PREFACE, 



As the following report is based almost exclusively upon the results 

 of explorations carried on by the Bureau of Ethnology since 1881, it 

 seems desirable to set forth briefly the plan adopted and the methods 

 pursued. 



During the first season the archeological work of the Bureau was as- 

 signed to Dr. Willis De Haas, but no definite and comprehensive plan 

 of operations was adopted. In 1882 the Director organized a small divi- 

 sion in the Bureau to which he assigned the work of investigating the 

 mounds and other ancient monuments in the United States east of the 

 Kocky mountains. This division was placed under my charge with 

 Dr. Edward Palmer, of Washington city; Col. P. W. Norris, of Norris, 

 Michigan, and Mr. James D. Middleton, of Carbondale, Illinois, as regu- 

 lar field assistants. Subsequently Dr. Palmer left the division, and 

 Mr. John P. Eogan, of Bristol, Tennessee, was engaged in his jjlace. 

 The division suffered the misfortune of being deprived of the valuable 

 services of Col. Norris by death, in January, 1885, while he was en- 

 gaged in exploration. His enthusiasm for the work kept him in the 

 field, although he was suffering from the disease which finally proved 

 fatal. Mr. J. W. Emmert, who had been temporarily employed, was 

 then engaged as a regular assistant. 



The following-named gentlemen have also been engaged for short 

 periods in special fields: Mr. F. S. Earle and Mr. L. H. Thing, of Cob- 

 den, Illinois; Mr. William McAdams, of Otterville, Illinois; Eev. J. P. 

 McLean, of Hamilton, Ohio ; Mr. Gerard Fowke, of New Madison, Ohio ; 

 Eev. Stephen D. Peet, of Clinton, Wisconsin ; Mr. Henry L. Eeynolds, 

 of Washington City, and Eev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville, 

 New York. Mr. Eogan and Mr. Emmert having retired from the work, 

 ]\Ir. Fowke and Mr. Eeynolds were appointed regular assistants. 



The results of the explorations and field work of the division and a 

 discussion of results with special reference to the authors of the ancient 

 monuments of the area exploi-ed are given in the present volume. 

 Special papers relating to the collections made will be presented in 

 future reports or bulletins. 



In attempting to formulate a systematic plan for a work of such 

 magnitude as the exploration of the mounds, great difiiculties were 



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