THE FOLLOWING PAPER WAS READ : — 



Comparison of the Tasmanian Tronatta with the Archaeo- 

 hthic Implements of Europe. By Fritz NoetHng, M.A., Ph.D., 

 etc. 



The author notes that this comparison gives they key to the 

 understanding of the state of civiHsation of the people of 

 archaeohthic times. The character and manufacture of the 

 tronattas is described, and it is noted that they were tools only, 

 and never used as weapons. Conclusions are drawn from a study 

 of their customs and habits as to the state of primitive man in 

 Europe. The archaeohthic implements of Europe belonging to 

 different periods are described at considerable length, and sug- 

 gestions made as to the period when man, the ancestor of the 

 aborigines, first occupied Tasmania. The paper was illustrated 

 by the exhibition of a large number of specimens of archaeo- 

 hthic implements from Europe, and some of the higher type, 

 together with the primitive specimens from Tasmania. 



Mr. W. E. Shoobridge said that the New Norfolk district 

 was inhabited in former times by one of the largest tribes in 

 Tasmania, the Big River tribe, and residents there now recog- 

 nised two types of archaeohthic implements, one f^at, and the 

 other more rounded on the side. Old residents said that the 

 flat ones were used for scraping spears. One specimen had been 

 found which had a distinct handle or neck, >vhich might have 

 been used for fastening it on to wood. He had never seen any 

 specimen chipped on both sides, and he had never seen any- 

 thing resembling a spear amongst the implements which were 

 found in his district. 



Air. T. Stephens said that great credit v/as due to Dr. Noet- 

 Hng for his researches in this complicated and interesting sub- 

 ject. He would suggest hat the complete isolation of the 

 Tasmanian aborigines might account for the absence of pro- 

 gress and development. The intrusion of more civilised types, 

 from the north would have stimulated progress, but the Tas- 

 manians were completely cut oft' from such influences. He- 

 regretted that so little was known about the habits of the 

 Tasmanian natives before they came in close contact with 

 Europeans. 



The Chairman said that the ^Members of the Society had 

 never before had such an opportunity of comparing the imple- 

 ments of the native Tasmanians with those of other primitive 

 races. He agreed with Mr. Stephens that the probable reason 

 the Tasmanians remained in such a backward condition was. 

 their complete isolation. 



JULY 12, 1910. 



The iMonthly General Meeting of the Society was held at 

 the Museum on Monday evening, July 12, 1910. 



:Mr. T. Stephens, M.A.. F.G.S.. in the chair. 



