The elusive Mesolithic of Hodder Westropp Three-age system

bone harpoon studded microliths, mode 5 composite hunting implement.

sir john lubbock s use of terms palaeolithic ( old stone age ) , neolithic ( new stone age ) popular. applied, however, in 2 different senses: geologic , anthropologic. in 1867-1868 ernst haeckel in 20 public lectures in jena, entitled general morphology, published in 1870, referred archaeolithic, palaeolithic, mesolithic , caenolithic periods in geologic history. have gotten these terms hodder westropp, took palaeolithic lubbock, innovated mesolithic ( middle stone age ) , caenolithic instead of lubbock s neolithic. none of these terms appear anywhere, including writings of haeckel, before 1865. haeckel s use innovative.

westropp innovated mesolithic , caenolithic in 1865, after publication of lubbock s first edition. read paper on topic before anthropological society of london in 1865, published in 1866 in memoirs. after asserting:

man, in ages , in stages of development, tool-making animal.

westropp goes on define different epochs of flint, stone, bronze or iron; ... never did distinguish flint stone age (having realized 1 , same), divided stone age follows:

these 3 ages named respectively palaeolithic, mesolithic , kainolithic. careful qualify these stating:

their presence not evidence of high antiquity, of , barbarous state; ...

lubbock s savagery westropp s barbarism. fuller exposition of mesolithic waited book, pre-historic phases, dedicated sir john lubbock, published in 1872. @ time restored lubbock s neolithic , defined stone age divided 3 phases , 5 stages.

the first stage, implements of gravel drift, contains implements knocked shape. illustrations show mode 1 , mode 2 stone tools, acheulean handaxes. today in lower palaeolithic.

the second stage, flint flakes of simplest form , struck off cores. westropp differs in definition modern, mode 2 contains flakes scrapers , similar tools. illustrations, however, show modes 3 , 4, of middle , upper palaeolithic. extensive lithic analysis leaves no doubt. are, part of westropp s mesolithic.

the third stage, more advanced stage in flint flakes chipped shape, produced small arrowheads shattering piece of flint hundred pieces , selecting suitable , working punch. illustrations show had microliths, or mode 5 tools in mind. mesolithic therefore partly same modern.

the fourth stage part of neolithic transitional fifth stage: axes ground edges leading implements totally ground , polished. westropp s agriculture removed bronze age, while neolithic pastoral. mesolithic reserved hunters.