156 CONVENTIONALISM 



that are of the same form and style of ornamentation ; 

 but after the particular form of vessel desired was at- 

 tained, and the early methods of ornament by finger marks, 

 indentures, scratches, cross-lines, and the imprint of cord 

 or fabric, had been carried to their full extent, we can 

 easily understand that something higher would follow. 

 This advanced step is represented in various ways by dif- 

 ferent prehistoric peoples, but it is when this step is taken 

 that the imprint is given to the art of each. 



Among other ways, this higher expression seems to be 

 shown in the realistic representation of inanimate and an- 

 imate objects, often of a mythological or historical char- 

 acter. In course of time, as art attained increased power 

 of expression, it progressed beyond mere realism and led 

 to the representation of an object by certain conventional 

 characters, without that close adherence to nature which 

 was at first necessary to a clear understanding of the idea 

 intended to be conveyed. Thus conventionalism began. 

 Side by side with this conventional representation of ob- 

 jects are found realistic forms, conservatism, which is 

 such a strong characteristic of primitive peoples, leading 

 to both methods of expression at the same time. 



As already stated, it is during this stage of the art of a 

 people that a special imprint is given, and the line of de- 

 velopment which follows is so marked that the particular 

 art of one centre of development can be traced as it spreads 

 and infringes upon another. While a comparison of these 

 various forms of art expression may not necessarily prove 

 the routes which different peoples have travelled in their 

 migrations, it does indicate their points of contact, and to 

 this extent it is so important to a proper understanding of 

 their history that it cannot be neglected. 



In the course of my studies in this direction, I was led, 

 some years since, to investigate these realistic and con- 



