It embraces thousands of centuries.

The appearance of arrow-heads indicates the invention of the bow, and the rise of man from a defensive to an offensive mode of life.

The introduction of barbed arrows shows how inventive talent was displaying itself; bone and horn tips, that the huntsman was including smaller animals, and perhaps birds, in his chase; bone whistles, his companionship with other huntsmen or with his dog.

The scraping-knives of flint indicate the use of skin for clothing, and rude bodkins and needles its manufacture.

Shells perforated for bracelets and necklaces prove how soon a taste for personal adornment was acquired; the implements necessary for the preparation of pigments suggest the painting of the body, and perhaps tattooing; and batons of rank bear witness to the beginning of a social organization.
With the utmost interest we look upon the first germs of art among these primitive men.