AMERICAN ARCHEOLOGY. 5 



with the most scrupulous accuracy whatever is observed. With 

 reference to shell-heaps as well as to mounds there is evidence that 

 the work of erection was abandoned and resumed at longer or 

 shorter intervals, and that a long time elapsed between the com- 

 mencement and completion of some of them. This would be indi- 

 cated by a difference in the character of the deposits, by a change 

 in the mode of burial, and by the more or less decayed condition 

 of the bones found in each layer. Many interesting problems con- 

 cerning race, migration, commerce, cannibalism, cremation, trepan- 

 ning, disease, &c,, are to be solved by an exhaustive comparison of 

 the contents of these aboriginal constructions. 



In addition to original records and descriptions concerning the 

 objects enumerated above, the Smithsonian Institution desires to 

 obtain copies of all books, memoirs, pamphlets, extracts from 

 periodicals, and newspaper clippings having any relation whatever 

 to American archseology. It also desires to be informed of the lo- 

 cality of all collections of American antiquities, however small, 

 whether in private hands or in public museums. Special informa- 

 tion concerning these collections, the number and character of the 

 most perfect and choice specimens, together with photographs, 

 tracings, or other drawings of the same, will also be valuable, and 

 may enable the Institution to publish a directory of all the archreo- 

 logical collections in the United States. 



In conclusion, the Smithsonian Institution respectfully and ur- 

 gently invites contributions of specimens of aboriginal art and 

 antiquities from all sources and from every part of the country, to 

 be placed in the National Museum at Washington, and preserved 

 permanently in a fire-proof building under careful supervision. 

 The object in view is not merely to possess every variety of article, 

 but also to ascertain the geographical distribution of each form. 

 In this manner, important information may be obtained as to the 

 migrations and commerce of the ancient races. 



All specimens contributed will be duly accredited to the donor 



