ace
we read: "The Neolithic and Bronze Ages preceded the Paleolithic, at
least in the Mississippi basin."<48>

Notwithstanding these quotations, we think it will yet be shown that in
this country, as in Europe, there was a true Paleolithic Age, and
that there was no such inversion as is here spoken of. In some places
sedentary tribes may have been driven away and their territory occupied
by more war-like, but less highly cultivated tribes. But take the whole
Indian race, and they were steadily advancing through the Neolithic
stage of culture. They were acquainted with copper, and were drawing
near to the discovery of bronze and metals, and, indeed, the discovery
had been made of bronze in the far south. But lying back of the true
Indian Age, long preceding it in time, to which probably belong the
relics mentioned in the preceding discoveries, is a true Paleolithic
Age.

We are indebted for the facts on which the above conclusion rests more
to the writings of Dr. C. C. Abbott, of Trenton, New Jersey, than any
other individual, and his results are based on an extensive study of the
relics themselves and the position in which found. In a collection of
stone implements of this country arranged in a cabinet, we find rude
and unpolished specimens, as well as those of a finely wrought Neolithic
type. Now the Indians, when first discovered, frequently made use of
very rudely formed implements, and from a knowledge of this fact, it
came about that but little attention was paid to the position in which
the relics were discovered. They were all classified as Indian relics.
But the greatest and most valuable discoveries in science have occurred
as a result of the attention paid to little things; in this case by
carefully scrutinizing the position in which they occurred.

Dr. Abbott commenced by gathering a very extensive collection, carefully
searching his section of country and gathering all specimens
of artificially shaped stones. These must have existed there in
considerable quantities, as, in three years' time, he collected over
nine thousand specimens,<49> carefully examining them as they came from
the soil.<50> As a result of this extensive and careful research he
is able to present us some general conclusions. The surface specimens,
including in this classification also those specimens turned up by the
plow,<51> are characteristically Indian. The material is jasper and
quartz, and they are generally carefully made. They u