The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-21
a PREHISTORIC MONARCH
Valuable Archaeological Discovery
in Arizona.
The Curious Contents of an Ancient Tomb
Which Was Discovered by Work.
men In Excavating for
Large Building.


While removing the earth for the
foundation of new hotel to be erected
Mt Crittcndcn, Ariz., the aiggers discov-
cred what seems to be the tomb of a
king, though of what people it would
doubtless puzzle an antiquarian to say.
The worlSnen had penetrated at some
eight feet below the surface of the
ground what they took to be stone of n
soft, friable nature, but which was evil
IDENTITY masonry of very superior work
manship when they reached tho tomb
itself. This was composed of largo
square blocks of stone, which was iden-
titled as red or roso granite, and ce-
mented together with such skill as to
Mt first cause the whole, measuring
twelve by fifteen feet, to appear rs a
solid mass. The opening Of this, while
very difficult, as the use of powder was
prohibited by the archeologists placed
in charge of the eXhumation by the au-
thorities, was accomplished by night;
when the interest and curiosity of the
party was SO great that the work was
continued by lamplight till dawn.
The tomb when opened, says the Phil
adclphia Times, was found to contain
agigantic image of a man lying at full
length and made of clay mixed with a
sort Of preparation which gives it q
bright blue color and slight elasticity,
the whole appearing to have been sub
jected to great heat. The image repre-
sents the naked figure, except for u very
tight girdlc about the waist, pair of
closc-ftting sandals and crown on the
head shaped very much like Il bishops
inter, but topped with the head of n
hawk or eagle. The features are rough
ly nodded, are of IN impcrious cast, and
of n man in middle age, with n promi-
ncnt nose and very wide mouth but
with chcclbones SO low as to preclude
all idcn that the original could have
been an Indian. The hands, which are
as small rs womanS, and bear on the
backs the head of the bird, as on the
crown, are crossed on tho breast and
hold an image about three inches long,
OF squatting figure, probably that of q
god. The feet are also crossed, tho
right presenting the popularity of pos
sessing Il sixth toe, which the sandal Is
cut to bring into prominence, as if tho
owner had pridcd himself on it. Tho
hair OF the image is dressed in thick
curls on both sides of the head reach
ing to the shoulders, and brought down
to the brows over the forehead.
Careful examination of this CLAW fig
ure revealed that it was merely the
elaborate coffin of the real BODY and
could be opened from the back. This
was done with all possible care so as
not to disturb the remains within, but q
few handfuls of dust, dark brown and
almost impalpablc powder, is all that
was left of the body. The crown, how
ever, together with the girdle, the i'm
age OF the god, and large battle-axe
with blade OF sharp glass or obsidian,
and handful of petrificd wood were
found in the coffin.
The crown is Of thick red gold. carved
with minute but we'll executed draw
ings, representing battle scenes, tri-
umphal marches, and other pictures the
meaning of which is somewhat misty.
but in all the principal figure is that of
man with six toes on his right foot
The workmanship of the whole crown
'is very fine, and the birds head on the
top is masterpiece worthy Of Cellini.
1t holds in it's mouth a magnificent
Chalchuites, or green diamond, valued
by the Aztccs, which shows some Mt
tempts at adjudication.
The girdlc found is composed of plates
of gold arranged like scales and very
thin, so as to give with every movement
of the wcarers body. On each of these
plates, which is in shape half ellipse,
lisengraved figure or hicroglyphics, CON
vcying, however, no hint of their mean
ing in their form. The image of what
lis, presumably, q god is made of clay
combined with the preparation spoken
of before, and also burnt till thorough
ly hardened. It represents male be-
ing seated upon pedestal in n squat
ting posture, it's eyes squirting, and
grinning in hideous mirth, while both
hands are placed over the ears, as if to
shut out sound.
a peculiar thing about this image is
that its hair is represented as hanging
down its back in one long plat like a
Chinamans. The figure is hollow, but
contained only half dozen small black
pebbles, highly polished, and some
what larger stone of dull gray hue.
The coffin and these relics are now on
exhibition, and are to be donated to the
State Museum of History and Archarol-
ogy mt Tucson. No clue of any value
as to what race the remains arc to be
ascribcd can be found, but it is proba-
bic that it was one antedating the AIT
Ian and even the mound builders, and
superior to both in knowledge of ma
sonry, sculpture and the working of
metal
A New Trick.