20 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



that the builders^ instead of constructing them upon geometric prin- 

 ciples, regulated them entirely by the nature of the ground upon 

 which they were built. And I may here mention, that none of the 

 ancient works of this state, of which traces remain displaying any 

 considerable degree of regularity, can lay claim to high antiquity. 

 All of them may be referred with certainty to the period succeeding 

 the commencement of European intercourse." 



In the main these statements are true. The nature of the surface 

 usually affects the outline of the work, but within a radius of a 

 few miles the writer has examined three earthworks and one stock- 

 ade on level ground, where the inclosure was a true circle, and all 

 were prehistoric. But the Iroquois, whatever their relations to 

 them, were descendants neither of the so-called mound builders, nor 

 of any of the earlier visitors in New York. A study of their relics 

 makes this evident. 



In regard to the situation of New York earthworks, Mr Squier 

 says, on page lo^ " Mr CHnton was unable to learn of the occur- 

 rence of any remains upon the first terrace back" from the lakes, 

 and upon the basis of the assumed fact of their non-existence, ad- 

 vanced the opinion that the subsidence of the lakes and the forma- 

 tion of this terrace had taken place since these were erected — a 

 chronologic period which I shall not attempt to measure by years. 

 This deduction has been received, I believe, by every succeeding 

 writer upon the subject of our antiquities, without any attempt to 

 verify the assumption upon which it rests. I have however found 

 that the works occur indiscriminately on the first and on the 

 superior terraces, as also on the islands of the lakes and rivers." 



On pages 138-40, he discusses the question as to the builders of 

 these works. The relics were " identical with those which mark 

 the sites of towns and forts known to have been occupied by the 

 Indians, within the historic period. The pottery taken from these 

 sites and from within the supposed ancient inclosures, is alike in 

 all respects, the pipes and ornaments are undistinguishable, and the 

 indications of aboriginal dwellings are precisely similar and so 

 far as can be discovered, have equal claim to antiquity. Near many 

 of these works are found cemeteries in which well preserved skel- 



