Middle and Late Bronze Age Metal Tools from the Aegean, Eastern ...

The earliest Mycenaean double ax seems to be the oval-shafted example in the
Andronianoi hoard (from eastern Euboea), which is dated to the LH II-IIIA1 period; this
chronological assessment is based on analogies of the hoard’s metal objects rather than
on firm stratigraphic or ceramic evidence. 337 The double ax has extremely broad cutting
edges, at 9.35 and 9.95 cm, with a narrower (6.6 cm) shaft-hole area (Plate 4.9). 338 Only a
few other mainland double axes (all from the Katamachi hoard in Epirus) have
commensurate dimensions to the Andronianoi tool, yet the implement does not replicate
the utilitarian Minoan double ax in any substantive manner. 339
The dearth of double axes
during the early Mycenaean period indicates that mainlanders were accustomed to a
different tool kit before widely adopting an improved double ax in the palatial era. The
inception of the palatial period Mycenaean double ax demonstrates that there were certain
disconnections in tool production between Crete and the mainland. The regional
differences are explored in more depth below.
The method for attaching the double ax blade to a handle is a defining trait of the
340
implement. The majority of Minoan double axes have round shaft holes (Plates 4.4-6).
During the Neopalatial period, grooves were added at the edges of some shaft holes,
perhaps so that small wedges or nails could be inserted. The system secured and
stabilized the ax-head onto the shaft and, most importantly, prevented the blade from
spinning around or falling off completely. 341
Making an oval shaft hole was another
means to stabilize the blade (Plates 4.7-9). Oval shaft holes occur in a few Cretan
337 Paschalidis 2007.
338 Paschalidis 2007.
339 This observation is even more important when considering that an impressive saw from the Andronianoi
hoard has its closest parallels with Cretan specimens.
340 Evely 1993, 50.
341 There are other basic ways for stabilizing a blade to a handle. Wooden wedges, perhaps slivers, could be
inserted between the handle and shaft hole, even if the blade lacked grooves. Soaking a wooden handle and
a blade in water is also effective for creating a tight fit between the tool and its haft.
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