CHAPTER XI 
CHE /OLD:STONETAGE 
Mucu uncertainty still exists regarding the Eolithic or 
Dawn Stone phase of man’s cultural development, al- 
though such a stage must have preceded the Old Stone 
Age. This long and important period is usually con- 
sidered to have begun with the Pre-Chellean, already men- 
tioned more than once. Regarding the steps by which 
that culture period, gradually developed out of the pre- 
ceding Eolithic, or the region where it did so, we as yet 
know little, though it probably took place elsewhere than 
in Europe. 
Nor have scholars reached full agreement regarding the 
relation of the earlier culture stages to the different phases 
of the Ice Age. That the Pre-Chellean falls early in the 
third interglacial stage is Osborn’s view. He pointed 
out, for example, that Pre-Chellean implements are never 
found in the sands and gravels of the higher river terraces, 
which, as we saw, were laid down earlier in the course of 
the Ice Age. Other authorities, however, date the Pre- 
Chellean as early as the second interglacial, while a few 
even ascribe it to the first. 
THe Pre-CHELLEAN Epocu 
The Pre-Chellean culture seems to have reached Europe 
from Africa, although this, of course, by no means implies 
that it was the work of Negroes. In fact at that time, and 
for ages after, the various human races had not yet ac- 
quired their present-day distinguishing characteristics. 
Whoever he was, whether of Piltdown or Heidelberg or 
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