Tranchet axe

At certain European excavation sites, the discovery of tranchet axeheads is regarded as an early Mesolithic marker.

[2][3] An archeologist working in the Solomon Islands believes that tranchet axes have been used as adze-heads until recent times.

[2] The axes were typically made from hard stones like flint, chert, agate or other types of rock that could hold a sharp edge when struck.

[1][2] Archeologists believe that the axe’s principal use was as an adze; that is, as a tool whose cutting edge is perpendicular to the handle, not parallel.

Tranchet axes would have been used primarily for cutting, chopping, and shaping wood while building shelters, making dugout canoes, and crafting tools and weapons.