The Progress of Ethnology: An Account of Recent Archaeological, Philological and Geographical Researches in Various Parts of the Globe, Tending to Elucidate the Physical History of ManBartlett, John Russell
History
The Progress of Ethnology: An Account of Recent Archaeological, Philological and Geographical Researches in Various Parts of the Globe, Tending to Elucidate the Physical History of Man
Bartlett, John Russell
Anthropology -- History; Ethnology -- History
The number of works manifestly connected in some way with their
religion, guide us to some estimate of the prominence which their
superstitions occupied, and that a religious system existed among them,
in some degree resembling that of the ancient Mexicans. The immense
tumuli heaped over the remains of the dead, show the regard which they
attached to their chiefs, and the veneration in which they held their
memory. The number and extent of their remains of all kinds, which
occupy the fertile valleys, and which are confined almost entirely to
them, indicate that an immense population once existed there, that it
was stationary and therefore agricultural;[1] and if agricultural and
stationary, that a different organization of society, different manners
and customs, different impulses and feelings existed among them, than
are to be found among the hunter and nomadic tribes, discovered by
Europeans in possession of the country.
Another class of antiquities has been discovered by these gentlemen, of
which we only have the particulars in a letter. These consist of rocks
sculptured with figures of men, of birds and animals. They are cut in
outline, the lines being from one half to three quarters of an inch deep
by about the same width. Only those on the sides of the rocks are
visible. Those on the upper or horizontal faces are nearly obliterated.
One represents an elk and is said to be very spirited.
What may result from the future researches of Dr. Davis and Mr. Squier,
remains to be seen; but sufficient has been developed to show that a
people, radically different from the existing race of Indians, once
occupied the valley of the Mississippi, and built the singular monuments
in which it abounds. These also show that they were to a certain extent
advanced in the arts and civilization. In short that they closely
resembled in the character of their structures, ornaments and implements
of war and husbandry, the races of Central America; if they were not
indeed their progenitors or an offshoot from them. Many facts strongly
point to such a conclusion and farther observations carefully conducted,
will probably enable us to settle the question beyond a doubt.
A detailed account of the researches of the gentlemen alluded to,
accompanied by numerous engravings representing the implements,
ornaments and sculptures, &c., discovered in their excavations;--surveys
of the various earth works, forts and enclosures in the Scioto valley,
will be given in the second volume of the Transactions of the American
Ethnological Society, now preparing for publication. They are still
actively engaged in their labors, and intend, should the facilities be
extended them to carry on their operations, to examine every ancient
relic to be found in Ohio and the adjacent parts, where these remains
exist.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account