Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-18
AMERICAN ARCHEoLOGY.


We are glad to have it in power the first
publication of the Smithsonian Institution.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Smithson directed in his
will that his bequest should be devoted the increase and
dissemination of knowledge 1t is, therefore, incumbent on
the Regents OF the Institution endowed by the beray of Mr.
Smhson publish and disseminate useful knowledge, and
particularly such may be addition to our present stock
or the result original research The accompanying letters
and report show that the first work issued strictly
in accordance with the wishes of the teator, nasmuch
will impart relating the early people Of the American
continent which they interesting Wecon
slider fortunate event. therefore, that the Regents OF the
Smithsonian Institution have secured the work in question, as
none could be appropriate. 1t will without doubt he
well received and hailed good beginning by the numer-
Gus readers into whose hands the volume may fall.
This work. containing researches into the origin and Pur
poses of the Aboriginal monuments and remains Of the Mis-
sissppi Valley will embrace the details and results Of extend
ed surveys carried during several years by Mr. r. u
Squer and Dr. E. H. Davis of Ohio The labors OF these
gentlemen embrace the opening and examination OF more than
hundred mounds Of every variety and character from the
greatest the least These works not careessy over
THROWN but laid open their centre the relics, if exist
ed removed and the earth again replaced. In these
examinations the number and variety of aboriginal relics which
have been brought light excite astonishment in ALL
Their collection embraces many thousand objects, exhibiting
OF whose
ence they the only memorials They of impe-
and ornaments in silver "copper" ead stone, ivory and
pottery fashioned into variety of forms and exhibiting
skill which, instances, modern surpass.
The sculpture of Birds animals and reptiles constitutes
large class of these ancient relics They from various
kinds Of stone, and in many instances from pophyy. Seve
raj highly finished scu ues Of the human head deserving
% notice. and probably convey idea Of the physical cha
tacter Of the people. single skull, the only Of
many hundreds discovered in fragments which has been pre-
served entire and which explorers satisfied belongs
the primitive people, is all have aside from these
bic Us to form opinion Of the
In examining these remains discover articles which show
the extent Of their intercourse with other parts the country
Thus there instruments of obsdan volcanic substance
only found in Mexico native copper and lead from Lake Su
peor and the Upper Mississippi, marine shells and
teeth from the and numbers pearls of great beauty
But the mounds and their but a small portion
Of interesting facts made known Ivy these gentlemen for
consider the vast eah-works the remarkable Their
abors embrace surveys of than hundred works
this description, of them miles in others are
vast enclosures covering space equal that occupied by
city Of New York again, fortified places in the
structon Of which modern military science might perhaps
rive some useful hints.
The work question will embrace the details of these most
curious and interesting explorations and will be illustrated
with several hundred wood engavngs the highest ye Of
the art These will exhibit representations Of the relics disco
vered views Of the mounds and other ancient remains
tions, plans, &c. II will also contain seventy quaro lho
graphic plans being the surveys Of the other works alluded
laid down scale. What will be the extent
the letterprsss unable say but will probably ex
Coed five hundred quauo pages.
Such is very brief account Of the discoveries which th
work will known. The facts adduced from them oper
- ra1,or
rally arise, AT what period and by whom these works
erected What has become Of the people Had they any
connexion with the nations Of the other hemisphere &C.
The relics and the works themselves aid but little in deter
mining the period when they made. When the coun
Try settled they covered with large trees exhibiting
great age the forest around them But there arr
other facts connected with their position which show that grea
physical changes have taken place since their creation Thes
aid US IN determining their antiquity which must be reckoneC
ny thousands of years rather than by centuries.
Many anaogies presented explorers in nsesti
eating the antiquities and primitive history some of the ear
ler nations Of the Old World The serpent and egg which
has prominent place in the mythology Of Egypt and India
yphying universal prn:ipe has actually been found in
Ohio in wedehned serpent twelve hundred feet in length
formed Of eartb in the Of swallowing an egg Some
striking anaoges with the Drudica rites are also discovered
The Phac worship, universal Throughout, the ancient
world may be traced in the remains Of the Mississippi ALLEY
well many condolences interesting as they are re
markabe Dissertations these will accompany the work
We close remarks without speaking Of the gen
emen who engaged in the work. Dr. Davis has for fl
years been resident of Chilcothe, during which tim
he has been close Observer and has collected many vaua
relics from the mounds Mr. Squer removed the pac
few years snce when thorough system Of surve
and examination Of the earhworks commenced.
number Of laborers employed and, when the weahe
permitted these gentlemen in the field with their spades
surveying Instruments and sketch book. For three year
they have been incessany engaged in their work From
personal acquaintance with Mr. squer do not hesitate
that the exploration and survey Of our ancient remain
could not have fallen into better hands Combined with
perseverance in the undertaking and enthusiasm the sub
ect, he is accomplished draughtsman and surveyor
evidence of which may be in the splendid and
surveys and drawings with which his portfolios filed
The following official correspondence will explain itself
CORRESPONDENCE, &c.
PRScEToS, JuNE 2, 1917.
DEAR SIR | am authorized by the Regents Of the Smith
sonsn Institution to publish, in the numbers Of the Smith
s0nan Contributions 10 t0hHombdgt" any memoir which ma
presented for this purpose provided that on careful es
animation by commission Of competent Judges the memo
shall be found TO be and interesting addition 10 know
ledge resting original research. The accompanying me
nloir entitled "AMERIcAN ARcHIoLoGIcAL REsEARcHEs
Inquiry into the Origin and Purposes If he Aborginc
Monuments and Remains Of The MssissiDDi VaLev" &c
heen Dresented publicatiou