Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-20
PREHISTORIC INDIANS.
SnterestIng Discoveries That the Geo
logical Survey Has Made in arizona.
Frnrn ia PhiLnfaIl,hin IsrnAA

logical Survey Has Made in arizona.
From the Philadelphia Times.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-''The archeo-
iogic and ethnologic researches which
have been prosecuted during the pastfOur
or five years." SAYS Captain Stevenson, of
the Geological Survey Bureau, Sin differ
ent localities on our continent, especially
IN our Southwestern Territories, have
thrown much light and information not
only upon the history of the present abor-
ieinal Inhabitants, but also upon their
predecessors, or the prehistoric races that
Inhabited that portion of our country.
As each years explorations are prose
cuted with the additional experience OF
the previous year, the web Of
Information is brOadened and
more comprehensive and definite knowl-
edge of these people is obtained. TIL bu-
reau extended its researches INTO more re-
mote and less known localities during the
past season with most gratifying results.
one locality visited and explored by
party under the direction Of Prot. Powell
last summer is worthy Of special men
ton. Near Flagstaff, In Arizona, Is
mountain called san Francisco Mountain.
This mountain is OF volcanic 0ri in, and
around IL, extending for many miles in all
directions, are prominent volcanic cindpr
cones, ranging from 500 10 1000 feet in
B height. The outer crusts OF these cones
are quite hard. while beneath This crust is
"A compact body OF cinGers or uta. The
party visited a number 90 these cones. ON
which they found q series of ancient cave
houses ariihcialiy eXcavated by post of
a rude character, which was evidenced
by the impl ments and domestic utensils
left in these caves. one OF the most
conspicuous OF these villages was
found 10 occupy large area, from tAp
top FAR down the aide Of one OF these
mountains. The cave dwellings are OF am
oval shape. about % feet across no the
base, and perhaps = feet high. The en-.
trance or doorway consists Oi square
hole cut IN the crust, from which shaft
descends 10 feet 20 the bottom. ALONE
side OF the entrance shaft D. "A pr0ulc
about one foot in depth, which served as
a chimney. The dwellings were without
windows and the occupants must have
learned 90 grope their way through tHt
dwelling In the dark. In MANY instances
there are side shafts, which lead into cone
Meeting chambers. The party also found
many small chambers excayated into the
eide OF the dwelling, which were used TO
store away corn ana other food stuis.
"ln one cave, which was plasprDd. a
small niche was discovered watch bad
been hermeticallY sealed up ala winch
contained srfe ral small phiHcts uf t.tt
stands. IN which were stuck fragments Of
a nncly woven cotton fabric 30 nicely
twisted up 40 10 show that trey W,It
carefully arranged and placed iu tlH
niche and sealed up Tor some sacred plr
pOse; quantities ~ c1rneDbs clarrld
beans and squash seeds and other uHIarit
Of vegetable character, also many st Ine
implements ~ large and email hIlo.
some NelgnIng ~ pounds. au ~ ahIch
gave some ldea I'd the people who
made aI1 usfd t1fm. luDfe afe
many ~ thcse cave Villages situated 40
fbfae volcanic cDHrs. TI9l pDH,l rDl-
al0arf fhcm che oldest SOD mUst UfulfIrn
haDitstigrs 0u ills rDffIH .at. huf Hlfn.
hlanQ ing ihls fact. le e4rfNfut hYu
ttf evidences DfeffE.fI Ng fHfaH nHHIf
fort NJ some ~ tle Nnaa dwelling iIlDas