The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-11-17

New York, Nov. 17-Every state in the Union and all the Americans were represented today in the official open ing of the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, dedicated to the interpretation of the life of the aborigfnes of the Western World
 Within the walls of this great in stitutnon, the collections of which all ready comprise nearly 100000 spec mems, it was announced today, the mystery of the origin of the red men may be revealed through intensive re- search. Such is the hope of George G. Beye, founder and director of the Museum and of the trustees.
 Members of the cabinet, Federal of ficials interested in Indian affairs gov ernors of the different comm on wealths, diplomats from the countries from which the collections were drawn, and a distinguished company of citizens and scientists were among the guests who for the first time view ed the collections now installed in the splendid building at Broadway and i55th street. The structure is one of a group which also includes the Mu- scum of the Hispanic Society, the American Numismatic Society, and the Ame erican Geographical Society. Arch CT M. Huntington, who has done so much to develop this centre of study of the past, was the doner of the site of the Museum of the American In- dian, and he and other men of wealth
 
 ly every state in the Union has at least one case in the Museum devoted to relics of the Indians who once dwelt within its borders. The Indians who once inhabited Manhattan Island were specially at home in the upper part of what is now the Inwoods section of New York City. A carefully prepar- ed model represents the life which hey led in the rock shelters, which remain to this day. Diminutive fig ures, like marionettes, were posed be- fore representation of the ancient rendezvous so realistically that the early history and traditions of the Manhattoes seemed re-enacted.
 By far the largest collector of sac red bundles in this country is de- posted in the Museum. Among the self approaching manhood, he made his way to a wild and lonely place and prayed and lasted in the belief that some guardian spirit would make known to him a vision. The guardian spirit which, in his weakened condi- tion. he imagined directed him, told him to prepare group of objects, such as the skin of the hawk, which would make him fierce in attack, or swallows wing, to enable him to dodge. All these objects, which were supposed to give attributes to the young warrior, were gathered in a bundle and carried with him when he went into battle
 One of the richest portions of the collection represent life in the South west, where Coronado sought the mys tic Seven Cities of Cibo1a, which were said to be overflowing with gold and treasure The dream of the conquer or was not realized, but there are in the Museum many remarkable carv- ings and ceramics from the ancient settlements he visited
 The visitors today saw many rare ornaments in gold from various regions of the country, illustrative of abhor- iginal art. For purposes of study they would have done as well had they been wrought in copper, but since they are worth about S250,000, they are always in charge of special guards and are heavily insured.
 The collections from British Colum- bia include food dishes as big as mod ern bathtubs; a remarkable whaling boat made from the trunk Of a single tree, and many other objects which show the resourcefu1ness and skill which was attained by the Indians of the far Northwest. Alaska and the land of the Eskimos are represented by many fur garments of great value and beauty. In fact, the wh ole range of the Western World, from the tropics to the poles, may be seen in relation to the manners and the customs of the abOrigines.
 One of the most ancient of the civi1i- cations was visualized by the fine ex- amples of the art of the Mayas, race which disappeared before the Aztecs. In this division was shown the finest piece of incised pottery of Mayan origin known in scientific cir c1es .a sacrificia1 vessel used in the worship of the sun. The objects of this lost civilization were gathered in Guatemala and British Honduras.
 A marvellous insight into the artistic beauty of the craftsmanship of the Aztecs was shield of cedar inlaid with design of turquoise mosaics in which 1000 pieces were used. This shield. which is undoubtedly the best example of mosaic work of the kind extant. probably was employed in the worship of the planet Venus and car ries a picture of prehistoric rites exc cuted in thousands of small bits Of the stone varying in shade rom Hgnt green to a deep blue green, all arrang- ed so as to give an exquisite blending of colors.
 Ecuador is revealed by a remark able collection of stone ceremonial : seats. not unlike the classic chairs witt, scroll arms which were fashioned Ds the Greeks and Romans.
 Another unusual feature or the col lection is an array of objects from Venezuela, typical of the aboriginal days. A comparatively new held in archaeology is represented by the | from Brazil. which is the I tution-
 The imagination of the visitors was | Sindled at the sight of a wooden canoe | paddle precisely of the type described { in the voyages of Columbus, and 7uag- [ ed by experts to belong to that period This rare as1fect was found in cssss