FIFTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



BUEEAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



M. W. Stirling, Chief 



Sir: I have the honor to submit the folloAving report on the field 

 researches, office work, and other operations of the Bureau of Ameri- 

 can Ethnology during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1939, conducted 

 in accordance with the act of Congress of May 23, 1938, wliich pro- 

 vides "For continuing ethnological researches among the American 

 Indians and the natives of Hawaii and the excavation and preserva- 

 tion of archeologic remains. . . ." 



SYSTEMATIC REvSEARCHES 



M. W. Stirling, Chief, left Washington on December 24 to begin 

 archeological excavations at a large site near the village of Tres 

 Zapotes in southern Veracruz. This work was undertaken in co- 

 operation with the National Geographic Society, which financed the 

 expedition. The permission to conduct the work was obtained earlier 

 in the year from the Mexican Department of Public Education, 

 wh<)se generous cooperation greatly facilitated the work. With Dr. 

 C. W. Weiant as assistant, excavations were begun on January 1 

 and continued imtil April 15. 



Although detailed results of this first season of vvork cannot be 

 announced until further study has been made of the material, far- 

 rea«jhing connections are indicated which require careful study of 

 the Maya, Zapotec, Huastec, and Teotihuacan areas. Mine major 

 stone monuments were excavated at the site, including the famous 

 "Cabesa Colosal," and a very large collection of ceramics and figu- 

 rines was obtained. The most interesting discovery was a stone monu- 

 ment inscribed with an initial-series date. This is in a style closely 

 related to that on the Tuxtla statuette and apparently records a 

 late Baktun 7 date. 



At the conclusion of the work the collections were brought to Mexico 

 City where a division was effected with the Mexican Government. 

 A large carved stone box and the dated monument were sucessfuUy 

 transported to the National Museum in Mexico City. 



201197-40 1 



