Page:Excavations at the Kesslerloch.djvu/22

Rh from the others in order to keep the contents perfectly distinct. (What has been said in several journals, that too little care was taken in the excavation, is absolutely incorrect.) At first I considered the two relic-beds as the products of two different ages; but the determination of the bones found in both beds (as decided by Professor Rütimeyer when he first examined the two separate collections of bones), and also the implements, unquestionably disprove my idea; so that we had here only one relic-bed, divided simply by colour, which had been gradually acquired in the course of ages. The whole thickness of this bed, considered as one, varied from 30 inches to 6$1⁄2$ inches—a fact of very considerable importance. The cubical contents amounted to nearly 3,530 cubical feet, so that the average thickness throughout the cave may be taken as 1 foot 9 inches.

In the excavation the greatest possible care was taken, and the work was narrowly watched. It required every exertion of mind and body; but this was amply repaid by a most valuable and interesting collection of objects. It was most fortunate that the weather was very fine during the excavation. The greatest difficulty we had to contend with was the quantity of water which came in—in fact when excavating just by the eastern entrance we wore at least 35 inches under the level of the water at that season. Much time was required to clear out the water; pumping had to be carried on for several days with more or less intermission. The specimens found were carefully cleaned in an adjacent brook immediately after they were dug up. The bones were placed in a wicker-work basket, and this, with its contents, was put into the running water, which partially cleared them from the rich earth adhering to them. After some time all the specimens were submitted to a regular cleansing process, and water was poured upon them from a bucket, till all the mud was entirely cleared off. Neither brushes nor napkins were used, in order to avoid any chance of damage to the specimens. After being completely cleaned, the bones and implements were dried and dipped in a thin solution of isinglass, which gave an extremely thin coating, but one which preserved the specimens from further decay. Isinglass is very much better than common glue, as it is less liable to grow mouldy.

The remains of bones were very numerous. I do not exaggerate in estimating their weight as 30 cwt. Without any exception, every bone which contained marrow was broken in piece;