TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 757 



one except myself who has collected them ; but if attention were drawn to them I 

 believe the number of them could be greatly increased. The definition given 

 above is from a very instructive and temperate paper by Mr. R. D. Darbi- 

 shire, F.S.A., to the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. He 

 believes in the artificial character of the implements. There are two questions 

 which it appears to me should be solved in regard to these implements: (1) What 

 useful object could the perpendicular chipping serve to man ? and (2) If not 

 artificial, what force in Nature can dress so many objects alike with chipping that 

 has all the appearance of being artificial in character ? 



3. On Stone Axe Factories near Cushendall, Co. Antrim. 

 By W. J. Knowles. 



There are several centres where stone axes have been manufactured in the 

 neighbourhood of Cushendall, but they are most numerous in Glen-Ballyemon. 

 One well-marked site, in a field belonging to Mr. Richard McCurry in the town- 

 land of Tamnaharry or Tavnaghharry, was observed about three years ago on the 

 natural pasture being broken up. Many axes in the rudely chipped state were 

 found in it — some whole, others broken, probably in the course of manufacture. 

 Mixed up with these were pick-like objects, scrapers, and numerous rounded balls 

 (evidently hammer-stones) of the same kind of stone as that from which the axes 

 were made ; flakes, too, were in great abundance. Many of the flakes showed 

 dressing or marks of use along the edges. The field containing these objects has 

 an elevated position, and commands a fine view. There was probably an encamp- 

 ment at this place, though I could observe no signs of kitchen-middens or 

 remains of food, such as split bones. On walking away from this centre flakes 

 and other signs of manufacture grew less frequent, and eventually ceased. 



Another site was found on the farm of Mr. James Quinn in Clougheen. The 

 signs of industry appeared thickest around a damp spot (probably an ancient 

 well) in a field near his house.' 



Other sites are found on Mrs. Darragh's farm in Cloughs, near the top of 

 the ridge separating Glenann from Ballyemon, in Muroo and Knockans. 

 Other centres of manufacture are found around Tievebulliagh, a prominent peak 

 1,346 feet high ; and several sites containing many objects of the kind enumerated, 

 with large quantities of flakes, were found near the top of Tievebulliagh itself. 

 These when discovered were in a perfectly undisturbed condition. Implements 

 and flakes similar in kind to those described have been found in Glenarift', 

 Glenann, and Glendun, indicating sites of manufacture. 



The rock from which most of the axes are formed is not, I think, native to the 

 district. It is of a close-grained, bluish kind, and appears to be metamorphic. It 

 occurs in the valley in the form of boulders showing glacial striae, and weighing from 

 about two pounds up to several hundredweight. Many of the larger boulders, some 

 of which are firmly embedded in boulder clay, have been hammered and flaked, in 

 order no doubt to procure large flakes or spalls for axes. Over six hundred whole 

 axes and about as many broken specimens have been obtained from the various 

 sites. The flakes, which are all of the kind produced in the manufacture of 

 implements, are in thousands. Sometimes at a short distance they appear like 

 pieces of roofing slate that have been broken and scattered over the field. 



While some of the axes are finely finished, others are very rude. All stages 

 in the manufacture can be easily traced. We see the boulder with a few chips 

 removed, also specimens showing more and more chipping, till we reach the 

 completed axe. Some of the ruder kinds are crooked, unsymmetrical, and some- 

 times so blunt at the part intended for the cutting edge that one would be 

 inclined to regard all these as failures; but, judging from some rude specimens 

 that have been partly ground and polished, I have come to the conclusion that a 

 piece of good rock was not rejected on account of its not working true. W^hen a 



' There is a tullaun stone on the ditch opposite this place. 



