STONE AGE IN NEW JERSEY. 261 



this case an as must have been buried iu the earth before this okl tree 

 was an acorn. Xovr, as to the age of the tree. There were not less 

 than five hundred rings clearly to be traced on a section of the tree 

 afterward made ; and a large portion of the center and another portion 

 about the circumference could not be determiued accurately, but whicli, 

 on comparison with so much of the tree as retained the rings sufficiently 

 distinctly to be counted, might safely be estimated at as many more 

 circles. 



Without allowing for any time to have elapsed from the occurrence 

 of the ax falling on the ground, or of its intentional burial, we have 

 hero with considerable certainty the long stretch of one thousand years 

 that tliis ax has been quietly resting in the ground. 



Chapter IV. 



CELTS. 



We propose to consider, under the name of "celts,"* the class of relics 

 that approach most nearly to the ordinary stone axes, but which are 

 without any groove or other indication that a handle has been attached. 

 These celts vary more in size among themselves than in any other 

 feature; and we have separated the specimens obtained into two classes, 

 viz, celts and "skinuing-knives," the latter being, in our judgment, too 

 small to be used as weapons, under which heading we think the ordi- 

 nary celts, or un grooved axes, must be placed. 



Considered with reference solely to size, we can be moderately sure 

 of correct nomenclature in saying that a stone dressed down until its 

 thickness is less than half the width, with one end sharpened to a cut- 

 ting-edge, and the length not less than five inches, may be taken as a 

 celt, or ungrooved ax. Still, it must be borne in mind that smaller 

 grooved axes occur. 



The use or uses to which some of the larger of these celts were put 

 is very difQcult to conjecture, inasmuch as no trace of a handle having 

 been attached can bo detected. Mr. John Evans, however, describes 

 several methods employed by savages in hafting just such stone imple- 

 ments. A fact to be taken into consideration, however, with reference 

 to our Xew Jersey specimens, is, that the great prevalence of grooved 

 axes renders it probable that the ungrooved were used without handles, 

 since grooved or ordinary axes occur, made of the same hard materials 

 as the hand-axes, viz, i^orj^hyry and hornstone. Concerning the use of 

 these hand-axes, or " polished celts," Mr. Evans -remarks : "Among 

 modern savages we have instances of similar tools being used in the 

 hand without the intervention of any haft, though among the Austra- 

 lians the butt-end is sometimes enveloped in a mass of resinous matter, 

 so as to form a knob which fits the hand." And again : " They were 



" From the Latin celiis, a chisel. 



