Records the primary tools examined and recorded by Hommel and Henry Chapman Mercer, on their 1921 expedition into China. Chapters on 'Tools to make tools', 'Tools for procuring food', 'Tools for making clothing', 'Tools for providing shelter', 'Tools for enabling transport'. Mercer is probably better known for his books 'The Bible in Iron' (1914) and 'Antique Carpenters' Tools' (1929)