WORK IN MOUND EXllOKATION 01' TllH HURHAU OF 

 ETHNOLOGY. 



By Cyku.s Thojvias. 



Jt seems desirable ut tlie present time to make a statement explain- 

 ing;' the plans and describing the work of the mound exploring division 

 of the Bureau of Ethnology, especially in view of the fact that neither 

 the plans nor the results of this work seem to be clearly understood by 

 all who are interested in the study of American archu'ology. It was 

 scarcely expected that a clear a[)prehension of these plans and the work 

 would be gained in advance of the publication of a full report of the 

 same; but, since such a re^wrt is well advanced towards comi)letion 

 and since the collections thus far made have been turned over to the 

 I«l"ational Museum, where they are open to the i)ul)lic, a brief prelimi- 

 nary statement of the plan being pursued and the work thus far accom- 

 plished seems appropriate now. 



In undertaking the exploration of tlie mounds of our country upon 

 an extensive scale, the operations should be carried on according to 

 some definite plan. Three only seemed worthy of consideration, viz: 



First. That which may be termed the systematic ])lan, which contem- 

 plates a comprehensive and accurate survey of all the ancient works of 

 the country and the preparation of maps and illustrations showing 

 their location and character, to be followed by thorough explorations 

 and investigations of these monuments. 



Second. That which may be termed the local plan, which commences 

 with a limited locality and conlines operations to it until all the ancient 

 works in it are thoroughly examined, figured, juapped, and described in 

 detail and the collections obtained there are studied ; then moving to 

 another section. 



Third. The comprehensive plan, or plan of general study, in which 

 the chief objects are to search for and study the various forms and types 

 of the works and minor vestiges of art and to mark out the different 

 archii'ological districts as disclosed by investigation. This plan per- 

 mits the carrying on of operations at various points simultaneously or 

 remoN'al from place to place as the types and forms of a section are 

 satisfactorily determined. 



En any one of these plans the work which has been and is being 

 done by others should be taken into consideration so far as deemed 

 trustworthy, especially in connection with the third plan. 



