New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-01

The evidence draTnfrom the monuments ls that
which is chiefly relied upon by Dr. Zestermann'
and is entitled 70 the first and fullest conSders'
ton. That wonderful resemblance exists smoog
the early monuments Of all primitive nations, IS
fact which early impresses itself upon the mind OF
every person who attempts their iuvestisatlon.-
Hence il has been hastily inferred that, because
certain monuments and aboriginal relics Of the
United states, such as entrenched nils tumul,
and instru ments and ornaments OF stone and cop
per, sustain snalogies. in some instances almost
amounting 20 identities, with those occurring Ia
the British Islands in the North Of Europe, and
on the Steppes Of Russia, that relations must ne'
cessary have existed between the builders, OF
that they had a common origin. Inese resem'
blances are, nevertheless, the Inevitable results
Of similar conditions and the ancient Gets ana
Scythians the American Indians, and the natives
Of Australia, bull. their hill forts, and fashioned
their flint arrow points and stone axes IN ike
manner because they thus accomplished common
objects in the simplest and most obvious mode.
Human development must always be, II not IN
precisely the same channels in the same direc-
tiop and must pass through the same stages
We cannot be surprised, therefore, that the ear
ler las in fact the later monuments OF every
people exhibit resemblances more or less strlk'
ing. What is thus true physically, or rather
na0nun1entaAy, is rot less so IN respect 70 intel
lectusl and moral development. And II 10 not TO
be denied that the want Of sufficient allowance
for natural and inevitable condolences, has led 10
many errors in tracing the origin and aHinities OF
nations
This is admitted by DR.. Zestermann, who, how
ever contends that there are specific resem-
blsnces not to say identities between the print
tive monuments Of the North of Europe and OF
the United States, sufficiently numerous aud com
plete TO warrant the conclusion that they were
built by people of the same stock, who, previous
TO their separation, had acquired common prac-
tees in respect not only 10 religion but TO their
modes of defense and burial.
The belief in Supreme Power and in future
existence, seems to be intutive and inherent in
the human mind. At any event, it ia found
10 exist, in a clear or obscure form, among all
peoples The alleged exceptions among certain
debssed African tribes are not yet 20 be received
as facts. certain degree OF affection for the llv-
ing and consequent regard for the dead, are
equally common to humanity and are shared TO
degree by the higher orders OF the brute creation.
This universal belief in q future existence and
regard or reverence for the dead, are competent
10 explain the common features which are exhl-
bited in the early burial rites and burial mOnu-
ments of all nations The primitive man accom-
! plishes his purposes in the simplest mode and
| the simplest and most durable method OF preserv-
| ing the memory of the departed, was by raising
mound Of earth or q heap of stones above his re-
mains. Accordingly, we find instances OF this
mode of interment In almost all countries OF the
globe. The development Of this rude monument,
may, not philosOphically, be regarded as per
fected tumuli. The enclosure of the corpse in
cist, or chamber of wood or stone, to protect it
from the rude contact of the materials of which
the monument might be composed, ia step which
the same feeling that led to the erection Of the
monument tself would naturally dictate. The
deposition of articles Of use and ornament with
the dead, originated in the common primitive be-
lief that they would be required by their
in his future existence.
To the same ideas may be traced the origin Of
the immOlatiOns and sacrifices made at the tombs
or on the pyres Of the dead; the wife aud the
faithful servant sought to accompany their lord
in his future life and numerous retnue was lain
at the tomb of the Scythlan King and the Peru.
Wan Inca, that they might appear in future
state with dignity and pomp proporttoned to
their earthly greatness. The Mexcans killed the
techicht at the grave of the dead, that his soul
mish have a companion in its journey along the
dreary, terror infested pathway, which, according
to their superstitions, interviewed between earth
and the blessed mansions OF the sun. So, too,
was the faithful dog of the Indian hunter placed
beside him in the grave that In the bissiul
| "hunting grounds OF the West, be might bear
| him onpany" The wnrlike Scandinavian had
bis horse sacrificed on bis funeral pyre, and bis
! weapons buried with him, go that, fall armed and
mounted, he might with becoming state, approach
| the halls Of Odm.-( MdLiet, Chap. xii In the
almost universal belief that the soul Of the dead
for a longer shorter period, fingered around the
ashes from which it was sepkrated, we may dis
cover the reason why food and offerings were de-
posted at the grave; why it was carefully pre-
served, and why at stated intervals, the surviving
relatives OF the deceased decked 1t with flowers
and performed games around it, In some OF these
| ceremonies it was believed the departed spirit
silently participated and with all twas supposed
| TO be pleased RDd grstiied.
Upon general principles, therefore, so far as DR..
Zestelmann's hypothesis depends upon the is's OF
the existence of burial mounds in the United States,
and that they display common features with
those Of the North OF Europe, It is not well sus'
tanned.
l may observe here that DR.. Zestermann has
fallen into an error in supposing that the mounds
| which ! have classified as "Sacrihcisl or Altar
/ Mounds are Of sepulchral origin 1t doubtless
is true that mounds possessing features some
what similar TO these are found IN Europe,
which were devoted to burAls by fire. But the
fact that the burned basins, or platforms, in the
western mounds, seldom contain human remains
Of any kind but, instead Of these, deposits OF ar
/ ticles Of use or ornament, such as We know were
often surrendered as offerings by the American
Aborigines, weighs cOnclusiyely against the by
| potheBis that they were places Of sepulture.-
The further circumstance that many Of them
exhibit uneQuivocAl evidences Of having been
used for long periods, and of having been several
times recsIt or moulded, also tends TO the same
conclusion. | have made this variety Of mounds
the subject of special note Note j to Chapter
w. in my recently published work on The Ser
peut Symbol, and the Worship of the Reciprocal
Principles in America, 10 which would respect.
fully refer those who seek for further information
upon this point.
The resemblances which Dr.. ZestermAnn has
| pointed out in the relics Of ar; found in the
mounds Of Europe and America, il seems TO me-
I fall within the same category with the general
features Of resemblance in the structures them.
selves The fact that the composition of the a.
ticles Of pottery found in both hemispheres is
similar, is all Of easy explanation. The mixture
| Of sand, mica, or puverized quartz with clay Is
indispensable to prevent shrink age and 20 enable
/ the vessel 10 withstand the action of fire. A
1 very few experiments on the part of men as
widely separated as the poles would lead them
both 10 HIT upon this exPsdielt for the attainment
! Of q necessary purpOsa