With a heavy pick an opening would be made through the sun burnt brick, and instantly a rush of foul air assailed the nostrils, though the bodies had been buried there for perhaps thousands of years.
When a hole large enough was made, Paul and the expert sailor would drop through it into the oval space below.

There they invariably found several mummies seated in a circle, with their heads on the knees around which their arms were clasped.

Some of them were encased in wicker work, others in cloth made of alpaca wool in brilliant colors and gorgeous with curious designs.

The bodies were wonderfully preserved.

In the center of these weird circles were found earthenware vessels containing petrified corn.