On December 3, 1900, workmen at the United Verde Mines near Jerome, Arizona, reportedly entered a cave exposed by a collapse and discovered a remarkably well-preserved human body.
If the local newspaper was correct, this was no ordinary mummy.
The dead man was described as a giant. Beside him rested an enormous firearm resembling a shotgun, but supposedly too heavy for an average man to use. Copper tools found nearby were presented as evidence that the burial was more than 3,000 years old. The number of objects surrounding the body also led the writer to suggest that the man had been a chief or king.
An unnamed informant, described only as “somewhat of an authority on the Aztec period,” identified the mummy as Aztec.
Then there is the gun…
No archaeologist was named. No measurements, photographs, or scientific examination were mentioned. Instead, the mummy and its enormous possessions were quickly placed on public display at a local establishment, where visitors were encouraged to come see them.
A Mummy Found In An Aztec Cave
JEROME, Arizona. — The finding of a mummified man by workmen at the United Verde Mines on Monday, December 3 (1900), created some little excitement in Jerome.
The body is undoubtedly that of a man who, during life was a giant, at least everything surrounding the find would signify that such was the case, as beside him was found a fire arm somewhat similar to the shotgun used at the present time, but so large and of such weight that the average man of today could not pose it for shooting.
Besides the gun, there were found near him working tools, all of which were manufactured of tempered copper, showing that the man must have been buries over 3,000 years ago during the first age of copper.
The body is well preserved but has evidently shriveled, yet many of the most important parts have undoubtedly remained their natural size.
Jerome, Arizona
The numerous articles found with the body would signify that he was a chief or king of some renown.
The find was made in a cave exposed by the late caving in of the Verde mines. It was with wonder and awe that the workmen first entered the cave and handled the relics that must have been laid away centuries.
Our informant regarding the above find, who is somewhat of an authority on the Aztec period, says that the body is that of an Aztec, the people who inhabited this part of Arizona about the period that he claims the mummy was laid away.
They mummy with the gun and tools are now on exhibition in the fashion where the proprietors will be pleased to show it to any who may call. It is certainly worth a visit.
Source: Jerome Mining News. Jerome, Yavapai County, Ariz. December 8, 1900.
