Chapter I: Part 1

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ANCIENT ART

of the

PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI, COLOMBIA.

by

WILLIAM H. HOLMES.

CONTENTS.

Page.
Introduction 13
Geography 13
Literature 14
Peoples 15
The cemeteries 16
The graves 17
Human remains 20
Placing of relics 21
Objects of art 21
Stone 21
Pictured rocks 21
Columns 22
Images 23
Mealing stones 25
Stools 27
Celts &c. 29
Spearheads 34
Arrowpoints 34
Ornaments 34
Metal 35
Gold and copper 35
Bronze 49
Clay: Pottery 53
Preliminary 53
How found 55
Material 55
Manufacture 56
Color 57
Use 57
Forms of vessels 58
Decoration 62
Unpainted ware 66
Terra cotta group 67
Black incised group 80
Painted ware 84
Scarified group 87
Handled group 90
Tripod group 97
Maroon group 107
Red line group 109
White line group 111
Lost color group 113
Alligator group 130
Polychrome group 140
Unclassified 147
Clay: Miscellaneous objects 149
Spindle whorls 149
Needlecases 150
Figurines 151
Stools 154
Musical instruments 156
Rattles 156
Drums 157
Wind instruments 160
Life forms in vase painting 171
Résumé 186
[Index]

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.
PLATE I. Map of Chiriqui 13

