The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-27
TURQUOISE BEDS FOUND
Ancient Workings OF HOutezumR's
Time are Re Discovered.


New York, March pa San Francisco
dispatch to the Herald says:
Or. Gustav Eisen, of the California
ACADEMY Of Sciences, under a commission
Tor the Herald, has just made a discovery
that not only enriches archaeological sci
ence, but which. it is believed, may prove
no be the finding of the turquoise beds
from which the Aztecs drew their supply
of these stones, at least in part. The
beds, where Professor Eisen found a few
white men hunting for precious stones,
are situated in the narrow desert district
south of Death Valley, almost at the
point where California, Nevada and Ari-
iona are joined together. They are west
of the Colorado river, but in California.
This section is a desert. with little veg
citation. scarcity of animal life and with
greater scarcity of water. The elevation
above the ocean reaches about 1900 in
the higher peaks, but the elevation of the
turquoise beds probably averages $500
feet. The climate rs most rigorous in win
Ter. The beds are scattered over an area
of from thirty to forty miles in extent,
but the principal ones. both as regards
quality and quantity, are found in a ter
Titory not more than fifteen miles long
by three or four miles wide.
1t is a volcanic region. characterized by
nncient volcanic rocks Of various kinds,
among which are intermixed similar pro-
5ections Of decomposed granite, sand
stone and porphyry. The district is COW
cred to a great extent with trap or ba-
salt rock in the shape of low and long
ridges. stretching out from central
point. dominated by number Of extinct
Volcanic craters-
Among the lava flows and basaIt are
found numerous low hills. and on the
sides of these are more or less distinct
pits, from fifteen 10 thirty feet in diam
Uter. These pits are the remains Of the
prehistoric turquoise beds Ali around
The pits the soil consists exclusively of
decomposed coarse sand and gravel
among which one may pick up in few
minutes a handful OF small TURQUOISE
stones Of various shapes. sizes and col
ors.
Some portions Of the district show ONLY
turquoise veins. while p few miles avvav
nre found stones IN the form of Kidneys
Of various sizes from that Of q pea to a
large bean The turquoises are generally
found in what is known among miners
rs pockets and small seams-princfralI v
rs pockets They occur in considerable
quantity. and q days work results in
Finding hatcui- Of stones of varying
value
The other pits bear every evidence Of
having been worked by some ancient
race. according to Professor Eidse9's re-
port There are to be found in them
fragments Of Aztec pottery and prebis-
toric stone implements used in chfrpiny
The rock. The polished stones found are
IN the Same shape rs those in the possess
sion Of the AzteCs of NI0ntezuma's time.
Wherever one Of the old mines IS found
II is accompanied by picture writing on
the surrounding rocks The hior7-lvnb-
les are found only on buns of baealr.
They show" says Professor Eisen. q,
mixture of distinct types one of the ~ar-
est represents figures composed of simple
lines. curves and dots. the figures 70
semhlins suns. crosses. anchors and
bars With this group must he counted
rough representations OF animals end
men One picture represents q warrior
with a large feathered cap standing on
another warrior who has fallen.
The most interesting form Of hero
Elyphio was OF the shield type. some NJ
these were from three 70 four feet hi-b
and of the most complicated dosIeu. In
Aztec picture writing there IS nothing
OF similar character e1ce0t coats Of
arms and shields. which stood fer ard
Indicated certain villages. cities OF chiefs
But closer resemblance IS. strange to
say. found IN the hieroglyrhics of the
Nayas Of Yucatan
Professor Fisen brought hack with him
numerous beautiful specimens o. tv--
Guoise. with photographs 81 picture writ
Ing. which have greatly interested l7cs,
scientists
so FAR as 7 am aware The f-la has
never before been touched" szaia Profess
sor Joseph lie Corte. = venerable exrs~t
on geology and natural history. when
seen in MS study at She university oc
California "Uhle 7 am not sufficiently
expert IN archaeology nor sufficiently IA
miIiar with the facts Of the discovery 70
form a very pronounced Judgment. 7 re-
gard it as ore o. Importance from tbs
archaeCIogiCal point 81 view.
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