Re: Jurassic intelligence (time-scale for evolution of alien

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.ATTGIS.COM>]

>From: Derek Tearne <derek@iconz.co.nz>
 > 
 > While I take your point about extinctions I would have to say that 
 > calling the Polynesians 'stone age' is ignoring both their cultural
 > sophistication, navigational prowess and technological achievements.  
 > After all, a culture which could colonise the entire pacific *and get 
 > back home* aren't really that 'primitive' are they?.

They may not have been "primitive", but they *still* were stone-
age by definition, since the definition of stone-age is simply
"a culture not making regular use of metallic tools".

The pre-European contact cultures of the Pacific did NOT use metal
tools, so they were stone-age by definition - as were almost all of
the indiginous North American cultures - even such sophisticated
and advanced cultures as the Maya.

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.