CONCLUSION. 153 



influences but those of Nature, and would possess as a basis of advancement only 

 the native instincts, and possibly a few traditions, of its race. 



In this manner time and isolation, which are regarded as indispensable to one 

 division of the problem, may be made to answer the exigencies of other divisions ; 

 and whatever is wanting to account for exceptional facts or circumstances may be 

 supplied by the supposition of waifs from other nations, occasionally cast upon 

 these shores. 



Leaving the question of origin where the latest opinions place it, among the 

 enigmas of immemorial time, we turn to a brief summary of the archaeological facts 

 that have been disclosed by investigation within the United States. 



The characteristic antiquities of the United States are confined within certain 

 limits. They are scanty through the entire rauge of the Atlantic States. A mound 

 of some elevation on the Kennebec, in Maine, and vestiges of enclosures at San- 

 bornton, and near Concord, New Hampshire, are all that can be named in New 

 England, and few of any importance are in the eastern portions of the country 

 elsewhere. In New York they are more numerous, especially towards its western 

 borders. Beyond the Alleghanies, and east of the Mississippi, they extend from* 

 the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico ; and occupy in greater or less numbers the 

 southern regions towards the Atlantic as far as the Carolinas. They are also found 

 on the promontory of Florida. West of the Mississippi they have been seen on 

 the Missouri 1300 miles from its mouth ; and are said to exist on the rivers Kansas 

 and Platte. They are also known to be on some of the principal streams in Louisiana. 

 In Texas they have not attracted attention as prominent features of the country. 1 



The earthworks are of two classes, viz : enclosures and tumult. The enclosures 

 are of various sizes and forms. Some are of no greater dimensions than the ordi- 

 nary circumference of an Indian Council House ; others are sufficiently extended to 

 include a village. Some are evidently defensive, occupying positions of natural 

 strength, and adapted to the nature of the ground in a manner to promote security 

 from attack ; but, in most cases, requiring the additional protection of palisades, or 

 parapets of timber. Others have the appearance of being intended for ceremonial 

 or religious purposes, or designed for sports and games. 



The tumuli are of various forms, conical, pyramidal, dome-shaped, and pictorial, 

 or symbolic. 



The largest and loftiest of the conical tumuli are apparently monumental, covering 

 at the base the remains of one person, or in rare instances two ; and are sometimes 

 increased in altitude by a second interment on the summit of the original mound. 

 Their inconsiderable numbers indicate that they are special and extraordinary 

 memorials, whose growth may be due to the tributes of generations. 



1 Mr. Schoolcraft says that Texas is entirely without aboriginal monuments of any kind ; and that 

 neither tumuli, nor remains of ancient ditches, nor attempts at rude castrametation, occur, from the 

 plains of that State and New Mexico, east of the foot of the Rocky Mountains, till the prairie country 

 embraces both banks of the Missouri, and reaches to the plains of Red River, and the Sascatchawine, 

 west of the sources of the Mississippi. (Hist, and Prosp., II. 10, IV. 115. See also respecting the 

 absence of antiquities in Oregon, Washington, and California, Ibid., V. 101.) 

 20 



