Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: U.S. and Puerto Rican archaeologists say they have uncovered what they believe to be one of the most important pre-Columbian sites found in the Caribbean, containing stones etched with ancient petroglyphs and graves that reveal unusual burial methods.
The stones at the site in southern Puerto Rico form a large plaza measuring some 130 feet by 160 feet (40 meters by 50 meters) that could have been used for ball games or ceremonial rites, said Aida Belen Rivera, director of the Puerto Rican Historic Conservation office.
The petroglyphs include the carving of a human figure with masculine features and frog legs. Archaeologists believe the site might belong to the Taino and pre-Taino cultures that inhabited the island before European colonization.
The plaza could contain other artifacts dating from 600 A.D. to 1500 A.D., said Rivera, whose office is receiving general reports about the findings.
"I have visited many sites and have never seen a plaza of that magnitude and of those dimensions and with such elaborate petroglyphs," said Miguel Rodriguez, member of the government's archaeological council and director of a graduate school in Puerto Rico that specializes in history and humanities. He is not involved in the project.
Want to know more? Click here: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/28/news/CB-GEN-Puerto-Rico-Archaeological-Find.php
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Eagle War Feathers
Cheyenne legend...
A long, long time ago the Cheyenne warriors had not learned yet how to use eagle for their war ornaments. One of their men climbed a high mountain; there he lay for five days, crying, without food. Some powerful being, he hoped, would see him and come to him, to teach him something great for his people.
He was glad when he heard a voice say, "Try to be brave, no matter what comes, even if it might kill you. If you remember these words, you will bring great news to your people, and help them."
After a time he heard voices, and seven eagles came down, as if to fly away with him. But he was brave, as he had been told, though he continued to cry and keep his eyes closed. Now the great eagles surrounded him. One said "Look at me. I am powerful, and I have wonderfully strong feathers. I am greater than all other animals and birds in the world."
This powerful eagle showed the man his wings and his tail, and he spread all his feathers as wide as possible. He shows him how to make war headdresses and ornaments out of eagle feathers.
"Your people must use only eagle feathers, and it would be a great help to them in war and bring them victories," eagle said.
Since no loose feathers were about, the seven eagles shook themselves, and plenty of feathers fell to the ground. The Cheyenne picked them up and gratefully took them home to his tribe. On that day, eagle feathers were seen for the first time by the Cheyenne and they knew where they came from.
The man showed his people how to make war ornaments from the eagle feathers, as he had been told. From that day onward, the man became a great warrior in his tribe, and their leader in war parties.
He became so successful his people named him Chief Eagle Feather and he wore his Eagle Feather Warbonnet, as he led the Cheyennes with dignity and pride.
A long, long time ago the Cheyenne warriors had not learned yet how to use eagle for their war ornaments. One of their men climbed a high mountain; there he lay for five days, crying, without food. Some powerful being, he hoped, would see him and come to him, to teach him something great for his people.
He was glad when he heard a voice say, "Try to be brave, no matter what comes, even if it might kill you. If you remember these words, you will bring great news to your people, and help them."
After a time he heard voices, and seven eagles came down, as if to fly away with him. But he was brave, as he had been told, though he continued to cry and keep his eyes closed. Now the great eagles surrounded him. One said "Look at me. I am powerful, and I have wonderfully strong feathers. I am greater than all other animals and birds in the world."
This powerful eagle showed the man his wings and his tail, and he spread all his feathers as wide as possible. He shows him how to make war headdresses and ornaments out of eagle feathers.
"Your people must use only eagle feathers, and it would be a great help to them in war and bring them victories," eagle said.
Since no loose feathers were about, the seven eagles shook themselves, and plenty of feathers fell to the ground. The Cheyenne picked them up and gratefully took them home to his tribe. On that day, eagle feathers were seen for the first time by the Cheyenne and they knew where they came from.
The man showed his people how to make war ornaments from the eagle feathers, as he had been told. From that day onward, the man became a great warrior in his tribe, and their leader in war parties.
He became so successful his people named him Chief Eagle Feather and he wore his Eagle Feather Warbonnet, as he led the Cheyennes with dignity and pride.
Quotes
"I like living in this community, and I like being Choctaw, but that's all there is to it. Just because I don't want to be a white man doesn't mean I want to be some kind of mystical Indian either. Just a real human being." -
Beasley Denson, Secretary/Treasurer of the Choctaw Tribal Council, 1988
Beasley Denson, Secretary/Treasurer of the Choctaw Tribal Council, 1988
Penobscot Indian elder to receive France's highest honor for his service in World War II
By Aimee Dolloff
INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The attention Monday from media and other Penobscot Nation members was almost more than World War II veteran Charles Shay could handle.
"I’ll be glad when all this is over," he said modestly while waiting in his living room on Indian Island for the arrival of Francois Gauthier, consul general of France in Boston.
Gauthier traveled to Maine on Monday to accompany Shay to Washington, D.C., where today he is to receive the Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest military and civil recognition.
"He’s a courageous soldier," Gauthier said of Shay. "Because he participated in liberating my country, we think we owe him a special recognition."
Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest civil and military honor in France. It is presented not only for military service, but also for eminent service in other fields such as science or culture, Gauthier explained. Recipients of the honor are named by decree signed by the president of the Republic of France. Shay will be given the title of knight of the Legion of Honor.
"It’s important to me because I’m trying to promote the history of my family, and I’m trying to bring attention to the Native American veterans that served," Shay said.
Read more here: http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=156221&zoneid=500
INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The attention Monday from media and other Penobscot Nation members was almost more than World War II veteran Charles Shay could handle.
"I’ll be glad when all this is over," he said modestly while waiting in his living room on Indian Island for the arrival of Francois Gauthier, consul general of France in Boston.
Gauthier traveled to Maine on Monday to accompany Shay to Washington, D.C., where today he is to receive the Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest military and civil recognition.
"He’s a courageous soldier," Gauthier said of Shay. "Because he participated in liberating my country, we think we owe him a special recognition."
Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest civil and military honor in France. It is presented not only for military service, but also for eminent service in other fields such as science or culture, Gauthier explained. Recipients of the honor are named by decree signed by the president of the Republic of France. Shay will be given the title of knight of the Legion of Honor.
"It’s important to me because I’m trying to promote the history of my family, and I’m trying to bring attention to the Native American veterans that served," Shay said.
Read more here: http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=156221&zoneid=500
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
