212 



FOSSIL MEN. 



similar in composition, and the implements of similar 

 patterns, and that there is no evidence that any of 

 the pre-historic races of northern Europe could either 

 smelt copper or tin. 



"We may therefore reasonably conclude that, except 

 in the regions on the jMediterranean coasts, the Stone 

 period extended unbroken up to the sixth century before 

 Christ in other words, to the time of the early kings 

 of Rome and the decay of the Hebrew monarchy, and 

 we know from history that it lasted in some places much 

 longer. Thus in graves in Russia and Scandinavia, and 

 even in Germany, France, and England, stone weapons 

 are found associated with remains of the tenth and 

 even of the twelfth century. It is also to be observed 

 that in every country some objects of stone as arrow- 

 heads, hammers, sling stones, and sharp flakes were 

 in current use long after the introduction of daggers, 

 swords, and spears of bronze or of iron. 



The question, How far back in time did the Stone 

 age extend ? is less easily answered, and we may con- 

 sider it under three heads : 1st. The validity of a 

 Palaeolithic as distinguished from a Neolithic age. 

 2nd. The question of the contemporaneousness of the 

 men of the earlier Stone age with mammals of the 

 Post-pliocene period now extinct. 3rd. The physical 

 revolutions which are proved to have occurred since 

 the origin of man. Having considered these points, 

 we shall be in a position to decide whether there is 

 any reality in the idea of an extreme antiquity of man 

 in the old continent, and more especially in Europe. 



