A STUDY OF PREHISTORIC ANTHROPOLOGY* 



HAND-BOOK FOR BEGINNERS. 



By Thomas Wilson. 



Prehistoric anthropology is susceptible of many divisions, each of 

 which is sufficiently extensive to form an independent branch of sci- 

 ence, such as the following: 



Biology and comparative anatomy. 



Human anatomy. 

 Anthropometry, craniometry. 

 Comparative psychology. 



Literature, language (written, 



oral, 



Architecture. Fine arts — Continued. 



Cliff or cave dwellings. 



Towers, ruined or otherwise. 



Engraving. 



Paiuting. 



Sculpture. 



Ceramics. 



Decoration. 



Ornamentation. 

 Sociology. 



Love and marriage, child-life. 



Social organizations, customs and be- 

 liefs, pastimes. 



Tribal organization. 



Government, property, law, etc. 



Religion, myths, creeds and cults, 

 lore. 



Education, relief and charities. 



Mortuary customs and furniture. 



Folk- 



Industry. 

 Materials andimplements of every craft. 

 Clothing and personal adornment. 

 Habitations, and household utensils. 

 Weapons. 



Objects for amusement. 



Articles, uses unkown. 



Architecture. Fine arts. 



Monuments and public works. 



Roads, trails, canals, irrigating, etc. 



Mounds — sepulchral, eflBgy, altar. 



Forts and earth-works. 



Graves and cemeteries. 



Idols and temples. 



Short experience in the field will demonstrate the necessity of a 

 knowledge of science, or of certain branches, of even wider scope than 

 those enumerated. Remains of human industry may be found which, 

 insignificant in themselves, derive their value from their geologic ho- 

 rizon. Of this kind may be mentioned the Trenton implements found 

 by Dr. Abbott in the gravel deposits of the Delaware River ; the same 

 of the quartz implements found by Miss Babbitt in the terraces of the 

 Mississippi River, at Little Falls, Minn. ; the discovery of the remains of 

 a prehistoric fireplace, decided by Professor Gilbert to belong. to the 



* The imperfcctious of this fragmentary paper are known to no one better than to 

 the author. It contains nothing new or original, not even the illustrations. No gen- 

 eral work on this subject applicable to the United States is easily attainable. Many 

 requests have been received by the author for elementary information. It was found 

 impossible to give satisfactory answers by letter, and this paper has therefore been 

 written as an answer to serve temporary purposes until a more complete work shall 

 have been prepared. — T. W. 



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