BY FIRITZ iN'OBTLlINiG, M.A., Ph.D., ETC. 269 



2. CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE STATE OF 

 PRIMITIVE MAN IN EUROPE. 



Now, what inference can be drawn from these facts 

 with regard to the European races that used implements 

 of exactly the same type as the Tasmanian tronatta? 



We can in the first instance state with almost cer- 

 tainty that none of these implements were weapons. They 

 were used as tools only, and for no other purpose. 

 Archaeolitliic man of Europe had neither bow and arrow, 

 nor were his spears provided with a stone head. It is 

 therefore absolutely futile — in fact contrary to all know- 

 ledge — to discern arrow, spear, and axe heads among the 

 archaeolithic implements of Europe. 



The only weapon of archaeolithic man was a w^ooden 

 spear, probably rather long long and light Possibly he 

 may also have had short throwing sticks; but he cer- 

 tainly did not use clubs (i). 



There is a great probability that he smeared his hair 

 with a mixture of red ochre, and that he had already 

 learnt the art of plaiting baskets, and had a rudimentary 

 knowledge of the art of grinding. His encampments 

 were close to the rivers, probably on open, sandy soil. 

 He had no domesticated animals, neither did he cultivate 

 the soil; he had learnt to produce fire, and he burnt in 

 all probability the dead. Religious notions were of the 

 crudest form, and probably restricted to certain cere- 

 monies in which round flat pebbles played a great role. 



In one point only archaeolithic man seems to differ 

 from the Tasmanians. The Aborigines were practically 

 naked; now and then they seem to have worn a skin 

 loosely slung round the body, but there was no attempt 

 of a habitual covering of the body even in the coldest 

 weather. It is perhaps probable that the oligocene or 

 miocene human beinQ;s were in a similar state of naked- 



(i) Another notable fact must strike the observer: The first 

 weapons primitive man manufactured were meant to be used at 

 a long range. It is only later, when sword and axe had been 

 •invented, that the combatants came to close quarters. Modern 

 man has again reverted to the practice of primitive man, to fight 

 its battles at long ranges, only that the range is now almost as 

 many miles as it used to be feet with primitive man. 



