180 ISLAND CULTURE AREA OF AMEBIC V [eth.ann. 34 



10. Blachmore Bluseum (Stone "Dirk")-— Mr. E. T. Stevens'" 

 has figured another stone dirk which also came from Santo Domingo. 

 This specimen shows signs of secondary work, and the " tool marks " 

 upon it, according to Stevens, " liave been removed by subsequent 

 polishing." The same author likewise calls attention to a " sketch 

 of a somewhat similar weapon " engraved upon a map of Santo 

 Domingo, published in 1731.*" This specimen is described as having 

 been found in an Indian sepulcher. 



In considering the morphology of these dirks we may theoretically 

 suppose that they present the most highly siDecialized form of incised 

 or ceremonial petaloid celts, but it may be that the part interpreted 

 as a blade was used as a handle by which the object was carried in 

 the hand. This handle may have been inserted into a staff, or set in 

 a stand, or even planted in the ground. The use of this object is 

 problematical, but there is little evidence that it was ever tied to 

 a handle midway in its length. 



While the celts above described have in one or two cases lost the 

 original form of this implement, their relation to an undecorated 

 petaloid is evident and the main characters of the type are preserved. 

 The modifications are not difficult to follow. 



The cultural differences in the prehistoric aborigines of the Greater 

 and Lesser Antilles are nowhere better shown than in the character- 

 istic types of implements. Stone implements of the former islands 

 are celts without grooves for hafting, while axes with marginal 

 notches, enlarged heads, or encircling grooves are characteristic of 

 the latter islands. The celts of the former islands recall Central 

 American or North American forms; the axes found in the Lesser 

 Antilles are more South American. 



The type called celts, with smooth or decorated surfaces, described 

 in the preceding pages, is not found in the chain of islands from 

 the Danish Islands south from Anegada Passage to South America ; 

 neither have similar petaloids yet been reported from the adjacent 

 continent. It may therefore be regarded as characteristic of the 

 Greater Antilles, as are also elbow stones, stone collars, and tri- 

 pointed zemis or stone idols. The technique of these objects from the 

 West Indies is superior to those found in the southeastern area of the 

 ITnited States, but not better than those from the coast of Central 



s" Aocordlng to Mr. Stevens (Flint Chips, p. 226) : " Two similar specimens are in tiie 

 Christy collection ; another is in the collection of Mr. Iloddor M. Westropp, of Roolihurst, 

 Cork ; and another, said to have been found at Aig:ui'persf. near Riom. Puy de Dome, 

 France, is in the Clermont Museum." 



•"The following footnote reference to this map appears : " The map is entitled, ' L'Isle 

 Espagnole sous le nom Indien d'Hayti, ou comme elle ^toit possedce par sea habitants 

 naturels lors de la decouverte, avec les pnuniers Etalilissiraens des Espagnois. Par le 

 Sr. D'Anville, Geographe Ord. du Roi. May. 17.31.' The flg\ire of the implement has been 

 copied in the 'Trans. Amer. Ethno. Soc.,' vol. ill, part 1, flg. la." 



