The term is derived from the French wordciseau,the Latinseco(I cut) having a similar meaning, and may safely be supposed to have been practically the first tool used by primitive man. It is the forerunner of the plane, and the term includes generally gouges, turning tools, and various metal working tools. In the British Museum and other collections there are many existing examples of implements belonging to the early Stone Age which were probably used for"chiselling"and like purposes. Of these may be mentioned a"chopping tool"found at Stoke Newington and a primitive"double chisel"found at Les Eyzies, Dordogne, France, both of which are in the British Museum. They are necessarily of a very simple and crude character, being only roughly shaped pieces of pebble. The Neolithic, or later Stone Age, marks a very considerable advance in tool production; methods of hafting were introduced, and the processes of grinding and polishing the stone blades led the way to the adoption of other materials than flint and quartzite, the two latter being the chief materials employed up to this time. Reference to Fig. 3 will show two good examples of Neolithic celts of flint. One resembles a chap, xiv.] Tools: Early Forms And Historical Development. 165

Fig. 3.

"gouge"and the other a "cold chisel". The uses to which implements of this type were put can only be conjectured, but whether used for breaking clods of earth in agricultural operations or as weapons of defence or sustenance, the process involved would be that of"chiselling,the implements being based upon the action of a wedge, which forms the basis of cutting actions in planes and chisels alike. Hafting proceeded differently in various countries, one interesting example in the British Museum-of Swiss origin-showing a small stone axe fixed into horn and then mounted in a wooden haft. The centre part of horn was introduced in order to lessen the risk of the handle splitting. In Fig. 3 is also shown two fine specimens of Scandinavian gouges belonging to the Neolithic period. We now come to a stage, approximately some five thousand to six thousand years ago, which marks the introduction of metal into the manufacture of primitive tools. This period is known as the Bronze Age, and it is remarkable also for the artistic character of its productions as well as the extraordinary moulds used for casting the implements. Authorities agree that the use of bronze, strangely enough, preceded that of iron. Early celts of the Bronze Age are really metal copies of their Neolithic prototypes; they were probably used more as axes than as chisels, as we understand the term. There are many evolutionary stages before the type shown in Fig. 3 (5) was reached, the expansion of the blade towards the cutting edge is accounted for by the hammering out necessary to harden the edge. The hafted celt shown in Fig. 3 (5) is drawn from an example in the British Museum, and the haft is not the original one. Both the types shown in Fig. 3 (5, 6) are known as socketed celts, that is, a socket which receives the handle is made in the butt end of the implement, this being effected by means of core casting. In some cases a loop or ear-piece was provided-as is the case with Fig. 3 (6)-which presumably was bound for greater security. The example shown in Fig. 3 (7) is an earlier one, a cleft stick received the celt, which was more firmly secured by binding with thongs of hide. Socketed celts of various types may be considered as the latest development of the implement in prehistoric times, although there are many spear-heads and swords still existing which indicate the development among implements of war. A big jump is now necessary, the next example shown being a relic of the Roman occupation of Britain, see Fig. 3 (8). This specimen is now in the Pitt-Rivers Collection at Oxford, and curiously enough, it is made on almost identical lines to the implement illustrated in Fig. 3 (5). It is obviously of wrought iron, is octagonal in section through the iron socketed part, tapering away to a hexagonal shape at the cutting edge. This was found in 1863 during excavation at the corner of Great Winchester Street, London Wall. There is also a fine example, similar in general character to it, in the Guildhall Museum.

The mediaeval iron chisel illustrated in Fig. 3 (10) was found at Wapping, and belongs also to the Romano-British period. It was probably used for stone dressing, as may also have been the curious spoon-like gouge illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 4.

3 (11) also belonging to the period last mentioned. In Fig. 3 (9) is illustrated a remarkable chisel, a hand adze, from the Pitt-Rivers Collection. It has a short steel blade fitted into a handle of elk horn elaborately carved. Two pieces of hide are attached to the stem part in order to protect the knuckles when using the chisel. It was used with a chopping action for shaping canoes. An interesting native Japanese chisel illustrated in Fig. 2 is constructed on the socketed principle, and similar in general outline to the example, Fig. 3 (8).