The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-09-03

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IL - by early man. This was pri-
ILJ marily hunter and his chief center
- of activity appears TO have been
what is now southwestern France and northeast
ern Spain, although Germany, Austria, Italy, Bel
gium, England, and to lesser degree other coun-
tries, came within his range. This apparent dis
tributon may be deceptive, however. Many OF
the stations are out in the open, for example
on the valley. terraces of the Thames and the
Somme; but the majority of the sites especially
those Of later times, are sheltered in some way.
The shelter may consist merely of an overhang-
ing cliff, 1t may be grotto yawning on the noun
tain side and it may be the far interior of cave.
This latter type of site II is relatively easy to find
by making deliberate search while the location
of an ancient camp or workshop in the open coun-
try is the result only of chance IL is conceivable
of course that these roaming, migratory hunters
returned seasonaly to the natural shelters but on
the other hand, it is possible that many of them
built huts-some OF the geometric cave paintings
suggest that they did-and unless these huts stood
in very close proximity to some shetering cliff all
traces of the spot and its relics would be lost.
Hence we may properly take for granted that
hundreds of archaeological stations will remain un-
discovered, in consequence of which our notion
OF the actual strength of the population at any
given place during these early millenniums of
human existence must continue imperfect IL not
inadequate
AS need hardly be stated the presence OF
natural habitatons depends ordinarily on a high
relief a more or less mountainous topography.
Caves most abundant in volcanic regions as
in the western United States or in limestone
areas such as Kentucky and adjaeent common
wealths. Shelters are notable features of steep
walled valleys or box-canyons and our own cliff
dweler region affords the best example of them
and their utilization. In Europe the most famous
cave groups are located in the lower French
Pyrenees and their Cantabran extension in north
Spain, while the equally famous shelter region
includes short sections of the Vezere and Beune
valleys at Les Eyzies, in the French department
OF Dordogne. Both regions are wonderfully pic
turesque and impressive, and barring some alter
ations in the flora they have not changed much
in general appearance since the arrival Of paleo-
lithic man. These and shelters all in
limestone formations and are the results chiefly
of mechanical erosion Some of the caves espe-
ciay those OF the lower attitudes are still in
process of making, while others well up on the
mountain sides. are very ancient-in fact, were In
their old age when man first entered them.
Roughly speaking, the shelters proper that is
the overhanging cliffs and the wide open grottoes
were the homes of paleolthc man and therefore
naturally furnish with important data concern
Ing his physical makeup, his practical ability,
and the general nature OF his everyday life. The
caves the other hand, served him mainly as
galleries for remarkable series of paintings en-
cravings and carvings, which in a measure reveal
10 us his Hentdl attlluQe toward llIe Inc caves,
1t must be understood, were exceedingly dark and
damp ordinarily unfit for habtaton except pos
sibly as temporary retreat during the hard win
ters and contrariwise. the shelter walls. having
been exposed for thousands of years to the wealth.
ering elements could not have preserved for us
either paintings delicate engravings that may
have been made upon them. There are several
somewhat qualifying exceptions to these sweeping
statements however. For instance, the Gargas
cavern, near Montrejeau. France, and likewise the
Altamira cave, near Santander SPAIN appear to
have been occupied for protracted periods al
though in both cases only very close to the en-.
trance On the other hand. some of the shelters
such as Cap Blanc Les Eyzies France
have preserved mainly through accident, fine
series of high relief sculptures. But general
thing the camp sites in large half-open shell
ters, usually facing the sun. while the entrances
to the painted caves face In any direction, and
for the most part are very small and incon snicu
Gus. At Castillo only there is the perfect combi
nation-a large. sunny grotto, which was occupied
periodically throughout most OF paleolithic times
and which served besides as the vestibule to a
considerable cave famous for its mural art
An examination OF the various Dordogne shell
ters, coupled with study of the changing types
found I'm them, is most instructive. Nearly all OF
the stations here at the base OF the high
cliffs that hedge the narrow valleys on one OF
both sides; but I'm few instances the relic-bear
ing debris lies on eroded ledge some distance
up the face Of the protecting wall Almost within