Fig. 1. Section of oval grave 17
2. Section of a quadrangular grave 18
3. Grave with pillars 18
4. Compound cist 19
5. Southwest face of the pictured stone 22
6. A goddess of the ancient Chiriquians 23
7. A god of the ancient Chiriquians 24
8. Fragmentary human figure in gray basaltic rock 25
9. Mealing stone with large tablet ornamented with
animal heads 26
10. Puma shaped metate 27
11. Stool shaped object 28
12. Stool with columnar base 28
13. Stool with perforated base 29
14. Large partially polished celt 30
15. Celt of hexagonal section 31
16. Small wide bladed celt 31
17. Celt with heavy shaft 31
18. Celt or ax with constriction near the top 31
19. Flaked and partially polished celt 32
20. Well polished celt 32
21. Narrow pointed celt 32
22. Narrow pointed celt 32
23. Cylindrical celt with narrow point 33
24. Leaf shaped objects suggesting spearpoints 34
25. Arrowpoints 34
26. Human figure, formed of copper-gold alloy 41
27. Grotesque human figure in gold 42
28. Rudely shaped human figure in gold 42
29. Grotesque human figure in nearly pure copper 43
30. Grotesque human figure in nearly pure gold 43
31. Rudely executed image of a bird in gold 44
32. Image of a bird in gold 45
33. Puma shaped figure in gold 45
34. Puma shaped figure in base metal 45
35. Quadruped with grotesque face in base metal 46
36. Figure of a fish in gold 46
37. Large figure of a frog, in base metal plated
with gold 47
38. Small figure of a frog, in base metal plated
with gold 47
39. Figure of an alligator in gold 48
40. Animal figure, in base metal plated with gold 48
41. Bronze bells plated or washed with gold 50
42. Bronze bell with human features 50
43. Triple bell or rattle found on the Rio Grande 51
44. Ancient Mexican bell 51
45. Fundamental forms of vases--convex outlines 58
46. Fundamental forms of vases--angular outlines 59
47. Vases of complex outlines--exceptional forms 59
48. Vases of compound forms 59
49. Square lipped vessel 59
50. Variations in the forms of necks and rims 60
51. Arrangement of handles 60
52. Types of annular bases or feet 61
53. Forms of legs 61
54. Grotesque figure forming the handle of
a small vase 63
55. Grotesque figure forming the handle of
a small vase 63
56. Grotesque figure forming the handle of
a small vase 63
57. Monstrous figure with serpent shaped extremities 63
58. Monstrous figure with serpent shaped extremities 63
59. Grotesque figure 64
60. Grotesque figure 64
61. Grotesque figure 64
62. Figure of a monkey 64
63. Figure of a monkey 64
64. Figure of a monkey 64
65. Animal forms exhibiting long proboscis 65
66. Vase illustrating ornamental use of animal figures 65
67. Vase illustrating ornamental use of animal figures 65
68. Vase illustrating ornamental use of animal figures 66
69. Vase illustrating ornamental use of animal figures 66
70. Series of bowls and cups of unpainted ware 67
71. Vase of graceful form 68
72. Vase of graceful form 68
73. Vase of fine form, ornamented with grotesque heads 68
74. Vase of fine form, ornamented with grotesque heads 69
75. Vase with ornament of applied nodes and fillets 69
76. Vase with mantle covered with incised figures 70
77. Vase with frieze of grotesque heads 70
78. Vases with flaring rims and varied ornament 71
79. Vases with complex outlines and varied ornament 71
80. Large vase with two mouths and neatly
decorated necks 72
81. Large vase with high handles 72
82. Top view of high handled vase 73
83. Handled vase 73
84. Handled vase 73
85. Handled vase 73
86. Small cup with single handle, ornamented with
grotesque figure 74
87. Small cup with single handle, ornamented with
grotesque figure 74
88. Vase of eccentric form 74
89. Vessel illustrating forms of legs 75
90. Vessel illustrating forms of legs 75
91. Vessel with large legs, decorated with stellar
punctures 75
92. Vases of varied form with plain and animal
shaped legs 75
93. Large vase of striking shape 76
94. Cup with legs imitating animal forms 76
95. Cup with legs imitating a grotesque animal form 77
96. Cup with legs imitating the armadillo 77
97. Cup with legs imitating the armadillo 77
98. Cup with frog shaped legs 77
99. Cup with legs imitating an animal and its young 77
100. Cups supported by grotesque heads 77
101. Large cup supported by two grotesque figures 78
102. Cup with two animal heads attached to the sides 78
103. Cup with two animal heads attached to the sides 78
104. Vase shaped to imitate an animal form 79
105. Vase shaped to imitate an animal form 79
106. Vase shaped to imitate an animal form 79
107. Fish shaped vessel 79
108. Top view of a fish shaped vessel 80
109. Cup with grotesque head attached to the rim 80
110. Black cup with incised reptilian figures 81
111. Black cup with incised reptilian figures 81
112. Black vase with conventional incised pattern 81
113. Small cup with conventional incised pattern 82
114. Small tripod cup with upright walls 82
115. Vase with flaring rim and legs imitating
animal heads 82
116. Vase modeled to represent the head of an animal 83
117. Pattern upon the back of the vase 83
118. Tripod bowl of red scarified ware 87
119. Tripod bowl of red scarified ware 87
120. Oblong basin with scarified design 88
121. Large scarified bowl with handles imitating
animal heads 88
122. Jar with flat bottom and vertical bands
of incised ornament 89
123. Vase with stand and vertical incised bands 89
124. Vase with handles, legs, and vertical ribs 89
125. Tripod with owl-like heads at insertion of legs 90
126. Tripod with legs rudely suggesting animal forms 90
127. Heavy red vase with four mouths 90
128. Vase with horizontally placed handles and
rude designs in red 91
129. Unpolished vase with heavy handles and coated
with soot 92
130. Round bodied vase with unique handles and incised
ornament 92
131. Vase with grotesque figures attached to the handles 93
132. Vase with upright handles and winged lip 93
133. Top view of vase with winged lip 94
134. Vase with grotesque animal shaped handles 94
135. Vase with handles representing strange animals 95
136. Vase with handles representing grotesque figures 95
137. Vase with handles representing animal heads 96
138. Vase with arched handles embellished with life forms
in high relief 96
139. Vase with arched handles embellished with life forms
in high relief 97
140. Tripod vase with shallow basin and eccentric handles 99
141. Tripod vase with shallow basin and eccentric handles 99
142. Tripod vase with shallow basin and eccentric handles 99
143. Tripod vase of graceful shape and neat finish 100
144. Heavy tripod vase with widely spreading feet 100
145. Neatly modeled vase embellished with life forms and
devices in red 101
146. High tripod vase with incised designs and
rude figures in red 101
147. Handsome tripod vase with scroll ornament 102
148. Vase with lizard shaped legs 102
149. Vase with scroll ornament 103
150. Large vase with flaring rim and widespreading legs 103
151. Fragment of a tripod vase embellished with figure
of an alligator 104
152. Vase supported by grotesque human figures 105
153. Round bodied vase embellished with figures
of monsters 106
154. Cup with incurved rim and life form ornamentation 107
155. Cup with widely expanded rim and constricted neck 107
156. Small tripod cup with animal features in high relief 108
157. Handsome vase supported by three grotesque figures 108
158. Vase decorated with figures of frogs and devices
in red 110
159. Vase of unique shape and life form ornamentation 110
160. Two-handled vase with life form and linear
decoration 110
161. Small tripod vase with animal figures in white 111
162. Shapely vase with designs in white paint 112
163. Small red bottle with horizontal bands of ornament 115
164. Small red bottle with encircling geometric devices 115
165. Bottle with zone occupied by geometric devices 116
166. Bottle with broad zone containing geometric figures 116
167. Bottle with decoration of meandered lines 117
168. Bottle with arched panels and geometric devices 117
169. Bottle with arched panels and elaborate devices 118
170. Vase with rosette-like panels 118
170a. Ornament from preceding vase 118
171. Vase with rosette-like panels 119
172. Vase with rosette-like panels 119
173. Theoretical origin of the arched panels 120
174. Theoretical origin of the arched panels 120
175. Theoretical origin of the arched panels 120
176. Vase decorated with conventional figures
of alligators 120
177. Portion of decorated zone illustrating treatment
of life forms 121
178. Portion of decorated zone illustrating treatment
of life forms 121
179. Vase decorated with highly conventional life forms 121
179a. Design from preceding vase 122
180. Vase decorated with highly conventional life forms 122
181. Vase decorated with highly conventional life forms 123
182. Decorated panel with devices resembling
vegetal growths 124
183. Vase of unusual shape 124
184. Vase of unusual shape 124
185. Vase of unusual shape 124
186. Double vessel with high arched handle 125
187. Double vessel with arched handle 125
188. Vase embellished with life forms in color
and in relief 126
189. Vase modeled to represent a peccary 127
190. Under surface of peccary vase 127
191. Small vessel with human figures in high relief 127
192. Tripod cup with figures of the alligator 128
193. Large shallow tripod vase with geometric decoration 129
194. Large bottle shaped vase with high tripod
and alligator design 130
195. Large bottle with narrow zone containing figures
of the alligator 132
196. Vase with decorated zone containing four
arched panels 133
197. Vase with four round nodes upon which are painted
animal devices 133
198. Vases of varied form and decoration 134
199. Alligator vase with conventional markings 135
200. Alligator vase with figures of the alligator painted
on the sides 135
201. Vase with serpent ornamentation 136
202. Vase representing a puma with alligator figures
painted on sides 137
203. Shallow vase with reptilian features in relief
and in color 137
204. Vase with funnel shaped mouth 138
205. Top view of vase in Fig. 204 139
206. End view of vase in Fig. 204 139
207. Large vase with decorations in red and black 140
208. Devices of the decorated zone of vase in Fig. 207,
viewed from above 141
209. Handsome vase with four handles and decorations
in black, red, and purple 142
210. Painted design of vase in Fig. 209,
viewed from above 143
211. Vase of unusual shape with decoration in black,
red, and purple 144
212. Ornament occupying the interior surface of
the basin of vase in Fig. 211 144
213. Large vase of fine shape and simple decorations 145
214. Vase with extraordinary decorative designs 146
215. Painted design of vase in Fig. 214, viewed
from above 147
216. Vase of unique form and decoration 148
217. Painted design of vase in Fig. 216 148
218. Spindle whorl with annular nodes 149
219. Spindle whorl decorated with animal figures 149
220. Spindle whorl with perforations and incised
ornament 149
221. Needlecase 150
222. Needlecase 150
223. Needlecase with painted geometric ornament 151
224. Needlecase with incised geometric ornament 151
225. Needlecase with incised geometric ornament 151
226. Statuette 152
227. Statuette 152
228. Statuette 152
229. Statuette 152
230. Stool of plain terra cotta 154
281. Stool of plain clay, with grotesque figures 155
232. Stool of plain terra cotta 155
233. Rattle 157
234. Section of rattle 157
235. Rattle, with grotesque figures 157
236. Drum of gray unpainted clay 158
237. Drum with painted ornament 159
238. Painted design of drum in Fig. 237 159
239. Double whistle 161
240. Section of double whistle 161
241. Tubular instrument with two finger holes 162
242. Section of whistle 162
243. Small animal shaped whistle 162
244. Small animal shaped whistle 162
245. Top shaped whistle 163
246. Section, top, and bottom views of whistle 164
247. Drum shaped whistle 165
248. Vase shaped whistle 165
249. Crab shaped whistle 166
250. Alligator shaped whistle 166
251. Cat shaped whistle 167
252. Whistle with four ocelot-like heads 168
253. Bird shaped whistle 169
254. Bird shaped whistle 169
255. Bird shaped whistle 170
256. Whistle in grotesque life form 170
257. Conventional figure of the alligator 173
258. Conventional figure of the alligator 173
259. Conventional figure of the alligator 174
260. Conventional figure of the alligator 174
261. Conventional figure of the alligator 174
262. Conventional figure of the alligator 175
263. Conventional figure of the alligator 175
264. Conventional figure of the alligator 176
265. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 176
266. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 176
267. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 176
268. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 177
269. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 177
270. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 177
271. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 178
272. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 178
273. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 178
274. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 179
275. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 179
276. Conventional figure derived from the alligator 180
277. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 180
278. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 181
279. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 182
280. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 182
281. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 182
282. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 182
283. Conventional figures derived from the alligator 183
284. Vase with decorated zone containing
remarkable devices 185
285. Series of devices 185

