gO J. R. Mortimer: The Evolution of the Millstone. 
into the Bronze Age, as no other type, to our knowledge, has 
been found with interments of those periods. 
The flat-faced grinding stone, such as fig. 4, seems to have 
come into use during the latter part of the Bronze Age, as a 
very fine specimen of this type was found associated with a 
bronze spearhead, in the lake dwelling at Ulrome, excavated 
by Mr. Thos. Boynton. This form of mill stands pre-eminent 
among the milling appliances, as it was the first contrivance 
by which grinding, as distinguished from pounding, was 
actually effected, and it was a great advance on the globular 
and pear-shaped crushers. 
Not until we reach the beginning of the early Iron Age do 
we find the revolving quern. (fig. 7)* ; this consisted of two cir- 
cular stones, 10 to 15 inches in diameter ; the upper one being 
pierced in the centre with a funnel- shaped hole’, to receive the 
corn to be ground. When in use this stone revolved round 
a wooden or metal pin, fixed in the centre of the}lower stone, 
which was stationary. The motion was supplied by means of 
one or two wooden handles, inserted in holes drilled into oppo- 
site sides of the top stone, and twirled round by hand, as 
shown in fig. 7. The corn to be ground was at the same time 
dropped by han into the funnel-shaped apperture in the 
upper stone, and the meal fell on to a cone or an animal’s 
skin, placed to receive it, as shewn in fig. 
The adoption of the circular ae revolutionized 
ET 
* For permission to reproduce this illustration we are indebted to Mr. 
R. Welch, and tie Belfast Museum. 
Naturalist, 
