Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-07-02
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1914.
A Human Skeleton 10000
Years Old.

DR.. Hans Reck, of Berlin, has dis
covered, at Oldoway, in the north OF
German East Africa, the skeleton OF
man who lived, in all probability,
some l5O, 900 years ago, The follow
ing translation is from the German:
The rare animal fossils of the Tcrt-
larry Period yielded by Africa decided
the Geological archaeological lnsti-
tute and Museum of the University
of Berlin to excavate the Oldoway
pitt In three months, some |, 100
bones were found and taken to the
expeditions camp, there to be shell
tered carefully under primitive
strawroofed huts until they could be
numbered, classified, and packed for
their long journey. The huts in
question were full of bones and huge
relics of elephants. Most of the tusks
discovered were surprisingly long,
very light, and straight. The best
was 3.S meters GO feet inches) in
length. Then there were represented
the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus,
numerous antelopcs and gazelles, as
we'll as pigs, rodents, and beasts of
prey.
1t was frequently difficult to obtain
the homes. Not only was there a
dearth of water and a blazing sun,
but wild animals would arrive unex-
pectedly and disturb the diggers.
Rhinoceroses, in particular, chased
the men from time to time, sending
them running through the trees and
holding them prisoners for hours.
The crumbling walls of the pit pro-
vided another obstacle. A precious
relic would be seen in about the mid
die of the 50-foot wall, and those
seeking it would have to be lowered
by ropes, or rude ladders would have
to be made and so set that the find"
could be reached. When, by good
fortune, a place was found upon
which a man could stand. the task
was easier, for the natural platform"
could be enlarged by the pick.
One day brought with it great
surprise. On the steep incline of the
pit" the excavators found signs of
a human skeleton, which was soon
laid bare and protected by a straw
roof. The discovery was seen to be
of extreme age, and in remarkably
fine condition. The stratum about
it was undisturbed, proof that it owed
its position not to having been buried
at the bottom of a hole dug down
through several strata, but to having
been contemporaneous with the STRAIT
UNI in which it rested. And that
stratum is SO old geologically that the
skeleton must date at least from the
Diluval Period of Africa, which, it
may lie noted, synchronizcs with the
Ice Period of Northern Europe. No
more precise date can be assigned to
it until it has been compared with
fossils found during the same excava-
tons. 1t is typically negroid, and
the first fossil human form found at
Oldoway. The skull is highly de-
veloped, narrow and long; the head
is set deep in the shoulders; the
chest is massive. The position of
the skeleton calls for notice. The legs
were drawn up sharply, and obvious
ly in natural manner. This is adj
ditional argument in favor of the be-
lief that the body was not buried;
and must be taken in conjunction
also with the facts that there are no
traces of entombment, and that the
contorted attitude is unknown in any
case of burial by man. 1t would
seem that the man was driven into
the lake which was once above the
spot on which his remains were
found, or met with an accident on it.,
and was drowned. The body would
be quickly covered with the mud at
the bottom of the water and tufa, and
so be protected from disturbing in
huences. Scientific American.