Page:Excavations at the Kesslerloch.djvu/42

Rh found not the slightest trace of a cave. Even though implicit faith may not be given to the communications made to me, inasmuch as uneducated people make but little distinction between human and animal bones, yet it is by no means impossible that the Troglodytes may have brought their dead here to dispose of them. At all events, it is certain that our Troglodytes were no cannibals; neither did they burn their dead, for if so, we should certainly have found more human remains in the cave. What the cave-dwellers of the Kesslerloch may have been in appearance, whether of large or small stature, whether they looked intelligent or stupid, it is impossible to say, for want of evidence. The main thing once and for all is the proof of the existence of prehistoric man in the Kesslerloch near Thayngen.

Though no human bones were found in the regular relic-bed, yet the number of specimens showing the handiwork and civilisation of our Troglodytes was by no means small. In the first place, we may mention an enormous quantity of flint-flakes, at least 12,000 in number, the weight of which, may be estimated at nearly seven cwt. A superficial glance is sufficient to discern amongst them three definitely characteristic forms, which are drawn (Plate I. figs. 1 and 4; and Plate II. figs. 6 and 8). The most common forms are those represented in figs. 1 and 8. The length of flints of the first form varies from four inches to less than two inches, and the breadth, from eight to six tenths of an inch. At one end the flake terminates in a point more or less decided, while at the other end it is either flattened off level or is bevelled off. This level flattening at one end was evidently intentionally brought about by the tool used for a hammer, so that the flint might be set in a bone handle. The bevelled end of many of the flakes may possibly have arisen in consequence of the fracture caused by the use of this instrument. On the middle of the back there extend, more or less prominently, one or two, or, more rarely, three sharp ridges, which originate in the fact that the flint by repeated skilled blows was sharpened like a knife on both sides; hence the name of 'flint knives.' The number of these ridges depends on the number of blows required to make the flint sharp, and therefore it is evidently due to chance. The under side of these flint knives is always smooth, and a trifle arched or curved; evidently arising from the conchoidal fracture of the flint. Flints of this form have very probably been used as arrow- or lance-heads. The second general form of flints have doubtless been used as boring tools: they are distinguished from those last mentioned by having one end