Primeval Man: The Stone Age in Western Europe

Abstract

MRS. QUIGGIN has succeeded remarkably well in a praiseworthy attempt at striking the mean of anthropological opinion on primeval man, for the benefit of “the hard-working primary teacher or for upper forms.” The value of that opinion on many points may be reasonably questioned, and the task of compiling a didactic work on the subject must have been a very difficult one. The author, however, cannot be held responsible for canvassed opinions. But who, in such a case, is responsible for the omission from such a book of most material evidence, as definitely scientific as any evidence summarised? There is very little in the book showing that any progress has been made in the interpretation of Neolithic monuments, the epithet “sepulchral” being applied to the archæological dead wall in that direction. The notion that the religion of the monument-builders is to be interpreted by existing savage life seems to be extremely fallacious, where evidence of a high culture is hypothetically reconciled with the lowest savagery (pp. 64, 65).

Primeval Man: The Stone Age in Western Europe.

A. Hingston Quiggin. With an introduction by Dr. A. C. Haddon, F.R.S. Pp. 140. (London: Macdonald and Evans, 1912.) Price 1s. 6d. net.