ANCIENT ART OF THE PROVINCE OF CHIRIQUI.

By William H. Holmes.

INTRODUCTION.

GEOGRAPHY.

Until comparatively recent times the province of Chiriqui has remained almost unknown to the world at large. The isthmus was traversed a number of times by the conquerors, who published accounts of their discoveries, but it was reserved for the period of railroad and canal exploration to furnish trustworthy accounts of its character and inhabitants. The situation of Chiriqui is unique. Forming, politically, a part of South America, it belongs in reality to the North American continent. It occupies a part of the great southern flexure of the isthmus at a point where the shore lines begin finally to turn toward the north.

The map accompanying this paper (Plate I) conveys a clear idea of the position and the leading topographic features of the province. The boundaries separating it from Veragua on the east and Costa Rica on the west run nearly north and south. The Atlantic coast line has a northwest and southeast trend and is indented by the bay or lagoon of Chiriqui. The Bay of David extends into the land on the south and the Gulf of Dolce forms a part of the western boundary. A range of mountains, consisting principally of volcanic products, extends midway along the province, forming the continental watershed.[1] The drainage comprises two systems of short rivers that run, one to the north and the other to the south, into the opposing oceans. Belts of lowland border the shore lines. That on the south side is from twenty to thirty miles wide and rises gradually into a plateau two or three thousand feet in elevation, which is broken by hills and cut by cañons. This belt affords a natural thoroughfare for peoples migrating from continent to continent, and doubtless formed at all periods an attractive district for occupation. It is in the middle portion of this strip of lowland, especially in the drainage area of the Bay of David, that the most plentiful evidences of ancient occupation are found. Scattering remains have been discovered all along, however, connecting the art of Costa Rica with that of Veragua, Panama, and the South American continent. The islands of the coast furnish some fragmentary monuments and relics, and there is no doubt that a vast quantity of material yet remains within the province to reward the diligent search of future explorers.

[Footnote 1: For physical features, see report of Lieutenant
Norton (Report Chiriqui Commission, Ex. Doc. 41, 1860).]

LITERATURE.

The antiquarian literature of the province is extremely meager, being confined to brief sketches made by transient visitors or based for the most part upon the testimony of gold hunters and government explorers, who took but little note of the unpretentious relics of past ages. As there are few striking monuments, the attention of archæologists was not called to the history of primeval man in this region, and until recently the isthmus was supposed to have remained practically unoccupied by that group of cultured nations whose works in Peru and in Mexico excite the wonder of the world. But, little by little, it has been discovered that at some period of the past the province was thickly populated, and by races possessed of no mean culture.

