ANCIENT STONE TOOLS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20802, 10 August 1937, Page 4

ANCIENT STONE TOOLS

METHODS USED IN MANUFACTURE ROTARY ADDRESS Delving into the past to discuss the manufacture of ancient stone implements used in New Zealand and abroad. Mr H. S. McCully, of Peel Forest, a w’ell-known collector and Maori authority, gave members of the Timaru Rotary’ Club yesterday an insight into a fascinating Interest and study’ which he has followed for many years. The chairman for the day was Mr R. G. Slade.

Mr McCully exhibited specimens of stone implements from his large collection. many of which were of local and wider origin and explained that a number which were found abroad were identical with the local specimens. “We are fortunate in this country that many of the tools are flange size and the bold workmanship displayed leaves no doubt that it was the intention of the craftsman to produce a definite type of edge,” said Mr McCully. Once an edge type was recognised it might be looked for on any size of flake. Mr McCully giving practical examples of size variation to illustrate his point. Captain Cook describing the tools of the Maori had said: “The tools they work with in building houses, canoes, etc., are adzes or axes; some made of a hard black stone and some of green. They have chisels made of the same but these are more commonly made of human bone. In fine work ana carving I believe they use mostly pieces of jasper, breaking small pieces from a large lump they have for that purpose. When the small piece is blunted they throw it away and take another.”

The description was an excellent one, continued Mr McCully. It divided the tools into two main classes, firstly the adzes, axes and chisels made of stone which withstood percussion, and seci ondlv carving and cutting tools made of stone which readily flaked. The reference to the throwing away of the small piece when it was blunted, showed that the initial edge of the flake struck from the mass was preferred. The initial edge was the thinnest and sharpest edge procurable in stone, and it was sharp owing to it being practically devoid of cross-section. All other edges were comparatively thick in cross-section and on that account were more suitable for cutting as a knife. The shape of the initial edge, explained Mr McCully, depended on the form of the flake and flake form was produced by methodical flaking. If a round flake was desired it was made by striking a flake from a rounded boulder. If a straight-edged flake was required it was struck from a flat-sided boulder or mass of stone. Art of Sculpture It might be though fanciful to suggest that in the formation of working edges they might see the prompting of the art of sculpture, said Mr McCully, who directed attention to an edge serration the outline of which resembled the profile of the human face. Some of his specimens, as he explained, could easily be taken to represent the profiles of Mr M. J. Savage. Mr J. G. i Coates and Mr G. W. Forbes. Such outlines were found in all parts of the world, said Mr McCully, who referred to them as the “Tane” edge serration. Accoiding to Maori mythology "Tane" was the first man and in the "Tane” edge serration they might see the origin of the art of sculpture. It was difficult to think that the likeness to the human massed unnoticed throughout the years, in fact evidence pointed the other way. Referring to ceremonial tools as used -y the Maori, Mr McCully said that thv> represented Maori artistry in their outline. He suggested that the outines might be explained by the features of point and edge in the same way as flake tools and that the outline of the tool was due to the type of edge it uore on the blade. Members displayed keen interest in 'xhibits from Mr McC Uy’s collection, on the motion of Mr H. C. Romans, Mr McCully was accorded a vote of thanks.