The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-01-16


between poncin and Neuville-sur-Ain AS long
ago as 1876 scientist Mr.. Moyret called atten-
ton TO II as having been inhabited in prehistoric
times, Ever since numerous investigators have
visited IT, They conducted their Investigations
asslduousy that the level OF the cave formed
during the Neollthic age-comparatvely recent
In the eyes of biologists and anthropologists--
was dug away, also the contiguous level of the
earlier Magdalenian age. This lowered the level
OF the cave by rs centimeters and brought to light
rich fields of Neolithic and Magdalenian 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 stili earlier Aurignacian age. This
proved to be yertable treasure trove,
In II uncovered the studio" of prehis-
toric artist, containing number of different sorts
OF eEgraver's tools pieces OF mammoth. rhinoc-
eros. and randeer bones pieces of stone ready for
engraving and stones and bones with engravings
already cut into them.
One OF the latter represents a horse of re-
markably finished type another shows a bison,
still another wild sheep. But the prize OF the
whole collection the prize which, 1t Is confidently
expected win make this epoch-making find
in the annals OF anthropology is the piece or
mammoth's bone on which is cut the figure OF
human being This. in the words of those who
have unearthed It. SIS the first document repre-
senting, in engraved form, the man of the Middle
Quaternary age, the minimum age of which is
$4,000 years"
AS those who delve into the remote history Of
our race aware, pcturngs OF himself by pre-
historic are extremely rare He delighted
in drawing and carving the strange beasts which
he saw about hm--bisons, reindeer mammoth
horses and the llke--but when II came TO giving
us an idea of what he looked like himself he was
strangely coy.
E.raciatlv rara ara danicttons NJ man In the
form OF drawings or engravngs Rude carvings
OF human beings, dating far beyond the dawn OF
history. have been dug up-at Villendorf, in Aus
tria: at Brassempouy the Laussel cave, and the
grottoes OF Grimaldi in France and other places
Owing 20 this paucty of hrst-hand information
reconstructons OF prehistoric man from the vari
GUS skulls and bones found at different times
have been largely a matter OF conjecture. 1t has
been a case Of every one guessing for himself
legion One group of savants, endeayoring 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-
auxSaints, in France have shown us something
materially strengthening the Darwinian theory
that man Is descended from the ape Another
group basing its deductions the man recon
structed from the Piltdown skull, has endeavor
ed to prove that prehistoric man from whom we
are descended never became so bestial as the
possessors OF the NeanderthalSpy-La Chappelle-
aux-Saints skulls, and that the latter belonged to
a branch Of the race which gradually degenerate
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. it is expected by the dis
coyerers 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 depctions OF human beings
OF a similar sort-notably the sculptured forms Of
women found at Azil and elsewhere in France,
as well as the sketches of the human face I'M
earthed in the cave Of Marsoulas-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 Aurignacian age.
Granting then, that the pictures in the cave OF
La Colombiere really date from the Aurignaciau
age-and the report read by Nj. Douville shows
pretty conelusively that they do-and that those
similar to them discovered up to now of
more recent date, the character Of the work done
by the cave artist Of La Coombiere is such as i'm
medately to riyet the closest attention on it.
For the man here shown. the man of thu