PREFACE. 21 



people, this fact can be satisfactorily determined only by a compreben- 

 sive study of the subject; if all are attributable to tlie races found 

 occupying the continent at tbe time of its discovery, tbe necessity for a 

 broad scieutitic nietbod is equally apparent. 



The most important question to be settled is, " Were the mounds 

 built by the Indians?" If a careful examination and study of the 

 antiquities should result in deciding it satisfactorily in the affirmative, 

 then the questions relating to the objects and uses of these ancient 

 works would be merged into the study of the customs and arts of the 

 Indians. There would then be no more blind groping by archeologists 

 for the thread to lead them out of the mysterious labyrinth. The chain 

 which links together the historic and prehistoric ages of our continent 

 would be complete; the thousand and one wild theories and romances 

 would be itermanently disposed of; and the relations of all the lines of 

 investigation to one another being known, they would aid in the solu 

 tion of many of the problems which hitherto have seemed involved in 

 complete obscurity. Should the result of the examination give a decided 

 negative answer to the question, one broad field would be closed 

 and investigation limited in the future to other lines. In either case a 

 great step toward the ultimate solution of the problem would be taken 

 and the investigations restricted within comparatively narrow limits. 



The director of the Bureau of Ethnology was desirous, therefore, that 

 this important question, the origin of the mounds, should if possible be 

 definitely settled, as it is the pivot on which all the other problems 

 must turn. By following the plan adopted and using proper care to 

 note the facts ascertained, without bias, not only would the facts bear- 

 ing on this important question be ascertained, but the data would be 

 l>reserved for the use of archeological students without prejudice to 

 any theory. 



Premising that accuracy as to details and statements, without regard 

 to their bearing on any special theory, has been considered the chief 

 and all-important point to be kept constantly in view in all the opera- 

 tions of the division, the methods of work pursued (except during the 

 first year, when want of exjjerience caused some of the details of accu- 

 rate work to be omitted), have been substantially as follows : 



First, a full and correct description of the groups examined, giving 

 the topography of the immediate locality, the form, characters, and 

 dimensions of the works and their relations to one another was written 

 out, accompanied by diagrams and figures illustrating these descrij*- 

 tions. 



As a rule each mound explored \\ as measured before being excavated, 

 and, if it varied from the ordinary conical type, a figure of it was made. 

 As the exploration proceeded the character and thickness of the strata 

 and the exact positions of the skeletons and relics found in them were 

 noted in a memorandum book. In many cases where there was i)rom- 



