probably discovered and attempted to utilize loos© 
masses of the soft and tough stone known to us as 
steatite or soapstone. We may safely surmise that 
step by ste=. the peculiar quailtis and adaptabilities 
of the material were developed and that often the 
convenient loose masses were exhausted, the rock in 
place was attacked where it outcropped in the stream 
beds and on the hillsides 
