458 FOSSIL HUMAK REMAINS FOUND NEAR LANSING, KANSAS. 



The cellar tunnel enters the north face of the bench near the base 

 ijj, figs. 1 and 2). The skull was found at f, 70 feet from the entrance, 

 20 feet from the upper surface of the terrace, and about IS inches 

 above the floor of the tunnel. The lateral trench is indicated at d in 

 both illustrations. 



The deposits composing the bench, so far as exposed, rest on the 

 nearly level surface of a stratum of Carboniferous limestone {e-e)^ and 

 the tunnel is dug so that this surface forms its floor. The deposits are 

 believed hy some to be true alluvial loess, derived directly from the 

 ice front in the valleys above; they would thus represent one of the 

 Glacial stages. Others regard them as consisting of finely comminuted 

 material derived from the loess beds of the neighboring slopes and of 

 other coarser materials from the hillsides spread out in comparatively 

 recent times ])y local agencies in and about the entrance to the little 

 valley. The first of these views has been adopted by Prof. S. W. 

 Williston, Mr. Wairen Upham, and Prof. N. H. Winchell; and the sec- 

 ond is held by Prof. T. C. Chamberlin, Prof. R. D. Salis])ury, and Dr. 



Fig. 2. — Section of tlio Lansing- site showing bluffs ind river beyond, looking south, (a, Concannon 

 dwelling and point of contact of limestone river bluff and recent bench. 6, Entrance to cellar 

 tunnel, c, Inner end of tunnel where skull was found, d. Trench opened by Bureau of Ameri- 

 can Ethnology, c-c. Outcrop of limestone in rivulet bed. f, Entrance of rivulet to Mis.souri River 

 flood plain, s, Grade of stream bed.) 



Samuel Calvin. I am inclined to favor this latter view, not only because 

 it appears to be sustained ])y the geological evidence, but because it is 

 in harmony with what we already know of the history of man in 

 America. The skull corresponds in type with crania of the historic 

 occupants of the region — the Indian tribes — which fact carries with it, 

 according to the view of some biologists, a presunn)tion against its 

 great antiquity; and again, there is as yet no substantial and unecjuiv- 

 ocal evidence that men of any race existed in America during the 

 (xlacial period. 



The geological features of the site, in so far as they relate io the 

 (juestion of human occupancy, may be briefl}^ reviewed and their inter- 

 pretation may be presented in the same connection. The first step in 

 the histoi-y of the site re(|uiring attention is the exposure or partial 

 exposure of the nearl}^ level limestone floor on which the materials of 



