Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-20
Tuesday, February 20, 1906
Prehistoric Possibilities at Home.

Prehistoric Possibilities at Home.
Scientists and in general students of
things which are ancient, have long
realized the almost limitless possibili-
ties for antiquarian research In Ameri-
ca, and yet the field has been very
largely neglected. While exploring
parties from our great universities have
gone to dig i'm the ruins Of Egypt.
Greece and Asia Minor. they have done
relatively little to throw light upon a
civilization which Is probably little less
ancient and little less interesting. and
whose story and glory are hidden away
i'm our own American soil. The mys-
terious mounds Of the middle West and
the Azetcc ruins of the Southwest and
Mexico have marvellous tales OF ancient
times to tell of which only few para
graphs have been deciphered.
Here and there evidences have been
discovered that there was high degree
Of civilization reached upon this CONT
ncnt centuries and centuries before the
voyages of Columbus. or before the
half mythical explorations and settle
ments Of the Norsemen. Noble races
1lourlshed and passed away on our con-
tIncnt long before the Indians became
masters of the plain and the wilderness.
They left behind them traces not yet
wholly obliterated by time and by
which it has been possible to learn a
little but not much about them. 1t
seems strange that our scholars and
antiuuarians have done SO little ex-
plOring of this extensive and intensely
interesting field. They have done
something here and there. but none
have gone far and their results have
been mainly in the nature Of conjec-
lures
Word comes that several well-knOwn
educators Of the South are urging Gov
crnor Tirrell of Georgia to aid in pro-
noting thorough examination of the
prehistoric ruins along the Georgia
coast. Much less is known of these
ruins than of the wonderful mounds in
the West whose. makers came and van.
ished so long ago. A Philadelphia
scientist. Professor Moore, has been un.
covering wonderful things ON Little
Island near Beaufort. n. C. Digging
into the large mound there, from which
large trees are growing. he found at a
depth OF Is feet or more the remains of
and ancient temple. believed to have
been buried for centuries. The prospect
opened up by that find is a fascinating
one. 1t is believed that the sea Islands
along the coast Of South Carolina and
Georgia were inhabited by a prehistoric
race. and that search of other coast
islands would develop other traces of
such inhabitants. who were there, it is;
believed. not only before the discovery
or America. but long prior to the COM
ing of the Indians to that section.
Such hope Is not mere speculation.
j. &. w. Dc Brahm, surveyor general
for King George III for his southern
provinces in North America. writes i'm
his report made in 1863. of the .vestiges
of ruins of ancient homes discovered on
the island of Demetrius. on the South
New port river, upon which he found an
INFRINGEMENT mile and quarter in
length. and many ruins of ancient
homes. proving a settlement before tho
18th century. De Brahm further stated
that no Carolinan or Georgian could
give any information regarding these
ruins. Pots and other earthenware
vessels have been discovered on these
islands. Is to 20 feet underground, and
one OF these DIR. Burroughs. a southern
educator, had OH exhibition at the las,
Georgia state fair. DR.. Burroughs is
anxious to have investigations made OF
the ruins on 'Demetrius island. and
other islands along the coast O,
Georgia. He asks the governor to aid
him In getting Prof. Moore to make
this investigation. as he believes i,
would develop facts OF valuable his.
torical interest to the state and tho
world.