The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-24
OUR PRE.HIsroRrc RuINs.

A recent Issue of The New York Fri bune gives details and pictures of som' rather remarkable and altogether inter esting relics of the ancient Incas of Peru These latest discoveries were found b, Mir. Bandslier. who has been exploring or the Western coast of Peru and on what is known as the Bolivian Plateau of South America. Among other things was wha, is called an Inca cup of solid gold, an. other of silver, and various other typical articles of gold, silver and clay. all illus. trative of the civilization, religion and modes of life and burial of these strange people whose power and peculiar civiii- zation practically ended with the invasion of Pizarro and his ruthless followers They graphically illustrate the ingenuity of the old Peruvians, as well as their be- liefs and habits of life.
 But these discoveries are only one more evidence of the civilization which had been attained by the strange people of the Western Hemisphere prior to the ad- vent of the races of Indians now inhab- iting the American continent. Both North and South America are rich in relics and evidences of a race, or races. who were far in advance of the red men of modern days. In fact, when we view these evidences of. ancient workmanship and read the descriptions of them, the the Egyptians during and before the time of the Pharaohs. We find the same skill exhibited in working and forming metal the same reproduction of animals, birds and reptiles which formed their religious creed, and the same style of images and utensils used to typify their methods of worship as we'll as their domestic lives. Were these Egyptians, who lived and la bored and fiourished long before Joseph knew them. the ancestprs of the. earlies, Americansf There is much in the evil dence left behind to show at least won- kderful similarity. and stnis is one reason why so much interest attaches to the. dis. covcries brought to light by modern ex- plorers. These finds are as interesting to the ethnologist and the ethnographer as they are to the archaeologfst and the mere curiosity seeker.
 l And while. on this subject we are glad to note that there is now on foot a move ment looking to the. preservation of the prehistoric ruins of the United States. There is what is called Records of the Past Historical Society. with headquarters in Washington. whose members number over $500. They are interested in histor- ical research the world over. but are now petitioning Congress to intervene to pro- tect our own ancient ruins. The petition Is rather lengthy but the following gives the main features of 1t:
 Therefore, your petitioners pray tht lCongress of the United States to enact $ flaw or laws governing the right of col adjacent to any prehistoric monument: and ruins on government lands without the express written authority of sucf Iperson or persons as Congress may des Iignate, and your petitioners further pra. Ql for the passage of law prohibiting the exportation of prehistoric objects iron the United States except under such re strictions as Congress in It's judgmen may establish; @ that so much of al lands belonging to the United States a will assure the protection of its archaeo logical monuments, ruins. pyramids mounds, tombs. buildings, or other fixe' objects illustrative of the history of tn primitive races of America may be with drawn from settlement. or alienation; 6 that all antiquities, movable and immov abl' found on said lands, belonging to th government of the United States, whic
 may be of interest in the study of tn early and primitive history of the people of North America, be declared to belon
 to the government and people of the Uni ted States; and (D that their remova
 from said lands or their exportation fror
 the United States, except on the write
 authority of some legally constituted per son or body, be prohibited; (5) that to in jure or destroy or deface any of said arch geological monuments, ruins and othe fixed archaeological remains, or to talk and carry away any of the said movabl objects from said government lands, declared misdemeanor punishable b | fine and Imprisonment, unless done in puI suance of written authority from som legally designated person or body; and C
 that said authorities may only grant sue permission to national, State municips
 or other legally incorporated museums i
 the United States. and that provision made for the forfeiture of any of the al
 ticies enumerated to the United States O
 convictions of violation of the law, an that said objects shall be deposited
 some legally designated depository, an not to be removed therefrom unless
 conformity to law.
 While this hurrying, scurrying age more concerned with the future and tn
 present than it is with the past it is wei that there are some who take thought o the days anterior to our civilization an, of the people who left the impress o their humanity all over the continent. I Is not alone in the old world that ther, are interesting and instructive relics O the long distant past. for our own country has rich mines for the archaeologist ant the explorer, and it will be well if thost mines can be protected from the ruthless | hands of the ignorant and the careles. who have no conception of the value O such treasures. It is too late to savt much that might have been almost price less, but at least what is left may b, made secure. '
 THEY ARE TOO STRICT.
 Ap