TOMB TREASURES

Evening Star, Issue 21077, 14 April 1932, Page 12

TOMB TREASURES

RELICS OF A PAST AGE DISCOVERY IN MEXICO Rich discoveries by Mexican archaeologists in some pro-Aztec ruins at Monte Alban, near Oaxaca, are regarded by archaeologists and ethnologists as comparable in significance with discoveries made in Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s tomb in Egypt. Treasures of gold and previous stones are reported by Don Alfonso Caso, who directed the excavations, to be “ worth millions,” but quite apart from their intrinsic value they have a great importance in throwing light on a Mexican culture about which little has hitherto been known. Some time ago the excavators wore excited by the discovery that they were approaching, at the foot of a stairway 150 ft in width, a central tomb. Working in their enthusiasm fourteen and sixteen hours a day to remove debris, they came at last to a flat carved tablet in the ceiling of the tomb. The discovery proved to be not a doorway, but an exit by which the builders had emerged after sealing the doorway from the inside. The treasure inside the tomb exceeded all expectations. Entirely covering the mummies of ten Caciques of the Mixtec nation was a heap of cups, urns, vases, jars of onyx, jade, and rock crystal, together with numerous ornaments and utensils of gold inlaid with turquoises The workmanship of these relics shows a high degree of development, and this, with what little is known of the Mixtec civilisation, indicates that the Caciques were buried there at some time either in the fifteenth or early sixteenth century! The obvious haste of the interment supports the belief that it was done—in this country of hostile Zapotecs—in time of war. Reports about the details of the discoveries are meagre, but now that the treasures have been removed for safe keeping to the vaults of the Rank of Mexico it is expected that all facts about them will be published. It has already been announced, however, that the skulls of the mummies are encrusted with turquoise—brought probably from the mines of New Mexico. This gem was held sacred by the Mayas and Aztecs alike. With the mummies wore found a finely-wrought mask of gold and a human skull penetrated by a stone knife. The fact that the _ tomb had never been entered before since it was scaled by the builders has caused Senor Oaso and his follow-workers to hope that there may ho other treasures yet to be found at Monte Alban,