[39] Details as to the relation of the Stone Age to the Bronze and Iron Ages may be found in 'Researches into the Early History of Mankind,' by Edward B. Tylor. Chap. VIII., 'Pre-Historic Times,' by Sir J. Lubbock, Chaps. I. and II. [40] 'De l'Age du Fer, Recherches sur les anciennes Forges du Jura Bernois,' by A. Quiquerez, Engineer of the Jura Mines. Porrentruy, 1866; pp. 35-39, 77-80. Also, 'Matériaux pour l'Histoire positif de l'Homme,' by G. de Mortillet, vol. ii. pp. 505-510. CHAPTER II. Weapons--Tools, Instruments, Utensils, and Pottery--The Tombs of Hallstadt and the Plateau of La Somma--The Lake-Settlements of Switzerland--Human Sacrifices--Type of Man during the Iron Epoch--Commencement of the Historic Era. The most valuable traces of the manners and customs of man during the earlier period of the iron epoch have been furnished by the vast burial-ground discovered recently at Hallstadt, near Salzburg in Austria. M. Ramsauer, Director of the salt-mines of Salzburg, has explored more than 1000 tombs in this locality, and has described them in a work full of interest, a manuscript copy of which we have consulted in the Archæological Museum of Saint-Germain. As the tombs at Hallstadt belong to the earlier period of the iron epoch, they represent to us the natural transition from the epoch of bronze to that of iron. In fact, in a great number of objects contained in these tombs--such as daggers, swords and various ornaments--bronze and iron are combined. One sword, for instance, is formed of a bronze hilt and an iron blade. This is represented in figures 233, 234, 235 and 236, drawn from the sketches in M. Ramsauer's manuscript work entitled 'Les Tombes de Hallstadt,' in which this combination of the two metals is remarked upon; the sword-hilts being formed of one metal and the blades of another. [Illustration: Fig. 233.--Sword, from the Tombs of Hallstadt (with a Bronze Hilt and Iron Blade).] [Illustration: Fig. 234.--Sword, from the Tombs of Hallstadt (with a Bronze Hilt and Iron Blade).] [Illustration: Fig. 235.--Dagger, from the Tombs of Hallstadt (Bronze Handle and Iron Blade).] [Illustration: Fig. 236.--Dagger, from the Tombs of Hallstadt (Bronze Handle and Iron Blade).] By taking a rapid survey of the objects found in the tombs of Hallstadt, we can form a somewhat accurate idea of the first outset of the iron age. The first point which strikes us in this period, is the utter change which had taken place in the interment of the dead. During the Stone Age, the dead were placed in small subterranean crypts, that is in _dolmens_ or _tumuli_. During the Bronze Age it became to a great extent customary for men to burn the dead bodies of their friends. This custom was destined to become more and more prevalent century after century, and during historic times it became universal among a great many nations.