Primæval Man and Working-Men Students

Abstract

UNDER the above heading you published a letter from me in NATURE, August 2, 1883, p. 320, giving the names of four thoughtful artisans, who, after studying the Pitt-Rivers collection of antiquities, and reading my notes in NATURE, had made finds of Palæolithic implements in Essex. Ten months have passed since that letter was published, and a fifth student, Mr. W. Swain, has now joined the original party of four. On Sunday, June 15, these admirable workers called upon me with their recent discoveries. They consisted of fifteen Palæolithic implements found in the drift gravels of Leyton, Wanstead, and Plaistow, with the usual complement of flakes. Some of the implements were of the older abraded class, others were as keen as knives, and from my “Palæolithic Floor,” traces of which, as I have pointed out, may be seen in Essex. Three nondescript tools were also lighted on, and four hammer-stones of quartzite with abraded ends, one from Nazing; five Neolithic instruments from Jordan's Wood, and a large collection of flakes.