48 RELICS OF THE STONE AGE IN NOVA SCOTIA PIERS. 



one is 6*75 inches in length and 3*75 in greatest breadth, and 

 weighs 40 ounces. Both appear to have been formed from 

 oval quartzite boulders such as are found on beaches. From 

 near the groove, to the edge, they are neatly " pecked " into shape, 

 while the whole of the butt, above the groove, is smooth, being 

 evidently the original surface of the boulder. The aboriginal 

 worker in stone, was doubtless always ready to take advantage 

 of such material as nature had already partially shaped, thus 

 lessening his labour. The edges do not show signs of rough 

 usage. The butt of the smaller one is intact, but that of the 

 larger bears the marks of many light blows which probably were 

 the result of its use in cracking bones in order to extract 

 the marrow. 



These axes could have been employed in detaching birch bark 

 and in girdling trees and so killing them preparatory to felling 

 them by the aid of fire, the axe being again used in order to 

 remove the charcoal as it formed. The tool would also constitute 

 a formidable weapon. Prehistoric man made his few implements 

 answer as many purposes as possible. 



An axe very similar to those I have described, is figured by 

 Dr. Rau (Archcetogical Collection of U. S. National Museum, 

 figure 72). It was found in Massachusetts. I have never seen 

 a Nova Scotian axe with the groove only on three sides, 

 as shown by that writer in figure 73 of his work. 



Hammers. A. beautiful hammer-head (Fig. 95) is in my own 

 collection. It is formed from an egg-shaped boulder, very 

 slightly compressed on opposite sides. Its length is 3'50 inches, 

 greatest breadth 2'50 inches, and its weight a little more than 19 

 ounces. Midwa}'- from either end, it is entirely encircled by a 

 " pecked " groove, which has not been smoothed by friction. 

 This groove was formed in order to attach a handle. Its 

 roughened surface would tend to increase the hold of the haft and 

 its lashings, and the interposition of a piece of hide, which was 

 quite probable, might account for the absence of any smooth 

 surfaces in the groove. Each end shows distinctly the denting 

 marks of numerous blows, but there are no large fractures. This 



