ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT XXXVII 



large body of data has been brought together which seem to 

 afford a basis for an indigenous classification of primitive Ameri- 

 can art products. This classification will, it is believed, eventu- 

 ally give character to that branch of American archeology 

 which deals with art in stone. 



The researches concerning the ancient Indian mounds dis- 

 tributed over many portions of the country, particularly the 

 Mississippi valley, have been continued by Dr Cyrus Thomas. 

 The chief work during the year has been the preparation of 

 matter for publication and the revision of proofs of text and 

 illustrations. The principal results of Dr Thomas' researches 

 are incorporated in a monograph of over 700 pages in the 

 twelfth annual report. Several minor papers relating to differ- 

 ent classes of articles collected from mounds are also in vari- 

 ous stages of preparation, two being ready for publication. 



In addition to his special work on the Indian mounds, Dr 

 Thomas was able to devote some time to the study of Mexican 

 codices of exceptional archeologic interest. Considerable prog- 

 ress has been made in analyzing the characters of the Maya 

 codices, and it is believed that these highly significant inscrip- 

 tions may ultimately be deciphered by means of the methods 

 devised and pursued by him. 



Mr Cosmos Mindeleff continued his study of the Pueblo 

 relics and prepared an elaborate treatise on the subject for the 

 press. This work, under the title "Aboriginal Remains in 

 Verde Valley, Arizona," is now completed, and forms part of 

 the thirteenth annual report. It illustrates in detail the archi- 

 tecture and various industrial arts recorded in the ruined cities 

 of pre-Columbian tribes in the southwest. 



In addition to the surveys and researches already noted, Mr 

 Gerard Fowke was employed for several months in archeologic 

 explorations in Ohio. He was able to obtain much valuable 



material. 



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WORK IN SOCIOLOGY 



As indicated on earlier pages, the demotic relations of the 

 Indian tribes are of great significance; for not only was it 

 found necessary to classify the Indians on a demotic basis, but 



