ARCHAEOLOGICAL PERIODS. t 5 



been drilled evidently for the purpose of being strung and used 

 as bracelets or necklaces. 



The implements we have been referring to unquestionably 

 belong to very different stages of the Palaeolithic Period. The 

 simple forms and rude finish of the worked flints seem to 

 indicate a low type of barbarism, but some are more primitive- 

 looking than others. The more primitive forms are now and again 

 found in cave-deposits in positions which prove them to belong 

 to a very early stage of the Palaeolithic Period, while weapons and 

 tools of more varied design and better make occur at higher levels 

 in the same caves. From this it may perhaps be inferred that 

 some progress took place even in Palaeolithic times. Attempts 

 have indeed been made to classify the cave-relics according to 

 their prevailing characteristics. Thus De Mortillet has arranged 

 the caves of France in four groups, each of which is distinguished 

 by certain features which are more or less peculiar to the imple- 

 ments that belong to it. In his classification we find that the 

 oldest group embraces those caves which contain what appear 

 to be the most primitive -looking implements, and in which 

 worked bones are rarely or never present. Each of the later 

 groups has its distinguishing characteristics, but it is not needful 

 for the purpose I have in view to mention these in detail. It 

 is enough to say that, while implements of bone and horn are 

 scarce, and no engraved objects occur in the second group, in 

 the third group lance- or dart-heads and other instruments of 

 horn and bone are not only far more numerous, but some of 

 these are engraved with the representations of animals. In the 

 fourth and youngest group of caves works of art are somewhat 

 common. It is from the caves of this last group that the 

 most interesting engravings and carvings have been obtained. 

 Whether this classification will ultimately be accepted in its 

 entirety may be doubted, but it appears in the main to be so 

 reasonable that it has commended itself to many of the most 

 eminent archaeologists. 



But although it cannot be questioned that some of the tribes 

 or races of Palaeolithic times were a little farther advanced than 



