TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 899 



them, that she has thought it desirable to place on record the numerous cases in 

 which this symbolism is in accord with the ancient Central American sculptures 

 and the Mexican picture-writings ; also to trace the same symbolism in the Old 

 World, believing that through it may be found a key to many migrations, and to 

 much of the intercourse between the Old World and the New in prehistoric 

 times. 



SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On Ancient Metal Irnplements from Egypt and Lachish. 

 By Dr. J. H. Gladstone. — See p. 715. 



2. Notes on Flint Saws and Siclcles. By Robert Muneo, M.B. 



The announcement a few years ago of the discovery, by Dr. Flinders Petiie, 

 of corn sickles made of wooden casings, having as f eeth a number of serrated iliut 

 flakes inserted along a groove in the concave edge of the implement, and the almoyt 

 simultaneous publication by Dr. Munro of the discovery of double-handed saws 

 similarly constructed in the Polada lake-dwelling in Italy, have led to a speculative 

 discussion* as to whether or not the so-called flint saws, so abundantly foimd 

 among the prehistoric remains of all countries in Europe, might not have been the 

 eliminated teeth of such saws or sickles. The author of this paper sees in this 

 discussion an occasion for reviewing the materials in Western Europe bearing on 

 the problem thus raised. In the abundance of flint saws during the Stone Age in 

 Europe, contrasted with the rarity of this implement when made of bronze in the 

 succeeding age, he recognised a prima facie argument in favour of the existence of 

 such compound sickles. The result of his investigation into the matter is thus 

 stated : * In conclusion, we must not forget that our primary basis of facts rests on 

 the productions of two widely distant archaeological areas, which must therefore be 

 treated separately and independently of each other. The discovery of these very 

 interesting Egyptian sickles can, at best, be only used as a hypothetical suggestion 

 of the existence of analogous implements elsewhere. In support of the theory that 

 such sickles were in use among the prehistoric people of Western Europe, the author 

 finds in this rapid review of existing materials little or no evidence. On the other 

 hand, the compound Polada saws are equally suggestive of a wider application, 

 and we may, with greater probability of success, look out for the remains of similar 

 implements among the dibris of prehistoric civilisations beyond that of the lake- 

 dwellings of Europe.' 



3. On PreTiistoric Eemains in Crete. By John L. Mtres. 



The objects described were obtained from a cave in the valley above Kamaraia, 

 on the south side of the mountain mass of Psilariti (Mount Ida) in Crete. They 

 consist wholly of fragments of pottery, of shapes which resemble somewhat those 

 of the pre-Mykensean pottery from Santorin, Syra, and Amorgos, but decorated 

 with fine black glaze, and, above this, with geometrical and floral patterns in 

 white, yellow, and two shades of red. On one fragment part of a human figiu'e 

 is represented, in a style which recalls that of some Mykensean examples. Some 

 points of likeness have been noticed between these specimens and those found by 

 Professor Flinders Petrie at Kahun, and attributed by him to the period of (he 

 twelfth Egyptian dynasty. But untU a further examination has been made of the 

 Kamarais cave it is impossible to date the new find with any certainty. 



V ArchcBoIogical Journal, vol. xlix. pp. 53, 164. 



3 M 2 



