THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



Having given the results of the monnd explorations carried on by 

 the Bureau, and a review of the types of the works with reference to 

 their geographical distribution, we propose to discuss under the above 

 title some of the questions relating to the authors and uses of these 

 works. The chief object in view, however, is to determine if i)Ossible 

 whether or not the Indians were the authors. The reasons for this 

 course can be stated in a few words. 



If the explorations of the ancient monuments of the mound area imder 

 consideration should prove that the authors were Indians, the investi- 

 gations in regard to the objects and uses of these works will be greatly 

 limited; will in fact, lie merged into the study of the habits, customs, 

 arts, etc., of the Indians as they were before being modified by contact 

 with European civilization. If, on the other hand, the opposite conclu- 

 sion should be reached, the field of investigation will nevertheless be 

 much restricted, as one very important fiictor will be eliminated, and 

 the attention of students will be turned in a different direction. 



There is, however, the possibility, as maintained by some authorities, 

 that an intermediate result may be reached; that is to say, that part 

 of these works are attributable to the Indians, while the remainder 

 must be attributed to another or other races. 



Even should this conclusion be reached after careful examination of 

 all the data obtained, the result will tend to limit greatly the field of 

 investigation. For it will be impossible to reach such conclusion with- 

 out having determined the characteristics which distinguish these 

 classes of works from one another. This, as will be admitted, will be a 

 very important step toward the solution of the chief problems pre- 

 sented by these remains. 



Such being the case, a discussion of tiie question "'^ho were the 

 mound-builders?" or, as we prefer to put it, "Were the mound-build- 

 ers Indians?" should not be considered out of place in this connection, 

 particularly as this is the pivot on which the conclusions in reference 

 to all the other problems relating to these works must turn. 



Doubt has been expressed by some archeologists as to the sufficiency 

 of the data so far obtained to justify a conclusion on this subject. This 

 is owing, in part at least, to the fact that the wealth of material obtained 

 by the Bureau of Ethnology bearing upon this question had not, at the 



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