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Neils Mesopotamian Shaft Hole Axe
Topic Started: Jul 21 2012, 05:22 PM (1,310 Views)
Phil Melhop
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Hi Guys
I have just bought one of Neils Mesopotamian Shaft Hole Axe heads, and pretty little thing it is too :)
If I were looking to haft it with wood that was available during the BA what wood am I looking for?
Secondly; any thoughts on haft length and head attachment ie wedges, pins, bindings etc.
Thanks
Phil
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Edwin Deady
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I just used hazel as being the handiest round wood and a copper nail in the top to act a a wedge. For me it is more important to have a tool hafted and handleable than authentic. Presumably in the area almost any wood might have to be imported but would acacia be a likely candidate?
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Phil Melhop
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Hi Edwin
I'm a bit hazy as to what might have been available, and am not quite sure where to look for this information. Ash is the best option but who knows? Like you, usability is important to me, will follow up on the copper idea, thanks for that; I guess the haft should be about the same length as my forearm when it is all assembled.
Phil
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Todd Feinman
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Maybe there are some clues in the book Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries?
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Sean Manning
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Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries is good, although frustratingly often the answer is "we think ZAR-BAL is some kind of cherry, or maybe peach" or "the Victorian excavator thought it was walnut." There was an earlier thread in this section called "Hafting Materials" http://z8.invisionfree.com/Bronze_Age_Cent...?showtopic=1098 I have some apple drying for my Mike Kasner axehead.
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Phil Melhop
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Thanks Sean, never thought to search, D'oh
Phil
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Phil Melhop
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That was worth a look, have ordered the book, a bit pricey but just got the first paypacket from my new job...... excellent. Have a real interest in ancient technology. Thanks for the direction.
Phil
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Phil Melhop
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Many thanks for the direction on the book, a veritable goldmine of information, well worth the expense.
Phil
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Phil Melhop
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Hi Guys
I have just hafted this axe...finally, and was now wondering if we have any period illustrations of the ax. I am wondering about the finish on the haft, paint, patterns etc, any bindings or texturing of the grip end. In fact any clues at all.
Phil
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Sean Manning
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Yigael Yadin's The Art of War in Biblical Lands is usually the go-to place for art showing weapons in the ancient Near East. Dan says in his book that one of the axes in the Royal Cemetery at Ur had traces of gold and red gesso decorations in the void where the wood had rotted away.
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Dan Howard
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http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highl...copper_axe.aspx
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Phil Melhop
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Excellent , many thanks, more research to do
Phil
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Dan Howard
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Need to see progress pics.
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G. Scott Hoagland
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Edwin Deady,Jul 21 2012
10:53 PM
Presumably in the area almost any wood might have to be imported but would acacia be a likely candidate?

Acacia is very hard and strong. I've made several wooden items from acacia that grows in my yard. Excellent stuff. You can even buy modern axe handles of acacia from a few sources if you look around. Acacia certainly grows in that part of the world. I have no idea if they used it for tool handles, but they definitely could have. It's up to the task for sure.
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Jeroen Zuiderwijk
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Keep in mind that there is acacia and pseudo-acacia (robinia), often sold as acacia. The two are totally different trees.
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Sean Manning
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I have some apple drying in my hometown. I will see how much it shrunk, but one of the branches I selected will work for my Mike Kasner axe. So next summer I can have a go at hafting mine! It may not be the most likely wood, but it works well and could have been available in second millenium Mesopotamia.

This reminds me of the problem of getting properly coppiced wood for staff weapons, or getting reed arrowshafts which have been hardened by the right climate.
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