THANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 833 



Within the limits of one country there was sometimes a variety of usage, 

 according to the different influences, mainly geographical and racial, to which its 

 parts were subjected. Language reflects this diversity. Primitive warfare was 

 religious in its character, war-gods interposing, each with champions and totems. 

 The early Latin god Janus is a good instance of the survival of animism down to 

 a late time. 



The cames of primitive warfare were diverse. At first it was carried on chiefly 

 for (1) self-defence, for protection of food supplies, shelter, and wives. Animals 

 and pastures were frequently grounds of contention. In this respect Sanskrit is 

 very instructive. (2) Wars of aggression do not fall much within the scope of our 

 inquiry. 



The earliest wars were characterised by cruelty. Those who were incapacitated 

 from fighting by age were put to death, sometimes voluntarily. 



Even as late as the time of Jlomer physical force, rather than shill, distinguished 

 the warrior and decided battles. Bodily strength, therefore, marked out men for 

 leadership, and a nobility gradually grew up from the warrior class. 



Battles were preceded by saa-tjices, and it is significant that these were per- 

 formed by the chieftain, who combined in his person functions afterwards separated. 



The nature of the country dictated the tactics, according as the ground was 

 swampy, rocky, or wild. At first only foot-soldiers were employed; chariot- 

 ■driving followed ; horse-soldiers were a more recent development. Although there 

 are indications even in the Vedic hymns of riding being known, yet as^late as 

 Homer's dme it was rather a special art than a common practice. 



Relationship was the basis of arrangement on the battle-field. 



The usages after the conclusion of hostilities are instructive. (1.) Reverence 

 ioivards the gods. They were invited to desert, and their attendants were pro- 

 tected from violence. (2.) Males were ruthlessly put to the sword ; women and 

 ■children were treated barbarously. Indignities were heaped upon the conquered, 

 and bodies were sometimes mutilated. It is impossible to resist the conclusion 

 that human sacrifice was practised. 



An examination of the material on this subject establishes several interesting 

 points— the religious character of early civilisation, the divergence of the branches 

 ■of the ' Aryan ' family of races, and their development in different directions. 



3. On a Paheolithic Skeleton from the Thames Valley. 

 By Dr. J, G. Garson. 



4. On the Skulls of the New Race in Egypt. By Dr. J. G. Garson. 



5. On the Andamanese. By Maurice Portman. 



6. On the Eskimo. By F. Linklater and J. A. Fowler. 



WJSDI^ESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. 

 The following Papers and Reports were read : — 



1. The Neolithic Station of Butmir. By Dr. R. MuNRO. 



The author, as member of the Congress of Archaeologists and Anthropologists 

 held at Sarajevo m August of last year, had an opportunity of inspectin<r the 

 remarkable Neolithic station of Butmir, which forms the subject of this communi- 



189.5. 3 ^ 



