20 INDIANS OF THE SOUTHWEST. 
European occupation of America. The evidence in- 
dicates that all the Athapascan-speaking tribes of the 
Southwest once formed a single community and de- 
veloped a common language. Since that time a wider 
distribution or impeded intercourse has resulted in this 
once common language being broken into fairly distinct 
dialects. This appears to have taken place prior to the 
Spanish period which began in 1539. 
When our knowledge of their physical characteristics - 
has been increased and made available by publication 
it may be possible to collate it with linguistic and 
cultural conclusions and determine the early movements 
and amalgamations of the Southwestern peoples. 
