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Show 317 by means of which doubtless they were fashioned intq necklaces. Some abalone shells were also found, in close proximity to which were the bones of a child. Another t mortar was discovered, containing some bones in bad condition. June 27.- Being Sunday, operations were suspended until the next day. Jnne 28.- Work was resumed at trench, No. 1 but for 6 or 8 feet nothing was met with save isolated bones. Digging to the southward, however, a skeleton was found with top of head to the northward, the position of which was nearly face downward. On its removal and beneath it was a large mortar, cavity down, slightly tipped, and facing west. In another direction, to the eastward, was a large sandstone mortar facing north, and beneath it a skull in good condition, while near by was a small olla containing ornaments of shell, beads, seeds, and paint. Deeper down, still another small olla was revealed, filled with the black seeds, and near it a small pestle. A number of crania and bones were also found, but all in bad condition. One of them, however, was particularly interesting from the fact of two arrow- points, one of a porphyritic stone, the other of obsidian, being imbedded in the outer table of the skull. From the position of the arrows it was inferred that the wounds were received by the person while lying down. Digging in a northerly direction in this trench, 8 or 10 more skeletons, aU huddled together, were exhumed, also 2 small pestles, 2 mortars, and some abalone shells containing ornaments. In one of the larger of these shells were the head- bones of a young child, and near it two polished serpentine dishes, containing some of the clove- like asphaltum before alluded to. A broken dish had been neatly mended with asphaltum and probably sinew, as drilled holes were found in both pieces. Not far from these cups was found a leather ( f) pouch curiously ornamented on the outside with circles of shell- discs. On Jnne 29, finding that our labor was not as richly repaid as formerly, further excavation in this locality was delegated to Mr. Shoemaker, who, having discovered only 6 crania, and these in poor condition, after six hours' faithful labor, the " Big Bonanza" was abandoned, and m the meanwhile the writer wasprospecting. Crossing the estero, and reaching the ranch of T. Wallace More, esq., we visited the asphaltum mine, from which it is probable the Indians whose resting- places we had been so ruthlessly disturbing, procured their supplies of this, to them, most precious material, since it must have- been extensively used in fastening on their arrow- heads or spear- points, and in mending and filling up cracks and holes in their canoes. Not far from this mine, the spot was reached which has been mentioned as that where burials were indicated by whalebones and fiat stones, and it was determined to explore it next. Near it was a depression, in which appeared to have been either a threshing-floor or dancing- place, oval- shaped and 60 feet long by 30 or 40 wide. It had been beaten or trodden down so firmly that no vegetation could flourish thereon. In the afternoon, not far from camp, one of the party discovered some fragments of human bones which had been thrown out of a squirrel- burrow, which circumstance led us to search for relics. Opening a trench 300 yards to the westward from camp, at a depth of 3 feet, some broken bones were found and one skull: near the latter were a quantity of beads and a matted mass of fur, apparently of either the seal or sea- lion. After some hours' fruitless labor, digging in this locality was discontinued. This was the only instance in our experience where the burial of but one individual had taken place. On the following day, one of the laboring party, assured of finding something to repay further labor in the " Big Bonanza," urgently suggested the same, whereupon excavating was again entered upon at that place; and, curiously enough, after a little digging, a remarkably fine knife of obsidian was discovered, nearly 10 inches in length; a bone implement, similar in appearance to a sword- blade; and two pipes, one of them ornamented. This ornamented pipe was the first of the kind we had met with, and we congratulated ourselves upon having yielded to the suggestion of the workman. July 1.- Resolved to excavate in the locality last discovered, and an early start was made. This trench in T. Wallace More's ranch was commenced 200 yards from the sea~ clifF. At a depth of 2 feet broken bones were uncovered, and at 4 feet entire skeletons, which in- many instances had been inclosed with flat stones, forming a kind of coffin. Some mortars and pestles were here also met with, as well as pipes, arrowheads, and another fine spear of flint, and one of iron. After four days' hard work, with no other results than those mentioned, this trench was abandoned. It is doubtless probable that many more articles might have been found here, but the time that would be consumed in securing a few small articles was demanded where results would most likely prove richer and more interesting. From Dr. Taylor, of La Patera, a gentleman who for years had studied the ethnol- * ogy and archaeology of the Pacific coast, we learned of the probable existence of burial- places at a spot some 12 or 15 miles up the coast, known as Dos Pueblos, Dr. Taylor having there seen the remains of numerous kitchen- heaps, inferred that a large population once lived in that locality, and that their dead would be found not far distant. Accordingly Dr. Rothrock and the writer started on a prospecting tour, and after a couple of hours' ride came in sight of the Dos Pueblos ranch, occupied by Mr. Welch |