SOME PREHISTORIC ARTEFACTS FROM NEW GUINEA 145 
enlargement on the butt end is serrated by a number of 
grooves and notches. Just forward of the bird’s head projec- 
Fig. 3. Stone Axe, Bougainville Island. 
tions, the body of the axe shows faint grooving, which seems 
to have been worn by a binding. Babaul Museum, T.N.G. 
The axe is unique, and its use is unknown. Except for the 
grooving, there is no indication as to how it could have been 
hafted. 
The axe is made of a similar type of stone to that used for 
the stone bird described above. The surface is considerably 
patinated. 
The bird motif and the decorative raised bosses indicate 
that it is related to the prehistoric stone mortar culture of 
Xew Guinea, as both these features are found on the stone 
mortars and pestles. 
Obsidian Fish Hook 
From Lihir Island, off the east coast of New Ireland. 
National Museum, Melbourne. Reg. No. 43303. Fig. 4. 
The implement was found at Kiata, near the south point 
of the island, at a spot about 200 yards from the shore where 
the ground over a subterranean watercourse had sunk, expos- 
ing the hook, which was nearly a foot below the surface. It 
was brought to Father Neuhaus by the native who discovered 
it. 
