The stone age in North America, vol. 2 of 2Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
History
The stone age in North America, vol. 2 of 2
Moorehead, Warren K. (Warren King)
Indians of North America -- Antiquities; Stone age -- North America
[Illustration:
FIG. 626. (S. about 1–3.) Andover collection. Three sandals and an
unfinished object from Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Group, New Mexico. Found
by W. K. Moorehead.
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 627. (S. 2–5.) Moccasin worn through at toe and heel, from Salts
Cave. Material, leaves of cat-tail. Collection of Bennett H. Young,
Louisville, Kentucky.
]
Salts Cave, near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, has been recently explored by
Colonel Young, and I am indebted to him for proof-sheets of his work,
“Discoveries in Kentucky Caves.” Colonel Young states that the cave has
been known for a hundred years and is an extremely interesting place.
Upon examination he ascertained that many holes had been dug in the cave
floor (for it is covered with debris and cave earth), apparently by the
ancient people who had at some time lived there. Contrary to the caverns
in the Ozarks, this cave has been visited and explored in prehistoric
times, and the remains of man are not confined to the openings, where it
is light, but extend for several miles through the various labyrinths.
Colonel Young writes:—
“Along the main cavern for several miles are numerous fireplaces and
ash-heaps; small piles of stone, evidently placed to hold fagots used in
lighting; innumerable partly burned torches of cane-reed, and even the
footprints of the men who, hundreds of years ago, walked along these
majestic avenues. The cave contains a large amount of saltpeter, and has
a mean temperature of fifty-four degrees. The atmosphere of the interior
is dry and pure, and this, together with the nitrous matter in the
earth, has produced conditions favorable to the preservation of all
kinds of materials. About the hearths and fireplaces were found hundreds
of fragments of gourds, and also some shells of the aboriginal squash,
both of which were in an excellent state of preservation. Torches of
reed, to be counted by the thousands, which had been filled with grease
or soaked in oil, traces of which may still be seen on some specimens,
appeared as if they had been cast aside but yesterday. Along the main
avenues and the second or lower layer of caves, as well as in many side
avenues, these torches were found. Those who have spent much time in
this cavern say that they have discovered no places where these and
other traces of aboriginal man are absent.
[Illustration:
FIG. 628. (S. 1–4.) Collection of Bennett H. Young, Louisville,
Kentucky. Moccasins and pieces of cloth from Salts Cave.
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 629. (S. 1–4.) Flags, wild hemp, and other materials used in
making cloth. From Salts Cave. Collection of Bennett H. Young,
Louisville, Kentucky.
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 630. (S. varying.) Collection of Bennett H. Young, Louisville,
Kentucky. Bag of woven cloth from Salts Cave—nine by seven inches;
plaited rope; fragments of cloth.
]
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