Ancient Artifacts

Curious Stone Objects Found on Morobe Goldfield, T.N.G.

WE are indebted to Rev. V. H. Sher win, of the Melanesian Mission, Wau, for the accompanying photograph show ing anicent artifacts recently unearthed on the Morobe goldfield in New Guinea.

They were found on the gold claim of Mr. Russell Wild at Surprise Creek on the Watut River, when he was sluicing.

Mr. Sherwin says that nearby, where these objects were discovered, a number of bones and teeth of abnormal structure were also found, under 14ft. of earth, gravel, and sand.

“The stone mortar with pestle is a good find,” writes Mr. Sherwin, “since often a mortar is found without a pestle.

The curious figure resembling a cranium with eye sockets is particularly interest ing, but the most unique specimen is the bird’s head, which is probably carved in schist or andesite.

“These artifacts, in conjunction with a remarkably fine specimen of a stone pine-

apple club (which I possess, and which was dug from under 6ft. of earth at Namie Creek, when a road was being made), all point to a previous stone culture used by a people far superior to the present natives, who possess little or no stone, artistic, or utilitarian ability.

I hope to collect sufficient evidence in bone and stone to piece together a theory. I have long held that the present people are not the original inhabitants, but that a race of high stone-culture of probably Papuan origin covered this Watut-Bulolo area originally, in the age when the present Bulolo and Watut Rivers formed one huge lake, and game with other foods was abundant.

“The teeth and bones found embedded in the sandstone at Surprise are esti mated by the Government Geologist (Mr.

N. K. Fisher) to be in the vicinity of 15,000 years old. According to him, they belonged to some extinct mammal. Other teeth and jawbones found on the gold field have been identified as being from a giant wombat.

“I have written a scientific paper on these discoveries for the English journal Man, the organ of the Royal Anthropo logical Society and I hope Professor Haddon, the eminent research worker, will collaborate and add further views on the subject.”

Mortar and pestle, carved bird’s head, and two other strange stone objects, unearthed at Surprise Creek, Watut River.