In the heart of the Australian desert, archaeologists have stumbled upon an unusual discovery—a carefully hidden cache of sixty stone adzes. Crafted by Aboriginal hands nearly two centuries ago, these tools lay undisturbed beneath the earth, untouched by time or humans. Their discovery has caused a sensation among researchers, as such hiding places are extremely rare, and a collection of this size is truly unique for the region.
The adze is a traditional tool of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, resembling a chisel. It was made from stone attached to a wooden handle using resin. These implements were used to work wood for making shields, boomerangs, and other everyday items. Due to the blades’ rapid wear, new blanks were highly valued and often became objects of trade between tribes.
Trade Routes
The discovery site—Boulia Shire—has historically served as a vital hub at the intersection of Aboriginal trade routes. Here, not only stone tools but also valuable goods such as pituri—a psychoactive plant—axes, and other items were exchanged. Archaeologists note that only one similar cache has been previously found in this area, underscoring the uniqueness of the current discovery.
The work on site was carried out under conditions where the monument was threatened by soil erosion and grazing. Specialists carefully extracted the contents of a pit just over 11 centimeters deep, recording the position of each item. To determine the age of the hoard, modern methods were used: radiocarbon dating and optical luminescence dating of the soil. In addition, researchers studied the production technology of the adzes in detail, checked them for signs of use, and attempted to reconstruct the original stones from which the blanks were chipped.
Features of the Find
All 60 adzes were notably large—on average, four by five and a half centimeters—and of high workmanship. Significantly, none of the tools showed signs of use or attachment to a handle: they were absolutely new. Most of the items (82%) were made using a special technique known as the ‘seagull wing,’ which produces a blank with a massive base, suitable for hafting. Three pairs of adzes matched each other perfectly, indicating they had been split sequentially from the same stone and immediately stored in the cache.
Analysis showed that the cache was hidden between 1823 and 1883. This period coincides with the early wave of European colonization in the region and outbreaks of violence between settlers and Indigenous peoples. Archaeologists discovered a cartridge case from a Snyder-Enfield carbine— a weapon used by paramilitary ‘Native Police’ units led by white officers — close to the pit. These units are known for participating in punitive expeditions against Aboriginal communities.
Economy and tragedy
Researchers concluded that the pit served as a makeshift safe for storing valuable goods intended for trade. The large, expertly crafted adzes were clearly not made for local use but for export to other regions. The fact that the cache was never retrieved suggests a tragic fate for its owner — likely killed or forced to flee as conflicts worsened during colonization.
The find serves as a kind of time capsule, capturing the moment when Aboriginal Australia’s complex economic system was disrupted by outside forces. The uniqueness of the cache lies not only in the quantity and quality of the artifacts, but in its potential to reshape our understanding of the scale and organization of Indigenous Australian trade in the 19th century.
Archaeological methods
The discovery was studied using the most advanced analytical methods. Radiocarbon dating made it possible to accurately determine the age of the hoard, while optical luminescence analysis of the soil helped reconstruct the sequence of events. Technological analysis of the adzes revealed the high level of craftsmanship among ancient artisans, and attempts to reassemble the original stones from individual chips demonstrated how meticulously each tool was made.
Special attention was given to examining traces of wear and possible resin residues on the tools. Their absence confirmed that all the adzes were new and had never been used for their intended purpose. This further highlights their function as trade goods rather than household items.
If you didn’t know, an adze is not only a tool but also an important element of Aboriginal Australian culture and economy. Their production required specialized skills and knowledge passed down through generations. Today, such finds help researchers reconstruct lost chapters of history and gain deeper insight into the lives and activities of the continent’s Indigenous peoples. RUSSPAIN.COM reports that interest in archaeological discoveries in Australia remains strong, and each new find prompts a reassessment of established views on the past.
