

APPLETONS' 



POPULAR SCIENCE 

 MONTHLY. 



NOVEMBER, 1898. 



WAS MIDDLE AMEBIC A PEOPLED FROM ASIA? 



By Peof. EDWAKD S. MOESE. 



THE controversies over the question of the origin of Central 

 American culture are to be again awakened by the exploration 

 organized under the direction of the American Museum of Natural 

 History through the liberality of its president, Morris K. Jesup, Esq. 

 The plans embrace an ethnographic survey of the races between the 

 Columbia and Amoor Rivers. Many similarities in customs, folk- 

 lore, etc., will doubtless be found among these northern races. How 

 far traces of an ancient avenue will be established through which 

 came the unique cult of middle America, and for which in a way 

 the surveys have been instituted, remains to be seen. The ques- 

 tion is one of perennial interest, and all honor to the scientific spirit 

 of Mr. Jesup, whose munificence has provided the means for this 

 work. 



It may be of interest to remind those who have only a vague 

 idea of the contention that there are many earnest scholars who 

 insist that the wonderful architectural remains in Mexico, Yucatan, 

 and other regions of the west coast are due to Asiatic contact in 

 the past. As proofs of this contact are cited similarities as seen in 

 the monuments, the facial characteristics of certain tribes, ancient 

 customs, astronomical ideas, serpent worship, certain games, etc. 

 Particularly is it believed by the scholars that the " land of 

 Fusang " mentioned in early Chinese historical records is no other 

 than Mexico or some contiguous country. 



Space will not permit even the briefest mention of the evidences 

 which have led to these conclusions, and the reader is referred to a 

 remarkably condensed history of the whole question embodied in a 



VOL, LIV. — l 



