The Use of Roots and Burrs for Hafting Non-Shaft-Hole Adzeheads by Mesolithic and Neolithic Hunter-Fisher-Gatherers in Europe

Abstract Mesolithic hunter-fisher-gatherers manufactured many kinds of composite tools, among them a variety of adzes and axes with antler, bone, stone or wood heads and other insets. The adzes and axes were constructed from two or three parts, sometimes including a fixed or a separate one- or two-part intermediate piece between handle and blade. These sleeves were made of different raw materials and shapes. This paper presents new results on wooden sleeves, especially the one-part sockets, which seem to have been used exclusively by the Mesolithic and Neolithic foraging cultures in Europe. Sleeves from 15 sites in Germany, Latvia, Poland and Russia are described and discussed. Attention is drawn to the use of roots and burrs (burls) which were utilised for the sleeves, illustrating the detailed technical and material knowledge of these post-glacial populations.