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

the early 12 th century: “It may be conjectured that it was adopted by the mainland from
Crete, and its form somewhat modified between its earliest Minoan appearance and its
twelfth century version in Cyprus.” 401
Catling’s hypothesis is not viable since the tool is
absent from the mainland, meaning that it is improbable that Mycenaeans were
responsible for introducing the double adze to Cyprus. One explanation for this tool
connection is that Cypriots intentionally selected and adapted certain Minoan tools, and
the double adze was one of them.
Cypriots who traveled westward in the 13 th and 12 th centuries on the copper
trading routes must have disembarked at Crete. At this time, Cypriots could have
encountered a Neopalatial-style of craftsmanship still evident on the island. When the
sea-voyaging Cypriots returned home, they may have promoted Minoan crafting and
certain tool types. While Cypriots may have taken the double adze from Crete, they
certainly did not acquire the tendency to hoard the tool from there. Only 6 of the 18
Minoan double adzes were found in hoards—all dating to the LM IA or LM IB period.
The other Cretan examples appeared in general settlement contexts and as
unprovenienced or surface finds. On Cyprus, 10 out of the 11 examples were recovered in
hoards. The inclusion of the Minoan-inspired tool in Cypriot hoards confirms its special
status among craftspersons and demonstrates that the double adze was of great value.
F2: Ax-adzes (Plates 4.35-4.36)
Ax-adzes are shafted combination implements with an ax cutting blade at one end
and an adze edge at the other. The objects are moderately sized, but smaller than double
axes and double adzes (Plates 4.35-6). The two blade variants permitted both chopping
401 Catling 1964, 89.
170