HAFTED COPPER AXE
CRAIG MOUND AT SPIRO MOUNDS
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
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   Thirty copper axes with finely carved wooden handles, like this example were recovered from Craig Mound. They represent some of the rarest artifacts found during the excavation. This one is well preserved and similar in design to the other hafted axes. The wooden handles have carved crested bird heads with copper axes hafted through the open mouths. Some of the handles are made of persimmon and they were all inlayed with shell eyes. They measure about two feet long (61cm).
   All the axes were found together in a cache in an open area free of any debris. They were pried up and carried out of one of the tunnels by two diggers, Mr. Hobbs and Mr. K. A. McKenzie. They said the axes looked as though the original owners had just thrown them down in a pile.

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