The Sligo Artefacts

Abstract

A LETTER in NATURE of Jan. 28 definitely establishes the human origin of the Sligo flakes, but the last sentence of the letter seems to suggest some mystery concerning their cultural age. In view of this it may not be superfluous to refer to the accompanying photograph (Fig. 1) which Mr. A. W. Stelfox has kindly lent us. The photograph (Fig. 1) was taken by Mr. R. W. Welch and shows a primitive limestone anchor similar to many that are still manufactured and used by the fishermen on the west coast of Galway. These anchors are made near the coast, and the resulting flakes are left lying about along with larger discarded stones, all showing traces of their undoubted ‘humanity.’ Although no such anchors are now made at Rosses Point, it is highly probable, if not certain, that such stone anchors were made there, and also at many other parts of the Irish coasts one or two hundred years ago. In all probability the present beach on which the Sligo specimens were found was not in existence even a thousand years ago, so the possibility of the Sligo flakes being debris from primitive stone anchors should be taken into consideration when attempting to fix their cultural age.