374 ^'I-'^^' VORK STATE MUSEUM 



have found a polished celt or hatchet head convenient in removing 

 the skin from an animal. 



New York celts are found in numerous forms, lengths and 

 weights. In general, however, they may be grouped in certain forms, 

 each of which may be still further divided by longitudinal cross sec- 

 tion. For example, a petaloid celt may be thin, normal, thick or 

 bulbous. Again its outline may be bounded by flat, curved surfaces, 

 beveled surfaces or rounded surfaces. The cutting edge may be 

 acute or obtuse, curved or straight. The general forms of celts are 

 shown in plate 115. 



There are so many interesting features about these cutting blades 

 that the celt is a subject for a considerable treatise. The celt reveals 

 as well as any stone implement the craftsmanship of the aborigine, 

 and it speaks as eloquently of his idea of for^m, symmetry and 

 beauty of finish as it does of his idea of and need of a cutting or 

 chopping implement. The celt suggests through the marks found 

 upon it the manner of its manufacture and thus unlocks the door 

 of the stone age workshops. 



The block from which a hatchet, gouge or adz was made, was 

 either a natural pebble of hard stone and suitable shape, or a large 

 flake broken from a boulder or from a quarry ledge. This rough 

 block was the first stage in the formation of a celt. The second 

 process was to batter the rough block to the approximate form by 

 chipping. When chipping could no longer continue the third 

 process, that of picking or pitting, was commenced. This was done 

 by two general methods ; first, actual picking by sharp flints ; second, 

 by a continuous process of percussion, that is, battering w4th ham- 

 merstones. In this manner the surface of the stone became pow- 

 dered and worn down. Actual experiment shows that a sharp blow 

 breaks up the stone where struck leaving a pit filled with stone dust. 

 The process is laborious but if worked at continuously need scarcely 

 take a week. Few if any stone axes or hatchets were ** the work of 

 patient years." In the fourth stage the picking process is completed 

 and the cutting edge of the celt is ground down with some abrasive. 

 In the fifth stage the edge is polished. Many good and serviceable 

 celts were regarded as complete in the fifth stage. The pitted sur- 

 face no doubt was convenient for gri])ping by hand or by handle, 

 and was thought decorative. The sixth stage finds the celt polished 

 over its entire surface except perhaps its butt. Many of the finest 

 specimens have unfinished butt ends. 



Many celts are so well balanced that the\ rest u]U)n a single ])oint 

 and curve in all directions. 



