GLA CIAL MAN IN THE TRENTON GRA PELS. 3 1 



borrowed plan by allowing for a gradual development upward 

 from the paleolithic stage, represented exclusively by a class of 

 meaningless bits of flaked stone, through a period less rude, 

 characterized by productions so far advanced as to be assigned 

 ■to a definite use. These latter productions censist mainly of 

 rather large and often rude blades, sometimes plain, but gen- 

 erally notched or modified at the broader end as if to be set in a 

 handle, or attached to a spear or arrow shaft. These were 

 assigned to post-glacial times in such a way as to bridge or 

 partly bridge the great space between the glacial epoch and the 

 present. They were separated arbitrarily from the body of the 

 collections of the region, and referred to as probably the work 

 of an Eskimo race. This arrangem.ent produced a pleasing 

 symmetry and completeness, and brought the history of man 

 down to the beginning of the Indian epoch, which is repre- 

 sented by all of those forms of art with which the red man is 

 historically associated. 



Three principal periods are thus thought to be represented 

 by the finds at Trenton ; and in the arrangement of the collec- 

 tions these grand divisions are illustrated by three great groups 

 of relics, which are looked upon by the founders of the scheme 

 as an epitome of native American art and culture. B}- others 

 this grouping is looked upon as purely empirical, as an arbitrary 

 separation of the normal art remains of the historic Indian, not 

 suggested by anything in the nature or condition of the objects, 

 nor in the manner of their discovery. 



The " Eskimo " feature of the scheme requires a more 

 detailed examination than can be given it here. It may be 

 stated, however, that the separation of the so-called Eskimo 

 spear points, or whatever they may be, from the great body of 

 associated articles of flaked stone, appears to be a highly arbi- 

 trary proceeding. That they were extensively made by the 

 Indians is proved by the occurrence of refuse resulting from 

 their manufacture on modern shop sites, and that they were used 

 by the Indian, is equally apparent from their common occurrence 

 on modern dwelling sites. The exceptionally large size of the 



