The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-07
Relics of a Forgotten Age.


TEsQUE SHAPES, SHOWING TIE STRANGE
FANCIEs OF A PREHISTORIC PEOPLE.
New York Truune.l
collection Of curious Peruvian earthen-
ware is in the possession OF W. W. Evans,
Of New Rochelle. Mr.. Evans spent several
years in Peru engaged In the construction
Of railways. One OF these roads, among
the Peruvian Andes, Is said TO reach a
higher altitude than any other railway in
the world. A picture OF section OF an
other, the Lima and Oraya railway, shows
span supported upon an iron pier as
high as Trinity steeple. Ii was While
laying ont the route OF a railway that Mr..
Evans discovered the time.wOrn relies
now in his possession. In the southern
part of Peru lies the valley OF the Santa,
near Chimbote. Here for miles is stretch
of fine white sand From distance its
smooth surface is said 10 resemble the un-
rufiled sea. But when the sand was dis
turbed III the process Of working upon the
railway il wa, found that the remains OF a
prehistoric race lay buried beneath. Then
the utmost care was taken. SOundings were
made constantly with long iron rods to de-
termine the presence Of any relics. The
result was astonishing. For twenty-five
miles in the sandy valley the w0rkmen dug
through an immense graveyard. Tombs
were found eleven aDd twelve feet below
the surface Of the ground, the depth indi-
eating somewhat the years that had passed
since they were built.
These tombs whose quiet was disturbed
by the advent OF the locomotive engine
were constructed Of stone. The average
size was about six feet IN length, four in
width, and tlvee in height. The walls
were of masonry. securely plastered, while
heavy fGgStOneS lay across the top. Wnen
the iigs were removed strange sight was
presented within the graves. In the corners
with grim, blackened, fle>hless faces sat
mummies wrapped in cloths. Near them
were the skeletons OF dogs. There were
earthpn vessels Of quaint shapes and specl-
mems Of old and silver-work. The remains
of what had been once corn, beans, anu peas
were also found. The mummies were pre-
pared in strange manner. The bodies
had been doubled up and the hands cla,ped
arouad the knees. Then the whole had
been wound with kind OF coarse cloth
until only the face was left visible. The
MI shapen bundles were placed invariably
with ibe faces 10 the west. The cereals in
the graves are supposed to have Geen in
tended for the sustenance OF The deau IN The
split world. The utensils may also have
been designed for their use. II is supposed
that these graves and relics antedale he reign
OF the Incas, though their exact age cannot
be known. Ii is said that the pottery is the
oldest known in the world.
There Is "A large number Of pieces in Mr..
Evans collection, all showing different de-
signs. They are called hu0caS, and are re-
ceplaclts for liquids. They are composed
OF baked CLAW, usually reddish, but in some
cases colOred red OF black. They are
moulded 10 represent rude buSts, masks,
statueItes, fruit, and animals. One remark
able circumstance is that the potter's wheel
has not been used upon these articles, and
the manner in which they were moulded is
unknown. The workmanship is rude, and
the faces and figures are exceedingly gro-
tesQue. One shows, apparently, a must
clan clutching a drum. Another shows
gay reveler overcome with strong
drink mud sinking down sleepily over
his cups. From the heads OF the
figures rise long. narrow necks, often form.
ing an arch below, which unite into one
neck above. The busts OF the figures swell
out, forming TASKS. One represents a cul-
Dril with his hands tied behind him, and
another clumsy but formidable person
armed with whip. On the sides OF sOme
of the huacas are depicted hideOus drag
obs, and animals which much resemble a
school boys first efforts at drawing. A blrd,
appar lntly a paroquet, forms the body Of
several huacas. In some cases they are
double, bird or figure being attached to
comparatively plaiu flask. There are seve-
raj representations OF fruit, one giving tine
form OF kind of melon which is said to
taste exactly like vanilla ice.cream. An
other consists OF four clay globes, each
about the size Of an orange, whica are
Joined together. From the middle Of the
arched hollow handle rises long neck.
A oiisck buaca consists Of q cat curled up
In bail, from whose back peers out
snakes bead. The heads forming huacas
are particularly uneeutb. They wear usu-
ally some sort Of remarkable hesd.dress.
Tusks protrude from the corners OF the
moaths. Sill. gsotesque a. they are. there
IL q certain expression OF bumor visible Ia
the very ngliness. The most curious OF
these pieces OF pottery are what are ssiled
the whisfiing huacas." They are asu-
ally small and Of varied shapes.
BY blowing into the neck clear,
distinct whistle Is produced. These
utensils are supposed TO have had sacred
IS we'd as practical use. They were proba-
biz intended for representations OF house.
hold deilies, aud the whistle is thought TO
have been intended for the. voice Of . god. |
10 addition. TO this collection OF grotesque !
pottery, Mr.. Evans has some interesting |
peelmens OF gold and silver fagree work
Ione BY the Indians OF Peru. He has also |
=. a.. - Ia. A. aud ltn.a hfok,