The Raymer enterprise., 1914-01-08

between Poncin and Neuve-sur-Ain. As long
ago as 1875 a scientist, Mr. Moyret called atten-
lion to II as having been inhabited In prehistoric
times Ever since numerous Investigators have
visited II. They conducted their investigations
no assiduously that the level of the cave formed
during the Neollthie age-comparatively recent.
In the eyes OF geologists and anthropologists-
was dug away. also the contiguous level OF the
earlier Magdalenian age This lowered the level
OF the cave BY IS centimeters and brought TO light
rich fields Of Neothic and Magdaenian relics
But the richest find of all was yet to come. Be
ginning last May. the latest investigators began to
dig deeper into the soil forming the floor OF the
cave. and after they had penetrated about one
meter further down they found stratum OF fine
gravel, showing unmistakable signs OF dating
from the still earlier Aurgnacian age This
proved to be a yertable treasure trove.
In ii were uncovered the studio of prehis
torc artist. containing number OF different sorts
OF engraver's tools pieces OF mammoth, rhinoc.
eros. and raindeer bones pieces of stone ready for
engraving and stones and bones with engravings
already cut into them.
One Of the latter represents horse OF a re-
markably finished type; another shows bison,
still another wild sheep. But the prize OF the
whole collection. the prize which, II is confidently
expected, will make this an epoch-makng find
in the annals Of anthropology. is the piece OF
mammoths bone on which is cut the figure of
human being. This. in the words OF those who
have unearthed 1t. is the first document repre-
senting. In engraved form, the man of the Middle
Qnaternary age. the minimum age Of which is
$4,000 years
As those who delye into the remote history of
our race are aware. pcturings of himself by pre-
historic man are extremely rare. lie delighted
In drawing and carving the strange beasts which
he saw about. him-bisons. reindeer. mammoth,
horses and the like-but when II came to giving
us an idea OF what he looked like himself he was
strangely coy.
Especially rare are depictions OF man in tho
form of drawings or engravings. Rude carvings
of human beings, dating far beyond the dawn OF
history. have been dug up-at Villendorf, in Aus.
trla. at Brassempouy the Laussel cave, and the
grottoes of Grimaldi in France and other places.
Owing to this pauety Of frst.hand information.
reconstructons OF prehistoric man from the vari-
Gus skulls and bones found at different times
have been largely matter of conjecture, 1t has
been case OF every one guessing for himself
legion One group OF savants. endeavoring to
build up our remote ancestor from the famous
relics found In the Neanderthal near Dusseldorf
Germany: at Spy In Belgium. and at La Chapelle-
aux.Saints. In France have shown us something
materially strengthening the Darwinan theory
that man is descended from the ape. Another
group. basing its deductions on the man" recon-
strueted from the Pitdown skull. has endeavor
ed to prove that prehistoric man, from whom we
are descended, never became so bestal as the
possessors OF the NeanderthalSpy-La Chappelle-
aux-Saints skulls. and that the latter belonged to
a branch Of the race which gradually degenerat-
ed until II finally became extinct while the other
and superior branch kept on improving until man
as we know him was gradually evolved.
This latter theory, 1t is expected by the dis
coverers Of the prehistoric studio" in the cave
of La Colombiere. will be greatly bostered up
by what they have brought to light. To begin
with. the best known depictions OF human beings
Of similar sort-notably the scuptured forms of
women found at Azl and elsewhere In France,
as we'll as the sketches of the human face un.
earthed In the cave OF Marsouas-were produced
in the Magdalenian age. according to the theory
generally accepted by Frenchmen and, therefore.
are supposed to be much more recent than any
thing dating from the Aurignacan age.
Granting then. that the pictures In the cave of
La Colombiere really date from the AurignacIan
age--and the report read by NJ. Douyille shows
pretty conclusivey that they do-and that those
similar to them discovered up to now are Of
more recent date, the character Of the work done
BY the cave artist Of La Colombiere Is suc; es Inn
medlately to rivet the closest attention on t.