Fig. 126.
CHAPTER VI.
Ancient British or Celtic Period—Implements of Stone—Celts—Stone Hammers—Stone Hatchets, Mauls, etc.—Triturating Stones—Flint Implements—Classification of Flints—Jet Articles—Necklaces, Studs, etc.—Bone Instruments—Bronze Celts, Daggers, etc.—Gold Articles.
The implements of stone found in the Celtic grave-mounds, or in their immediate neighbourhood, consist of celts[28] or adzes, hammer-heads or axe-heads, mauls, etc., etc. They are of various materials—chert, shale, green-stone, syenite, basalt, porphyry, felstone, serpentine, sandstone, limestone, etc., etc., and of various degrees of finish and workmanship.
Stone celts of one form or other are the most common of all stone implements. In shape they are not inaptly described as being like the mussel shell. The lower, or cutting end is slightly convex, and rubbed down to a fine-shaped edge. As this cutting edge has become dulled or chipped by use it has been again and again rubbed down and sharpened, until, in many instances which have come under my notice, the celt has been shortened fully one-third or more of its original length. The forms of these instruments will be seen in the examples here following ([fig. 127] and in the succeeding figures). [Fig. 132] is, perhaps, the most usual of these forms. It is of the same type as the first example on the previous engraving. Another excellent example is given on the illustration ([fig. 134]). It is of chert, and has, as will be seen, straight sides instead of the usual curved ones. It is now 5½ inches long, but has probably originally been much longer, having been rubbed down in sharpening.
Fig. 127.
Fig. 128.