X BUEEAIT OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



FIELD RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION 



The Director, aided by Mr Frank Hamilton Ciishing, 

 spent the earlier months of the fiscal year in an inves- 

 tigation of the middens and tnmuli representing the 

 work of the aborigines in northeastern United States, 

 especially in Maine. A considerable number of both 

 classes of accu,mulations were excavated, with instructive 

 results. Among the relies brought to light were many of 

 customary types, together with a smaller number of much 

 significance, in that they represent early stages of accul- 

 turation through contact with Caucasian pioneers; and 

 in addition to the aboriginal and accultural artifacts, the 

 explorers were rewarded by finding the remains of a 

 metallic armor of European make in such associations as 

 to throw light on the beginning of warfare lietween red 

 men and white. 



Later in the year the Director, accompanied by Pro- 

 fessor W. H. Holmes, of the United States National 

 Museum, repaired to Cuba and Jamaica for the pui'pose 

 of tracing lines of cultural migration between the great 

 continents of the Western Hemisphere. The researches 

 of the last two decades have shown clearly that the cus- 

 toms of the aborigines in what is now southeastern United 

 States were affected by extraneous motives and devices; 

 the phenomena have suggested importation of objects and 

 ideas l^elonging to what is commonly styled "Caribbean 

 art" from South America by way of the Antilles, and it 

 was thought desirable to seize the opportunity offered l:»y 

 recent political changes for special studies in the Antillean 

 islands. Although the trip was a reconnaissance merely, 

 it yielded useful data on which to base further researches, 

 including a small collection for the Museum. 



A noteworthy trip was made early in the fiscal year by 

 Mr F. W. Hodge, with a party of volunteer assistants 

 comprising Dr Elliott Cones, of Washington, Dr George 

 Parker Winship, of Providence, and Mr A. C. Vroman, 

 of Pasadena. The journey was so planned as to touch 