The most important contributions to the literature of this region, so far as they have come to my knowledge, are the following: A paper by Mr. Merritt, published by the American Ethnological Society;[2] a paper by Bollaert, published by the same society, and also a volume issued in London;[3] a valuable pamphlet, with photographic illustrations, by M. De Zeltner, French consul to Panama in 1860;[4] a short paper by Mr. A. L. Pinart, published in the Bulletin de la Société de Géographie (Paris, 1885, p. 433), in which he gives valuable information in regard to the peoples, ancient and modern; and casual notes by a number of other writers, some of which will be referred to in the following pages. A pretty full list of authorities is given by Mr. H. H. Bancroft in his Native Races, Vol. V, p. 16.

One of the most important additions to our knowledge of the province and its archæologic treasures is furnished in the manuscript notes of Mr. J. A. McNiel, who made the greater part of the collection now deposited in the National Museum. This explorer has personally supervised the examination of many thousands of graves and has forwarded the bulk of his collections to the United States. His explorations have occupied a number of years, during which time he has undergone much privation and displayed great enthusiasm in pursuing the rather thorny pathways of scientific research. In the preparation of this paper his notes have been used as freely as their rather disconnected character warranted, and since Mr. McNiel's return to the United States, in July, 1886, I have been favored with a series of interviews with him, and by this means much important information has been obtained.

[Footnote 2: J. King Merritt: "Report on the huacals or ancient
graveyards of Chiriqui." Bulletin of the American Ethnological
Society, 1860.]

[Footnote 3: Bollaert: Antiquarian Researches in New Granada.
London, 1860.]

[Footnote 4: A. De Zeltner: Notes sur les sépultures indiennes
de département de Chiriqui.]

PEOPLE.

At the present time this district is inhabited chiefly by Indians and natives of mixed, blood, who follow grazing and agriculture to a limited extent, but subsist largely upon the natural products of the country. These peoples are generally thought to have no knowledge or trustworthy tradition of the ancient inhabitants and are said to care nothing for the curious cemeteries among which they dwell, except as a source of revenue. Mr. A. L. Pinart states, however, that certain tribes on both sides of the continental divide have traditions pointing toward the ancient grave builders as their ancestors. There is probably no valid reason for assigning the remains of this region to a very high antiquity. The highest stage of culture here may have been either earlier or later than the period of highest civilization in Mexico and South America or contemporaneous with it. There is really no reason for supposing that the tribes who built these graves were not in possession of the country, or parts of it, at the time of the conquest. As to the affinities of the ancient middle isthmian tribes with the peoples north and south of them we can learn nothing positive from the evidences of their art. So far as the art of pottery has come within my observation, it appears to indicate a somewhat closer relationship with the ancient Costa Rican peoples than with those of continental South America; yet, in their burial customs, in the lack of enduring houses and temples, and in their use of gold, they were like the ancient peoples of middle and southern New Granada.[5]

The relics preserved in our museums would seem to indicate one principal period of occupation or culture only; but there has been no intelligent study of the contents of the soil in sections exposed in modern excavations, the exclusive aim of collectors having generally been to secure either gold or showy cabinet specimens. The relics of very primitive periods, if such are represented, have naturally passed unnoticed. Mr. McNiel mentions the occurrence of pottery in the soil in which the graves were dug, but, regarding it as identical with that contained in the graves, he neglected to preserve specimens.

In one instance, while on a visit to Los Remedios, a pueblo near the eastern frontier of Chiriqui, he observed a cultivated field about which a ditch some 8 or 9 feet in depth had been dug. In walking through this he found a continuous exposure of broken pottery and stone implements. Some large urns had been cut across or broken to conform to the slope of the ditch, and were exposed in section.

Although not apparently representing a very wide range of culture or distinctly separated periods of culture, the various groups of relics exhibit considerable diversity in conception and execution, attributable, no doubt, to variations in race and art inheritance.

[Footnote 5: R. B. White: Jour. Anthrop. Inst. Great Britain and
Ireland, p. 241. February, 1884.]

THE CEMETERIES.

The ancient cemeteries, or huacals, as they are called throughout Spanish America, are scattered over the greater part of the Pacific slope of Chiriqui. It is said by some that they are rarely found in the immediate vicinity of the sea, but they occur in the river valleys, on the hills, the plateaus, the mountains, and in the deepest forests. They are very numerous, but generally of small extent. The largest described is said to cover an area of about twelve acres. They were probably located in the immediate vicinity of villages, traces of which, however, are not described by explorers; but there can be no doubt that diligent search will bring to light the sites of dwellings and towns. The absence of traces of houses or monuments indicates either that the architecture of this region was then, as now, of destructible material, or, which is not likely, that so many ages have passed over them that all traces of unburied art, wood, stone, or clay, have yielded to the "gnawing tooth of time."

One of the most circumstantial accounts of these burial places is given by Mr. Merritt, who was also the first to make them known to science.[6] Mr. Merritt was director of a gold mine in Veragua, and in the summer of 1859 spent several weeks in exploring the graves of Chiriqui; he therefore speaks from personal knowledge. In the autumn of 1858 two native farmers of the parish of Bugaba, or Bugava, discovered a golden image that had been exposed by the uprooting of a plant. They proceeded secretly to explore the graves, the existence of which had been known for years. In the following spring their operations became known to the people, and within a month more than a thousand persons were engaged in working these extraordinary gold mines. The fortunate discoverers succeeded in collecting about one hundred and thirty pounds weight of gold figures, most of which were more or less alloyed with copper. It is estimated that fifty thousand dollars' worth in all was collected from this cemetery, which embraced an area of twelve acres.

