Microscopic revelations: the forms and multiple uses of ground-edged artefacts of the New South Wales Central Coast, Australia

Abstract

Results of an exploratory study, that set out to investigate the types of use-wear that could be observed on ground-edged artefacts from the NSW Central Coast of eastern Australia, are presented. The main findings are the multiple activities for which the hatchets were used and the types of materials which they worked. Some of the activities and materials are not noted in historical accounts for southeastern Australia, and suggestions are raised about possible uses of hatchets by women. Among new results are uses for the unusual ground-edged hammer/pounders which are not recorded in the historical literature and which seem to be almost restricted to the NSWCC.