commerce, by more refinements in
the comforts of life, by the increasing strength of government, which in
after ages flowered out in the mighty nations of antiquity, and rendered
historic, civilization possible.

Some facts stand out with great prominence. The origin of this culture
is lost in the very night of time. We may be sure that it goes back to a
profound antiquity, and that it extended over a long series of years.

It is evident there was no great and sudden change from the culture of
the Stone Age to that of Bronze. It was as if the darkness of night had
given place to the roseate light of dawn, to be shortly followed by the
full day of historic times. It was probably introduced by trade. The
articles introduced in this way would consist of simple implements,
weapons, and ornaments. Following after the trade would be found the
smelter with his tools, and, where the conditions were favorable, local
manufactories would be set up. But this home industry would not prevent
importation of more pretentious articles from abroad. This would account
for the rich collections of shields, swords, and golden cups found in
Denmark that betray an Etruscan origin.

Investigations of recent scholars show that the bronze of the early
Bronze Age came from Asia Minor. Subsequently there were three great
centers of bronze production, each having certain styles. These were
the Russian on the east, the Scandinavian on the north, and the
Mediterranean on the south. If this view be correct, bronze must have
been in use in the South of Europe long before it was in the North.
This view of the introduction of bronze is, we think, that of the best
scholars in Europe. Others, however, think bronze was brought in by the
invasion of the Aryan tribes. Mr. Keary says: "The men of the Bronze
Age were a new race, sallying out of the east to dispossess the older
inhabitants, and if, in some places, the Bronze men and the Stone men
seem to have gone on for a time side by side, the general characteristic
of the change is that of a sudden break."<9> We have shown that it was
carried to England by an invasion, and it was, perhaps, so introduced
into Denmark, but in other countries of Europe by trade.<10>

Let us now see what change in the home life, in the culture of the
people, would be brought about by the use of bronze. We must reflect
that we are not to deal with some new race, but with the same race that
inhabited Europe at the close of Neolit