{Prehistoric Circles (2) [continued]}[29th September 1990]

[Redbook7:342][19900929:2227]{Prehistoric Circles (2) [continued]}[29th September 1990]

19900929.2227c

*’The polishing of stone implements was probably a by-product of **the grinding of red ochre, in wide demand for its magic properties since the Paleolithic and extensively used in Africa since the Mesolithic and later.** One result of the grinding of ochre was to polish the grindstone, and another, when the upper grindstone was used at an angle, was to develop a sharp edge that, produced accidentally, may have led to the idea of grinding the cutting edge of celts or other tools. Repeated pecking of the flat surfaces of the grindstones that became too smooth to grind ochre efficiently led to perforation of the stone and thus to the development of the disk macehead of the Nile Valley.’**

*(In Africa)

**[**/Text marginally highlighted/**]

***E[ncyclopaedia B[ritannica] 26:56

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