Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-05
The Anthropolosical Society.

DISCUSSION ON THE sCBJRCr OF RELIC HUNTING,
The Anthropological Society met last night at
the Regents Chamber Of the Smithsonian Insti-
tute, DR.. j. NJ. Toner in the chair and Mr.. Elmer
X. Reynolds secretary. The following were
Libby Captain II. w. Howgate, General A.
Med. McCOok, and j. NJ. Green, MD. Cores
pondlng members-JameS De Koven and Pro-
lessor Hay. Racine, Wis; Rev. E. A. Dalrym2ie
and Rev. j. G.. Norris, Baltimore, Nd: DR.. r
Earquharson, Davenport, Iowa; Professor G. F,
Comfort, Syracuse, y. Y; DIR. Alexander Mitch
ell and Professor s. L. Whitford. Million Rock,
Drake Carter, Versailles, KY; A. VI. Hancock,
Pa.
Prof. o. T. Mason, corresponding secretary,
acHnoWiedged the receipt OF two pamphlets
from Prof. Baird, one ''The Stone age OF Tunis''
ana Proceedings OF the Archaeological Associa-
ton OF Stockhold, Sweden, for 1874" lie also
read communication from Mr. j. D. Moody.
OF MENDOZA, Ill, who IS making inyeStig atoms
OF r0ch Inscriptions about Davenport, Iowa, and
In Illinois. The curator, Mr.. Frank Cushing.
then proceeded TO address the society on
''METHOD OF RELIC HUNTING"
lie commenced the relic hunting when a boy
by finding an old flint, the sparks from which
mad klndied in him flame Of interest In this
points On the line of streams and rivers, relics
are 1OuId In greater numbers than at other
FONTS. This was explained by the natural ad-
g vantage tn these points presented as camping
out by diagrams On the black board these
natural advantages, and then described how to
discover the relics OF the Indian Inhabitants.
marks of palisades earthern walls, &c. Slight
elevations OF the earth on river banks or on
spurs OF promontOrieS are generally observable.
which are certain indications of a camp or lodge
and always develope ample traces OF relics.
sometimes these relics run three or four feet
under the ground. the gray soil showing traces
OF ashes and refuse matter, among which the
greatest deposits of ancient remains are to be
found. In valleys, when slight elevation Oc-
ours or knoll or mound, there are always to be
discovered traces OF relics. Another prolific
source Is the temporary graves OF Indians.
These are to be found in the small Indian ceme-
teries at or near their camping grounds. The
graves generally are very shallow, and are in
dicated by hollow in the ground-not by a
mound, as is supposed by many The Indian
cemeteries are generally to be found in the
most retired and protected places about camp-
ing grounds. He described the permanent
burying- places Of the ancient Indians. These
places are where the bones are gathered from
the temporary graves In great quantities and
placed in large pits. Some OF these deposits
have been found thirty feet long by six feet
deep. containing human bones OF all ages and
sizes. Kettles OF stOne and sometimes copper,
and all kinds OF implements are to be found
among the relics. The most interesting relics
are often to be found in the abandoned tempo
rary graves from which the bones have been
disinterred and placed in the pits. In these
temporary graves viii always be discovered the
implements buried with the dead, as they are
never disturbed in the removal OF the bones.
surrounding the lakes through the northern
states are many OF these cemeteries and pits
They are especially abundant on small streams
connecting with lakes and ponds. This is eX-
planned by the fact that Indians were in the
habit OF collecting together near these places
TO catch the fish from the streams and lakes.
Calcined stones are found here, showing that
they cooked their fish and other food BY hot
stones. Caves are invariably prolific in ancient
remains. He described his Investigations of q
cave near Chester, Pa, where he found many
zones OF animals. Human remains are gener-
ally 10 be found at the entrance chamber of
caves or about the mouths, and bones OF ami
mails within.
This subject was further discussed by Dr. De
Haas. Col. Norris the veteran western explorer
and curator OF The Yellowstone Park, Prof.
Mason, Mr. Rey holds, and others. The deScrip-
lions given by Col. Norris were exceedingly in
teIeNting.