Bill Allen - is an avocational archaeologist currently studying this area and is a renowned speaker on the artifacts found to date.To quote his approach "I think it is important that people understand that I am more of a history buff and researcher than an archaeology expert. I am not embarrassed when I have to say "I don't know" if an artifact stumps me, but I like getting answers and, if I can't give the answer to a specific question right away, I will go away and do further research and come back with an answer later."
The following ballad is submitted by Bill for your enjoyment. -
Master Of The Track .......................by Bill Allen
The people of the cave looked out, with dawn about to break; The day would send the hunters off, their quest, fresh food to take. For millet was in low supply, dried catfish nearly gone, The nanny berries not quite ripe, the faces lean and drawn.
The young men headed off to hunt, just five within their pack, And Elder Kai stepped out in front, the master of the track. Esteemed was Kai within his clan, surviving all the years; He taught the others how to stalk, and how to carve sharp spears.
He knew each quarry's every move, each habit and each need, He knew mistakes of hunters past, success not guaranteed. He knew best quarry ranged too far, beyond the clan's base cave; He knew the risk of seeking it, advice his father gave.
All morning 'cross the sunbaked land, they searched with eagle eyes; At noon while crawling up a knoll, Kai sensed a distant prize. Out past the sun an image formed, within the hazy sky, A white, diffuse anthelion, a sign to satisfy.
Kai raised one hand toward the sign, the other t'ward the sun; His wrists together shaped a Vee, directing where to run. Excitedly the men changed course, and climbed a barren hill; They slowly broke the final crest, and then each man stood still.
The antholops was far upwind, its nose within the grass; The group now had a choice to make, to hunt or let it pass. The hunger in their bellies tugged, and so did manly pride; The younger men said, " Hunt we will ", " And Elder Kai, you guide. "
" Your guide I'll be ", responded Kai, " but first there's this to learn. " " To kill the mighty antholops, requires a gift in turn. " " To make the kill too far from home , will feed you men alright, But those at home would hate our greed, and selfish appetite. "
" You circle round ", Kai waved his hand, " and chase the beast that way; I'll set our ambush at that pass, I'll thrust my spear today! " Then Kai backtracked behind the ridge, and wandered to his place; The other four crept wide around, in ready for the chase.
The four young hunters took their time, and stayed right out of view; They knew the sharp - eyed antholops, would bound away on cue. They spread out wide beyond the plain, and took all afternoon; They checked the grazing antholops, avoiding chase too soon.
The solitary antholops, with horns curved back like lyres Was unsuspecting all this time, unwarned how fate conspires. Back at the pass old Kai was calm, he opened up his pouch, He offered up some sage for thanks, and then resumed his crouch.
The wall of rock on either side, would channel hooves right here; The flat rock which he knelt behind, an altar for his spear. Across the plain he heard the shouts, and saw the plume of dust; The antholops came into view, with surging flanks of rust.
The beauty of the black - horned beast, approaching on the run, Gave Kai a sense of unity, that it and he were one. Just seconds now and Kai could see, the black band down its snout, Its mouth agape, its nostrils flared, its long legs stretching out.
It started past the altar rock, when Kai jumped in the way; He thrust the spear into its chest, amid a bloody spray. The antholops collapsed on Kai, one hoof pierced old Kai's chest; They tumbled in a heap of flesh, together closely pressed.
With dying breath the beast looked down, and saw Kai's knowing stare; The altar stone was quiet now, and sage blew in the air. " Your guide I'll be ", responded Kai, " but first there's this to learn. " " To kill the mighty antholops, requires a gift in turn. "
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