Although there are rarely surface indications to mark the position of the graves, long experience has rendered it comparatively easy to discover them. The grave hunter carries a light iron rod, which he runs into the ground, and thus, if any hard substance is present, discovers the existence of a burial. It is mentioned by one or two writers that the graves are in many cases marked by stones, either loose or set in the ground in rectangular and circular arrangements. The graves do not often seem to have had a uniform position in relation to one another or to the points of the compass. In some cases they are clustered about a central tomb, and then assume a somewhat radiate arrangement; again, according to Mr. McNiel, they are sometimes placed end to end, occupying long trenches.

[Footnote 6: J. King Merritt: Paper read before the American
Ethnological Society, 1860.]

THE GRAVES.

Graves of a particular form are said to occur sometimes in groups occupying distinct parts of the cemetery, but the observations are not sufficiently definite to be of value. The graves vary considerably in form, construction, and depth, and are classified variously by explorers. In the Bugaba cemetery Mr. Merritt found two well marked varieties, the oval and the quadrangular, reference being had to the horizontal section. The oval grave pits were from 4½ to 6 feet deep and from 3 to 4 feet in greatest diameter. A wall of rounded river stones 2½ to 3 feet high lined the lower part of the pit, and from the top of this the entire space was closely packed with rounded stones. Within the faced up part of this cist the remains of the dead, the golden figures, pottery, and implements had been deposited. This form is illustrated in Fig. 1 by a vertical section constructed from the description given by Mr. Merritt.

The quadrangular graves were constructed in two somewhat distinct ways. One variety was identical in most respects with the oval form illustrated above. They were sometimes as much as 6 feet deep and frequently 4 by 7 feet in horizontal dimensions. In the other form a pit 4 by 6½ feet in diameter was sunk to the depth of about 3 feet. Underneath this another pit some 2 feet in depth was sunk, leaving an offset or terrace 8 or 10 inches in width all around. The smaller pit was lined with flat stones placed on edge. In this cist the human remains and the relics were placed and covered over with flat stones, which rested upon the terrace and prevented the superincumbent mass, which consisted of closely packed river stones, from crushing the contents. A section of this tomb is given in Fig. 2, also drawn from the description given by Mr. Merritt.

Mr. Merritt and others mention that in some of the graves pillars are employed to support the roof of the cist. These pillars are mentioned briefly by De Zeltner, from whose account the following illustrations are drawn. This author does not state that he made any personal investigations, and if his accounts were obtained from the natives their entire trustworthiness may very properly be questioned. The first two forms mentioned by him are similar to those already given. The third is described as having at the corners square pillars of stone to support the covering, which, however, is not described. The fourth has four pillars, placed in the corners of the pit. These serve to support a vault of flagstones. The walls between the pillars are faced with pebbles, as in the cases previously described. Fig. 3 will make this form clear at a glance. The fifth variety described by De Zeltner is quite extraordinary in construction. His account is somewhat confusing in a number of respects, and the section given in Fig. 4 cannot claim more than approximate accuracy in details and measurements. Near the surface a paving, perhaps of river stones, was found covering an area of about 10 by 13 feet. This paving was apparently the surface of a pack about 2 feet thick, and covered the mouth of the main pit, which was some 6 or 7 feet deep. Pillars of cobble stones about 10 inches in diameter occupied the corners of the pit, and probably served in a measure to support the paving. In the bottom of this excavation a second pit was dug, the mouth of which was also covered by a paving 2½ by upwards of 3 feet in horizontal dimensions. This lower pit consisted of a shaft several feet in depth, by which descent was made into a chamber of inverted pyramidal shape. This chamber approximated 6 by 9 feet in horizontal dimensions and was some 4 or 5 feet deep. At the bottom of this cistern the human remains and most of the relics were deposited. The shaft was filled in with earth and the pavings described. The total depth, computed from the figures given, is about 18 feet, a most remarkable achievement for a barbarous people; yet this is equaled by the ancient tribes of the mainland of New Granada, where similar burial customs seem to have prevailed. Mr. White,[7] who traveled extensively in the northwestern part of the state, says:

A dry, elevated ridge, composed of easily excavated material, was
selected as the cemetery. A pit of only a yard or so in diameter was
sunk, sometimes vertically, sometimes at an angle, or sometimes it
varied from vertical to inclined. It was sunk to depths varying from
15 to 60 feet, and at the bottom a chamber was formed in the earth.
Here the dead was deposited, with his arms, tools, cooking utensils,
ornaments, and chattels generally, with maize and fermented liquor
made of maize. The chamber and passage were then rammed tightly full
of earth, and sometimes it would appear that peculiar earth, other
than that excavated on the spot, was used. One not unfrequently
detects a peculiar aromatic smell in the earth, and fragments of
charcoal are always found mixed with it in more or less quantity.

