Bronze Lugged Axe- or Adze Blades from Asia

Abstract

The flat axe or adze blade with side lugs is commonly referred to by the terms armchen beil, lugged axe or adze or trunnion celt and many differing opinions have been expressed concerning its use, method of hafting, distribution and origin. Each of these questions raises a series of interesting problems many of which still require more positive evidence before they can be adequately solved. None of the Near Eastern examples has been found with the handle intact and so opinions as to the method of hafting these blades have had to rely on the evidence of the hafting of similar examples as used until recently in the Caucasus or upon representations of the type on reliefs. The latter afford little information, and scholars do not agree on whether the relief at Inbazar (Fig. 1) in Anatolia portrays a special type of lugged axe or another kind of weapon. It is difficult to see any sign of the lugs at the juncture of socket and blade: yet if this relief belongs to the Phrygian period and the weapon portrayed is of iron, then there are several European analogies for this form with a similarly curved base and this fact would support Przeworski's view that this is a “lugged axe”. A broken mould from Gavur Kalesi may also have been used to cast similar blades.