Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-06-14
WORK OF PREHISTORIC MAN.
Remarkable Relies Of m Ancient Civil
xatIOn in California

cation III Naiitofhi~
In many parts along the coast and in
Mexico can still be seen relics and re-
markahle evidence Of some Of the most
skillful arts practiced by the SO called
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 its discovery by Christie
pher Columbus, whose tribe has long
since been cXIerminated and whose record
is lost. One Of the most wonderful OF
these relics is the indication Of a solid
pavement road in Arizona, made 81
granite blocks or slabs about ten feet
long, hewu square, conveyed and placrd
side by side by some means unknown TO
the spectator.
This pavement or road was uuduubted-
~ built thor ards Of years ago, rs these
blocks and indications can be traced Ter
miles along the muuut9in sides. through
which deep canyons have washed their
way. Some Of these slabs are said To
weigh uplrlv Two tons. and there being
no granite lulrcs nearer than several
miles from where they are now situated
indicates that they must have had some
powerful mode Of conveyance, rs well us
powerful machinery to shape and locate
them.
To these ancient people also was known
n process of IcmpcriHg brass 50 1t could
be converted into tools equal 10 the best
Of steel. Numerous specimens Of this
tcmpircI leass have lycu found where
the citg If Mexico Eow stands. rs well as
on the I'gciiieslnNe, ami while the chemist
has 10 l~i..aulty In removing Tie temper,
vet he rluu.G return H.. For Tic re...s-
coyery gi this p.LIorIgE process scientists
and chemists have iaburyl, AID the
United States government las offered a
premium in vain. Nor can they even by
having tempered metal before them gain
the least light on tHr subject.
Bringing The discourse a little nearer
home, Oh the edge OF the Carisa plains,
but a short distance from the stock ranch
of G.. L. Brumley, can be seen what is
known as the Painted Rock" This
rock is in a horseshoe shape, about eighty
fee: high and 1000 feet in c'rcumler.
ence. The inside being followed out
gives it the appearance Of q natural fort,
which has frequently been used by stock
men us Z sheep corral, and is capable of
holding comfortably 1900 head Of sheep.
The inside walls on the south are very
abrupt and overhaDging, and are Gov
cred with many ancient paintings,
roughly resembling sketches of men.
dogs, snakes, lizards, tortoisCs ard yarl-
Gus characters, the significance Of which
was, perhaps, even unknown to the
PAINTER. So we are inclined 10 think
that each character Is a record Of some
historical event, and that, if we but I'M
derstood item, they would be very inter
estiug 10 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
rials used. we can say this much, that
| they have n power Of durability and Of
retaining their color unsurpassed by
modern productions,
In the western part Of this county, 1t
the outlet of the Antelope valley, on the
Tnlare 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 7 feet deep
and 20 feet long by II feet wide. It,
capacity is between 4, 900 and 5000 gul-
Ions u water. and although evidently it
has been formed by nature. siill. Judging
by lbs location being such Is 20 catch all
the rain wafer that fan to the surface.
one can he led 10 believe that il WAS
human art and design, The height Of
The rock is about 100 feet and its walls
are quite steep, but by the aid of steps
chiscied into il, Is no difficult task 10 as
| ccnd and I with q pail Of water.
From on top of the rock one has a mag
u|ilircnt view Of the surrounding country
for miles and miles. There being no
other water for a loo. distance makes II
a 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 aud ppsi!rs are found IN
various places. Some are made very
roughly and others are shaped out Of 4
fine quality Of stone with elegant taste.
Marvellous skill is displayed in the art OF
making arrow heads aud knives Of the
hardest flint. How they can give q de-
sired shape to SO brittle a substance by
chipping of bits is easier 10 think about
than TO accomplish.-Cor Bakersfield
Call Echo.