Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., XI, 1939. 
SOME PREHISTORIC ARTEFACTS FROM THE 
TERRITORY OF NEW GUINEA. 
By 1). A. Casey, 
lion. Ethnologist. 
Plate VI. 
The National Museum has recently received the five arte- 
facts described below. The three obsidian implements are 
from the Rev. Father Neuhans, M.S.C., and the stone figure 
of a bird and the carved stone axe were brought to the 
Museum for examination by E. W. P. Chinnery, formerly 
Director of District Services, Territory of New Guinea. 
Carved Stone Bird 
From the Wahgi Valley, about 40 miles W. of Chimbu 
Station, Fig. 1 and Plate VI. 
The figure measures inches wide, 3| inches high, and 
3.f inches long. It is made of moderately coarse-grained vol- 
canic rock of andesitic type. The surface is considerably 
patinated. The wings are extended sideways and downwards. 
The legs, which are widely spaced, are rather stout and of 
circular section. They appear to have been liroken off short, 
as their under surfaces are not flat. Tlie face and beak have 
been broken off. The bird is finely made, and is gracefully 
Fig. 1. Stone Bird, Wahgi Valley. 
shaped and proportioned in smooth flowing lines. It was 
found by natives while digging garden land. Like all other 
prehistoric artefacts from New Guinea, the present natives 
have no knowledge of its origin or significance. Now in the 
possession of E. W. P. Chinnery. 
143 
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