surface has been superimposed upon the cross section B in Fig. 204 and dotted in. The desire to keep the extra mass of material to add weight is thus rendered obvious. It makes the adze a distinct type, with a different principle of construction to the triangular adze. It fits in best with Skinner's⁴ Type VII, which he rightly regards as an intermediate between Types II and III. One of Skinner's series of Aitutaki adzes suggests the above, but it is much smaller and of medium finish.