PREHISTORIC RELICS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 26, 25 October 1921, Page 8

PREHISTORIC RELICS

Some remarkable relics of the Stone Ago have been discovered in the caverns of Ussat—a valley which is situated in the extreme south of France on the Spanish border (says the Paris correspondent of the London "Observer"). For nearly half a century these researches for traces of prehistoric times have been pursued more or less spasmodically, without method. It was in 1879 that the first grottos containing tombs of men who lived in a period of which no written records remain were discovered. Thirty-five grottos have been found in the Massif Central and the Pyrenees during the last forty years—grottos ornamented by rude designs graven on tho rock. Two savants, M. Cnguilliere and M. Bacquie, have just added to these discoveries the eaves of the Valley of Ussnt, in tho Department of Anego. After long ond patient toil they have unearthed hones nnd specimens of very rough pottery and drawings which undoubtedly belong to the Stone Ago. According to these investigations this valley nt the foot of the Massif de T.ouhives. tho country of the "Roches de Feu,” apnoars to contain a greater number of tombs with funeral urns and designs cut upon tho rock than any nloce hitherto known. Tn a cavern half-way nn the steep slopes which face the heights of Lonhivcs. and nt tho ond of a narrow corridor, signs which are known under the nanjo of soulifnrmos. nectiformes. nnd hastiformo-s. orc found, red upon tho white and ochre walls. Pining, m'tic concretions cover some of them, and thoso concretions me hold to nrov” their mitionitv. There are primitive sketches of animals. Some of Hm horses and mountain gents are d’-scrilwd os bavin" Roon drawn with skill. Tn another nailery tho pick has broimht to light ImnM and the debris of earthenware vessels.

The ros"aivhos arc bein’- confinnod in tlie snrno massif, whore it is believed there exist other caverns containing vestiges of prehistoric mnn.