326 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



over Europe and published his report, "The Iron Age in Europe," the 

 standard book on that subject. In 1878-'79 Dr. Sopbus Midler, a young 

 attache of the Prehistoric Museum at Copenhagen, was sent through 

 Germany, Austria, and Italy, returning through France and Britain. 

 He studied the zooinorphic ornament in Europe, and he has published 

 the most complete monograph on the subject which has yet appeared. 

 Dr. Montelius, keeper of the National Museum at Stockholm, was sent 

 throughout Europe to study the fibula of the bronze and iron ages. 

 Sweden and Norway each set aside $560 annually for similar purposes. 

 The report of Dr. Anderson, which I have just mentioned, was the result 

 of sundry voyages made throughout Scotland, visiting the local archreo- 

 logic museums, for the expenses of which an annual appropriation of $200 

 has been made. 



The closer we examine and study the policy of the European govern- 

 ments and compare their achievements and those of their people and 

 institutions with those of the government and kindred institutions of 

 the United States, the greater the contrast. Take the laws of the vari- 

 ous European governments for the preservation of, by obtaining title to, 

 mounds, earth-works, caves, dolmens, and other prehistoric monuments. 

 The most of the European countries have passed such laws. In England 

 Stonehenge belongs to the government, and Abury is now in the same 

 line, if the transfer has not been actually completed. Denmark, Sweden, 

 and Norway own great numbers of prehistoric monuments. In France 

 they are to be counted by the hundreds, while Italy probably surpasses 

 all others. In Italy these matters have received most serious considera- 

 tion at the hands of the government, and a complete system of laws are 

 now in force providing for the proper investigation of these monuments* 

 their preservation, and the conservation of the objects found therein. 

 Any person in the kingdom making a disco very of arch selogical objects is 

 required to make it known to the proper department of the government 

 at Rome. If he would excavate, he must also notify the Government, 

 and it will send an inspector, who will supervise the excavation, keep a 

 diary of all work done and a register of all objects found. This he does 

 from actual observation, for he is required to be on the ground every day 

 during the progress of the work. At Corneto-Tarquini the excavations 

 have been continued practically for twelve years past by the same band 

 of workmen under pay of the town, with a permanent Government in- 

 spector. Antiquities discovered in Italy can not be removed from the 

 Kingdom, certainly not from the Roman provinces, without first sub- 

 mitting to the inspection of the Government officers, who claim the first 

 right of purchase. Not until after they have declined to purchase will 

 a permit be given for exportation. 



I do but state it fairly when I say that the United States, so far from 

 having any such governmental control over or interest in any of the pre- 

 historic antiquities, whether monuments or otherwise, has no serious 

 thought of such control. Neither the Goverameut nor any of its officers 



