Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-14
MEN OF LONG AGO.
Prehistoric Man at the Paris EXPOSE
tioR-Prof. Ihos. Wilson's Lecture.


Prof Thos Wilson last night delivered the
first lecture of his National Museum course
that is intended TO represent the work done by
the American anthroPologists at the late Paris
exposition. HIS theme last evening was Pre-
historic Anthropology." has lecture being in n
great measure. introductory to those that are TO
follow. Some interesting views we're
thrown upon the screen illustrating the
geography Of the exposition and of Paris. being
accompanied by an instructive talk about the
exterior features Of the great show. The lee
turer said that he thought there was plenty Of
room Tor study IN tins line. especially az tins
government is now considering plans for the
coming exposition in Chicago.
THE ATTENDANCE
The Paris fair was visited by abou
25.0O0,00O people altogether, but the propor-
ton Of Americans WAS very small The daily
attendance ON the least busy day in August
would exceed the total number of Americans
who crossed the Atlantic to attend the expo
sltIon. Everybody went IA at what was prac-
hcal!y halt price. owing 10 a peculiarly French
lottery scheme that enabled the government
Ia sell coupon tickets and .cceive for them a
full franc. These were taken up by specula-
tors who depended upon their chances in the
lottery for reimbursement and profit Nobody
paid more than - cents TO get INTO the EXPOSE
ton.
THE METEOROLOGICAL EXHIBITS.
Turning from the business features Of the
exposition to the matter Of the authropological
exhibits there Prof Wilson showed reproduc-
tons of several groups that were arranged in
tins section 10 show the WAYS and means of
French prehistoric man. These groups, he
sad. had been made after a vast amount of
research. the learned men of France making
TrodlSlous studies into the ruins and
parts OF the country in order TO obtain facts
aud theories for the establishment of the
groups. Ia some eases skeletons had been
found IN certain places which served To show
the size OF the men who inhabited those re-
gIons. and then again there WAS absolutely
nothing to go upon except scientific speculs-
ton and parallel facts.
pALEpIITuIC MAN.
The first group shown was a representation
of the paieolithic period depicting a man and
woman sitting On the ground engaged ia
making stone implements by clipping off the
edges of fragments Of flint and other materials
Another showed the caveruous period-a
group OF three persons at work under
the shelter OF an Oycrhanglng preclplce.
The woman and young man were engaged in
carving bones Tor ornament, and the tall figure
OF a man appeared In the foreground bearing
the body OF a deer Several other views were
shown to illustrate the process by which tins
graph OF the cave hut in central France that
served as a model 1t Was at this point that a
skeleton WAS discovered. A number of carved
pieces of bone were shown on the screen. Civ
ing drawings Of the human figure that served
as guides Tor the mounting.
BRONZE AND IRON.
The bronze age furnished more material in
the way OF actual facts to guide the scientist
in his researches as large number OF bronze
implements were exhibited. the work of foun-
ders OF this period group of two men was
shown engaged in casting objects of
bronze Much of the accompanying de-
tail, said the lecturer. had TO 10
imagined by the scientist such as
the dress and methods of work but il was all
Is faithful possible. The iron age came
next. This age, said Prof. Wilson. is far older
than any possible history. There never has
been trace o. prehistoric man discovered
without some indication OF a knowledge OF
the properties of IRON. The photograph shown
was of a drawing made from the Paris group.
showing two men manipulating bellows aud
pounding the rough metal on an anvil. con-
sIstlng Of a bar Of iron driven into q log Of
wood.
THE OTHER LECTURES.
This lecture will be followed by others Of the
same nature. On Friday evening the topic
will be Ancient Industries, Charms and AM
ulets;" on Wednesday, the 2lst, History OF
Human Habitations, and on Friday, the 23d,
Anthropo logical Congresses and Prehistoric
Museums"