The Cordova daily times., 1922-12-06
OLD RELICS SHOWN
 IN MUSEUM


 such as Pizarro, the Spanish con queror, took from the Peruvfans; priceless objects of art of the civil izatfbn of the ancient Mayas, are among the nearly two million speci- ments of the Museum of the Ameri- can Indian, Heye Foundation, which recently was officially opened. It is now ready for the general public, who, without charge will have the opporluaity to see and study the most remarkable assemblage of the records of the past of the twin Americas now under one roof. Among those invited to the recep- tion were distinguished citizens and scholars from all parts of the coun- try.
 Lineage Sought
 One of the main purposes of the newly opened museum is to help in the final answer to the question:
 
 dian?" Are they the Ten Lost Tribes, blood brothers to the Japanese, or Chinese, or did they flee from sinking continent? Scholars and sci entists by the comparison or hundreds of thousands of speci- mens. may be able to work out that puzzling problem. At the same time designers of costumes, makers or fabrics, manufacturers of pottery may find inspiration in these re markable collections for practical purposes. The general public will gain education and recreation and food for romance.
 Although this museum, situated at Broadway and One Hundred ana Fifty-fifth street, is a massive build ing, it can show at one time only about one-fiftieth of it's treasures. The contents of many of the cases therefore, will be changed from time to time. Under some of the Hat cases are nests of drawers which visitors can pull out with their own hands and inspect specimens not on view.
 Guests have been impressed with the wide difference in the culture or civilizations of the first Amerl- cans. As explained by the director and founder of the museum, George c. Heye, the highest development, in the class of that of the early Greeks, was south of the Rio Granoe, while in the northern countries the natives lived in the primitive style. Such variations can be especially well studied in this institution, the only one in the world dedicated to the American Indian, although there are notable collections Of Indian relics in other large museums.
 Rich Treasures
 Among it's treasures is relic or the Mayas, the oldest race in the Americas, a sacred vessel used in the worship of che sun.
 Mexico is represented by numer- ous beautiful objects of Aztec crafts manship. Among them is the finest example of Aztec turquoise mosaic in the world, so far as is known. It is a shield only one foot in diameter and ornamented with 14,000 bits of turuuoise, arranged in design which illustrates the worship of the planet Venus. The colors vary from light green to dark blue green and are exquisitely blended.
 Massive seats of stone, shaped like classic throne chairs, reveal the art of natives of Ecuador, who passed from this life many centuries ago. Among the picturesque objects in the Ecuadorean collection are human heads, reduced to about one-fifth Of their natural size and preserved so that there has evidently not been the slightest change in their fea- lures. Here, also, is an entire hu-
 
 man body only twenty-seven inches long, although 1t was once that or a full-grown man. The skeleton and skull were removed, after which the flesh was preserved by picklfng process. The shrinking was done by putting hot sand and stones into the body day after day. Although the heads are frequently seen this is the only entire shrunken body, known. The Jfvaro Indians, who practice this strange skill, so keep the heads of enemies slain in battle.
 A canoe paddle, such as is de scribed in the record of the voyage of Columbus, and dishes of wood hundreds of years old, represent the West Indies. Central America has contributed ancient jewelry and or naments of solid gold of wonderful workmanship.