Omaha daily bee., 1914-08-02

within ten feet OF the surface OF the
earth. The soil above where they were
found is sand and DIR. Buchtein says
this indicates that the city of Tiahuanacu
was for a long time covered with water
and that this was the cause of the won
derul preservation OF the articles
Among the discoveries is a large number
Of skeletons of human beings. The
bones were scattered about, and the
jawbones were often a yard away from
the skulls to which they belonged. While
in the museum ! saw thirty or forty per-
feet skulls, which were practically the
same as within a few years after the
death OF their owners, now more than
5000 years ago. Those skulls are differ
ent from any now known. They are OF
enormous size, and they indicate a race
OF giants. They slope back from the eyes
almost to the crown, reminding one of
the flathead Indians of North America
The jawbones are heavy. and the teeth,
after their rest of eighty centuries, are
still almost perfect. It seemed strange
to look at the grinning molars and to
peer into the eyeless sockets Of these
men of 5000 years ago.
Buried with Gold.
! DR.. Buchtein says that he found tho
J most Of the pottery near the skeletons,
| and that there were two pots beside each
skull OF a man or woman, and one pot
only beside the skull of child.
! The skulls of the women had plates of
gold upon their foreheads. There are
many OF the plates in the museum. They
are OF pure gold. but as thin as paper.
! Each bears the image of a man, show
| ing that the weaker sex worshiped the
stronger 5000 years before the advent of
/ the militant suffragetts. The features Of
! the image are beautifully marked; they
look as though the gold leaf had been
pounded or pressed upon die made for
the purpose. They were probably fss-
tened to the skulls by strings.
| In talking with Manuel Vicente Bolivian,
who is now collecting the exhibit this
! country will have at the San Francisco
| exposition. / have learned that many OF
/ these ancient objects will be taken to
the United States and shown there DR..
! Bolivian says that he is in correspondence
! with the University of Vale as to its send
ing a scientific expedition here 10 invest-
gate the ancient civilization OF Tiahua-
nacu and certain other archaeological
wonders Of the Bolovian plateau. DR..
| Buchtein says that many other parts of
| Bolivia have evidences of prehistoric
races and that the museum will gladly
welcome foreigners who wish 10 investi-
gate them. He thinks, however. that what
| is found should in whole or in part be
given TO the National museum Of La Paz.
Many Curious Objects.
The museum has many objects outside
those l have described. II has huge stone
figures from Tiahuanacu. One head that
stands on the floor of the court is more
than a yard high. and it's eyes are as big
around as a dinner plate The figure is
Assyrian in its carving. The doctor thinks
1t represents the head OF a warrior.
| Among the most interesting featuressof
the museum is a large collection of
mummies. recently discovered not far
from the line OF the Arica-La -Paz rail-
road. which last year was first opened
to traffic. They come from near Gala
coto, a station about fifteen miles from
the road. They are supposed to be the
mummies OF the Chulpas who lived be-
fore the time OF the Incas. Each mummy
is inclosed in a basket or bag OF fiber,
with a window in it's side. out of which
sticks the head Of the mummy. The ma
terial OF the bag appears TO be q pine
| apple fiber, and II is firm and strong. not
withstanding its great age. The threads
are evenly twisted. and each bag is woven
TO the exact size and shape Of the mummy
within.
In sitting Posture.
The mummies were buried in a sitting
posture. with their legs so doubled that
the heels kicked the thighs and the knees
met the chin The arms were clasped
back Of the neck. ! saw scores OF these
nummies, and upon my asking the doc
tor to be allowed 10 make some photo
graphs. he aided me in carrying several
out into the court The one that most
tenderly handled was that of a young
womAa- She was at least 100 years old.