REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 57 



during the latter half of the year has not been accurately ascertained, 

 but is supposed to be 1,500, making in all for the calendar year 1883 

 about 3,500 specimens. They embrace almost every type of articles 

 hitherto found in the mounds and other ancient works of that portion 

 of the United States to which the operations of the year have been con- 

 fined, as well as quite a number of new types. 



Among the more interesting finds are a remarkably line series of pol- 

 ished celts, a huge number of steatite pipes with handles, three winged 

 pipes of green chlorite slate finely worked, two very large stone image 

 pipes, gorgets, plummets, and boat-shaped ornaments. 



A very fine collection of mound pottery has been obtained, contain- 

 ing many whole pieces, presenting almost every type, both as to form 

 and ornamentation, heretofore discovered in these earthworks, also a few 

 that are unique as to shape and decoration. Quite a number of shell 

 and bone ornaments and implements were obtained, among which are 

 some of the finest specimens of engraved shells so far discovered. 



The collection also includes a number of copper implements and orna- 

 ments, some of which are very fine and unique. 



Among the articles obtained indicating contact with European civil- 

 ization are some iron implements from a North Carolina mound and 

 fragments of copper plate from several localities bearing the impress 

 of machinery. 



The most important results of these explorations to the students of 

 American archaeology are the facts brought to light concerning the 

 manners and customs of the mound-builders and the purposes for which 

 these mounds and other ancient works of our country were erected. 

 They clearly demonstrate that a large portion of those in the Southern 

 section were built for domiciliary purposes or as foundations for houses, 

 and that these houses were plastered with clay, the plastering often be- 

 ing stamped with an implement made of split reeds, and frequently 

 painted, and that the houses were usually thatched with grass or straw. 



Anew class of mounds, so far as the internal structure is concerned, 

 has been discovered, bringing to light a different mode of sepulture from 

 any previously observed. 



The number of mounds opened during the year was large, reaching 

 several hundreds, but cannot be definitely stated. 



These explorations have been specially successful in the light they 

 have thrown upon the question often asked, "Who were the mound- 

 builders?" 



Explorations in the Southicest. — In continuing the investigations of the 

 preceding year, excursions were made by Mr. James Stevenson in the 

 summer and fall of 1883 through sections of the Southwest not hereto- 

 fore carefully examined, for the purpose of obtaining their archaeologic 

 value and to determine to what extent luture explorations would be re- 

 quired. These observations resulted in the discovery of several more 

 ruined cave and cliff cities differing in some respects from any before 



