614 REPORT OP NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



point aud scraper.* The poiut is different from all other points, in that 

 while one side is left flat and smooth as it was struck from its nucleus, 

 the retouching by which the jjoint and edge are made is all done from 

 the opposite side. The scraper is made in the same way, and its pecul- 

 iarity is that its edge is upon the side rather than upon the end, as 

 it was in all succeeding epochs. These appear to have been the first 

 scrapers used by the pre-historic man. While the Moustierian imple- 

 ments have been found in the river gravels of Europe, there has been 

 much contention as to their contemporaneity with those of the preced- 

 ing epoch. But thej'^ have been found in the caverns at such depths 

 and with such associations as to cause many pre historic anthropolo- 

 gists in Europe to believe that they formed a separate epoch, during 

 which the caverns were occupied by the inhabitants for a long period 

 of time. It has been contended that this epoch was, at least in south- 

 ern France, contemporary with the glacial period. This, if established, 

 would sufficiently account for his occupation of caves and rock shel- 

 ters. The extinct fauna of the preceding epoch is not found in con- 

 nection with these implements. The animals become more like those 

 of our own time. This epoch begins what has been called the cavern 



P^^^® • SOLUTRIAN EPOCH. 



Is so named after the Cavern of Solutre, near Macon, Saone et Loire. 

 The Chellian implement had in this epoch ceased to be made ; also the 

 one sided Moustierian point. They were probably replaced by the large 

 and thin spear-head which is shaped like a laurel leaf. The scrapers 

 have been changed in form. They are smaller, and the scraping edge 

 is on the end instead of being upon the side. Knives and saws of 

 flint also appear. The man of this epoch excelled in the art of chip- 

 ping flint. Indeed, it is doubtful if any subsequent age or epoch even 

 equalled him. The implements are renowed for beauty of form and 

 fineness of finish. It is by this progress that this epoch has become 

 recognized. It is remarkable that these leaf-shaped implements should 

 be found in France in nests or en cache, and that great numbers of sim- 

 ilar instruments should be found in the United States likewise fre- 

 quently in nests. It would be exceedingly strange if, upon further 

 study and careful investigation, it should be discovered that the Ameri- 

 can implements should belong to the same paleolithic epoch, as do 

 those of France.t 



Points were also made of bone, sometimes apparently for use in 

 piercing skins, or for sewing garments. Sometimes to replace the 

 chipped flint for spear-points. Another implement peculiar to this 

 epoch was a fine flint-point, apparently a spear, with a tang and shoul- 

 der on only one side. 



But it is in its art products that this period is remarkable. The 

 Chellian implements and the Moustierian points and scrapers are 

 scarcely fine enough to be worthy of the title of artistic. 



* Plate Lxxxvni. '■ Plate lxxxiv, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. 



