646 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



such stnictuies, it is not likely that it will he possible, except in a few- 

 cases, to identity the particular works alluded to by this evidence, nor 

 to fix upon the precise time when they were erected. The utmost that 

 can be hoped for in this direction is that by a more careful and thor- 

 ough study of the remains it may be found jjossible in some cases to 

 determine the peculiar characteristics which mark them as the work of 

 certain tribes. If this can be done tlie mound problem will be .solved, 

 and it will be ijossible with this basis to commence the reconstruction 

 of the history of the mound-builders and the mound-building age. 



Let us, then, turn to the historical evidence bearing on this question, 

 and compare the monuments which have come down to the i)resent 

 time with the statements found in this evidence. 



Commencing with the history and monuments of the southern sec- 

 tion of our country, the well known narratives of tlie expedition of the 

 unfortunate Adelautado, Hernando De Soto, are the first authorities 

 to which reference is here made. 



It is probable that six original chronicles of this famous expedition 

 were written,' only three of which are now in existence. These are, 

 iirst, a brief narration by Luis Hernandez de Biedma; second, a more 

 lengthy relation by a "Fidalgo of Elvas," a Portuguese;-' and, third, 

 a secondhand account by Garcilasso de La Vega, made up from the 

 manuscript of Alonzo de Carmona, and information furnished by John 

 Cole and other survivors of the expedition. The first and second nar- 

 ratives are by eye-witnesses of the events they describe. In each of 

 these are frequent mentions of mounds and other works similar to 

 those now found scattered over this section. 



Biedma, in his "Narrative," states that "The caciques of this coun- 

 try make a custom of raising near their dwellings very high hills, on 

 which they sometimes build their houses. On one of these we planted 

 the cross." ^ 



The descriptions of mounds given by Garcilasso are so exact, and 

 correspond so perfectly with the remains found in the southern states, 

 that, although his work is looked upon by many as a semi-romance, we 



' In addition to tlie tliree n-anied in tbe text there was, as we learu from Garcilasso, a "Kelacion" Ity 

 ■'Alonzo de Carmona," of which he made nse when preparin;;; liis "Florida." .According to Bucking- 

 ham Smith (Bradford Cluh Series, Vol. v.. p. XXVIU), an account was written by Roderigo Rangel, 

 the private secretary of the Adclantado, "which atlbrded the nuiterial for the cliai>ters, now incom- 

 plete, of Oviedo." Also, that another account was composed by a captain who remained in America, 

 "for which pictures in colors, of the battle scenes with tlu- Indians id Florida, were at one time in the 

 cabinet of Philip II." Smith alsouftirma that the last named was the source from which Herrera drew 

 siijiiilie.s. It may be true that this was one of the sources from which he drew, but it is certain that 

 Gaicilasso's "Florida" was hi.s tdiief reliance. There were .several individuals named Alonzo who 

 returned from the ex]iedition, bui it is probable the one alluded to by Garcilasso is the .\lonzo men- 

 tioned in the list of the survivors as from Seville. 



^Buckingham Smith is inclined to believe this Fidalgo was Alvaro Fernandez, but for reaaoim not 

 necessary to be presented here I take this autlior to be Antonio Martinez Segurado. But it is possi- 

 ble the ,\lonzo dt^ Carmona of Garcilasso is the author, as one of the retuVned Portuguese bore the 

 name of Alonzo (Jutierrez, which name, strange to say, is rejieated three times in the list of survivors. 



■* English Trausl. iu French's Histor. (*oll. La. II, p. lOj. Bradford Club series, v. £■», p. 251. 



