612 



PSYCHOZOIC ERA— AGE OF MAN— RECENT EPOCH. 



accidentally discovered by a French peasant. Fig. 975 is a diagram 

 section of the cave, taken from Lyell. 



On removing the talus, e, a slab of rock,fg, was exposed, covering 

 the mouth of the cave,'«. In this cave were found seventeen human 

 skeletons of both sexes and of all sizes, together with entire bones of 

 extinct animals and works of art. Outside of the cave was found a 

 deposit, c and d, consisting of ashes and cinders, mingled with burnt 

 and split and gnawed bones of recent and extinct animals, and works 

 of art. The conclusion reached by M. Lartet is, that this was a family 

 or tribal burial-place ; that in the cave along with the bodies were 

 placed funereal gifts in the form of trinkets and food ; and that the 

 funereal feast was cooked and eaten on the level space in front of the 

 cave ; and, finally, that carnivorous beasts gnawed the bones left on the 

 spot. It is evident that the Aurignac men practiced religious rites 

 which indicated a belief in immortality. 



The following is a list of the animals the remains of which were 

 found in and about the cave ; those marked f are either wholly extinct 

 or extinct in this locality : 



FAUNA OF AURIGNAC CAVE. 



CAKNIVORKf 



5 or 6 



or 2 



f Cave-bear 



Brown bear 



Badger 



Polecat 



f Cave-lion 



Wild-cat 



f Cave-hvena 5-6 



Wolf.: 3 



Fox 18-20 



HF.R1UVORES. 



f Mammoth 2 molars. 



[Rhinoceros 1 



•j-Horse 12-15 



f Ass 1 



Hog 1 



Stag 1 



f Irish elk 1 



Roebuck 8-4 



f Reindeer 10-12 



f Aurochs 1 2-15 



Perigord Caves. — In Southwestern France, along the course of the 

 river Vezere, are found many caves in which are preserved interesting 



Fig. 976.— Drawing of a Mammoth by Contemporaneous Man. 



