d, and onward progress stops. They can then only
hope to hold on the even tenor of their way, happy if increasing years
do not bring again their childhood state. The Neolithic people entered
Europe early in the youth of the race which spread their civilization
over the globe, but the race to which they belonged appear to have
reached their zenith of development long ages ago, since which time,
whatever higher culture they have reached has been a gift to them by
other people. Their energies became exhausted, and for a long series of
years Europe was filled by the camps, lake villages and fortified places
of Neolithic times.

As to the absolute length of time during which they inhabited Europe, we
have no data to determine. Relatively, their sojourn, however long,
was but a short time compared to the duration of the old Stone Age. It
presents no such evidence of lapse of ages as can be observed in the
older deposits, yet we may be sure that it was for no inconsiderable
period.

The Paleolithic Age was apparently terminated in Europe by the cold
of the last glacial epoch. No such natural course put an end to the
Neolithic Age, but as the strong have an advantage over the weak, the
young over the old, so does a race young, undeveloped, or in the early
maturity of its powers, have an advantage over the older and more fixed
civilization with which it comes in contact. To understand the causes
which introduced into Europe the Bronze Age, we must refer to the Aryan
race and to Asia.

We have in the preceding chapter briefly mentioned the Aryan race. They
have so much to do with the higher culture of the Metallic Ages, that it
seems not out of place to refer once more to their origin. The
evidence goes to show that the ancient Aryans inhabited some portion of
South-western Asia. As a race or family, they appear to have been one
of the latest developed. Yet a record of their progress is a record of
civilization.

Unless we reflect, we are liable to be misled by the expression, recent
development. The Hindoos, one of the latest members of this family, were
in India several thousand years before Christ.<2> But however far back
we trace them, we find them in possession of metals. Aside from this,
we know that before the different Aryan tribes had commenced their
migration (with the exception, however, of the Celts), while they formed
but one mass of people, they worked some of the metals.<3> They could
have acquired this knowle