Aboriginal Stone Tools and Grinding Stones

 

Photo of grinding stones made from basalt

Upper and lower grinding stones made from basalt, used to grind vegetable, nut and seed foods. Cedar Creek, north Queensland. Grind stones about 2 feet (60cm) long and one foot (30 cm) wide are kept in every hut. When people move camp, they leave behind the heavy lower stone, but take the top stone with them. After a season, they will return to the area and use the same lower stone again.

Photo of grind stones made from slate

Grindstone, made from slate, with parallel grooves cut into the lower grindstone to keep nuts and other hard material in place, making their grinding easier. Malanda, north Queensland.

Photo of sharp edged quartzite knife. Cape York Peninsula

Sharp edged quartzite knife. Cape York Peninsula.