Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 1.djvu/690

 holmesJ AURIFEROUS GRAVEL MAN 623

that one of these objects could have become imbedded in the tufa deposits in recent or comparatively recent times, for such an effect is sometimes produced by a re-setting or re-cementing of loosened materials, but no definite result was reached.

The unfortunate part about this very noteworthy feature of the testimony is that Mr King failed to publish it — that he failed to give to the world what could well claim to be the most important observation ever made by a geologist bearing upon the history of the human race, leaving it to come out through the agency of Dr Becker, twenty-five years later. That he did not promptly give it to his associates engaged in researches regarding human antiquity might be construed as indicating lack of confidence in the verity of his own observations.

THE CALAVERAS SKULL

Notwithstanding the fact that the finds of stone implements in intimate relation with the Auriferous Gravels furnish the great body of testimony upon which a Tertiary man is predicated, they have attracted but slight attention from the public as compared with the reputed discovery of human remains, and more espe- cially the discovery of the so-called Calaveras skull in a mine shaft at Altaville. The prominence of the latter find is due largely to the fact that it is the only specimen of its kind that has escaped oblivion. This relic has been the subject of much disputation, but I shall not stop here to cite or review the literature. It may be observed, however, that the general trend of sentiment and even of scientific opinion has been adverse to the specimen as proof of antiquity ; at the same time there is a very important contingent of scientific men, especially those grouped around the original apostle of antiquity, Whitney, who cling tenaciously to the idea of a Tertiary man. As long as this condition exists it is manifestly unwise to attempt to pass over the evidence of the Calaveras skull, as some are inclined to do, with the assertion that it is insufficient and hence unworthy of consideration.

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