M. De Zeltner describes other very simple graves which are filled in with earth, excepting a surface paving of pebbles.

Mr. McNiel, who has examined more examples than any other white man, and over a wide district with David as a center, discredits the statements of De Zeltner in respect to the form illustrated in Fig. 4, and states that generally the graves do not differ greatly in shape and finish from the ordinary graves of to-day. He describes the pits as being oval and quadrangular and as having a depth ranging from a few feet to 18 feet. The paving or pack consists of earth and water worn stones, the latter pitched in without order and forming but a small percentage of the filling. He has never seen such stones used in facing the walls of the pit or in the construction of pillars. The flat stones which cover the cist are often 10 or 15 feet below the surface and are in some cases very heavy, weighing 300 pounds or more. A single stone is in cases large enough to cover the entire space, but more frequently two or more flat stones are laid side by side across the cavity. These are supported by river stones, a foot or more in length, set around the margin of the cist. He is of the opinion that both slabs and bowlders were in many cases carried long distances. No one of the pits examined was of the extraordinary form described in detail by De Zeltner and others.

[Footnote 7: B. B. White: Jour. Anthrop. Inst. Great Britain and
Ireland, p. 246. February, 1884.]

HUMAN REMAINS.

The almost total absence of human remains has frequently been remarked, and the theory is advanced that cremation must have been practiced. We have no evidence, however, of such a custom among the historic tribes of this region, and, besides, such elaborate tombs would hardly be constructed for the deposition of ashes. Yet, considering the depth of the graves, their remarkable construction, and the character of the soil selected for burial purposes, it is certainly wonderful that such meager traces of human remains are found. Pinart surmises, from the analogies of modern burial customs upon the north coast, that the bones only were deposited in the graves, the flesh having been allowed to decay by a long period of exposure in the open air. This, however, would probably not materially hasten the decay of the bones.

Mr. Merritt states that human hair was obtained from graves at Bugaba, and that he has himself secured the enamel of a molar tooth from that locality. De Zeltner tells us that in three varieties of graves remains of skeletons are found, always, however, in a very fragile condition. One skull was obtained of sufficient stability to be cast in plaster, but De Zeltner is not certain that it belonged to the people who built the tombs.

Mr. McNiel reports the occasional finding of bones, and a number of bundles of them are included in his collection. He reports that there are no crania and that nothing could be determined as to the position of the bodies when first buried.

Pinart observes that in some cases the bodies or remnants of bodies were distributed about the margin of the pit bottom, with the various utensils in the center, and again that the remains were laid away in niches dug in the sides of the main pit.

These scattering observations will serve to give a general idea of the modes of sepulture practiced in this region, but there must be a closer record of localities and a careful correlation of the varying phenomena of inhumation before either ethnology or archaeology can be greatly benefited.

PLACING OF RELICS.

The pieces of pottery, implements, and ornaments were probably buried with the dead, pretty much as are similar objects in other parts of America. The almost total disappearance of the human remains makes a determination of exact relative positions impossible. The universal testimony, however, is that all were not placed with the body, but that some were added as the grave was filled up, being placed in the crevices of the walls or pillars or thrown in upon the accumulating earth and pebbles of the surface pavement. The heavy implements of stone are rarely very far beneath the surface.

OBJECTS OF ART.

From the foregoing account it is apparent that our knowledge of the art of ancient Chiriqui must for the present be derived almost entirely from the contents of the tombs. The inhabitants were skillful in the employment and the manipulation of stone, clay, gold, and copper; and the perfection of their work in these materials, taken in connection with the construction of their remarkable tombs, indicates a culture of long standing and a capacity of no mean order.

Of their architecture, agriculture, or textile art we can learn little or nothing.

The relics represented in the collection of the National Museum consist chiefly of articles of stone, gold, copper, and clay.

STONE.[8]

Works executed in stone, excluding the tombs, may be arranged in the following classes: Pictured rocks, sculptured columns, images, mealing stones, stools, celts, arrowpoints, spearpoints (?), polishing stones, and ornaments.

_Pictured rocks._--Our accounts of these objects are very meager. The only one definitely described is the "_piedra pintal_." A few of the figures engraved upon it are given by Seemann, from whom I quote the following paragraph:

At Caldera, a few leagues [north] from the town of David, lies a
granite block known to the country people as the piedra pintal, or
painted stone. It is 15 feet high, nearly 50 feet in circumference,
and flat on the top. Every part, especially the eastern side, is
covered with figures. One represents a radiant sun; it is followed
by a series of heads, all, with some variation, scorpions and
fantastic figures. The top and the other side have signs of a
circular and oval form, crossed by lines. The sculpture is ascribed
to the Dorachos (or Dorasques), but to what purpose the stone was
applied no historical account or tradition reveals.[9]

These inscriptions are irregularly placed and much scattered. They are thought to have been originally nearly an inch deep, but in places are almost effaced by weathering, thus giving a suggestion of great antiquity. I have seen tracings of these figures made recently by Mr. A. L. Pinart which show decided differences in detail, and Mr. McNiel gives still another transcript. I present in Fig. 5 Mr. McNiel's sketch of the southwest face of the rock, as he has given considerably more detail than any other visitor. Mr. McNiel's sketches show seventeen figures on the opposite side of the rock. Seemann gives only twelve, while Mr. Pinart's tracings show upwards of forty upon the same face. These three copies would not be recognized as referring to the same original. That of Mr. Pinart seems to show the most careful study and is probably accurate. Good photographs would be of service in eliminating the inconvenient personal equation always present in the delineation of such subjects. These figures bear little resemblance to those painted upon the vases of this region.

