xJ DIVISION OF PRE-HISTORIC 



a new Science has, so to say, been born among us, which deals 

 with times and events far more ancient than any of those 

 which have yet fallen within the province of the archaeologist. 

 The geologist reckons not by days or by years; the whole 

 six thousand years, which were until lately looked on as the 

 sum of the world's age, are to him but as a unit of measure- 

 ment in the long succession of past ages. Our knowledge of 

 geology is, of course, very incomplete ; on some points we 

 shall no doubt see reason to change our opinion, but on the 

 whole, the conclusions to which it points are as definite as 

 those of zoology, chemistry, or any of the kindred sciences. 

 Nor does there appear to be any reason why the methods of 

 examination, which have proved so successful in geology, 

 should not also be used to throw light on the history of man 

 in pre-historic times. Archaeology forms, in fact, the link 

 between geology and history. It is true that in the case of 

 other animals we can, from their bones and teeth, form a defi- 

 nite idea of their habits and mode of life, while in the present 

 state of our knowledge the skeleton of a savage could not 

 always be distinguished from that of a philosopher. But on 

 the other hand, while extinct animals leave only teeth and 

 bones behind them, the men of past ages are to be studied 

 principally by their works ; houses for the living, tombs for 

 the dead, fortifications for defence, temples for worship, im- 

 plements for use, ornaments for decoration. 



From the careful study of the remains which have come 

 down to us, it would appear that Pre-historic Archaeology 

 may be divided into four great epochs. 



Firstly, that of the Drift ; when man shared the possession 

 of Europe with the Mammoth, the Cave bear, the Woolly- 

 haired rhinoceros, and other extinct .animals. This we may 

 call the " Palaeolithic " period. 



Secondly, The later or polished Stone age; a period 

 characterized by beautiful weapons and instruments made 



