Prehistoric man : researches into the origin of civilisation in the Old and the New world

This work opens a sweeping survey of humanity’s earliest steps toward civilization, contrasting the ancient Old World with the still‑unfolding story of the Americas. By tracing migrations, language roots, and the humble beginnings of domestic life, it invites listeners to see how isolated continents developed parallel customs and beliefs, often without the influence of Greco‑Roman or Asian traditions.

Within the first act the author examines the archaeological clues that reveal a “pure” prehistoric record in the New World—simple monuments, early myths, and the rise of distinct societies. The narrative highlights how the discovery of America reshaped scholarly thinking, offering a rare laboratory where the independent evolution of culture can be observed before later European contact complicated the picture.