Other figures are said to be engraved upon the bowlders and stones used in constructing the burial cists. De Zeltner states that "one often meets with stones covered with rude allegorical designs, representing men, pumas (tigre?), and birds. It is particularly in such huacas as have pillars and a vault that these curious specimens of Indian art are found."[10]

_Columns._--A number of authors speak casually of sculptured stone columns, none of which have been found in place. Seemann says that they may be seen in David, where they are used for building purposes,[11] but this is not confirmed by others. The sculptures are said to be in relief, like those of Yucatan and Peru. Cullen says that columns are found on the Island of Muerto, Bay of David.[12] Others are mentioned as having been seen in Veragua.

_Images._--Objects that may properly be classed as images or idols are of rather rare occurrence. Half a dozen specimens are found in the McNiel collections. The most important of these represents a full length female figure twenty-three inches in height. It is executed in the round, with considerable attempt at detail (Fig. 6). I may mention, as strong characteristics, the flattened crown, encircled by a narrow turban-like band, the rather angular face and prominent nose, and the formal pose of the arms and hands. Besides the head band, the only other suggestion of costume is a belt about the waist.

The material is a compact, slightly vesicular, olive gray, basaltic rock. I have seen a few additional examples of this figure, and from the identity in type and detail conclude that the personage represented was probably an important one in the mythology of the Chiriquians. In general style there is a rather close correspondence with the sculptures of the Central American States. Some of the plastic characters exhibited in this work appear also in the various objects of clay, gold, and copper described further on.

There is also a smaller, rudely carved, half length, human figure done in the same style. Besides these figures there are two large flattish stones, on one of which a rude image of a monkey has been picked, while the other exhibits the figure of a reptile resembling a lizard or a crocodile. The work is extremely rude and has the appearance of being unfinished. It seems that all of these objects were found upon the surface of the ground.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I present two specimens of sculpture also collected by Mr. McNiel, and now in the possession of Mr. J. B. Stearns, of Short Hills, N.J. The example shown in Fig. 7 was obtained near the Gulf of Dolce, 82° 55´ west. Three views are presented: profile, front, and back. It is carved from what appears to be a compact, grayish olive tufa or basalt, and represents a male personage, distinct in style from the female figure first presented. The head is rounded above, the arms are flattened against the sides, and the feet are folded in a novel position beneath the body. The height is 9 inches.

The other specimen, Fig. 8, from near the same locality, is carved from a yellowish gray basalt which sparkles with numerous large crystals of hornblende. It is similar in style to the last, but more boldly sculptured, the features being prominent and the members of the body in higher relief. The legs are lost. Height, 5¼ inches.

A remarkable figure of large size now in the National Museum was obtained from the Island of Cana or Cano by Mr. McNiel. It is nearly three feet in height and very heavy. The face has been mutilated. In general style it corresponds more closely to the sculpture of the Central American States than to that of Chiriqui.

_Mealing stones._--The metate, or hand mill, which consists of a concave tablet and a rubbing stone, was an important adjunct to the household appliances of nearly all the more cultured American nations. It is found not only in those plain substantial forms most suitable for use in grinding grain, seeds, and spices by manual means, but in many cases it has been elaborated into a work of art which required long and skilled labor for its production.

In the province of Chiriqui these mills must have been numerous; but, since they are still in demand by the inhabitants of the region, many of the ancient specimens have been destroyed by use. It seems from all accounts that they were not very generally buried with the dead, but were left upon or near the surface of the ground, and were hence accessible to the modern tribes, who found it much easier to transport them to their homes than to make new ones.

The metates of Chiriqui present a great diversity of form and possibly represent distinct peoples or different grades of culture. They are carved from volcanic rocks of a few closely related varieties, the texture of which is coarse and occasionally somewhat cellular, giving an uneven or pitted surface, well suited to the grinding of maize. Three classes, for convenience of description, may be distinguished, although certain characters are common to all and one form grades more or less completely into another. We have the plain slab or rudely hewn mass of rock, in the upper surface of which a shallow depression has been excavated; we have the carefully hewn oval slab supported by short legs of varied shape; and we have a large number of pieces elaborately sculptured in imitation of animal forms. The first variety is common to nearly all temperate and tropical America and does not require further attention here. The second variety exhibits considerable diversity in form. The tablet is oval, concave above, and of an even thickness. The periphery is often squared and is in many cases ornamented with carved figures, either geometric devices or rudely sculptured animal heads. The legs are generally three in number, but four is not unusual. They are mostly conical or cylindrical in shape and are rather short.

The finest example of the second class has an oval plate 37 inches in length, 29 in width, and 2 inches thick, which is nearly symmetrical and rather deeply concave above. The central portions of the basin are worn quite smooth. Near the ends, within the basin, two pairs of small animal-like figures are carved, and ranged about the lower margin of the periphery are eighty-seven neatly sculptured heads of animals. There are four short cylindrical legs. This superb piece of work is shown in Fig. 9.

Examples of the third class are all carved to imitate the puma or ocelot. The whole creature is often elaborately worked out in the round from a single massive block of stone. The thin tablet representing the body rests upon four legs. The head, which projects from one end of the tablet, is generally rather conventional in style, but is sculptured with sufficient vigor to recall the original quite vividly. The tail appears at the other end and curves downward, connecting with one of the hind feet, probably for greater security against mutilation. The head, the margin of the body, and the exterior surfaces of the legs are elaborately decorated with tasteful carving. The figures are geometric, and refer, no doubt, to the markings of the animal's skin. Nearly identical specimens are obtained from Costa Rica and other parts of Central America.

