Knowlks — Prehistoric Stone Implements. 221 



Conchision. 



Sir John Evans in his paper on " Discoveries of Stone Implements in 

 Lough jSTeagh " says these discoveries may almost be ranked with those of 

 the prolific caves of Dordogne or those of the Pfahlbauten of the Swiss lakes. 

 That was in 1867, nearly half a century ago, and during the intervening time 

 finds of implements and flakes have increased largely, I should say to four or 

 fi^-e times the quantity recorded by Sir John Evans. The finds of stone 

 implements from the Bann and Lough IsTeagh ought certainly to occupy a 

 very important place in the prehistory of Europe. Eeferring to the age of 

 these implements. Sir John Evans puts before us the state of civilization of 

 the north of Ireland about the year 1600, and adds that " the picture he gives 

 is by no means inconsistent with the extensive use of the readiest materials 

 wliich come to hand, such as bone, wood, and stone, for most of such simple 

 implements and weapons for the chase as might be required, rather than that 

 of metal, which was not readily accessible, or only to be procured by com- 

 merce or barter;" but later on he adds, by way of qualification of the above 

 statement, that he does not desire that the observations he has made as to 

 the method of life or degree of civilization existing in Ireland in the days of 

 Elizabeth should be understood as implying that the implements he has been 

 describing do not date back to a period far more remote than three centuries 

 ago. 



The implements of flint and clay-slate have been found in the brick clay 

 or diatomaceous formation which passes under the ordinary peat, and I have 

 one implement (fig. 103) marked as being found three feet below the brick- 

 clay. These facts, and the fact that the forms of many of the implements 

 show that they were survivals from a more ancient period, would lead me to 

 believe that they were of Early ISTeolithic age. 



In order to give a general idea of the numbers of the various kinds of 

 objects found, I append a summary of those in my own collection : — 



Flint. 



Flakes — One^half of which show work on some part, . . 3,296 



Cores — Mostly small, ...... 669 



Pointed implements, with cutting edge at one end, . . . 88 



Do. with point at one end and edge at the other, . . 10 



Oval implements with cutting edge at both ends, . . . 21 



Do. small size without distinct edges or points at the ends, . 25 



