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which has been trimmed by a primitive technique into a mallet-like shape it suggests that it is a preliminary stage in the making of a shouldered axe or adze, for the "active" part though roughly rounded in cross section seems to have an indication of definite sides, as if it would make one of the shouldered axes belonging to the "vierkantbeil" series. At first sight it suggests a much older type of implement, a rough beater or hammer, but I think its real significance is in showing a deliberate shouldering to provide a handle.
5. cms.
S
x
S. A shouldered stone implement from Tai Wan, probably a “blank"
for a neolithic axe, but looking like some older type.
Before concluding, I wish here to quote from a physiographical history of the Lamma sites kindly given me by Dr. Lees who was with me there on the day I found the piece figure K: thus he had a clear idea of the circum- stances in which things are found.
"Culture found in beach sand; top of level 1 to 31⁄2 feet below the present level surface.
(1) Deep depression of the land forming a "Ria shore-line of submergence". (2) Elevation at intervals permitting terraces to form.
(3) 2000 years ago (archaeological data) a slightly raised beach; slightly eroded; on which culture found with an occasional boulder probably brought in use by the inhabitants.
(4) Slight depression, 31⁄2 feet, permitting that amount of beach sand to be
deposited on culture.
(5) Elevation to present level 13 feet above high water.
(6) Erosion by sea and formation of wave-cut terrace with cliff-front. (7) Slight erosion by present stream of small valley in present surface in
effort to bring beds to grade with sea level."
Dr. Lees had examined Hong Kong and the New Territories at the time he wrote this.
I must now conclude with the pleasant duty of recording my obligation of gratitude to Mr. Schofield for permission to refer to his important find, to Professor Shellshear and Dr. Van Stein Callenfels for important help towards the above, to the geologists Drs. Brook and Lees for their guidance-and especially to Dr. Herklots who has made such a valuable contribution to this
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
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