XXII ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 
results were almost wholly negative, except so far as they 
tended to show that in Florida the mounds were chiefly domi- 
ciliary and that but few were built for burial purposes. In 
Northern Georgia his work was confined chiefly to an explora- 
tion of the well known and often mentioned Etowah group 
near Cartersville. This examination brought to light the most 
remarkable and important mound builder relics so far dis- 
closed in the United States. These are very thin, evenly 
wrought sheets of copper, on which are impressed, as regularly 
as though done with metallic dies or by means of machinery, 
figures bearing a manifest resemblance to the typical forms 
noticeable in the ancient codices of Mexico and Central America 
and in the ruins found in those regions. The skill and art 
manifested in their manufacture are far in advance of anything 
hitherto discovered appertaining to the mound builders and 
raise a serious doubt as to their aboriginal origin. The condi- 
tions under which these articles were found clearly indicate 
that they were placed in the mounds when the latter were built 
and not subsequently. 
The explorations of Dr. Palmer were confined chiefly to 
Southern Alabama and Southwestern Georgia, and, though 
rewarded by no remarkable discoveries, still they have added 
much evidence concerning the construction and uses of south- 
ern works and have served to correct some errors in the 
published accounts of the noted groups in Early County, 
Georgia. 
Mr. Emmert was engaged for a short time in examining an- 
cient graves in East Tennessee and works in Western North 
Carolina. 
The collections made exceed in number and value those of 
the preceding year, and the data obtained bearing on the ques- 
tions relating to the origin and uses of these works, and the 
habits and customs of the people who constructed them, are 
very important and will serve to throw much additional light 
on these interesting problems. 
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