REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I913 93. 



VI 



REPORT OF THE ARCHEOLOGIST 



The fiscal year ending September 30, 19 13 has been unusual 

 in the history of the archeology section of the State Museum. 

 During the year the general display cases for archeological and 

 ethnological material have been installed, but the large group cases 

 for the ethnological series of Iroquois culture phases have reached 

 only the stage of plans. This circurristance prevents any definite 

 attempt to fill the other cases, so soon to be moved, rearranged and 

 covered during the building of the group cases. A temporary dis- 

 play of the ethnological material, however, demonstrated that the 

 archeological and ethnological divisions will be cramped for ex- 

 hibition room unless the greater portion of the eastern mezzanine 

 hall is taken over for a hall of comparative and special area arche- 

 ology. Plans have already been made to fill this hall with archeology 

 cases. 



From the Museum rehabilitation fund several important collec- 

 tions of archeological specimens have been acquired. This encour- 

 aging fact again makes the State Museum the repository of an 

 extraordinary collection of cultural artifacts of the New York ab- 

 origines. Through careful purchases and wise selections of large col- 

 lections from special localities, the archeological series will surpass 

 the former exhibit destroyed in the Capitol fire. The more ade- 

 quate means now at hand for exhibiting these specimens will make 

 possible an exhibit of vast importance. Definite plans have already 

 been drawn up in view of a scientific display of these artifacts. 



It must be definitely understood that, in the vulgar sense, no 

 relics or curios will be exhibited. The curious object devoid of 

 adequate data will have no room in these cases, the plan being to 

 show visually the arts, industries, crafts, ceremonies, means of 

 livelihood and burial customs of the race or races, tribes and na- 

 tions that preceded the white man in the occupation of this territory. 

 The plan is to make an educational exhibit of culture history and 

 culture development. The collections as exhibited must live, in 

 the sense of being valuable modes of instruction in the prehistory 

 of New York. All the various collections acquired have been 

 thoughtfully studied with this object in mind. It is hoped this 

 plan, when carried out, will establish the educational value of the 

 archeological exhibits. We have the material, though it is highly 



