The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-15
THE JEWELLERS IN CAVES.
The Discoveries of II PhilndcIphiar
I'm Arizona and New Mexico.


PHILADELPHIA, April l4.-Prof o. Z
Phillips, Of the Biological Department of
the University of Pennsylvania, by his
excavations and researches among the
homes of the Taos Indians and the Az
| tees in Arizona and New Mexico, has con
tributed much that is new to the archae-
ology of the ahorgines and the cave
jewellers of "a later period. While the ex-
petition failed To establish that man liveC
in the Tertiary age, during the lava
period, implements of industry and pot
terry, and personal ornaments were found
| in the cliff homes, showing that the an
| cient dwellers were of a high order OF
civilization.
The expedition extended over tive
months during which time extensive ex-
| cavations were made in the Mancos
Canyon and Puye district, with the object
OF determining, by the reported lava de-
posits-which were said to have covered
up human skeletons-f man lived in the
Tertiary age. The party failed TO unearth
any human remains beneath the lava.
which was Characteristic of the Tertiary
period, and, as a consequence. the theory
was abandoned. Ia the Puye district, IL
Arizona, twenty-five Indian skeletons
were found, also d number of implements
of war and peace
The Taos Indians, near Santa Fe, rep
resent the typical communal life as it
existed centuries ago. Here over 400 In
dams eked out an existence by cultivating
the soil. Neither civilization nor the
march of progress westward has invaded
the primitive homes of these solitary no
MAIDS. Setting aside the slight changes
which the element Of association during
the past three centuries has had upon the
puebIos, there is scarcely an appreciate
variation in their distinguishing habits
and customs. The Pueblo Indians are
more diminutiye and refined than the
other tribal groups. showing the Aztec in
vasion has had great effect on their phys
ical and intellectual side
In religion the Taos are intensely de
monstratiye. which is true also in their
relations with one another. The plane
of morality also is high and rigid Every
essential virtue must be observed When
the laws of morality are broken the of
fender is banished from the village
The Taos Indians have most peculiar
customs. When man becomes a certain
age he can become a member of the coun-
ell. This council elects a governor and
war captain. Every morning the govern
or goes on the roof of the highest build
ing and calls out what each man is to do
that day, and woe to the man who dares
to refuse the bidding. The high building
or state house, is over 400 years old, hav-
ing been partly demolished in 1910 by the
invasion of the Spaniards.
The Mancos Canyon is in the same state
of ruin as when the Spaniards drove out
the original dwellers. The many-roomed
houses, after much digging. revealed
many articles Of personal adornment, pot
terry, and implements of industry which
| il is believed, show that a high state of
development existed IN this country over
three centuries ago.
The Puye district contains a cliff a mile
long. honeycombed with caves of an
cient dwellers The top is the, ruins Of
house an acre high The most careful ex-
cavations were made in this district with
the object of establishing the fact that
man lived in the Tertiary age. This idea
is based on the notes of a United States
surveyor. Captain Marrow, to the effect
that, while surveying there, he found
cliff dwellings, into which the lava flow
had run. No lava was found in the cliff
dwellings by the Phillips expedition, how
ever.
In the broad Southwest territory is also
the petrified forest. II covers several
thousand acres and petrified trees six
inches to six feet IN diameter are found
lying on the ground. The wood is hard as
flint, and out of it emery stones are made