Relics of Barbarism

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 92, 24 January 1893, Page 4

Relics of Barbarism

Among some interesting anthropological discoveries made in the large shell mounds found on the banks of the Fraser River in British Columbia are bones of two distinot races of men. A very ancient human skull, differing completely from those of the Coast Indians, has been the subject of much learned discussion. Among the implements found were three or four of polished greenstone similar to sailors' belaying pins. TheTe is also a chisel made from the horn of a deer, first shaped by chipping and then polished by rubbing. One of the spearheads is exactly like the barbed bone weapons of the Pacific J slanders, and also resembles the spears of the Australian aborigines. A sharp and double edged spearhead is made from a fine quality of slate, and has evidently been used as a knife. Among the other objects is a stone bowl composed of volcanic tufa, like that used in Japan for pavements and walls. The mounds were found in excavating for a road. They are from two to five feet deep. The low bottom land that separates them from the river is covered with a dense forest from 200 to 300 years old.