While we were young and credulous, black-robed theologians impressed
upon our minds their theory of creation, according to which the first
man was moulded by the divine author of all things in his own image and
placed in an enchanting paradise. Here he enjoyed with his mate, whom
the same deity formed from one of man’s ribs, a state of innocence,
bliss and happiness, since want, sickness, and death were as yet
unknown, and all animals lived together in peace and harmony.
In later years, after we had become inquisitive, we found that this
story of creation is merely one of innumerable similar myths, invented
by aboriginal people when they began to ponder over their origin. We
also became acquainted with the theory of evolution, as taught by
Lamarck, Darwin, Haeckel, Huxley, Tylor, Lubbock, Osborn, and other
eminent anthropologists. And by investigating and comparing fossil facts
and living forms we became convinced that man was not specially created,
but gradually evolved from far lower animal forms. Furthermore, we
recognized that primitive man never enjoyed paradisical peace and
happiness, but was constantly compelled to a far more desperate struggle
for existence than any human beings had to carry on during later
periods.
To realize the innumerable hardships and terrors of this battle is
almost beyond the power of imagination. Try to place yourself in the
situation of such naked and unarmed beings. Day in and out they were
persecuted by wild beasts, which in size as well as in strength and
ferocity far surpassed those of to-day.
There were the terrible sabre-toothed tigers, whose enormous fangs hung
like daggers from their upper jaws. There were fierce lions and bears,
in comparison to which the present species would appear dwarfed. The
plains and forests were infested with bloodthirsty hyenas and wolves,
that hunted in packs and allowed no creature to escape which they were
able to cut off from its retreat. Ugly snakes, quick as lightning,
lurked in the underbrush and trees. The lakes and rivers were alive with
hideous alligators, that made every attempt to get a drink a hazardous
task. Even the skies were full of danger, as sharp-eyed eagles and
vultures circled about, ready to swoop on any living thing that might
expose itself to view. Awe-inspiring were also the immense mammoths,
elephants and rhinoceros, which with heavy tread broke through the dense
forests.
In contrast to these powerful beasts man was not protected at all.
Indeed, his means of defense were so poor, that his survival strikes us
almost as an inconceivable wonder. Neither was he armed with strong
teeth, sharp claws, horns or poisonous stings. His body had no covering
but a very thin and vulnerable skin. To escape his many pursuers, he was
compelled to hide in almost inaccessible places, among the branches of
high trees, or in the crags and on top of towering cliffs.
The never-ending struggle increased, when his kin multiplied and began
to split into various bands, tribes and races. With this separation
quarrels arose over the limits of the hunting grounds. Men began to
fight and kill their neighbors. Even worse, they slaughtered the
captives and devoured their flesh during cannibal feasts.
[Illustration:
AN APE-MAN
]
In physical appearance primeval men were far from resembling those ideal
figures of Adam and Eve, pictured by mediæval artists who strove to give
an idea of the glories of our lost Paradise. While these products of
imagination can claim no greater authenticity than the illustrations to
other fairy tales, we nevertheless owe to the diligent works of able
scientists restorations of the figures of primeval men. These deserve
full credit, as they are based on skeletons and bones, found in caves,
which some hundred thousand years ago were inhabited by human-like
beings. From such remains it appears that our predecessors were near
relatives to the so-called man-apes, the orang outang, chimpanzee,
gibbon, and gorilla. Ages passed before these ape-men, in the slow
course of evolution, developed into man, distinctly human, though still
on a far lower level than any savage people of to-day.
The ape-man probably knew no other shelter than nests of twigs and
leaves, similar to those constructed by the orang outang and the
gorilla. But with the gradual development of man’s brain and
intelligence he improved these nests to tree-huts like those still used
by certain aborigines of New Guinea, India, and Central Africa. To these
huts they retreated at night, to be safe from wild beasts, and also at
sudden attacks by superior enemies.
[Illustration:
TREE HUTS IN NEW GUINEA
]
The cliff dwellings, abounding among the steep cañons of Colorado, New
Mexico and Arizona were similar retreats. Here we find thousands of
stone houses, many hidden at such places and so high above the rivers
that they can hardly be detected from below. In the cañon of the Rio
Mancos several cliff dwellings are 800 feet above the river. To locate
them from below a telescope is needed. How it was possible for human
beings to get to some of these places, is a mystery still unsolved.
Other dwellings stand on almost unscalable boulders, or they are placed
within the fissures and shallow caverns of perpendicular walls. They can
be reached only by descending from the upper rim of the cañon by means
of long ropes, or by climbing upwards from below by using hands as well
as feet. If one succeeds in getting to these places, one finds them
always provided with store rooms for food and water. Constant danger of
hostile assaults must have compelled people to live in such difficult
retreats, which could be prepared only at enormous expenditure of time
and labor.
[Illustration:
CLIFF DWELLINGS IN THE CANON OF RIO SAN JUAN, NEW MEXICO
]
[Illustration:
LAKE DWELLINGS IN NEW GUINEA
]
Another form of refuge were the lake-dwellings, which were erected far
out in the lakes on platforms resting on heavy posts. Traces of such
structures have been found in many parts of the world. They are still
used by some of the aborigines of New Guinea and India, and also by the
Goajiro Indians of Northern Venezuela. Indeed, Venezuela owes its name
to the fact, that the Spanish discoverers of these lake-dwellings were
reminded of Venice, the queen city of the Adriatic.
When in time such aboriginal tribes increased, so that their number
spelled warning to their neighbors, they created more comfortable camps
on the shores. Or they moved into caves, such as abound in all countries
where limestone is prevailing.
Nomadic peoples like the Indians of North America and some tribes of
Siberia prepare tents of dressed skins, which are sewed together and
stretched over a framework of poles. Many aborigines of Southern Africa
and Australia are satisfied with bush shelters. Or they construct lodges
of willows, which they cover with bark or mud, to afford protection
against rain and the fierce rays of the sun.
People, living in cold regions like the Eskimo, seek shelter from the
biting winter storms by digging pits five or six feet deep. These holes
they cover with dome-shaped roofs of whale-ribs and turf. Where these
materials are not at hand the Eskimos rely on hemispherical houses,
built of regular blocks of snow laid in spiral courses. The entrance is
gained by a long passage-way that shuts off cold as well as penetrating
winds.
Having thus summarized the principal kinds of primitive dwellings, we
shall now briefly consider the activity of aboriginal peoples.
[Illustration]
[Illustration:
WOMEN OF KAMBALA. CENTRAL AFRICA, CRUSHING GRAIN
]