INTRODUCTION. 



Dueing the progress of the survey of the territory west of the 100th 

 meridian, several of the officers connected with the field parties in New 

 Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado had opportunities for collecting a number 

 of objects pertaining to the Indian tribes. They were also able to record 

 many observations of considerable archaeological and ethnological import- 

 ance and interest in relation to the ancient and present pueblos. 



A few of the accounts were furnished by their authors for publication 

 in the annual reports on the progress of the Survey, while others have 

 remained at the office in manuscript. As there is yet wanting a full and 

 correct account of the people who, while formerly more numerous than 

 now, still inhabit the great interior portion of our country, principally in- 

 cluded between the 32° and 38° of north latitude and from 104° to 113° 

 west longitude, every addition that is made to the meagre history of this, 

 ethnologically considered, important development of village life on the 

 western continent is of interest. 



Whence came this once numerous people? How long since they 

 reached the high position of village and agricultural life? What has been 

 their influence on the history of American tribes? All these are ques- 

 tions which are yet without satisfactory answers. Of speculations there 

 have been many, but until a more thorough record of facts is obtained all 

 theories are comparatively worthless. As yet we -are hardly possessed of 

 anything more than the preliminary observations which lead us to the belief 

 that there is here an extensive field for research. 



When an expedition, properly equipped, with no other than ethnologi- 



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