1 8 PERRY, Megalithic Monuments and Ancient Mines. 



is one fact which will have to be explained, even if other 

 elements of the megalithic culture or signs of Egyptian 

 influence be present. Nevertheless it is a fact that 

 these settlements are so situated as to be near mines or 

 gold washings, and their culture exhibits signs of Egyptian 

 influence. There the matter must rest for the present, 

 and all questions as to the date of colonisation or the 

 means by which the Egyptian influence got there — 

 whether it was brought by those who came to work the 

 mines or in any other way — are left untouched. 



Thus far the distribution of old mine workings 

 and of the cultural influence have occupied us. But 

 before drawing conclusions — which must by now have 

 become evident — I propose to go one step further 

 and to occupy myself with the technique of mining, 

 smelting and refining of metals. For this I shall have to 

 rely entirely upon the writings of Professor Gowland, 

 who, everyone must admit, will be a perfectly safe guide. 

 It will be seen that Professor Gowland considers the 

 mining and smelting operations of Switzerland and Upper 

 Austria as well as those of other places where there is 

 more convincing evidence that Egyptian influence has 

 been present. It must not be thought that I am claiming 

 Professor Gowland as a supporter for the thesis which 1 

 am putting forward. On the contrary, we are, as it were, 

 viewing his facts from a different angle. It must be 

 remembered that we are considering the relationship 

 between old mine-workings and the megalithic culture, 

 and are not trying to determine the evolution or develop- 

 ment of the metallurgical art. But at the same time the 

 statements of Professor Gowland seem to afford very 

 strong support to our thesis. I shall keep to his own 

 words as far as possible so as to avoid any possibility 

 of personal misconstruction. 



