384 ETHNOLOGY. 



In quality it compares favorably with that from the Detroit and Saint 

 Clair Eiiver mounds. 



I think it of importance to state here that on exhibiting some of the 

 pottery to several of the more intelligent of the Indians at present 

 resident on one of the ueighboriug islands, they professed their igno- 

 rance as to its manufacture, but attributed it to an ancient people, who 

 preceded them in the occupation of this country. Among the Indians 

 so questioued was the chief, a man of large stature, striking personal 

 appearance, and much dignity of manner, and who is noted for his 

 knowledge, intelligence, and judgment. 



I also specially remarked the indifference with which they beheld the 

 -examination of the mounds (which they appeared to have no knowledge 

 of) and the abstraction of the relics. When it is considered how sen- 

 sitive and jealous the Indian is as to any interference, even of the most 

 trifling kind, with the burial-place of his people, this would afford another 

 argumenttowardestablishingproof of the distinctness of the mound-build- 

 ing race from the IsTorth American Indian. I have known Indians evince 

 the greatest anxiety and anger on the displacement of the little slip 

 of wood on which the totem of the deceased was painted. When the rem- 

 nants of the Pottawatomies, once resident on the Detroit Eiver, migrated 

 westward, they consigned with the strictest injunctions the care of the 

 burial-place of their people to friends among the white inhabitants, 

 making certain concessions or grants in return for the most solemn 

 promises of the observance of this protection. But this trait of char- 

 acter is so well known to pertain to the Indian as to require no special 

 illustration here. 



The "ancient mining" on Lake Superior was first brought to notice 

 in the winter of 1847-'48. The first discoveries were made on Keweenaw 

 Point, and extended to Ontonagon, which afterward proved to be the 

 center of the great copper region of Michigan. As is well known, 

 various accounts of those works have been given to the public. Sub- 

 sequently some " ancient diggings" were found on Isle Eoyale, Michigan, 

 near the north shore of Lake Superior ; but the isolated position of the 

 island operated to prevent any extensive knowledge of the field. 



In the year 1872 some of the most remarkable of the ancient works 

 yet encountered were brought to light by a party of mining explorers 

 on Isle Eoyale. The amount and character of the work here revealed 

 was something so extraordinary as to almost exceed belief. 



The facts, as ascertained during a brief visit I made to Isle Eoyale in 

 May, 1873, were embodied by me in a short paper, entitled "Ancient 

 Works at Isle Eoyale, Michigan," which was some time afterward pub- 

 lished in Appleton's Journal, attractingconsiderable attention.* Asubse 

 quent visit to the island, made by me in August of the same year 

 contributed additional discoveries of interest. 



The works referred to are generally pits of from a few feet to thirty 



* Appleton's Journal, August 9, 1873, vol. x, p, 173. 



