J^^ THE CAVE MEN OF MENTONE. 273 



level at which bones and implements have been found, there is little 

 accurate information to be obtained on the spot. M. Forel's specimens 

 (1858) were scattered through a superficial layer half a yard thick, 

 and included remains of the stag, roe, sheep, antelope (?), auroch {Bos 

 primigenins), horse, boar, wolf, fox, cat, rabbit, cachalot (?), with 

 mollusca [Dentalium, Patella, Pecten, and Pectunculus), also arrow-heads, 

 fish-hooks, spear-heads, and knives of rough make and not more than 

 two or three inches long. All these were in the surface layers. 



Between the years 1866-1886 the great mass of the cave-contents 

 was removed to a depth of six to eight metres by MM. Riviere, 

 Bonfils, and others. The whole thickness consisted of loose earth, 

 much of it of vegetable origin, without any layers of stalagmitic 

 deposit. We have no data for estimating the rate of accumulation of 

 such material, but it is evident that the time required must be very 

 great. Flint implements were found in numbers throughout, mostly 

 small and rough flakes of uncertain age ; but it is important to note 

 that no potter}- of any kind occurred. In this connection the occur- 

 rence of remains of extinct animals, even in the higher layers, should 

 also be borne in mind. One of the most interesting of these is the 

 skull of an ancient species of Marmot {Ayctomys primigenia), indicating 

 a far colder climate. 



The skeleton of 1884 was found just inside the cave-mouth (close 

 to the position of the present relics) at a depth below the original 

 floor of 8 metres 40 cm. It was lying on its back, between the cave- 

 wall and a large stone, parallel to the long axis of the cave and 

 with the head towards the entrance. The depth from the old floor- 

 line is somewhat more than my estimate for the present discovery ; 

 but as the cave is here only 3 metres wide, it is very difficult to see 

 how the discoverers of the older example could have missed the 

 present specimens if they excavated to a greater depth. Allowing 

 the maximum depth for the position of this skeleton and the minimum 

 for those of 1892, there is not more than a yard of difference in 

 position between them. 



It was on February 7th, 1892, that the quarrymen then at work 

 discovered on the east side of the cave at a depth of 7^ metres (below 

 the original floor) three skeletons close together near the cave-mouth. 

 They lie only i^ metres below the present floor, and this thickness 

 is composed of soft earth and stones which have probably been 

 turned over before, though, curiously enough, without discovering 

 the skeletons. The bed on which they rest is scarcely harder in 

 texture, but redder in colour, and the bones and ornaments are 

 strongly tinged with red. Below the skeletons is still a deposit of 

 dark earth with stones, similar to that above. There is an evident 

 stratification, and the deposit has npt been disturbed before. Here 

 have been found several flint-flakes and some rough, pointed and 

 polished bone awls; but as there is little of this stratum left, not 

 much is to be expected from its further excavation. 



T 



