The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-07-07
EXCAVATIONS
MAYLAY BARE
HOPI ORIGINS
Find Progressive Record
of Nation Since 300
AID. Available
By NED RUSSELL
United Press Staff Correspondent

HOPI INDIAN RESERVATION,
Ariz., July 7.-(UP)-The origin
of the famous Hopi Indian cere-
monials may be discovered this
summer by group of Harvard
university scientists who have
spent most of two years here
seeking evidence to fill many UNI
written chapters in the south
vests l,600-year history.
John o. Brew of the Peabody
museum has announced a long
term program of excavation OF
hundreds of Hopi ruins scattered
along the windswept mesa OF the
Jcddito valley.
Additionally, he reported the
findings of the scientists two
years of intensive research. tic
summarized them thusly:
/. This region is part OF the
oldest continuously inhabited area
in the u. S. and holds an archie
illogical record of the rise and TALL
"of a great people. ,
2. Test diggings have revealed
the progressive record of the peo-
pie about 300 A. ID.
GAY PAINTINGS PRESERVED
3. Fifty gaily-colored, well-pre,,
served wall paintings were found
buried in kivas and showed the
development of Indian art from
pure geometric design to the first
elementary attempts at realism.
He said they will be significant
for tracing origins of the spectac-,
ular Hopi religious festivals and
the intricate Hopi social system.
4. A clear picture has been
drawn of the true effects OF the
first impact of invading white CIV
ilization on highly developed
aboriginal people.
Brew said the long program
now planned will uncover "as far
as possible every aspect of In
dian life in this valley from its
earliest occupation" 49,,
Hundreds of dwelling sites will
be examined. Ruins, large ana
small, will be excavated and test
cd to reach sources of important
supplies of pottery, clay, stone
and miners. Ancient methods of
fuel handling and firing pottery
also will be sought.
TEST MADE AT 81 SITES
The discovery of the Hopi mu-
rails, Brew reported, was the most
important achievement of last
years expedition. Awatovi was
selected for first elaborate test
ing from 81 archaeological sites.
He described the murals of
Awatovi as running for a quar-
ter mile along the south rim OF
Antelope mesa, and extending
back over the mesa top about 3OO
yards"
Awatovi was the scene of one
of the most notorious maSsacreS
of the southwest, still discussed
in hushed voices by descendants
of its participants.
The tiny village was one OF the
first Hopi centerS encountered by
Coronado's men in their march OF
1910. The Hopi and the white
men were close friends until 1850
when the Indians joined their
pueblo neighbors and eJected the
Spaniards. ,,
The massacre was detonated
most authorities agree, when the
neonlc of Awatovi welcomed the
Standards back several years la
ter in defiance of their red broth
ers. -
800 VICTIMS OF MASSACRE
In 1899 the neighboring villag-
ers attacked the Awatovi people
and slaughtered the 500 adults
and razed the town. Thus, after
500 years, one of primitive Arr
zona's most important commune
ties was only ruined city.
Brcw's report disclosed the
scientists have gathered and list
ed more than 100000 potsherdS,
(fragments) which give detailed
pictures of the evolution of the
Indian arts in the five centuries
of their highest maturity.
Occupation of Jeddito valley
first inhabited by the "basket
makers" was recorded as contin'
nous to modern times. The has
ket makers" were described as
pioneer Indian farmers who lived
r,o loynlnnupnt of the DucblC