1^ BULLETIN 87, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



found in the form of small water-worn masses in gravels of the larger 

 streams and was the principal material employed for arrowheads. 

 Occasionally red and yellow jasper and veiy rarely a specimen of the 

 highly prized green jasper were encountered. Hematite had also a 

 limited* use. A red claystone, resembling catlinite, a brownish to 

 grayish slate, a very fine dark blue soapstone, turquoise, variscite, and 

 occasionally fluorite were used for beads, but the commonest material 

 is a white calcite which occurs in layers of convenient thickness, and 

 the beads made from this material resemble closely those made from 

 shell. Turquoise also occurs in laminae, thus facilitating greatly the 

 manufacture of beads from this comparatively hard stone. The rocks 

 of greatest economic importance to peoples in the Pueblo stage of 

 culture are those of tough resistant structure and those of crystalline 

 structure. The former are abundant in the volcanic or eruptive rocks 

 of the region, hence weapons, hammers, etc., could be made of good 

 stone when found. But the latter are scarce and abrasives would 

 have to be supplied by stone of vesicular character. 



The art of working stone among the inhabitants of the upper 

 Tularosa was limited in extent and the artifacts crude, but a few 

 miles away, in the valley of the lower river, aboriginal objects are 

 superior, equalling the best in the Pueblo region. Such contrasts are 

 common among the remains of the ancient Pueblos, and depend, per- 

 haps, on the number of people inhabiting a pueblo, their situation, 

 well being, and resources. All these things, when favorable, aid in 

 stimulating arts. It is invariably found that the artifacts of a large 

 and populous ]Dueblo are superior to those of a small settlement, even 

 when the latter is in the same valley and within a few miles of the for- 

 mer. It appears also that Pueblo industries were specialized in ancient 

 times ; that is, were clan industries which later became village indus- 

 tries, a social feature observed all over the world, a good example 

 of which may be seen in the basket industry of the Hopi towns, 

 where wicker baskets are confined to Oraibi and coiled baskets to 

 most of the Middle Mesa villages. 



Nevertheless, where these conditions are satisfied and the material 

 for making stone implements is abundant and accessible, it is some- 

 times found that the art of working stone remains in a ver}'' back- 

 ward state, and sometimes, on the contrary, when good materials 

 are lacking and must be brought long distances, the art shows pecul- 

 iar excellence. Of this the culture remains of the ancient prairies 

 and plains tribes give numerous instances. 



It is not safe, also, to base conclusions as to the artistic rank of a 

 group of people on the rude or primitive character of workmanship 

 or design in any one material. We may find that axes, hammers, 

 metates, rubbing stones, mortars, etc., suggest the work of novices, 

 of people in a low degree of culture, or of those who are satisfied with 



