The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-25
ONCE a .nU ) .anouMp 8,
Relics of an Extinct Race Discovered
Under an Old Spanish Fort. -

. i.'s.s LIAM ~ .sslSt.J.E. { u
Relics of an Extinct Race Discovered
Under an Old Spanish Fort. ,n
Very few. even among the inhabitants,
are aware that for several weeks pnst
systematic archaeological excavation has
oeen prosecuted almost In the heart of
the little town of Santa Barbara, with
interesting results. The most famous
landmark OF this old town Is that point
OF iand Jutting out Into the water ut the
south entrance to the harbor known as
Castle Point, and formerly a most pic
turesque little 'promontory, with u tur-
reted head, buls now 80 worn by the
action of the waves and elements that 1t
IS but q wreck of It's former beauty. On
lhe nigh land adJaining the west Is the
Dibblee mansion, the residence OF IL fam
ny Identified with the history of the sell
tlement. and surrounded by extensive
grounds In Il high state of cultivation.
Inc present Angliclzcd version of the
oia spanish name is the result of q blum
uerlng translation OF the old Spanish
|tiie or Pun2o Del Castillo. Castillo, In
TINS instance, did not mean castle at
all Dilt fort, and this rocky height was
once the site of an old Spanish, fort
whose crumbling foundations oan he
seen lhere to this day! But long before
the spanish took possession of this coun-
try-oefore the foot OF the, white man
troo her shorcs-a savage race held un-
disputed possessions OF the fertile, we'll
wooaed and watered lands and u few
hoNths ago the accidental. discovery
VIZ niade That these heights had been
IN Il forgotten age on old Indian bury
Ing ground. a local collector. Louis q,
Dreytus, at once arranged for a careful
ana thorough cXaminatio Of the ground
ana already the soil has been excavatcd
10 the ,fard pan for about an acre Of
superficial surface
rms excavation Is not yet completed
ana while 1t has not been rich in the
discovery OF relics of intrinsic value, 1t
possesses special significance in ahat 1t
mas laid bare what is undoubtedly the
oiuesI indian bury-ing ground I'm this vi
cinlty. the bones being all crumbled to
aust with the exception OF occasional
fragments of skulls. and this In q dry.
eieFhted place. where every condition
would seem favorable to preservation
Nothing but stone Implements have been
round, and only two or three of these
snow any especial skill in workmanship
An occasional arrow or spear h,Sad,
a lew Shell ornaments and beads COM
piete the modest harvest gathered from
this bit of human tillage but 1t may be
considered the initial point for prchis-
torlc study in all this region.
Mt. Dreyfus. who is an ardent COL
lector of archaeological specimens, and
something Of student of antiquities as
we'i' possesses probably the most extern
sive collection of local relics that has
ever been made. and the fruit of the
toint efforts of himself and his deceased
rather. In his museum is compartments
ID every variety OF implement and uten
Sil ever fashioned by the aborrincs
nom the tiniest bone needle and flint
drill to the largest and clumsiest NOR.
TAR, but 1t is in the small specimens
ar.lcies showing fineness Of workman
snip or beauty Of design, that this collec-
able articles. 80 -