FIJIAN ADZES WITH BUTT MODIFICATION

Abstract

PEARLIER studies in Oceanic material culture have shown that there were clear -*-' regional differences in the distribution of lashing aids on adzes (Skinner, 1940 ; Duff, 1950). Collections of Eastern Polynesian adzes for instance, were generally notable for their emphasis on this feature by means of stepping or inclining the butt at an angle to the blade, by forming a shouldered or spade grip, by leaving the butt roughened or more rarely, by using grooves and knobs or by using a combination of features. The presence of these aids, in contrast to their absence in areas further to the west, together with the difference in adze cross-sections between the geographical areas of Polynesia and Melanesia, were used to help demonstrate particular theories of Oceanic settlement and culture histories in general (Skinner, 1940 : 171 ; Duff, 1950 : 142). Discussion centred around the possibilities of entry into Polynesia through Micronesia or through Melanesia but in both cases the extent of evidence called upon was limited at times. To some scholars it becomes simply a matter of the presence or absence of certain adze forms and whether supposed ancestral forms could be traced back to an ultimate homeland in Indonesia or even beyond, to the Chinese mainland itself. Even without taking into account the intensive sub-surface archaeological work in Pacific areas over the last decade, some diffusionists are still able to make an interesting but not altogether relevant case based on the distribution pattern of their own selected adze forms. Typologists tend to emphasize cabinet specimens and by so doing minimize the actual range represented from any one particular region. Current excavation programmes have shown up the inherent weakness of using many older museum adze collections that archaeological levels reflect changes in adze-making that are not always apparent from an examination of museum collections which naturally enough, come from largely unidentified archaeological contexts. A recent illustration of the difficulties arising from this lack of context is seen in discussion concerning the Tutakimoa cache of tangless hog-backed adzes from Rarotonga (Duff, 1968 : 125). This collection of six adzes has been denied a Samoan origin because one of the six had bruising on the upper butt, therefore however incipient this tanged grip may be, the influence of Eastern Polynesia is apparent to Duff {op. cit.). In view of the fact that most early adzes of this cross-section are untanged in the Society Group (Emory, 1968 : 159) the Tutakimoa adzes are likely to be early if they are indeed derived from an eastern