SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 341 



contain a satisfactory archceological map ; it should describe and figure all 

 types of relics found within the State. It is evident that such a work, if 

 complete and accurate, would be of great value ; it is equally evident that it 

 lies beyond the power of any single worker. The Academy asks the co-oper- 

 ation of Iowa workers everywhere in collecting the material necessary. A 

 minimum space of five years should be devoted to this part of the work. All 

 who are interested are asked to assist. In the report due credit will be given 

 to all faithful helpers. The following suggestions may show what informa- 

 tion is needed and how work should be done : 



1. Where are there mounds, earthworks, shell-heaps, village sites, rock- 

 shelters, aboriginal workshops, quarries, cliff carvings or paintings ? Exact 

 location of such is very desirable. Local maps with position of such sites 

 accurately marked upon them are requested. 



2. Groups of mounds should be carefully surveyed and plotted. The 

 plottings should show the location, relative positions, form and size of all 

 the mounds in the group, and their relation to surrounding topography. 

 Earthworks or individual monuments of peculiar character should also be 

 surveyed and carefully plotted. 



3. No mound should be excavated until it has been properly surveyed, 

 plotted, and described. Proper excavation is slow and careful work. The 

 best method destroys the mound, but gives absolute knowledge of construc- 

 tion and contents. It consists in removing the whole tumulus, slice by slice. 

 First, a trench is dug, tangent to the mound ; this trench, at its middle 

 point, touches the mound ; it should be a little longer than the greatest 

 diameter of the mound, and should be carried to a depth of a foot or two 

 below the natural surrounding surface. Then a slice of the mound adjacent 

 to this trench is removed ; this slice should be one or two feet wide, and 

 should be carried down to the depth of the trench itself. Afterwards slice 

 after slice is removed. The earth of these slices should be examined with 

 great care as removed. Every object found should be at once numbered, 

 and a note made of its exact position. There should be no haste about this ; 

 all necessary time should be given. If skeletons are found they should be 

 carefully uncovered, and, if accompanied by articles of any interest, should 

 be photographed as they lie, before they are disturbed. When first uncov- 

 ered, bones are apt to be fragile and soft ; if an attempt is made to remove 

 them at once they are likely to be broken ; they should be allowed to dry, 

 not too rapidly, for a little time, when they can be carefully taken out. 

 Skulls, skeletons and bones are often as important as relics of human handi- 

 work, and should be always preserved. Exact note of location and posi- 

 tion of these remains should be made, and all the bones of a single skeleton 

 should be kept together by placing them in a separate sack or package ; 

 this should be carefully labeled to prevent any confusion or uncertainty. 

 All mound material, relics and remains, gains in importance with exactness 

 of knowledge regarding source. Details of mound structure are important, 

 and should be both description and measurements. After a mound has been 

 properly excavated, it should be possible to reconstruct it with every article 

 from it exactly placed, by reference to the notes made. In cases where 



[Proo. D. a. N. S., Vol, VI.] 43 [February 16, 1897.] 



