The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-02-19
RoBBINC GRAVES OF GOLD.
Unique Occupation of the Guaqueros Of
Colombia.

habitants of Colombia, more partlcu'
larly in the provinces Of Antioqula
and Cauca, have for more than three
centuries afforded precarious hvell'
hood, first to some of the Spanlards
who colonized the country and then to
some of the present Inhabitants, TOT
the Indians of Colombia followed the
custom Of buryipg the dead with thelr
possessions and treasures. The grave
searchers are known as guaqueros. In
Antioquia and Cauca an Indian tomb
is known as guaca and q group Of
tombs as o pueblo. The guacas are
said to be rich when they contain a
large amount Of gold, poor when they
contain little, and empty when they
contain only bones and pottery.
The searchers claim to be able to
locate guaca with 'unfailing accuracy,
but the writer hos seen them fail too
many times to believe it to be other
than matter Of great luck. The sole
indication of guaca, so far as an out
slider can learn, is sinking OF the
ground corresponding to the size OF
the grave, but in the course Of centur:
les such Indications have disappeared
to a large extent. The tools required
are few crowbar, shovel, o botea
for washing the dirt and block and
tackle if the grave be deep.
Having located his guaca, the
guaquero con, after digging little,
tell pretty nearly what he may expect:
If he finds a stone wall or signs OF
steps he may be pretty sure that the
grave is Of some one Of Importance.
If the wall is Of hewn stone, we'll
Joined, he knows it must be of a great
chief or cacique. By the hardness
and compactness Of the soil he knows
whether the grave is very ancient or
comparatively modern. By the kind
of utensils found he can tell whether
the grave is that Of q man or woman.
He can also tell whether the grave
has been previously robbed and whether
by Indians Or Spaniards. The ancient
Indians were extremely careful in
filling the grave to place the different
earths, generally black, blush gray,
and brown, in the exact order in which
they occurred. If the grave was sub
sequently robbed by Indians the bones
and pottery would be carefully re.
placed, but the same care would not
be exercised in replacing the earth
If the grave was robbed by Spaniards
the grave would be hurriedly filed
with bones, broken pottery, and earth
Unfortunately.
When it becomes evident to the
guaquero that he is nearing the bot
tom, the earth is removed in thin
slices, and every piece is carefully ex
AHMED. When the bones are un
covered the place about the head is
searched for earrings and nose rings.
The pottery is broken and washed for
gold fishhooks or rings, but it is un
der the body that the largest quantity
Of gold is generally found. If the
amount foundi is satisfactory the guaiu
no fills up the grave, all the time
praising and flattering the memory Of
the dead, his ancestors and heirs; but
If the crave is empty, the dead man is
cursed and his bones are left to fall tc
pieces.
The greatest find Of this kind re-
corded by history was that of Don
Pedro de Heredia, who left Cartagens
for Ell Dorado in 1884. The party
came across an Indian town called
Zemi, and from large graveyard OF
pueblo near it they obtained so much
gold that Don Pedro divided $500, 00(
among his followers, after deductine
the royal fifth and fair share fol
himself. New York Sun.