The Mountains Of Madness
Part 3

The regularity of the passage immediately ahead, as well as a greater proportion of the dirt-penguin there, prevent all confusion regarding the right path amidst this multitude of equally great caverns. Nevertheless, we decided to continue our paper trail if any further complexity had to be developed; for the dust trail, of course, could no longer be expected. After continuing our immediate progress, we threw a beam of torch light over the walls of the — tunnel and were amazed to see the tremendous radical changes that occurred to the carving in this section. We realized, of course, the great decadence of the Old Ones statue at the time of excavation; and indeed noticed the inferior workmanship of the arabesque on our back. But now, in the deeper parts outside this cave, there was a sudden difference that completely surpassed the explanation of — differences in nature as well as sheer quality, he said, and it involves the degradation of a skill so profound and dangerous that nothing in the hitherto observed level of decline could cause one to expect it.

This new and degenerate work is rough, bold, and has absolutely no delicacy of detail. It was counter-sunk with excessive depth in the band following the same general line with the sparse cartouches of the previous section, but the relief height did not reach the general surface level. Danforth had the idea that it was a second engraving of — a kind of palimpsest formed after the obliteration of the previous design. In nature it is entirely decorative and conventional; and consists of spirals and rough corners that roughly follow the quintile mathematical tradition of the Old Men, yet more parody-like than the preservation of that tradition. We can't get it out of our minds that some subtle but profound alien elements have been added to the aesthetic feeling behind that technique — alien elements, guess Danforth, who is responsible for the real replacement is very tiring. It was like, yet very different, what we know as Old Man art; and I was constantly reminded of hybrid things like the awkward Palmyrene sculptures made in the Roman way. Others have recently noticed this engraving belt is indicated by the presence of a used torch battery on the floor in front of one of the most distinctive designs.