REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39 



ARCHEOLOGY. 



Archeologic researches were actively continued by Prof. W. H. Holmes, with sev- 

 eral collaborators and assistants, in different eastern States and in the interior. The 

 work in eastern United States has been notably rich in results of scientific value. 

 Prof. Holmes examined in detail the novaculite quarries of Arkansas, the pipestone 

 quarries of Minnesota, and the ancient copper mines of Isle Royale, Mich. He also 

 made important studies at various points in the valleys of Potomac, Genesee, and 

 Ohio rivers, and his surveys and examinations in the Delaware valley, particularly 

 about Trenton, were especially extended. At the last-named locality advantage 

 was taken of the excavation of a broad and deep trench parallel with the river front 

 at Trenton to study carefully the late glacial gravels commonly supposed to yield 

 human relics. For a period of six weeks the excellent exposures made in this trench, 

 25 to 35 feet deep, were constantly watched by Prof. Holmes and Mr. William Diu- 

 widdie. without, however, the finding of a single artificial object in the previously 

 undisturbed gravels. This negative result is believed to be of great importance to 

 American archeology. Special examinations, frequently requiring excavations, were 

 made of the ancient soapstone quarries of the District of Columbia and in Virginia, 

 Mr. Dinwiddie and Mr. Gerard Fowke aiding in the work; and toward the close of 

 the year Mr. De Lancey W. Gill, of the U. S. Geological Survey, was detailed to make 

 an examination of the ancient mica mines of North Carolina. Valuable collections 

 of material representing aboriginal arts and industries grew out of this work. 



In December Prof. Holmes was placed in (barge of the exhibit of the Bureau of 

 Ethnology for the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and several months 

 were occupied mainly in preparing, classifying, labeling, and arranging the exhibit, 

 which includes (1) a series of collections illustrating aboriginal quarrying, mining, 

 and implement-making industries; (2) various collections of ethnologic material 

 made chiefly by collaborators of the Bureau; and (3) a series of life- size figures 

 illustrating the domestic life, arts, and industries of the aborigines. It is a pleasure 

 to observe that this exhibit attracted great attention among visitors to the Fair. 

 Messrs. H. W. Heushaw, James Mooney, F. H. dishing, and Oerard Fowke aided 

 in the preparation of this exhibit. 



At intervals throughout the year Prof. Holmes continued researches concerning 

 the development of the shaping arts. Hitherto, American archeologists have in 

 general been content to accept the classification of prehistoric peoples into culture 

 stages based on the products of art work in stone, the classification being derived 

 from European studies. During the last decade different archeologists have devoted 

 much attention to the development of pristine culture as indicated by the artificial 

 stone implements, weapons, and other objects found in many parts of this country, 

 and have come to question the applicability of the European classification. While 

 the investigation can not be regarded as complete, it is worthy of note that a large 

 body of data has been brought together which seem to afford a basis for an indige- 

 nous classification of primitive American art products. This classification will, it 

 is believed, eventually give character to that branch of American archeology which 

 deals with art in stone. 



Mr. Cosmos Mindeleff continued his study of the Pueblo relics and prepared an 

 elaborate treatise on the subject for the press. This work, under the title "Aborig- 

 inal Remains in the Valley of the Rio Verde," is now completed and forms part of 

 the thirteenth annual report. It illustrates in detail the architecture and various 

 industrial arts recorded in the ruined cities of pre-Columbian tribes in the 

 Southwest. 



• In addition to the surveys and researches already noted, Mr. Gerard Fowke was 

 employed for several months in archeologic explorations in Ohio. He was able to 

 obtain much valuable material. 



