The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-12

Remarkable neiie= Of an Anessnt civssi.
sation IN California.

! Remarkable Relies OF an Ancient Ctysfi-
sation IN California
In many parts along the coast and in
Mexico can still be seen relics and re-
markabie evidence Of some Of the most
skillful arts practiced by tho so callel
Ignorant savages" that once inhabited
this land, which, by forcihly dispossessing
them, we now inhabit unless. perhaps,
some more civilized race possessed this
country prior to It's discovery by Christie
pher Columbus. whose tribe has long
since been exterminated and whose record
Is lost. One of the most wonderful OF
these relics Is tho indication Of solid
pavement road in Arizona. made of
granite blocks or slabs about ten feet
long, hewn square. conveyed and placed
side by side bg some means unknown to
the spectator.
This pavement OF road was undoubted-
ly built thousands OF years ago. as these
blocks and indications can be traced for
miles along the mountain sides through
which deep canyons have washed their
way. Some Of these slabs are said TO
weigh nearly two tons, and there being
no granite lodges nearer than several
miles from where they are now situated
indicates that they ui.st have had some
powerful mode OF conveyance, as wei rs
powerful machinery TO shape and locate
them.
To these ancient people also was known
a process OF tempering brass so It could
be converted into tools equal TO the best
| of steel. Numerous specimens OF this
| tempered brass have been found where
the city Of Mexico now stands, AS well as
on the Pacific slope. and while the chemist
has no difficulty in removing the temper.
yet he cannot return IL, For the redis-
covery OF this tempering process scientists
and chemists have labored, and the
United States government has offered
premium I'm vain. Nor can they even by
having tempered metal before them gain
the least light ON the subject
Bringing the discourse a little nearer
home, on the edge OF the Carisa plains,
but a short distance from the stock ranch
Of G. r. Brumley, can be seen what Is
known "a the painted Rock. THIS
rock ia in horseshoe shape, about eighty
fee; high and 1000 feet tn circumfer-
ence. The inside being followed out
gives it the appearance of natural fort
which has frequently been used by stock
men as a sheep corral, and is capable Of
holding comfortably 1900 head OF sheep
The inside walls on the south are very
abrupt and overhanging. and are GOV
cred with many ancient paintings,
roughly resembling sketches OF men,
dogs, snakes, lizards, tortoises and vari-
Gus characters, the significance of which
was, perhaps, even unknown 10 tho
painter. SO we are inclined to think
that each character is record Of some
historical event, and that, ii we but I'M
derstood them, they would be very inter
esting to us. The paints used are OF
three distinct colors-red, white and
black. And. although we know nothing
of their mode Of manufacture or mate
rails used, we can say this much, that
they have a power Of durability and of
retaining their color unsurpassed by
modern productions.
In the western part Of this county, at
the outlet Of the Antelope valley, on tho
Tulare plains, Is what is called the
"Point OF Rocks On top Of the most
prominent of these rocks is a large,
beautiful water tank about feet deep
and 20 feet long by l9 feet wide Its
capacity is between 1000 and 5000 gal-
Ions Of water. and although evidently Il
has been formed by nature, still, judging
| L.. IA. loi.,o, ut.al. "a ~ enrph oil
the rain water that falls 10 the surface.
one can be led to believe that II was
human art and design. The height OF
the rock is about 100 feet and It's walls
are quite steep, but by the aid Of steps
| chiseled into it, II no difficult task TO as
cend and return with q pail OF water
| From on top Of the rock one has a mag.
ni6cent view Of the surrounding country
for miles and mics There being no
other water for a long distance makes 10
O very convenient resort for stockmcn
and travellers. On adjoining rocks can
be found a great many similar tanks
also two small ancient paintings Scores
of mortars and pcstles are found In
various places. Some ara made very
roughly and others are shaped Out OF
fine quality OF stono with elegant taste.
Marvellous skill Is displayed in the ART OF
making arrow heads and knives Of tho
hardest flint How they can give do
sired shape to 90 brittle substance by
chipping of bits IL easier TO think about
than to accomplish. Cor. Bakersfield
! (Cal) Echo.
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