INTRODUCTION. XIX 
MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 
WORK OF PROF. CYRUS THOMAS. 
The work of exploring the mounds of the eastern United 
States was, as in previous years, under the charge of Prof. 
Cyrus Thomas. 
Although Prof. Thomas and his assistants have devoted a 
large portion of the year to the study of the collections made 
in the division of mound exploration and to the preparation of 
a report of its operations for the last five years, yet some field 
work of importance has been done. 
Prof. Thomas in person examined the more important 
ancient works of New York and Ohio. He gave special atten- 
tion to the latter, with a view of determining where new and 
more accurate descriptions, surveys, and illustrations were 
necessary. It was found requisite to undertake a careful re- 
survey and description of a number.of the well known works 
in Ohio. This reexamination was the more necessary in view 
of the light shed on the origin and use of these monuments by 
the explorations which had been carried on in West Virginia, 
western North Carolina, and eastern. Tennessee. 
Mr. J. P. Rogan continued his work as assistant until the 
close of November, when he voluntarily resigned his position to 
enter upon other engagements. <A portion of his time during 
the first month was occupied in arranging and preparing for 
shipment the collection purchased of Mrs. McGlashan, in Sa- 
vannah, Georgia. The rest of his time was employed in 
exploring mounds along the upper Savannah River in Georgia 
and South Carolina and along the lower Yazoo River in Mis- 
sissippl. 
Mr. J. W. Emmert continued to act as field assistant until 
the end of February, when the field work closed. His labors, 
with the exception of a short visit to central New York, were 
confined to eastern Tennessee, chiefly Blount, Monroe, and 
Loudon counties, where numerous extensive and very interest- 
ing groups are found in the section formerly occupied by the 
Cherokees. Prof. Thomas thought it necessary to devote con- 
siderable attention to the ancient works of that region, as it is 
