ORIGIN OF THE HELIMAN OR SHIELD. 283 



evidence of shield-cutting from this timber is so well 

 defined that the writer is puzzled to know how this im- 

 portant part of the work of the stone age has been over- 

 looked by previous writers. 



On investigating the result of the work of the stone axe 

 on the Grey Mangrove, a vast field was opened up, as not 

 only was the work done by the stone axe revealed, but 

 there was also brought to light, the method and locality 

 where these axes were made. To those who may follow 

 up the investigation, it will be found that by thoroughly 

 examining this mangrove reclamation where the aborigine 

 at one time roamed and worked to get his shield, stone 

 ehippings, broken axes, broken wedges, hammers and shell- 

 fish form a large proportion of these deposits. Many of 

 these areas are now covered by such alluviums in many 

 places, and to a great depth; this, combined with other 

 facts, goes to prove that this part of the coast was inhabited 

 at a much earlier date than is usually allowed for. 



In the Stone Period the shields were cut with stone 

 implements only, and this period must have extended over 

 a very long time, as shown by the variety of shapes of the 

 axes and cutting stones found at the bases of the trees, 

 from very crude unground stones with cutting edges made 

 by splitting only, to the ground edged implements. The 

 former are actually the shivers off water worn boulders, 

 weighing over 100 lbs., and in many cases so many shivers 

 have been taken from the original stones that the unused 

 part now only weighs a few pounds. 



With the arrival of the white man, the Iron Age was 

 introduced into Australia, and the native naturally took 

 early to the use of the iron axe, and marks on the trees 

 easily distinguish the shields obtained by its means from 

 those of the stone axe. 



