PALAEOLITHIC AND NEOLITHIC IMPLEMENTS. 69
tendency. The still earlier Strepyan is like the Chellean, but
cruder and more primitive in workmanship.
Worthington Smith's implements of the "oldest class"
are not at all Strepyan or Chellean in character ; they are like
a primitive Acheulean. The dominant form is ovate, usually
thick and clumsy and crudely flaked. Some authorities regard
this group, which is well represented on the Chalk Plateau of
Kent, as being "Acheulean I" in date. But the Stratigraphical
circumstances under which they are found present difficulties
in the way of accepting this view. There is also, to the writer's
personal sense, a balance about the implements that is different
from the true Acheulean types.
Let us continue to call them the "oldest class" of
Worthington Smith, and leave their further explanation open.
We have very much yet to learn.
LOWER PALAEOLITHIC,
Swanscombe.
Unfortunately, more than half the collection is without
recorded locality, but by far the largest number of records refer
to Milton Street, Swanscombe, which the "Chip Chap Club"
frequently visited.
No. 36c. (Pl. IX. fig. 1.) This is an important specimen.
It is definitely marked "Swanscombe, Kent." It had evidently
been knocking about for some time after it was dug and before,
being picked up. However, it is a typical example of the
"oldest class" of Worthington Smith ; that is to say, a rude
ovate, thick and clumsy, and deeply ochreous. The facets
of the flaking are greatly obscured by two periods of abrasion,
but the face illustrated gives some four larger facets and ten
or a dozen smaller ones. Measurements 85 x 64 x 36 mm.
No. 13. (Pl. IX. fig. 2.) This is a typical pointed implement
in the Late Chellean style, skilfully flaked, keen-edged,
and with nearly straight and only slightly zig-zag side edges.
The zig-zag edge, considered to be particularly characteristic
of the Early Chellean style (although it is found in all periods),
is caused by the method of striking rather deep flakes first from
one face and then from the other.3 This specimen is unabraded,
3 Acheulean implements, on the other hand, were frequently finished by first completing
the flaking of one face and then turning the implement over and completing the reverse
face.