The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20
AN ANTIQUARIAN FIELD
Site of the National Capital Re-
plete With Treasure.
Researches of n Prominent Official
of the Smithsonian Institution-Re-
mnrkabIe Discoveries of the Work
of Races InhabitinG This Region
Before Columbus Was Heard OF.

1t may not be generally known among
washingtonians that this Coy and its vi
cinity offers, perhaps, richer field for
the archaeologist than any other place in
the country. So remarkable have been
the finds Of aboriginal workmanship and
SO interesting are the prospects for still
further results leading to knowledge of
the life and art of the primitive Ameri-
cans. that some of the most distinguished
of living scientists are now engaging in
search for antiquities in our immediate
neighborhood.
There was once a period when the wa
tiers of the Potomac stood at fully 800 feet
above their present tide-level, and the
ice-cbarged river dropped boulders and
mud within its expanded estuary, while
the waves built terraces about the hill
tops. Visitors may see in the National
Museum tablets Of sandstone on whose
surfaces are traced burrows formed by the
ripples of the subsiding waves. In all
probability, and according to many au-
thorities, this was long before a human
being existed.
Although short TO the geologist the
period following this ice epoch was long
Its duration is measured by the excavation
of the inner gorges Of the Potomac from
Georgetown 10 Great Falls and during this
period primitive human population spread
over the land. This latter episode is reck-
oned at from ten 10 a hundred thousand
years.
The study Of primitive man in general
is comparatively recent. Although pre-
historic implements and monuments were
widely disseminated and to be seen on ev-
cry hand, yet they remained unrecognized.
1t was in the first decade of the present
century that the Danish savants, in their
study of the Runic characters belonging
10 the early history Of their country, dis
covered evidences of a human occupation
earlier than any previously known. Their
investigations developed facts which have
eventually come to be accepted By the
world at large, and the prehistoric ages
of man were soon classified as the ages OF
stone, bronze. and iron.
The stone age was afterward sub1iyided
into the paleclithic (ancienD and neoiothic
(recenO periods. In the United States The
iron age belongs to history entirely, and
the bronze age as such, had no existence.
Our American Indian when found by the
European was in the neolothic stage.
Many of the remains from around Wash
ington belonging to the paleolithic period
ante-date therefore, the discovery Ct the
country by Columbus. They are OF chip
ped stone, and have individuality OF
form and belong to a clearly defined type,
80 that the expert can easily distinguish
them from implements Of subsequent
epochs or periods, even when OF similar
material and mode of manufacture. They
are of wonderful interest and importance
to the scientist as they serve TO throw
light upon the existence of a people quite
unknown, and their occupation OF our
country at a period IN antiquity hitherto
unsupported. They are extremely crude in
appearance, for the most part, though ii
has been suggested that the rougher
specimens are rejected pieces. Some very
accurately fashioned arrow heads of flint,
however. together with stones having a
sharp edge capable Of being used for cut
ting and fragments OF earthenware are
included IN the collections in the Smith
sonian Institution illustrating this Period.
Mr. s. Q. Proud1t, of the Smithsonian
institution has devoted much research to
the subject lately, making explorations
around Washington for the purpose Of To-
eating the sites Of the villages and work
shops of the ancient and extinct peoples.
1.-THE term village site " he explains, lis
not TO be understood as signifying
place formerly occupied by a compact
group OF dwellings, but rather one where
their proximity TO each other was inter-
rupted by considerable spaces devoted to
agriculture and other purposes
A community of this kind is, in fact.
described by Captain John Smith in his
exploration OF this valley: Their houses
are in the midst OF their fields gardens,
which are small plots OF ground some
twenty acres. some forty, some one hun
dred some more. some less; sometimes
from two TO one hundred of these houses
together. or but little separated by
-.Aves of trees. Near their habitations