Through time and across the world, humans have needed to smoothe and shape wood. The form of the tool that different human groups have developed has been similar across cultures. Not only does this give us an insight into the creativity of the human mind, it also allows archaeologists to use later examples of the tool to help them understand ancient ones and can give us information about how ancient peoples may have used the tools. Here are some more adzes from different periods and places.
Copper adze
![copper_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/copper_adze.jpg)
Date: 1500 – 500 BC
From: Nihavand, Iran
Material: copper alloy
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=367541&partId=1&searchText=adze&images=true&place=62088&page=1Shell adze
![shell_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/shell_adze.jpg)
Date: 20th century AD
From: Solomon Islands
Material: shell
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=947690&objectId=485460&partId=1Iron adze
![iron_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/iron_adze.jpg)
Date: 1st century AD
From Roman London
Materials: iron, wood
See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/iron-adze-hammer/dQH-6_kk03M4xABronze adze
![bronze_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/bronze_adze.jpg)
Date: 1479 – 1425 BC
From Deir el-Bahari, Thebes, Egypt
Materials: bronze, wood, rawhide
See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/wooden-adze-with-bronze-blade/TwGVjbZZuHMlBAIndonesian adze
![indonesian_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/indonesian_adze.jpg)
Date: 20th century AD
From: Indonesia
Materials: wood, iron, palm
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=553039&partId=1&searchText=adze&images=true&page=1Stone adze
![stone_adze](/images/uploads/classroom/_half_width/stone_adze.jpg)
Date: 19th century AD
From: Vancouver Island, Canada
Material: stone
See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=536015&partId=1&searchText=adze&images=true&page=1