TRACES FOUND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 9

TRACES FOUND

Lost Explorers In Brazil Wilds SEEKER RETURNS (United Service) Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Sunday. Commander’ George Dyott, who searched the Brazilian, jungles for Colonel P. H. Fawcett, has returned. He found traces of the missing explorer’s party, but he doubts whether they are still living. Colonel P. H. Fawcett, a British explorer with a distinguished record, sailed with his sou, John, then 21 years old, and Mr. Raleigh Ivimel, aged 23, on Jauuax*y 12, 1925, from New York for Rio de Janeiro, for the purpose of smashing through 1,500 miles of jungle swamp to a hidden ancient city in the heart of Brazil, which he believed would give proof that South America, and not the Valley of the Euphrates, was the cradle of civilisation. Tho expedition was sanctioned and aided by the Royal Geographical Society and the American Geographic Society. The site of the ancient city lies on the south watershed of the Amazon, between the Zingu and Tapojoz Rivers. The expedition was to visit countries occupied by black dwarfs and pit dwellers, who live in holes covered by leaves and sticks. The route to have been taken skirts the country of the Mundurucus, a robust race of reddish-coloured Indians living between the Tapojoz and Paranatinga Rivers, and having women chiefs. Beyond tho ancient city lies the Amazons’ country. Eastward is the dwellingplace of the Asusmis, or white Indians. Farther eastward lies an ancient city of majestic Cyclopean architecture, which Colonel Fawcett had previously visited. A messagp from Cuyaua, Brazil, on May 24, 1925, said Colonel Fawcett and his party had started on their* journey into the unexplored jungle. The leader said his hopes of making great discoveries had been raised by recent incidents. Within a few days’ journey of Cuyaba the explorers found numerous stones bearing inscriptions and pictures. They were obviously made with metal tools. Their resemblance to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphus was said to be striking. No direct news was received of the explorers after that date.