St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-09
.COFFINS OF ANCIENTS.
Strange Discoveries Made in the
Mounds Of Santa Maria,
California.
Remains Of Il Race Probably An
tedating Any Known on
This Continent.

SAN Francisco, Cal, Jan. S.-A
morning paper publishes the following:
a strange and apparently very impor-
tant discovery of old graves, copper and
stone weapons and implements and
monoliths has just been made in Santa
Maria and Guiana valleys in the Coast
mountains. Thus far the discovery
has attracted the keenest interest,
though as yet it is known only locally.
The graves are in mounds which rise
five or six feet above the surface OF the
ground, and the mounds themselves are
often seventy-fve or 100 feet in length,
of almost round or OblOng shape. Ii is
believed there are thirty or forty graves
in each mound.
a. D. Bowen, of the state senate, told
the details as far as known. The dis
coyery was made about four weeks ago
by John Olives. of Santa Maria, who
dug into the mounds, which have been
known to exist for long time. At a
depth of ten feet he dug into a
grave. The tlrst thing his pick struck
was a polished slab. 1t is of
slightly greater length than the or
binary coffin of an adult of the present
age. When he gaZed underneath he
looked into long box OF stone that had
nothing IN it but dust. The body had
laid so long that every bone had dIsap-
peared and there was nothing else
but ashes. The grave was older
than anv he had heard of on the
Pacific coast. The slab was of pecul-
iarIy hard and polished stone, the like
of which there was none in all the
country. 1t was very thin, however,
having been worked down till it was not
more than half an inch. Olives worked
away and got out other stones.
The top. bottom. sides and ends
were all of the same curious,
hard. thin stones. and had been set IN
the earth and held by the soil without
grooves or other fastenings. He eX-
pIored further, and found numerous
battle axes and other weapons of cop
per and vessels peculiarly made of
Stone. Curious copper discs resembling
coins were also found.
There were many in the grave, and,
as the investigator pushed his way still
farther into the mound. he found many
other copper implements, axes and rude
knives, some quite long and looking as
though they had been used as spears.
Mounds are scattered along for couple
of miles. There are probably a hun
bred of them.
Knowing there were similar mounds
in Guiana valley adjoining. he pushed
on to them and, digging in, found cof-
fins. dust and Implements of stone and
copper similar to those of Santa Maria.
EVERYWHERE were the marks of ar
ancient race. it is believed far ante
dating any hitherto known on the coast.
He gathered up some of the dust. and
kept it with the copper and stone
weapons he haG secured. Some of the
weapons are now at Santa Maria,
where they are attracting great atten-
ton. an expedition is being talked of
to explore the ancient mounds thor
oughly. Mr.. Bowen also tells That high
above the stage road between Lost
Olives and Santa Barbara, near the
graves, are some natural mOnollths OF
rock with smooth surfaces on which are
carved many strange characters. looking
much like the characters used by the
Egyptians in designating their tombs.