---

---

Gapamada (stone axe)

Gapamada are ground-edged stone axes that were used as weapons, chopping tools to chop wood, remove tree barks, butcher large animals, and during ceremonial practices. Designed over 60,000 years ago, gapamada are usually rounded or oval in shape and are made from hard types of stone, particularly basalt or greenstone and worn river pebbles. Typically designed with a handle, natural resins were used to bind the timber and stone together and also plant fibre and kangaroo sinew.