1965 cont.
The Early Inhabitants of the
"The tumulus is a megalithic structure comprising a
series of circular towers. The monument recalls the nuragic villages of
(Webmaster note-As we know the Greeks and Egyptians used a
lot of goat skin in dress, and when Noah landed on Arrat he let lose the goats
the earliest. Sardinia used goats extensively, which goats more than cows
were more appropriate in island domestication, due to size and food
conservation. These regions are some of the early regions to cultivate grain,
but this leaves a strange problem? If grain did not first move from east to
west but west to eastward the Canary Islands could possibly represent a very
early stage of grain milling. The stones they use are from early Neolithic
stage, it is not they may have invented it as much as they may have derived it
from a culture that was moving around at agriculture's own beginnings. This is
possible that an island culture would employ grain as a substitute faster then
some inland regions due to the need for alternative sources having few food
choices at various times that had become scarce. The next information clarifies
this point.)
"There is no evidence that the Canarians had salt for
the seasoning of foods or for household use, even though it is reasonable to
suppose that they had something such as special softners and flavoring
substances probably obtained from powdery residue their fires."
(Webmaster note- salt might have been imported but in
certain times it was as precious as gold, and sea-salt might have been used at
a lot of expense of time to make. The softners and flavorings used in making
would be similar to what we find in Haiti, and Jamaica which have spices that
would suffice the use of any extension of salt. Pepper was a very early spice
and I do not know if there was any variation of pepper on Canary Islands as a
substitute, which would be very important in this regard. The next line brings
up possible Greek and Basque influences of intoxicants.)
"Some scholars think the Canarians used an alcoholic
drink made from the fruits of a local tree called "Visnea Mocanera"
by the botanists. The craft of pots achieved a high standard in the Canaries,
particularly in the Island of Gran Canaria where a gradual development from
Neolithic patterns brought to a varied repertoire of artistically elaborated
forms.
While in Tenerife pottery is for the most part plain ware
with oval bottom, mainly produced for utilitarian purposes after the Neolithic
models, that of Gran Canaria shows skillful use of red and black scheme with geometric
motifs recalling pre-Minoan Crete."(Webmaster note-not middle phase
nor post Crete but very early, and Egyptians as well pre-dynastic had this red
on black style.)
"This does not necessarily imply a relationship
between the two cultures, only meaning that there was a common background
established since before the immigration of the Saharian peoples to the Canary
Islands."
Anyway, even though the pottery of Gran Canaria may be
considered a typically local craft, some foreign influences cannot be denied.
There are scholars who think the Mediterranean people bringing a higher
culture settled in the island overwhelming the ruder Cromagnonoids who became a
dominated class. Such theme is fascinating and would deserve a better
study. However, one can reasonably ask why these highly cultured newcomers,
coming as they surely came from the sea on boats , totally forgot the art of
navigation." "We must stress upon the fact that no connecting
land bridge ever existed between Africa and the Canary Islands. And again, if
the Canaries were reached by staggered waves of immigrants at intervals as
long as to imply more advanced cultural stages taking centuries to become
consistent, how comes it that all these peoples never care to preserve their
craftsmanship leaving it to flow away at such a point that they did not move
from an island to another?
"Leaving for the time being the problem of navigation
in the Canarian area, we come back to pottery and mention that the only craft
of pots which seem to lack of any foreign influence is that of the Hierro
Island. In addition to pottery, the art of making clay figurines and idols is
an evidence even better than pottery with a view to giving an idea of the
artistic level achieved by the early inhabitants of the Canary Islands. A
Dog's head (measuring 3.4x 2 inches), made of clay, found at Arucas in the
Northern part of Gran Canria, shows such an extrodinary sense of life that it
must be considered something more than a modeled representation of the dog.
The artist probably intended to sculpture those evil creatures called
"Tibicenas" believed as having a dog's appearance. A clay
statuette of a woman, dug up on the same place, shows a considerable artistic
level even though the head is missing. Other female figurines were found in
gran Canaria and they are on exhibit in the local Museum. A vessel cover found
at Majada de la Altabaca (Alde or Alta word) in the North West of Gran Canaria,
was made like a human face and is something between an attempt to naturalism
and exaggeration stressing on a peculiar expression. This piece is absolutely
unique."
(Webmaster note-This reminds me of the particular
importance of expression that goes back to Cro-Magnon, but also if the pieces
which I have not seen is squinting a kind of squinting eye cult as found of the
Mayas may explain a very strange connection.)
"The Canarians made typical colanders which were
probably used as strainers in cookery. Also typical are the so called
"Pintaderas" (small objects of clay or other material which were
spread of coloring substances to imprint magic or ornamental drawings on the
body). Such "Pintaderas" are similar to European Upper Paleolithic
and Mseolithic patterns. According to the tradition handed down since the
times of the Spanish conquest, the Canary Islands took their name from the
native dogs. In reality, "Canaries" might come from the word
"Canis" meaning "dog" in Latin. Recent archaeological
work, combined with a study of Canarian animals of today, shows that in
ancient times there were at least two types of dog, one which was similar to
the Australian dingo."
