mere pounamu

[josh stout]

I appreciate the comments. I am going to need help on this one.

So it is a green stone does not scratch with steel, it is translucent when held up to a light, and it has a density of 3.13. (1162g)

I am not sure what that would be if it is not jade.

It seems like there is some agreement that the tool marks look like they could have been done with a non-motorized hand drill. I also still think that the surface marks look like they were done rubbing against a stone and not with a mechanical grinder.

I am willing to accept that the handle form may be off. It is better than most flat modern examples, but the better antiques seem to show a curved line to the ridges instead of straight across, as in this example.

For me, the strangest aspect of this one is that it is not better polished. My New Guinea axes show a better finish.

I have included a few more photos of the whole thing.

I would appreciate any help figuring out what I have.