The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-03-12
A PREHISTORIC MONARCH
Valuable Archaeological Discovery
in Arizona.
Tho Curious Contents of an Ancient Tomb
Which Was Discovered by Work
men In Excavating for
Large Building.

Which Was Discovered by work
men in Excavating for
Large Building.
While removing the earth for tho
foundation of a new hotel to be cTcctca
at Crittenden, Ariz.. the diggcrs discov-
cred what seems to be the tomb Of ~
king, though of what people it would
doubtless puzzle an antiquarian 10 say
The workinen had penetrated at soma
eight feet below the surface of the
ground what they toos, to be stone of "a
soft, friab!o nature, bnt which was ovi-
dently masonry of very superior work
manship when they r2iched the tomb
itself. This was composed of large
square blo@i:s OF stone, which was iden-
titled as red or rose granite, and ee-
mented together with such skill as to-
at first cau9o the whole, measurfuC
twelve by fiftecn feet. TO appear IS a.
solid mass. The opening OF this, while.
very difficult as the use CT powder was
prohibited by the archteoloTists placed
in charge OF the cEhu,n ation by the cu-
thorities, was accomplished by night
when the interest and curiosity of thc
/ party was 50 great that the work was
continued by lamplight till dawn.
The tomb when opened, says the Phil
adelphia Times was found to contain
n gigantic image OF o man lying ut fulE
length and made of clay mixed with 81
sort of preparation which gives it
bright blue color and slight elasticity
the whole appearing to have been SUBJ
jectcd to great heat The image repre-
sents the naked figure except for a very
tight girdle about The waist. pair of
close-ftting sandals arl u crown on Slic
head shaped very much like a bishops
inter, but topped with the head of q.
hawk or eagle. The features are rough
| ly nodded, are of an i,nporious caet, ante
of man in middle nge, with pronni-
nent nose and 4 very wide mouth, hut
with cheekbones SO low as to preclude
all idea that the original could have
been an Indian. The hands, which are,
as small as woman's, and bear on the,
backs the head OF the bird, as on thcs
crown, are crossed on the breast and
hold an image about three inches long.
of a squatting figure, probably that of q
god. The feet are also crossed, the
right presenting the popularity of pos
sessing sixth toe, which the sandal is
cut to bring into prominence, as If the
owner had prided himself on it. The
hair of the image is dressed in thick
curls on both sides of the head, reucfl-
ing to the shoulders, and brought down
to the brows over the forehead =
Careful examination of this CLAY ffr4-
ure revealed that it was merely tho,
elaborate coffin of the real body anGs
could be opened from the back. This
was done with all possible care so as
not to disturb tine remains within. but n
few handfuls Of dust, dark brown and
almost impalpable powder, is all that
was left of the body. The crown, how
ever, together with the girdle, the irr-
age OF the god, and e large battle-azes
with blade of sharp glass or obsidiau,
and handful of petrifed wood were
found in the coffin.
The crown is of thick red gold, carved
with minute but well executed draw.
ings, representing battle scenes, tri-
umphal marches, and other pictures the
meaning of which is somewhat mistx
but in all the principal figure is that 81
n man with six toes on his right fooa.
The workmanship of the whole crorsn
Is very fine, and the birds head on ther
top is masterpiece worthy of Cellini
1t holds in its mouth a magnificent
Chalchuites, or green diamond, valued
by the Aztecs, which shows some ut
tempts at lapidifcation.
The girdle found is composed of plates
of gold arranged like scales and vcry
thin, so as to give with every movement
of the wearer's body. On each of these.
Co<A ,so1> L., L., r.
isengraved figure or rhieroglyphics, con
veyfng, however, no hint of their mean
ing in their form. The image of what
Is, presumably, god is made Of clay
combined with the preparation spoken
OF before, and also burnt till thorough
" hardened. 1t represents male be-
ing seated upon pedestal in a squat
ting posture, its eyes squirting, and
grinning in hideous mirth, while both
hands are placed over the ears, as If tn
shut out sound
A peculiar thing about this image is
that its hair is represented as HANGING.
down Its back in one long plait like a
Chinaman's. The figure is hollow, but,
contained only half dozen small black
pebbles, highly polished, and a 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 Archcsol-
ogy at Tucson. Nc clue of any valuo
as to what race the remains are to bos
ascribed can be found, but it is probe
BILE that It was one antedating the Att
Ian and even the mound builders, and
superior to both in knowledge of ma
sonry, sculpture and the working OF
metal
A New Trick.
Pick-pockets are now trying new
dodge in Paris; it takes two or three to-
''worh" it. One iostlcs arainst tho in