The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-28
EXPERT DESCRIBES
T IND|NG SKULL Of
PREHISTORIC MAN
FossiIized Human Head Be-
lieved to Be That of Early
Race in South
America

BUENoS AIRES, Feb. 27.-(By AS
ISOLATED Press.)-The fossilized hui
man skull, supposedly of the tertiary
period, seen by DIR. j. G. Wolf of La
Plata Museum during his explora-
tions in Patagonia, was found near
Paso Ibanez, in the territory OF
Santa Cruz, southern Patagonia,
about 20 miles from the Atlantic
coast, according to a statement made
today by DR.. Wolf to the Associated
Press.
The skull was picked up there by
white settler. who since has moved
westward to the Andean region and
who now has it in his possession. On
learning that the fossil had been
found, DIR. Wolf traced the settler
across the almost treeless plains OF
the pampas region, which runs from
the Andes to the Atlantic, and found
him in his new home.
4 saw and examined the SKULL
said Dr. Wolf today. 4 am. keeping
the name and the place where this
man lives in reserve until arrange
ments have been made by an authori-
tative commission to examine the
fossil and investigate the circum-
stances of its discovery.
Would Give Reasonable Sum.
should the identity of the settler
become known ] fear the relic might
fall into unscientific hands; that
some person might purchase it and
hold it for high price. The settler
now has some realization of it's value
but l am sure he would be content
to part with it for reasonable sum
offered by the museum"
DIR. Wolf is awaiting for the au-
thorities of La Plata Museum to take
some action in regard to sending a
mission southwark to obtain the skull
and verify his data. Their decision
is not expected until the return oil
Director Luis NJ. Torres, who is at
present on an excavation expedition
but who is expected to arrive in
few days.
DR.. Wolf also told the Associated
Press that he had heard among the
settlers of another fossilized human
skull having been found when a we'll
was being dug. He intends to search
for this skull on his return to Pata-
gonia. where he expects to remain
another two years.
Yes" DIR. Wolf observed, ut does
seem almost beyond belief that this
relic of the tertiary period, but 1t
is, fact that the skull is a FOSSIL
zaffon of the sandstone Astounding In
this part of Patagonia and which
biologists describe as tertiary for
nation. l am not geological au-
thority, although l have had expert
ence in geology.
Animal Fossils Found.
Il have examined the geological
formation where the skull was dis
covered and 1 believe it tertiary. 1t
is the same region where Prof. Elmer
S. Riggs, associate curator of paleon-
tology of the Field Museum of Nat
uraI History. Chicago. is searching
for animal fossils of the miocene
period which is one of the divisions
/ of the tertiary period.
PLENTY of animal fossils of the
tertiary age have been found in Pata-
gonia. Why, then. not one of the
human animal? 1 am exceedingly
anxious to have this discovery verb
fled. / saw Professor Riggs on the
Rio Gallegos in southern Patagonia
and told him l had made what / be-
lieved to be most important an
chronological discovery. But l did
not tell him what it was, as l be-
lieved my first duty was to make
known the fact to La Plata Museum,
which l represent"
In describing sthe skull again, DR..
Wolf said it was highly polished, this
having been effected by the SANDS
blowing upon it as it lay on the sur
face Of the ground where il was
found.
1T looks as if it had been var
nished," Dr. Wolf added.