A Remarkable Flint Implement from Selsey Bill. 165 



chipped out of a big heavy nodule, measuring probably not less than 9 inches 

 in length, 6 inches in breadth, and 4 inches in thickness. It is too heavy for 

 use, as a pick or axe, in one hand, and is not shaped for being held by both 

 hands. The inference from its great size, and from the powerful blows which 

 have been used, with skilful precision, in its manufacture, is that it was 

 made and used by a man of larger hand and limb than are possessed by any 

 modern race. It would be a mistake to attach much importance to this 

 suggestion, since we are singularly devoid of amy well-founded opinions as to 

 the way in which the larger palseolithic flint implements known to us were 

 brought into effective use, and the purpose or purposes for which they were 

 used. 



In regard to flint implements of the largest size, it is to be noted that we 

 know of rare specimens of tongue-shaped or pick -like implements from river- 

 terrace gravels of Acheulsean and Chellsean age, as much as 11\ inches in 

 length and 5 lb. in weight. Such a specimen is in the Department of 

 Ethnology of the British Museum, another in the National Museum of 

 Antiquities of St. Germain, and one in the collection of Mr. Scott, of Bourne- 

 mouth. Possibly these unusually large implements were not for ordinary 

 use, but were ceremonial emblems of authority.* Very large neolithic adzes 

 (" celts ") of stone (not flint) are found in the north of Scotland and Ireland. 

 One as much as 10 inches in length, and weighing 5 lb. 4 oz., is in the Sturge 

 collection at the British Museum. Undoubtedly, these were mounted on 

 wooden handles, in a fashion similar to that employed by modern stone- 

 weaponed races for similar large adzes of polished stone. The palaeolithic 

 flint implements from our river-terrace gravels — of the more frequent size 

 and shape — namely, ovate, 4J inches long and 3 inches broad, weighing | lb. — 

 and tongue-shaped specimens — often 9 inches long and 4 inches broad at the 

 butt, weighing If lb. — are carefully shaped and well balanced for use in the 

 hand. They could be readily used either with or without a "mount" or 

 handle. 



The question as to the mode of use of certain exceptionally large and heavy 

 flint implements comparable to the Selsey rostrate, has a separate importance. 

 I know of two only which are comparable in weight and size to the Selsey 

 specimen, and these are from very ancient deposits held to be much anterior 

 (in geological time) to the terrace gravels of our river valleys. The first of 



* \_Note added March S, 1921. — A very large oval flint implement from the gravel at 

 Taplow has recently been presented to the Natural History Museum by Mr. Treacher. 

 It is of superior workmanship, perfectly symmetrical and clearly flaked. It weighs 

 6 lbs. 2 0Z3., and is 12|^ inches long. Apparently it is of Acheulsean age and is, I believe, 

 the largest and most skilfully worked implement known from that horizon. It was 

 probably a " ceremonial" emblem of authority and not intended for ordinary use.] 



