The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-22
Noted Scientists Make Further
Study of Lansing Skull.
Conclusion Not Announced as to
Skeletons Age.
is A PREHISTORIC MAN.
Remarks Dropped by Some OF
the Noted Party
Indicate That They Believe 1t
Most Valuable Find.

Leayenworth, Kan, Sept. 22.-Six
noted scientists of the United States
spent Saturday at Lansing. Investigate
ing the supposed prehistoric skull re-
Gently found near Lansing and exploit
ed as the remains OF man who mad
lived at least $4,000 years ago. The
group of scientists included DR.. T. c.
Chamberlain, head of the department of
geology in the Chicago university, and
Prof r. d Salisbury, professor of
geographic geology of the same institu-
ton. DIR. w. H. Holmes, curator of the
Smithsonian museum at Washington,
D C.; Prof Samuel Calvin. state geolo-
gist of Iowa; DIR. H. A. Dorsey, archae-
ologist of the Field Columbian museum
at Chicago; Erasmus Haworth, of the
Kansas state university, and P. d.
Chamberlain, son OF DR.. Chamberlain,
and also a student of geology. With
the exception of Prof. Haworth and NJ.
C. Long of Kansas City, who accom-
panied the party, none had made a
previous visit to the scene of the now
famous find
The scientists refused to express any
opinion as to the antiquity of the skele-
ton, but all agreed that from a scientific
standpoint the find was an exceedingly
valuable one. Each and every member
of the party refused to be interviewed
concerning their investigations or the
conclusions that they had reached CON-
corning the age of the skeleton. DR..
Chamberlain acted as spokesman.
We don't mind saying that we came
here for the express purpose of inquir-
ing into this discovery" said DR.. Cham
berlain. I'VE made careful examina-
ton of the place where the skeleton was
found and took careful measurements
of everything about the excavation that
might throw any light upon this de-
oidedIy interesting find. We have look
ed at the skull and have taken full and
complete notes concerning every phase
of the subject, but we will not say
,t,,rr ,f.I1r e-fr Tn
the first place we have not reached any
conclusion and inf the second place the
matter is far TOO important a one to be:
drawn into q hasty and perhaps ill-ad-
vised opinion. When we have conferred
together and heard the views of all per-
sons competent in this field of science
we viii make known our views in the
matter and not before. l shall write my
views for the Journal of Geology and T
presume that the other members of the
party will do likewise
The inveS tigatiOn will be most
thorough and we hope to reach an opin-
ion that will stand as the true and cor
rec. one"
A reporter found the scientists care
fully examining the skull Before the
identity Of the reporter was disclosed
the discussion among the scientific men
showed a leaning to the opinion that
the skull was that of a prehistoric
man. DIR. Dorsey held the skull in his
hand and talked of the characteristic
marks. He said that 1t was the skull
OF an American type as distinguished
from the Chinese type. He ventured the
opinion that perhaps the jawbone,
which is broad and deep, did not be-
long to the skull. He was treasured,
however on this point by Mr.. Long.
who asserted that it is not a matter of
doubt The skull had been removed al
most intact. but was broken by care
less handling of the men who had dis
covered it. There are other skulls like
this to be found in this country" said
DR. Dorsey.
Il am inclined to believe" remarked
DR.. Holmes. that the person to whom
this skull belonged lived previous to or
during the glacial period" This opinion
of DR. Holmes sustains the verdict of
local scientists that the skull is 35 ,O0o
or more years old
All of the visiting scientists left last
night, some of them returning east and
others journeying westward
The skull. which has become known
as the Lansing skull, was found on the
Concannon farm, about two and a halt
miles from Lansing, last spring. Con-
cannon was digging a cave and discov-
cred the skull, together with fragments
of the skeleton, in the side of a hill
Published notice has brought number
Of scientists to Lansing. The most OF
them have SO far agreed that the skel.
etOn IS a valuable addition to the geo
logical record of the United States
TIE consensus of opinion Hitherto ha.
been that the skeleton is that of a maj
or woman who lived $4,000 or NOR,
years ago.