Adze Production in Maui: Analysis of Lithic Materials from the West Rim of Haleakala

Abstract

Unlike some Hawaiian stone adze production sites (e.g., Mauna Kea, Hawai'i Island), detailed studies of adze manufacture at Haleakala have never been conducted. Although not yet fully documented, a basalt quarry (Site 251 0) exists between 2712 and 2804 m elevation (8900 to 9200 ft) along the inner west rim of the crater (Cleghorn et al. 1985; Somers 1988). Additionally, recent archaeological investigations (Carson and Mintmier 2006a) along the outer west rim have yielded evidence of adze manufacturing at several sites. Using lithic material from three of these sites, the analysis reported here serves as the first attempt to illuminate basalt adze production at Haleakala, Maui.