The question which is raised by the tide of this survey A second Stone Age? is meant by its author to be interpreted in a figurative sense, namely in respect to the increasing importance of all those branches of the industry which are manufacturing products from stones and earth . The meaning of the comprehensive term mineralogical processing in- dustry is a synthesis of raw-materials and processing techniques and comprises know-how, science and research in the fields of ceramics (fine-and heavy day ceramics as weIl as refractory building materials) binders (cement -lime - gypsum) glas, and enamel. The answer to the question posed is given in a comprehensive report about the development, the expansion and present-day technical achievements in these fields. The author particularly points out the absolute necessity of mineralo- gical products, and shows that technical progress as the basis of our culture and civilisation would be unthinkable without these products.