A fine example of medium size is given in Fig. 10. The material is gray, minutely cellular, basaltic rock. The upper surface of the plate is polished by use. The entire length is 17 inches.

The largest specimen in the McNiel collection is 2 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 12 inches high. A similar piece has been illustrated by De Zeltner.

The usual office of these metates is considered to be that of grinding corn, cocoa, and the like. The great elaboration observed in some examples suggests the idea that perhaps they were devoted exclusively to the preparation of material (meal or other substances) intended for sacred uses. A high degree of elaboration in art products results in many cases from their connection with superstitious usages.

Speculating upon the use of these objects, De Zeltner mentions a mortar "whose pestle was nothing but a round stone, which still shows traces of gold here and there. It was evidently with the help of this rude instrument that the Indians reduced the gold to powder before fusing it."[13]

The implement or pestle used in connection with these mealing tablets in crushing and grinding is often a simple river worn pebble, as mentioned above, but is more usually a cylindrical mass of volcanic rock, worked into nearly symmetric shape.

_Stools._--The stool-like appearance of some of the objects described as metates suggests the presentation in this place of a group of objects that must for the present be classed as stools or seats, although their true or entire function is unknown to me. They are distinguished from the mealing stones by their circular plate, their sharply defined, upright, marginal rim, and the absence of signs of use.

Two of these objects are from the vicinity of David. The largest and most interesting is illustrated in Fig. 11. It is carved from a piece of vesicular basaltic tufa and is in a perfect state of preservation. The height is 6 inches and the diameter of the top 10 inches, that of the base being a little less. The slightly concave upper surface is depressed about half an inch below the upright marginal band. The periphery is a little more than an inch in width and is decorated with a simple guilloche-like ornament in relief. The disk-like cap is connected by open lattice-like work with the ring which forms the base. The interior is neatly hollowed out. The open work of the sides consists of two elaborately carved figures of monkeys, alternating with two sections of trellis work, very neatly executed. The other specimen is somewhat less elaborate in its sculptured ornament.

Outlines of two additional examples of these objects are given in Figs. 12 and 13. The tablets are round, thick, and slightly concave above and are margined with rows of sculptured heads. The supporting column in the first is a plain shaft and the base is narrow and somewhat concave underneath. In the second the column is hollowed out and perforated.

As bearing upon the possible use of these specimens it should be noticed that similar stool-like objects are made of clay, the softness and fragility of which would render them unsuitable for use as mealing plates or mortars, and it would also appear that they are rather fragile for use as stools. I would suggest that they may have served as supports for articles such as vases or idols employed in religious rites, or possibly as altars for offerings.

_Celts._--The class of implements usually denominated celts is represented by several hundred specimens, nearly all of which are in a perfect state of preservation. They are thoroughly well made and beautifully finished, and leave the impression upon the mind that they must represent the very highest plane of Stone Age art.

Although varying widely in form and finish there is great homogeneity of characters, the marked family resemblance suggesting a single people and a single period or stage of culture. They are found in the cists along with other relics and are very generally distributed, a limited number, rarely more than three, being found in a single grave. They may be classified by shape into a number of groups, each of which, however, will be found to grade more or less completely into the others. They display all degrees of finish from the freshly flaked to the evenly picked and wholly polished surface. The edges or points of nearly all show the contour and polish that come from long though careful use. All are made of compact, dark, volcanic tufa that resembles very closely a fine grained slate. The following illustrations include all the more important types of form. There are but few specimens of very large size. That shown in Fig. 14 is 8¼ inches long, 4 inches wide, and seven-eighths of an inch thick. The blade is broad at the edge, rounded in outline, and well polished. The upper end terminates in a rather sharp point that shows the rough flaked surface of the original blocking out. The middle portion exhibits an evenly picked surface. The rock is a dark slaty looking tufa, the surface of which displays ring or rosette-like markings, reminding one of the polished surface of a section of fossil coral. These markings probably come from the decomposition of the mineral constituents of the rock.

The implement given in Fig. 15 may be taken as a type of a large class of beautifully finished celts. It also is made of the dark tufa, very fine grained and compact, resembling slate. The beveled surfaces of the blade are well polished, the remainder of the surface being evenly picked. The hexagonal section is characteristic of the class, but it is not so decided in this as in some other pieces in which the whole surface is freshly ground.

The contraction of the lateral outline and the sudden expansion on reaching the cutting edge noticed in this specimen are more clearly marked in other examples. The small celt shown in Fig. 16 is narrow above and quite wide toward the edge. A wide, thick specimen is given in Fig. 17. A specimen quite exceptional in Chiriqui is shown in Fig. 18. Mr. McNiel states that in many years' exploration this is the only piece seen that exhibits the constriction of outline characteristic of grooved axes.

Two superb implements are illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, the one in the rough excepting at the cutting edge, where it is ground into the desired shape, and the other neatly polished over nearly the entire surface. The surfaces are somewhat whitened from decomposition, but within the rock is nearly black, and the eye could not distinguish it from a dark slate. The material is shown by microscopic test to be a volcanic tufa. These examples were evidently intended for more delicate work than the preceding. The shapes of the specimens illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22 indicate a still different use. The upper end of the implement is large and rough, as if intended to facilitate holding or hafting, while the shaft diminishes in size below, terminating in a narrow, symmetrical, highly polished edge, a shape well calculated to unite delicacy and strength. The highest mechanical skill could hardly give to stone shapes more perfectly adapted to the manipulation of stone, metal, or other hard or compact substances. The material is a very dark, compact, fine grained tufa.