The Deats Ulu

There is a single ulu in the Deats collection.  The ulu is slate, and measures 174.81 mm in length, 82. 18 mm in width, and weighs .142 kg and was made during the Late Archaic period (4000-2000 B.C.) The blade is 3.05 mm thick and the handle is 10.71 mm thick. Secondly, the ulu is broken. Part of the ridge that holds the handle has broken away and that piece was not recovered. The handle side also has 14 grooves on the front and the back. These grooves might have helped the wooden handle stay attached to the slate. It is also clear the ulu was most likely glued to its’ handle and not attached, i.e. no ground hole present on the handle side of the artifact. The blade is chipped and the bevel has no signs of being ground down. Ulus, although made from steel, are still used today by Native Alaskans and First Nation Arctic people. (Written by Geri Knight-Iske).