The evening times., 1899-05-17
AN INDIAN SKELETON FOUND.
Bones of an Aboriginal Inhabitanl
of New York Unearthed.

| Bones of an Aboriginal 1nhabttane
of New York Unearthed.
New York. May 17.-There has just been
added to the treasures Of the Museum OF
National History lind" OF the highest
scientific value, in the form Of the bones
of an aboriginal inhabitant Of Greater New
York, which were unearthed on Monday
in Pelham Bay Park.
The bones consist of the almost perfect
skeleton Of an Indian brave, and special
Importance attaches to the discovery on
account of its affording one OF the few
instances of the finding of Indian bones
within the city limits.
1t has been known for many years that
in the upper part of Pelham Bay Park
there had once existed an important In
dian settlement. From time to time dis
coveries were made in the form of human
bones, fragments of earthenware and stone
implements, but the work Of exploration
was never conducted scientifically until 1t
was recently taken in hand by Prof. Mar
shall H. Saville, of the Museum OF Natu-
raj History.
The spot selected by Prof. Saville as
most likely to repay a thorough examina-
ton was picturesque little knoll. on the
shore of LIE Roy Bay, near the pretty fish
ing resort known as Jack Rock. 1t is
just OF the City Island road, and about
midway between that place and the rail-
road station at Barlow.
Judging by the enormous number OF
refuse shells heaps in the vicinity OF the
mound, it must have formed the centre
of a considerable settlement.
Prof. Saville began systematic work
xr.ft nrfU nj c
excavators under the immediate charge OF
Raymond Harrington, who, although only
sixteen years old, is an authority on the
subject of Indian archaeology. The plan
Of operations contemplated the digging OF
parallel and contiguous trenches, about
five feet wide, from one end of the knoll
to the other, SO as not to leave an inch OF
ground within four feet Of the surface un-
explored.
Two of the trenches had been laboriously
dug and filled in again, and two thirds of
the third had been finished on Monday aft
erIoon when one of the workmen discov-
cred a human fooa. At once the utmost
precautions were used, and the earth was
removed bit by bit by hand. until. after
several hours of hard work, a complete
skeleton was revealed.
In the hollow OF the right arm lay q
sharp stone instrument, evidently design
object found in the grave.
AS soon as all the dirt had been brushed
from the body 1t was photographed pre-
cisely as it was discovered before any fur
ther examination was made. 1t was at
first believed that both hands were miss
ing, but search revealed portions OF the
fingers Of the right hand. No trace was
found Of the left hand, and the presence OF
the knife gave rise to some interesting
conjectures. 1t was suggested that posi-
bly, the body might be that Of criminal
who had been punished by the loss Of
hand before execution, and that the weap-
on with which the mutilation was effected
had been cast into the grave.
A careful examination of the bones
showed them to be those Of male of ad-
vanced age, as evidenced by the teeth,
which in the front of the jaws were worn
down level with the sockets.
Prof. Saville said yesterday that he
thought the bones had been buried at least
800 years. and possibly longer.
The excavations on the knoll are being
actively carried on, and Prof. Saville and
Mr.. Harrington have very little doubt that
many more skeletons will be found
In addition to the exploration of the
summit of the knoll the shell heaps in its
vicinity are being thoroughly searched,
and objects of high archaeological value are
being daily discovered. These consist for
the most part of fragments Of pottery ev-
cry shard Of which. no matter how minute,
is carefully preserved