28 S/iells as evidence of the ifigraiions. 



copper, gold and silver, as weavers, and as enterprising 

 traders who travelled far and wide, trafficking with these 

 products and the cocoa-bean." "" 



Similarly, the ancient Chiriquians of the Fanamic 

 region, whose descendants, the Guaymis, still go in search 

 of the Purpura shells, were metal workers in gold, copper 

 and their alloys. 



That all the foregoing, in addition to other associated 

 elements of culture, could have developed independently 

 in the Old and in the New World is inconceivable. In 

 Mexico, Central and South 'America, the aborigines un- 

 animously disclaim their independent discovery of all arts 

 and industries and assign their introduction to strangers 

 of superior culture from distant and unknown parts."" 



As Mrs. Nuttall justly concludes, " it seems almost 

 easier to believe that certain elements of an ancient 

 European culture were at one time, and perhaps once only, 

 actually transmitted by the traditional small band of . . . 

 Mediterranean sea-farers, than to explain how, under 

 totally different conditions of race and climate, the identical 

 ideas and customs should have arisen." "^ 



The peculiar and distinctive character of the shell- 

 purple industry is in itself sufficient justification for this 

 conclusion, as it is altogether Unlikely that different people 

 could have adopted so remarkable a custom, along with 

 identical methods of extracting the precious purple matter 

 from shell-fish. 



In glancing over the facts quoted in this chapter it will 

 be at once apparent that many gaps exist in the 

 geographical distribution of this remarkable industry. 

 These lacunae, however, are probably more apparent than 



■•" Nutlall, op. iit., p. 381. 

 "" Ibid, pp. 382-3. 

 ■'1 Ibid. pp. 383-4. 



