174 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 
ornaments are of pure beaten gold and have designs in 
repoussé. 
The gold objects are found in stone box graves along 
with pottery and stone carvings. Gold is taken from 
only a small percentage of the graves, probably those of 
chiefs. A systematic rifling of the ancient cemeteries 
has been going on since the arrival of the Spaniards, but 
the finds have mostly been thrown into the melting pot. 
The burial places are sometimes marked by low plat- 
forms built over a group of graves. An iron rod giving 
forth a hollow sound when the stone cysts are struck is 
used by the searchers. Human bones are found in these 
graves, but seldom in a state of good preservation. 
Mr. Minor C, Keith’s collection of gold work from 
Costa Rica and Panama is unexcelled and _ illustrates 
the range of technical processes as well as of ornamental 
forms. Human forms are represented with peculiar 
headdresses and with various objects carried in the 
hands and often they are joined in pairs. Many of the 
most beautiful amulets are frogs arranged either singly 
or in groups of two or three. These figures are all pro- 
vided with a ring on the under side for suspension. 
Lizards, turtles, and crocodiles are frequently modeled 
as well as clam shells, crabs, and monkeys. But per- 
haps the most frequent amulets are those that picture 
birds with outspread wings among which may be 
recognized vultures, harpy eagles, gulls, man-of-war 
birds, and parrots. The larger and more elaborate 
pieces of gold work cast considerable light on the ancient 
religion of the natives since beast gods are figured in 
half human form. Bells of copper and gold were much 
used in gala dress and were doubtless an object of trade 
with the tribes farther north. 
In this consideration of the lesser civilizations that 
