THE GRAVES. 



37 



consented to let two of my Indian assistants excavate the pit for me. Tiie first specimens 

 Richarte passed out in his hat were two scorpions. I had not considered the possibihty of 

 encountering these ! 



Next came various parts of three human skeletons (Ost. Coll. 3186, 3187, 3188), including 

 the skulls and pelves, all three adult females, the first two skulls being of the oblong type, 

 while the last was of the brachycephalic coastal type. I willingly accepted and placed on 



Figure 34. — Diagram of Cave 37 to show the inner chamber and outer shelter. 



record the Indians' statement that these bones were somewhat scattered in the cave. Several 

 very prettily decorated pieces of pottery were taken from the pit with the three skeletons : 

 also the following metal articles, which are shown on Plate II : 



At the point marked D in text-figure 34, under the protection of the overhanging bowlder, 

 another grave was found, filled in with earth and stones. This grave contained no skull, 

 but the lower jaw was discovered beneath the surface, about two feet from the rest of the 

 skeleton. Judging from the size and proportions of such bones as were preserved, this indi- 

 vidual was an adult female of medium size. The question naturally arises whether this 

 skeleton may not have been removed from the inner cave to make room for the later 

 interments we found there. Although the mountainside is large, we must remember that 

 the nuinber of available burial caves was limited, and it is not at all improbable that mummies 

 so old as to be fairly dropping apart would occasionally have to be set aside. 