"Animal bones, mainly goat, have been found during the
excavation work held throughout the islands. We know from tradition that the
Canarians used to dress themselves in sleeveless blouses made of goat's skin.
Actually goats were a fundamental resource in the economic life of the
natives." (Webmaster note- a Mesolithic expression)
The Canary Bird is very probably a native animal. It still
lives in the wild state in the islands where it preserves its original green
color. Foods were generally poor in ancient times and they were mainly based on
cereals with only a little meat. The Canarians had a typical food , which is
still prepared today, named "Gofio". It was obtained by melting in
cold water toasted flour made of barley." (Webmasters note- one can
see Barley arrived in Late Mesolithic age at least, and at times displaced
earlier Millet)
"Fishing was practiced only to a limited extent by the
natives who never used boats or crafts. Residual of shallow-water fish have
been found by the archaeologists into the stomach of Canarian mummies examined
by them. Perhaps the natives used nets made of animal skin or sinews to dam a
shallow water keeping themselves close to the wind and water line."
(Webmaster note- this style of fishing goes back to
Paleolithic times of hunter gatherer groups, how funny that invaders came and
went and even into almost recent times they still fish this way. Note also no
interest whatsoever to develop a navy or extensive boats, it would seem either
a prohibition against it, an isolationist behavior, or keeping the place a
purposeful secret, not just fear or the loss of navigation skills. One has to
start a reason for the other. Was the pity of the invaders to just let them for
the most part be due to no precious minerals enough to exploit them?)
"All historians agree in reporting that the Canarians
were beautiful. They were tall, well built and of singular proportion. They
were also robust and courageous with high mental capacity. Women were very
beautiful and Spanish Gentalmen often used to take their wives among the
population. The belief that the ancient Canarians were a people favored by
great duration of life became popular at the time of the Spanish Conquest
."(Webmaster note a 'Fountain of Youth' and one of the reasons in reports
led to Columbus to look beyond the Canary Islands for it.)
"An examination made of the Canarian Mummies with a
view to ascertaining the trueness of this report, shows that such a statement
is correct if referred to the Canarian districts where foods were abundant and
easy to find. I is a pity the Spanish never cared to take a record of the
original legends they undoubtedly heard of in the islands. However, it must be
taken into account that they were so much in trouble making war against the
natives that they had no time at all for cultural activities. The importance of
the Canary Islands, lying on their strategic position in the Ocean waters,
became outstanding after the discovery of America. Finally wee think that a
mention must be made of the work which is being carried out in the islands by
eminent Canarian archaeologist, such as Prof. Sebastian Jimenez Sanchez of Las
Palmas, Dr.
Ellas Serra Rafols of Tenerife, and many others, with the
cooperation of foreign scientists whose contribution has proven to be first
class. The activity of Canarian archaeologists is a basic one and is
fundamental to anyone who wants to achieve a better understanding of Ancient
Canarian cultures.
Magazines and journals dealing with the history and prehistory
of the Canary Islands are available. Among these we wish to mention, 'Revista
de Historia Canaria, published on behalf of La Laguna University (Tenerife),
Faycan, a journal of research edited by Prof. Jimenez Sanchez, El Museo
Canario."
Alf Bajocco
And annotated comments By Webmaster D. Clarke of June 26,
2002
In all fairness I tried to put forward what still to this
day in the Canary Islands has held true according to Alf Bajocco statements.
This in context I have also added to for the probability of Atlantis (A Upper
Paleolithic origin kingdom i.e. 10,000 B.C. on back) colonists have a 50%
chance of arriving at the Cnary Islands and no less for three important
criteria's have been met.
And the last criteria, the in terraced walls, and
concentric linings a very early stage of neolithic and Mesolithic practices
that preclude the advent of pyramids.
We could say that to this day the Canary Islands are still
culturally, and possibly linguistically the best visible (above the surface of
the Ocean) view of what parts of Atlantis according to Plato were like,
especially in a post flood sense of conditions for man. It is also likely that
since man does not seem to appear to exist on the Canaries before 15,000 B.C.
that these had more common escapees then aristocratic survivors
But who managed to keep a certain kind of Atlantean like
Canton Government (noted by Plato) found in regions of Cro-Magnons of 'a King
of the Sun', or 'Twin Celestial Kings' to each provincial canton in the
Canaries. Ironically, when the Egyptian-Phoenicians arrived I am sure they were
shocked to find a similar government was already in place????
As you all know this only deepens the mystery of
Herodotus's maps-
Traces of Atlantis in Peru,
By Karola Siebert 1965