SOME REMARKABLE PREHISTORIC REMAINS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1870, 1 July 1884, Page 3

SOME REMARKABLE PREHISTORIC REMAINS.

f Science Gossip.) BioFSsiidk * P. ? ''\V. Norris, Assistant United States Ethnologist, has leccntly 1 dyicover&l the ruins of an ancient city,* I five miles ' in 1 extent, in Die Kanacoha the,., city of CJm-leston , During the prpce&s of the excavation of •^ tlie'ae monndVhe' has collected upwaids ■" ? t)f 4000 Hne spe'eim^s of various articles, ~ f 'wliioh lie iritends^O place in the National ' Muslim at Yftjp/ingtmn. Seven of the " mounds which The opened werefiom2o 1 to 35 feet in height, and from 300 to 510 IJ feet in cirdttmfcronee at the base. He ' opened altogether 5G mounds in the ' Krnacoha Valley. The articles he pro cured consisted principally of about 30 specimens of steatite and sandstone pot tory and pipes, many lance and anowheads, hatchets, fish daits, celts, goigets, hematite iron paint hatchets and paint enps, several hundred pieces of ! shell mouey, bone and horn punches used for dressing the flint aiiow heads into proper shape, 21 bracelets made of copper, one copper breastplate, copper crowns, and many copper heads. All the copper was heavily coated with vcrdigiis. In a mound 35ft high and 545 ft mound its base was a vault 12ft square and 10ft high, tne walls of which had been supported by black walnut timbers. In the centre of this vault, lying horizontally on its back, •was a giant skeleton, 7ft Gin long, and measuring 19in thiough the bieafet under the aims. On each wnst were six large copper biacelets, four of which had been ' enclosed in cloth or dressed skin. Under , tie sU nil was a stone lance-head. Therf Mas a copper gorget upon the breast with two holes in it. This got get, winch was 4iu squat c, is regarded as having been a badge of authuuty. In the light hand was a hematite iron hatchet, having a 4in blade. In the left hand weie severa lance-heads, Gin in length, of flint manufacture. Leaning buck wauls in a daik coffin, which stood somewhat out of a perpendicular position, was 1 another skeleton, in such a position in relation to the firat as to let the left hand extend o\ er its head. On this left hand wcie tuo copper biacelets. In the right hand wore a bunch of lance beads similar to those of the giant In each toi ncr of tins vault wab a wanior, enclosed in his d irk coflin, and standing neaily erect, with a stone hatchet and lances in or near his hands. Neaily ICO vaiious specimens of arms and ornaments were found in this one vault. In another mound the remains of a lai go-sized warrior weie found lying flat on Ins back, with a copper crown coveting his head and neck, oTnamented with sea shell and bone heads. On one side of this wanior lay five others, with their feet all pointing towatdb him ; while, on the other side \\eteri\e women, as indicated by their size and ornaments, also having their feet pointed towards the cential -wairior. About thise skeletons were found various weapons and ornaments. The question occurs, how came these skeletons there, five male and the female, all evidently butted at the same time with the chief ? Could they have been eni tombed alive ? Theie weie ten cemented double cisterns at the head of each skeleton, all containing water. For 30ft above, and moie than that distanca around this spot, there was hard earth, dry, like mortur, which had to be excavated w ith picks. I here is another mound at about two miles distant, 24ft high, and ."06ft In circumference. The top of this mound is a small flat plane, 40ft in diameter. Its top and sides, to the depth of about 2ft, were covered with the natural soil, The entire remainder of the mound was composed of burned ashes, w hlch had all 'been deposited in latge vessels containing about half a bushel each. About the centre of the mound were two large skeletons, in a sitting postme, facing - each other, and their arms extended palms unwaids, to wauls one another. Resting upon their hands was a cut ions alter made of stone of about two feet in diametet, the concave side up, and filled with ashes On the top was a flat stone cover with two holes in it, and hu.v ing on it the ancient totem matks. Down even with the natuial suifacc of the giound in this mound was found an immense slightly concave altar, the centre of which was filled to the depth of about six inches with fine ashes. Around, farther fiom the centie, theie were ashes and bits of human bones, piled up to the depth of neaily two feet. The Piofessor says there cannot be the least doubt but that these ashes aie the ccematcd rctnaitiß of human being*.

It is officially declared that 7000 people wefe killed during the late revolution in Hayti. The number of volunteers enrolled in England in ISB3 was 209,30 ">, the highest total yet reached. The percentage of

efficients \\ as 96 # 69. Acuoiidim: to the last census returns the population of Sweden has mci eased from 1,703,000 in 1760 to 4,572,243, the most populous pi ounces being those of the south, a& they have 88 inhabitants per square mile, w hile the noithein piovinees have only 33. A most interesting addition has been made to the exhibits in the Technological Museum in the Domain, Sydney. It is the locomotn c w Inch \\ as used to foi mally open the lnieiiom .Sydney to Paiiamatta, in May, 1855. To the non-piofessional eye, it does not piesent any gicat contrast to the small locomotive now in use. The niakeis' iuiup is the wot Id famed one of It. Stephenson and Co., Newcastle onTyne, and tho date of its manufactuie,

Yes !It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who ha\c purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell hive numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on then excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Gl.iss, &c. Ladies and gentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garlick and Cranwell's is Till' Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. If jour new house is nearly finished, or, you are going to get married, visit Garhck cind Cranwell, Qu3c-n-street and I orrc-street, Auckand. li]tendiiigpuichdserscanha\eacat£logue

sent free,

Lifk in the Bush —Then and Now. — It is genciallv supposed that in the bush we ha\e to put up with many discomforts and privations in the shape ot food Formerly it was so, but now, thanks to T. B. Him, who has himself dwelt in the bush, if food does consist chiefly of tinned meats his Coi oni al Sauce gives to them a. most dejectable flavour, making- them as well of the plainest food most er joyable, and instead as hard biscuits and indigestible damper his Improved Colovial Baking Powder makes the very best bread, scones, cakes, and pastry far superior and more wholesome than yeast or leaven. Sold by all storekeepers who can obtain it from any merchant in Auckland: