Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-08-01

itat. We are warranted in assuming
this much became southern Missouri
Arkansas aud eastern Oklahoma were
overrun by the Osages and Quapaws
approximately six hundred years ago
according to the traditions of those
tribes If the 'earth-house people
had not already disappeared II would
seem probable that they were eX-
PEELED by the incoming tribes. From
the fact that the former must have
been much more numerous than the
Osages and Quapaws, however, 1t may
be inferred that a plague or epidemic
disease had swept away the greater
part of the inhabitants of the region
before the appearance of these tribes
west Of the Mississippi" Continuing,
Mr.. Thoburn said
Dcnscly Populated.
THAT there must have been a pop
ulation far more dense than that of
ay of the aboriginal tribes which were
living in the United States at the time
Of the discovery of the continent by
Europeans, is amply evidenced, not
only by the vast number of earth
house mounds, but by the number and
extent of the burial grounds or ceme-
teries Of these people as well. SO
lar as We have been able to ascertain
all of these burial grounds are To-
Gated on the alluvial flood plains of
rivers and creeks. 1t is not improb-
able that these ancient inhabitants
cleared and cultivated the fertile val
ley lands, the soil Of which is usually
a sandy loan. The selection of such
a site for the interment Of the dead
was logical. because in such soil it
was easier to dig a grave with a clam
shell than 1t would have been to dig
one with their crude implements of
stone in the heavy clay subsoil of the
uplands, where there was also a like
lihood of striking rock or gravel.
Some of these valley land burial
grounds were quite extensive. one,
which has been partially explored in
the valley of the Arkansas, is over a
mile in length, with the graves quite
close together throughout its entire
extension.
ITO make a thorough study of the
culture of this departed race will, of
course, necessitate much further in
Yestigation, means for which are not
now available for our use. 1t is quite
possible, indeed 1t is probable, that
such line of investigation may re-
suit in throwing much new light on
the antecedents of the American In
dians, as we have known them in the
United States The long accepted
theory of Asiatic origin and Of the
migration Of Mongolian stock by way
Of Behring strait is apt to be rudey
jolted. for the indications are that
these people, who titled the soil and
lived i'm earth-Covered houses, came
from Mexico 1t is also within the
realm Of possibility that they may
prove TO have been the parent stock OF
the Pawnees, Arikaras and the other
Caddean tribes. Indeed, 1t was the
earth-covered domiciles of the Paw
nees and Arikaras which supplied the
clue to the probable origin of the So
called natural mounds The partial
excavation of the greater part of the
floor areas in. the Pawnee house !
caused the difference between the !
lodge circles of Nebraska and the
house mounds of oklahoma. The !
position CT the fireplace is the same
in both. The ancient fireplace. with !
wood ashes and bits Of charcoal may
be found in nearly all of these earth |
house mounds. near the center. and |
not infrequently there will also be |
found flakes of flint and fragments |
Of bone and pottery as well.
"The 'earth-house people were !
masters of the art Of working stone |
into implements and weapons by the |
various processes of chipping, flax |
ing, pecking, grinding. polishing and |
drilling. That they were skilled in
the making OF baskets and in spin
ming and weaving is probable, though |
il is difficult to secure relics of these |
arts. They made use of copper to
Continued on Tage Seven.l