NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



35, 37, nS.) The relative frequency of bone combs in certain known 

 sites is as follows : 



Common errors. There is no branch of natural science concern- 

 ing which there is so much guess work and so many false beliefs as 

 American archeology. Many uninstructed persons have taken upon 

 themselves the office of expounders of theories and even the makers 

 of names. We are commonly told that arrowheads were chipped by 

 the aid of fire, and we are likewise assured that hatchet heads are 

 " skinning stones." The fault is not alone that of the farmer boy, 

 for many persons in official positions have done crimes of guess 

 work equally bad. Concerning Indians in general there are numer- 

 ous erroneous ideas that for the sake of truth should be dispelled. 

 We are able here to treat only of certain popular fallacies regarding 

 archeological matters. 



Arrowheads not chipped by fire. There is a widespread belief 

 that the ingenious Indian in making his arrowheads or spears heated 

 the flint and then dropped water on selected spots, thereby causing 



