The advance of new scientific methods, in particular the thermoluminescence technique for analysis of ceramic objects (Aitken and Fleming, 1972; Perlman et al., 1972), have opened up new possibilities for investigation of the mysterious finds at Glozel. As a first contribution we describe in this article the thermoluminescence analysis of a number of typical Glozelian objects: inscribed clay tablets, face urns, sexual idols, small vessels (lamps) and bobines. Our results are in marked contrast with earlier assumptions of forgery: all objects investigated prove to be genuine and give a preliminary date within the period 700 BC-AD 100.

For prehistorians of an earlier generation North Africa was an important staging area for the diffusion of neolithic arts into Western Europe, The light of Egyptian civilization was diffused along the southern Mediterranean until it dimly illuminated the cave dwellers of the Maghreb and Iberia (e.g. Vaufrey, 1955, Forde-Johnston, 1959). Spanish prehistorians, beginning with Bosch-Gimpera, were particularly fervent Africanists: even Martínez Santa Olalla's (1946) terms, ‘Hispanomauritano’ (for the Impressed Ware Culture) and ‘Iberosahariano’ (for the Almeria Culture), gained wide acceptance for a time. Under the influence of Tarradell (1959), Africanism has lost ground even in Spain and more recent syntheses (such as McBurney, 1960) have emphasized the continuing mesolithic tradition in North Africa. Still, the idea of close North AfricanISpanish ‘connexions’ persists even among anti-diffusionists (Renfrew, 1967). A brief review of the Neolithic of the Maghreb is appropriate, therefore, in order to indicate its true importance for Western Mediterranean prehistory.

In the year 1725 William Stukeley entered into correspondence with the eminent Scottish antiquary, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. 'It has been a frequent matter of wonder to me', wrote Stukeley in his first letter, 'that so many monuments of Antiquity as Scotland may justly boast of, should for ages past lye exposed to the sun, neglected and untouched, whilst every corner of Italy is ransacked and threadbare, we waste away immense sums of our treasure for some abject gleanings there, overlooking a rich and ripe harvest at our own doors.

At first glance it may seem an extravagance that two substantial books on the British Iron Age should make their appearance at virtually the same moment. On the contrary, except for the expense, this is a very fortunate accident that will oblige real enquirers in this field to formulate in a more determined manner than heretofore their own opinions, and working hypotheses. There is no question of abandoning one author for the other on all points: both must be read, and full weight given to the diversity of material evidence presented, and to the interpretations offered. This all contributes to a great stimulation of interest, of opportunity to clarify issues, and to see what next most needs to be done.