438 
Prof. Mantovani — Is Man TertianJ ? 
two distinct races ; the one, primitive or native, wliicli continued to 
use flint weapons, perfecting their manufacture during tlie successive 
Neolithie period ; tlie other of more recent introduction (but cer- 
tainly derived from a more ancient and more highly advanced race as 
regards its progress in civilization), wkick, invading tbe country, 
gradually superseded tlie aboriginal flint-implement-making race. 
According to tliis view, tlie Latin population wbicb actually 
inhabits tlie Italian peninsula does not represent tlie primitive race, 
but tbey are tbe descendants of an exotic people who brougbt to 
Italy a civilization mucb in advance of tbe aboriginal race. 
If it be asked from whence came tbose early foreign settlers, 
I tbink it will not be difficnlt to prove that they came from Asia, 
wliere we also find remains of monuments of tbe higbest historical 
antiquity, atfording records of tbe most ancient period in buman 
civilization. 
The introduction into Italy of tliis exotic population is referable 
to tlie dawn of tbe modern ejiocb, wliereas tbe primitive inbabitants 
of Italy were existing from tbe end of tbe Pliocene period, wben 
all tbe plains now Stretching on botli sides of tbe Apennines were 
covered by tbe sea, and wben tbe latest Tertiary deposits were being 
spread over tbeir submerged surfaces. In tbis remote time Central 
Italy was represented by an arcliipelago of mountainous islands, tbe 
Apennines being wasbed to tbeir feet, by tbe waves of tbe Pliocene sea. 
Even tlien primseval man inbabited tbe mountains, and tbeir calci- 
ferous caverns were bis sole retreats, nor could he descend into tbe 
plains until after tbeir upheaval, when he doubtless witnessed the 
gradual formation of the great Quaternary alluvial deposits and the 
eruptions of the Latial Yolcanos. 
Reviewing the facts derived from these observations, it seems to 
me permissible to draw tbe following conclusions as to tbe history 
of primitive man in tbe Roman country. 
Ist. Tbe earliest appearance of man in Central Italy can be traced 
back to tbe end of the Pliocene period, bis weapons liaving been 
found in tbe oldest Pleistocene deposits, and perhaps also in tbe 
latest Pliocene formation s. 
2nd. Man was contemporaneous witb the great extinct Mammalia. 
Ile survived tbe Glacial period, and was witness to those imposing 
scenes produced by tbe eruptions of tbe Latial Volcanos, in tbe great 
alluvial deposits of wbicb our present river-valleys were excavated. 
3rd. Primitive man at first lived in a very rougli manner, using 
only flint weapons of tbe Palmolitliic type. Subsequently be traded 
witb people of anotlier continent possessed of a liigber civilization. 
Tbis continued througli the Miolithic period. In the Neolithie period 
tbe primitive race was gradually replaced by the exotic one ; and 
liere our investigation ceases, and we enter upon the period of 
ancient history and tradition. 
In tbe subjoined table I liave attempted to sbow the geological 
formations of tbe Koman country in wbicb the remains of pre- 
historic man rnay be traced. 
