The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-27
PoRTo RIcAN ANTIQUITIES.
Interesting Work Before the BrittOn
Expedition.
Philadelphia Inquirer

9Hlldu6lpnld inquirer.
The expedition to Porto Rico which is to
be led by Professor Britton of the New
York Botanical Gardens. promises to be pro-
ductive Of the most interesting results. 1t
has for primary object the collection OF
rare plants for the botanical gardens, but
1t also has secondary object of great IN
terest and that is the gathering of data
concerning the life and customs of the van
ished people who occupied the island CEN
turtles ago. before the time Of Columbus.
The. Spaniards, when they came into pos
session of the island, following out their
fierce policy of colonial rule within a few
years completely exterminated the aborg-
ines the number of whom was about one
million. They were known to be quiet
race, possessing many arts and industries OF
eoTed 6n ep er h cbSrgyct has an
culture. Recently many strange relies have
been found on the island, the like of which
has not been seen anywhere else in the
world. They are supposed to be of re-
ligtouS significance, and are mainly in the
nature of animal and human figures carved
In its day Porto Rico was the center Of
all religious ceremonies and festivals held
by the natives living on the widely scat
tered islands Of the Antilles. In rude canoes,
sailing boats and other craft of the time the
savages of that wide, watery region made
yearly pilgrimages to Porto Rico to engage
civilization and culture of that section and
that time were focused.
Up to the present time only one note
worthy collection of relics from that section
has been made. George Latimer. formerly
United States consul to Porto Rico, who
was of scientific turn of mind. put in the
greater part of his time collecting speci-
mems there and when he died at his post left
everything he had collected to the Smith
sonian Institution
Most of the relics found indicate that the
natives of this country were of an intense
ly religious character. The great religious
amphitheater of ancient Porto Rico, ac-
cording to facts CLEANED, was a large in
closure surrounded by stone walls, and ave-
nues of palm trees led up to ii from all
sides. In the center of the Enclosure was the
holy of hOlies." where the sacred objects
were kept. This Enclosure was covered by
rain. Every tribal chief had a similar place
of worship. and this was the great gather
ing place or conference building There was
well-established priesthood and we'll
regulated system of shrines Each house,
also. in one of its angles had a shrine.
These houses were Of great size and shell
tered under one roof hundreds and some
times as many as thousand persons. Those
in the house were all more or less remotely
related.
The Latimer collection includes many
quaint pieces. some of which are almost
impossible Of explanation, presenting many
problems for the scientists of the outgoing
expedition to solve. There are some stone
pieces. which for want of better name,
have been termed collars. They look much
like horse collars. They are ornamented
with carving. IT is believed that they were
worn by theepriests during certain religious
ceremonies There are many conventional
axes, carved and polished. There are also
stone masks that present grotesque human
faces Curious, also, are many stools made
from both wood and stone. These stools are
ornamented with pearls and precious stones
and supposed TO have been thrones.
Stone tables supported by four short legs
are also In the collection. They are sup
posed to have been used to grind corn with
stone rollers. The aoorigines also made
some beautiful pottery, a few relics OF
which remain. All OF these things open a
delightful vista to the scientists. and those
who make up the proposed expedition look
forward with keen interest to the work
they have before them.