Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/17

Rh sketch here given. This feature is curious and very rarely to be seen, and appears to have been introduced to prevent the celt from slipping out of its handle, in which from constant use it must have become insecure.

Fig. is the last example which I can offer of the second class, and probably the sides of the wedge for insertion were spread out as we see them, to obviate, if possible, the necessity of strapping the celt to the handle, which obviously must have been the case in the first example I have adduced.

Fig. I regard as the first specimen of the third class, and in it we observe the same prolongation of the wedge for insertion, with the rivet-hole at the end, as in fig. ; we also find the sides which overlapped the handle extended to a singularly great amount, but the feature which I think places this celt in a class distinct from those already noticed, is the loop or ear upon its under surface, the use of which is shewn in the annexed sketch. This is a most admirable contrivance, but we shall see presently that it was much improved upon.

Fig. is a celt of that form which is most commonly found when the wedge for insertion is not overlapped by its sides, and the ear is introduced; the method of fixing this weapon to its handle is also here shewn.