The evening times., 1899-12-12
CLARA CLIP JEWELLERS
The Resuits Of scie.tfAc Exploration
In New Mexico.

L +
The Results Of scie.tisc Explsr.lio.
In New Mexico.
The Governor of New Mexico has made
public the result OF some scientific explo-
rations that have BEEN made respecting the
ciin dwellers in the Santa Clara Canyon,
and these researches will undoubtedly be
of great scientific benefit. The governor
says:
Very important explorations have late
ly been made In the Santa Clara Can
yon in regard to the famous cli1 dwellers,
which are visited every year by hundreds Of
people. This party of explorers measured
the communal building OF the ancient and
abandoned ciin dwellers, approximately
1000 rooms
They excavated two rooms and found
the walls In good state OF preservation.
with some evidence OF building skill. They
discovered considerable pottery. beautifully
decorated with, geometrical designs and
partly glazed something unusual, as the
pottery heretofore found was generally un-
glazed.aM Many turkey bones gave evidence
that the ancient occupants knew the good
points Of the national bird; the turkey cor
rails were found to be small, and connected
with the living rooms by low srchway on
ly high enough for turkey to slip through.
IN the two rooms pipes of an UNUSUAL
shape were found. One was in imitation of
prickiey pear. and the other Of a cactus
There were evidences that the cliff dwell
ers grew tobacco, and the charred corn
found proves that they also grew corn.
There was evidence that the building had
been deserted in haste, and that the cliff
dwellers had left nearly everything behind
them. The most important discovery. how
ever. was that of nine skeletons almost
complete
THE skulls show that the cliff dwellers
were not Indians. but were allied to the
Caucasian race. The back Of the skull Is
fiat, but the forehead is well developed The
chin is strong. and the appearance OF the
face must have been long. slim, and intel
lectuai. They had beautiful teeth, but.
strange to say, instead OF incisors they had
grinders. which. according to the theory of
evolution. is proof that they were vegeta-
rians for many ages before being driven out
by invaders or by some calamity.
One of the skulls had been pierced by
an arrow on one side. while on the other
1t was fractured as IL by tomahawk.
The man to whom IL belonged had per-
haps fallen while repelling an attack by
the Indians. One femur measured 10 1-2
inches. and the skeleton to which it be-
longed must have been between aud
feet high
The burying places at Santa Clara have
net been discovered yet, but It is known
that the cliff dwellers were buried In
STOPPING position. with their heads be-
tween their knees and the feet pointing
to common centre. Skulls were found
with long red hair by this exploring par
ty. and also monuments with inscriptions
that resemble Chinese characters, while
on the Gila River, monuments were found
that seemed to be of Egyptian origin. One
well-known scientist in the party has
made study of the subject and feels
positive that the cliff dwellers belonged
TO another race than the Indian.
1T is believed that the cliff dwellings
are from 1.500 to 1000 years old, and that |
the Santa Clara settlement was abandoned !
on account of the eruptions of the crater, /
not far from here. which threw out the /
immense lava fields that cover large ,
areas TO the west of the city OF Santa Fe. |
The relics found include instruments used
for dressing hides: pottery. some of rhe
pottery being very large; skeletons, and /
other remains OF the cliff dwellers
These discoveries prove that long be-
fore Columbus set foot on the shores of
the New World. the valleys and plains
Df New Mexico were the seat of civ
lization which has been the wonder of
scientists and explorers: for ages un-
known. people contended for the posses
'ion Of the lands and streams.
Nation after nation of strange beings
ollowed each other in conquest. and to-
lay. as above stated. evidences are to be
ound in the ancient settlements of their
Unknown inhabitants The old pueblos in
lew Mexico are the homes of the descend
lnts OF the cliff dwellers, and the anti
luarian will find enough of what is old
'eyond tradition. yet new to the nine ,
eenth century. to keep him occupied for ,
ears in patient research. 1t is not neces-
airy 10 go to Egypt or Persia to find ruins
nd relics of people who have passed from
he face OF the earth; they can be found |
light here in New Mexico and within easy
each of comfortable homes and hotels"