JSO-i.] J. Cockbiu-n — A I'Ho rite plug. 89 



enclosed core lias been diilled out of it and ou^ht to fit the pcrft)ra- 

 tion. 



To begin with, the celt itself is a genuine anti(|ue — but the per- 

 foration is a i'urgery. This specimen was brought for sale to a gentk;- 

 man in the Archa3ological Survey at Banda by an agate lapidary namud, 

 Kiratally, who died lately, so there is no harm in mentioning his name. 



The perforation in the celt was smeared with red-lead, and on 

 examining the specimen carefully, I at once pronounced it a forgery. 

 To begin with, the perforation was at right-angles to the edge, and the 

 implement did not look like an adze. 



2ud}y. I considered the jierforation too small to admit a^ moderate- 

 ly sti"ong and practicable handle — though there are specimens of 

 European perforated axes in which it is not much larger. 



'Si'dly. On removing a poition of the pigment whicli had been 

 freshly applied, I at once said that the boring had been recently done. 

 However 1 purchased the specimen as a forgery, for 8 or 10 rupees, 

 and presented it to the Museum — as such. 



On my return to Banda, in 1883 or 1884, Kiratally presented me 

 with the accompanying core, which lie said he had himself bored out 

 of the celt lie sold me. The semi-polished facet at one corner of the 

 angular end shows the original weathered surface of the celt. 



Tlie flat end shows where it was broken off, when it stood up as a 

 pillar after the boring had been nearlj' completed. 



The fragments were probably knocked out from the opposite end 

 with a chisel, hence the pillar in its length will not correspond with 

 the celt in thickness, though it ought to nearly do so in diameter, the 

 difference being due to the loss of material which has been bored 

 away. 



I have not been able to fit the plug to the specimen in the Museum, 

 but there can be no doubt as to the authenticity of the fragment. 

 Application might be made to the authorities of the Indian Museum 

 to exhibit the celt at the meeting of the Society at which the paper is 

 read. I propose to present the plug to the Indian Museum after the 

 Society has done with it. 



The method of boring adopted is very ancient and very effective. 

 A tube of copper, bi'ass, or tinned sheet-iron is used as a drill, the cutting- 

 edge being charged with finely powdered emery powder. The emery 

 is from the mines of Pipra, in Rewah, which would appear to have been 

 worked for the past 2,000 year's. 



Mr. Flinders Petrie, in his paper on " The Mechanical Methods of 

 tlie Ancient Egyptians," has proved by partially bored specimens, that 

 the Egyptians perforated hard rocks in this way. 



