OLD TOMBS OF MEXICO

Evening Star, Issue 22684, 25 June 1937, Page 12

OLD TOMBS OF MEXICO

FINDS OF GREAT VALUE “GOLDEN ERA" RELICS Important discoveries, including pearls and jade in ancient tombs, are being made at Monte Alban, the famous archeological mound in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. They are being unearthed by Professor Caso, head of the Government Research Department, who has begun a new series of excavations there. Finds of great value regarding the ancient history of the western hemisphere and the origin of the races which inhabit Mexico to-day will, it is expected, result from his investigations. A vast citadel and 104 tombs have already been uncovered at Monte Alban. The discoveries can be divided as follows: Relics of an epoch before the Teotihuacan influence (before 1000 n.c.); relies of the first Teotihuacan period (1000 B.c to a.d. 718); discoveries of the Teotihuacan “ Golden Era.” The tombs now being unearthed are a continuation of those previously exposed beneath many acres of what was once a vast citadel. This was probably built during the Zapotecan period, when the Zapotecas, who migrated to Mexico from North-west America, were forced to defend themselves from marauding tribes. GIANT STAIRCASE. In order to prevent the desecration of the burial places of their dead, the Zapotecas built citadels, where the remains might be immune from profanation and the treasure buried with the dead might be safe. The giant staircase leading to the citadel, now largely destroyed by time, still rivals _ in grandeur similar structures of ancient Egypt. The numerous images of gods, made of earthenware, pottery, and other substances, found in the tombs ,go to prove the old Mexican legend that such images were intended to destroy robbers by spitting fire. The first tombs contained skeletons in a better state of preservation than those more recently uncovered, many of the remains being encased in bona substances encrusted with pearls, some of which were as large as blackbirds’ eggs. Some skeletons had also masks of pure gold, and an abundance of ]ado was found surrounding th bodies. The more recent discoveries show a lack of gold, although pearls and jade have been found. This is taken to indicate that the Rate of the remains goes hack to the time when the original inhabitants of Mexico had either not discovered gold or had 1 not begun working it as an art.

Wonderful frescoes decorate the tombs on which the authorities arc now working.—Reuter.