New-York tribune., 1880-06-20
dIfERTC1N ARCH FOLOGLSTS.

AMERICAN ARCH4FOLOGLSTS
About year ago hundred gentlemen formed in
Boston the Archaeological Institute of America, for
the purpose of investigating American antiG itics,
and Obtaining such knowledge as can be bad in
respect to the condition Of human life III this conti-
ncnt before its discovery by tho Europeans, and
also Iof sharing in archaeological investigation
abroad, particularly in the Greek lands where such
splendid results have been reached in recent years
by the excavations of DR.. Schlicmann ut Troy and
Myccnp, and of tho Germans at Olympia ami
Pergamon. The founders of the Institute did not
design it to he Il local body, dependent upon local
support and serving ONLY local interests they
meant it 10 lie national with membership from
apartsOf the country and regard for general edu-
cational needs in America, thai it should really
represent the enlightened interest OF America in this
department. OF learning, and should contribute
materials and aid to American scholarship. To
this end tho antiquities which may be acquired Will
he distributed among the different museums and
collections of the country according to their needs
and the support which the men who are inter-
cstcd III them may give to the institute and, posi-
bly,. scholarships in archaeology may 30 established
at the leading colleges both to encourage the study
Of archaeology and 10 train scholars to take charge
of the cX petitions which will be undcrtSGcn from
time 10 tine The utility Of nm organization Ike
II
intelligent and business-;o direction. by which
the worl, will be done economically and effectively
and tho smallest contributions bo made to
secure the hest results cannot be a matter OF doubt
and the first annual report ol the Institute which
has just been published is therefore OF public in
tcrcst.
The report unfollS the plans which Il be carried
ont ncxt year if the ,'ary funds arc raised. 1t
i- proposed go send an expedition into the Pueblo
country lu New W-McNicu.aud. Southern Colorado with
% view cs .cLGly O. investigate the present life,
institutions. aiI conceptions ol tho Indians who
now or-ury the purbOs and ia tlli, way 1t is
hoped thai so.ur hioNlrl4c may be ganod of the
primitive j.op,o vino Hrst lived -thcro arM built
their D.rhablc structures; II j. also proposed TO
s..r au expedition To ,unir al.cIcut seat oI Creek
civilization ti4o maine ol which !, at present with
hcll ior obSipu- rrlsp,s, and there to begun cx-
clyations which cyrn il th"y 10 not result in such
brilliant discoveries %, tho,o at Persamon aud
olympia. cll hardly fajl ol ycsy valuable results.
Tie Institute VIII also engage Ia uuor work. such
ID. li,iu- commits. TO independent explorers,
10 lio o,o thc pat year, tine results OF which are
seen ia thr three cAcr.s'At papers which the report
coij.uu~--by the lion. LOWS II. Morgan. upon the
system oi .--DUI.aluy prlCtl,cd hy the Indians;
by Nj. /. Clarke, urou tho Greek shores hc has
visited dul.u, tine pas. year; aAd hJ Nh ". f. Sull-
man. upon the ancient walls ~ Monte Leone IN
Italy.
But for all lhc-r pior,., fund, are nr,c>-ary and
the committee dr>urs To supply them hy increasing
The n-nb, r,hip Of .lhr Institute to the number OF
two thousand such membership is. indeed,
c,csslry condition ot succcs4 ii tho work Is TO be
continued lor II nu,nb.r of years, BECAUSE larger
sums OF uon,y will hc rcnirc, for the proper pros
crutlOn of these plans than small body of men
cortlI be- expected 10 furnish Tho Institute must
rely for its support upon tho permanent income
from the fees of members, which ten dollars for
the annual membership, and ono hundred dollars
for a life membership. II the rest of the country
responds to the appeal OF the committee, and sunl-
eilut names arc sent in from NewIOrk, Philadcl-
pima, Baltimore and other cities, to make the In
stiiue really a national body, work of tho highest
value, which will reflect honor. upon American
scholarship, may be accomplished. 1t is especially
to those who aro Interested in tho museums and
collections Of tho country, such as our own Metro
politan Art Museum, and in tho universities and
colleges which require collections for study and
illustration, that tho appeal is made, because tho
organization of tho Institute affords II means of
utilizing many small contributions, and thereby of
obtaining results which it would be impossible for
Independent individual excrtion to bring about.
The management of the affairs of the Institute is in
the hands CT men well known in the community,
scholars and merchants, who may be relied upon to
discharge their trust with foreth0ught and care. In
TIA. formation of the definite plans which are now
proposed, they have had the advice of tho best
authorities and nave acted only upon the fullest
information which could DO obtained. Whatever
can bo discovered of the civilization which once
Aourished in the extreme West and Southwest of
our own country it is duty to seek for. before
tho traces of it are injured and oblteratod by the
progress of our own civilization in occupying that
region Tho national charactcr CT the Institute, the
liberal spirit and intelligent direction of It's affairs,
and tho fair prospect of honorable success In its
efforts, conmcndthc Institute to all persons who are
Interested III the pursuits Of learning and who care
for the scholarship of the country. The Secretary
should be addressed at the Boston Museum Of Fine
Arts