The Prehistoric World; Or, Vanished RacesAllen, Emory Adams
History
The Prehistoric World; Or, Vanished Races
Allen, Emory Adams
Archaeology; Indians; Prehistoric peoples
The Basques do not belong to the great division of the human
family known as Aryans, to which the English-speaking races, as
well as the nations of Europe generally, belong. They belong to a
far older division of the human family—the Turanian41—and were
doubtless in possession of Europe long before the Indo-European
nations commenced their westward migrations from Central Asia.
They are described as being brave, industrious, and frugal, with
patriarchal manners and habits. They scorn authority, except what
emanates from themselves, and have but few nobility. They are
impetuous, merry, and hospitable, fond of music and dancing.42 Of
their warfare we are told they are “not distinguished in open
warfare, but unconquerable in guerrilla warfare, and famed for
defense of walled cities.”43 Such are the Basques of to-day, and
many of these traits of character, we doubt not, were the same
amongst the Neolithic people.
Mr. Dawkins also thinks that two tribes, living in Northern
Italy, in the very earliest historical times, are other remnants
of the same people. One of these were the Ligurians.
Investigations and traditions show that some time before the dawn
of history they had been driven out of the pleasant parts of
Southern France, but had made a successful stand in the mountain
regions of Northern Italy. They, like the Basques, were strong,
active, and warlike. They were small in stature, swarthy in
features, and long-headed. To the south of these were the
Etruscans. But little is known of them, though the evidence is
that long before the Christian Era they were a powerful people.
In physical features they resembled those already described.
Their sculpture exhibits only short, sturdy figures, with large
heads and thick arms. Another possible remnant of these people
existed at the very dawn of history in the mountainous regions of
Wales. They were known as Silures. but have since become absorbed
in the surrounding population. In civilization and physical
features they agree with the remnants already described.
In the north of Russia are found the Finns. Their origin and
migrations are alike unknown. One thing is certain, they belong
to the Turanian family, and so are probably allied to the Basques
and Etruscans. It is possible that they also are but a sorry
remnant of the once wide-spread Neolithic people. Driven out of
the fairer portions of Europe, they hive found an asylum in their
present bleak surroundings. Like the people already described,
they are short in stature, and dark visaged.44
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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