The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1871-06-17
4 Nut for Archmoiogi-ts.

Since the result Of Governor Arny's explur-
atiuns in MeNcn was made public, there has
been no discovery of more interest 10 the
American archmologIst than the on" alleged
To have been recently made IN Iowa, on the
line Of the projected Dubuque and Minnesota
railroad. The workmen, while engaged in
cayating for the rued, III the lime at the foot
Of bluff, are said TO have come upon Hat
stone covered with strange characters. This
being removed opened the way into IA passage
about four feet wide and six feet high leading
directly into the heart Of the bluff. At dis
lance Of about fifty feet from the entrance
another stone similar 20 the first, had 10 be
removed, when IA large chamber revealed itself,
cut out OF solid rock. about twenty-five feet
square. and twenty feet high. The i!oor was
hard and smooth, while the walls and roof
were carved in a sort OF bISsr f'lsr'O, with
figures of birds. trees. stars. serpents and
chAriots. The nuuth wall was adorned with
representation Of the sun, and Immediately
below this the figure Of "a man in the act Of
stepping out Of boat, and holding dove In
his hand
So far the revelations were not very differ
ont from many previous ones ~ caves and
rock chambers throughout our western coun-
try. The most curious part Of the discovery
yet t0 come. and one that would go far to
support the theory Of many savants with re-
gard To the physical degeneration of the race
4 Hat slab IN the floor OF the cavern being
tons 81 an unusual size. the largest being
seven feet eight inches high by actual meas
uIement NY the side of each skeleton was
set a small vase filed with yellow earth lee
heath which were found animal bones and
PARTICLES Of animal matter. The skeletons
were placed in u semi circle tGWnrd the south.
west.
Who this lost and unknown race can have
been We leave our RntIquaries 10 Conjecture.
Perhaps they were u branch OF thn, mysterious
and cultivated people whom the A2tacs are
said to have swept away aud destroyed in their
great hcgira TO the plains Of Mexico. Or they
may have been related to the great stock of
Satchez, which once held sway all along the
Mississippi The figured sun on the walls of
the rock chamber would indicate that they
worshiped that luminary, and the represeh-
tation of a man with a dove stepping out Of a
boat may he an allusinn to that tradition Of
the deluge which in one form or another all of
our aboriginal people have been found To hold.
But to Whatever family this forgotten race may
have belonged, IL is certain that they had At
tained higher degree of civilization than was
reached 10y those who came after them. In
the fingers Of the largest skeleton was held n
pearl ornament and traces OF cloth were found
crumbled at the feet of the remains. What is
more important and curious. many copper i'm.
ploments were found, Thus seeming to show
that the Lake Superior copper mines were
worked at very early period.
II the account that We have received Of this
remarkable cave Is strictly true, Investigation
may derive from 1t important additions to ouI
stock Of knOwledge regarding the primitive
races of our country. and we are glad t0 learn
that the remains are tn TIC removed to thc
Iowa Institute OF Arts and Sciences, Dubuque
--ErchInge.