The Dawn of Mediterranean Civilization. By Angelo Mossi Translated by
Marian C. Harrison. (T. Fisher Unwin. 16s. net.) —Signer Mossi followed up his " Palaces of Crete and their Builders" by the work now before us in which he deals with the Neolithic age as it is to be seen in the Cretan and other Mediterranean remains. On the whole the book will be found somewhat disappointing to the reader, who will find himself wandering about in a wilderness of detail. It is impossible to speak too highly of the enthusiasm and energy of Signor Mossi. He brought to his work a devotion which could not be surpassed, and collected a vast store of material, here reproduced for the student in an almost embarrassing profusion. Still we soon find that these details, even if they do bewilder us, are often very interesting. There is the double-headed axe, for instance, the subject being illustrated with analogies from other lands. There is a chapter on woman's dress and fashions of arranging the hair in the pre- historic times. Lace seems to have been known even in those early days. Many of the remains are of a religions class; and in Neolithic religion matriarchy, it would seem, prevailed. Then we read, . somewhat, it may be, to our surprise, about "Neolithic navigation." How a man would set about making a ship and its rigging with the equipment of a stone knife is something of a problem. After this we have disquisitions on the "Copper Age." Was there such an age before tin was discovered or used? It has been denied. But Signor Mossi brings to reinforce the affirmative side a number of discoveries of his own. We may mention also the anthropological chapters—anthropology was Signor Mosses special study—in which much that is valuable may be found.
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