PRINCE ALBERT I OF MONACO BOULE 505 



origin of humanity. As my mind has been more and more en- 

 lightened through scientific study, I have wished more and more 

 ardently to see established on a methodical basis the investigations 

 necessary to bring to light the fugitive traces which our ancestors 

 have left in the bowels of the earth during an incalculable suc- 

 cession of centuries. And I have thought that the philosophy and 

 the morale of human societies would be less uncertain in the pres- 

 ence of the history of generations written with their own dust." 



Having thus resolved to create " a powerful center for studies 

 based on methodical excavations," the Prince of Monaco presented 

 it with the building necessary for its establishment and with an 

 endowment of 1,600,000 francs. On December 15, 1910, the Insti- 

 tute of Human Paleontology was recognized as a public utility by 

 the French Government. 



According to its plan of organization, the new establishment, 

 placed under my direction, has for its purpose the progress of sci- 

 ence on all questions relating to the origin and history of fossil man. 



The principal means of action are: (1) Laboratories where the 

 results of excavations carried on by the personnel of the institute 

 or by other workers under its direction are studied; (2) publica- 

 tions to make known the results of the excavations and of scientific 

 investigations; and (3) courses and lectures on human paleontology 

 and prehistory. 



Without waiting for the construction of the building, which would 

 require some time, Professors Breuil and Obermaier undertook in 

 France, in Spain, and in central Europe extensive explorations and 

 excavations, while some independent workers were through grants 

 assisted in their investigations. 



The new edifice constructed by the architect Pontremoli was soon 

 finished. To-day it adorns, with its beautiful facades, that part of 

 the Boulevard Saint-Marcel recently occupied by the horse market. 

 Its facades are the work of the clever chisel of M. Constant Eoux, 

 for which the theme was furnished by our founder himself. The 

 Prince of Monaco desired, in fact, that his new institute should have 

 an attractive exterior in a relevant as well as artistic style, reveal- 

 ing at first glance, through the choice of the decorative motifs, all 

 the interest of the studies which are carried on there. 



Large basements contain rooms for the unpacking and provi- 

 sional classification of the results of excavations and workshops for 

 preparation of material and for modeling. On the ground floor 

 there are a large hall for lectures and exhibits, general adminis- 

 trative offices and chemical laboratories, and the workrooms of the 

 professors. 



