How were stone adzes used in traditional Polynesian societies?

In traditional Polynesian societies, the stone adz was an indispensable tool for working with wood, which served as the primary medium for their material culture. Because these societies maintained Neolithic technology until European contact, the stone blade—hafted as an adz—was the fundamental tool used to fashion a wide array of essential items.12

Usage and Function

The adz was primarily employed for shaping, leveling, and smoothing timber. Its design, characterized by a cutting edge set at a right angle to the handle, allowed it to function effectively as a chipping or surfacing tool. Specific applications included:345

• Construction: Adzes were used to true and level structural components such as posts, beams, and rafters for houses and other buildings.3
• Canoe Building: They were essential for hollowing out logs to create large, double-hulled canoes, which were vital for travel and trade across the Pacific.32
• Crafting: The tool was used to fashion domestic utensils, weapons, and religious sculptures.2
• Status: In some cultures, such as among the Maori, chiefs owned highly specialized adzes with fine nephrite blades that served as prestigious insignia of status.6

These tools were typically crafted from hard, fine-grained basalt, though shell or other materials were used in areas where stone was scarce. Components were skillfully fitted and secured using cordage made from various vegetable fibers.12