PREFACE
Before one enters fully upon a discussion of ancient man’s handiwork, some introductory explanation is necessary. This work is the result of twenty-five years’ study of primitive man’s prehistoric implements, weapons, and utensils found in America. During the past ten years I have presented several attempts at classification of these various objects, two of them being in book form. But my publications were incomplete and unsatisfactory, although in a sense they prepared the way for “The Stone Age.”
A classification of stone, bone, shell, clay, and copper implements in the United States is a difficult and tedious task in itself. There were different cultures, some of which are known, others but slightly known, and it is quite likely that, as time passes, implements will be discovered in such numbers as to justify the establishing of new types. Therefore my work cannot be complete, although I have endeavored to include in it all type-specimens brought to my notice.
The work has necessitated an extensive correspondence with museums, scientific men, and private collectors throughout the United States, much travel, and the reading of thousands of pages of reports, books, and articles.
It is probable that some of the statements will be challenged, and if in any of the conclusions I am in error, I court correction. All these observations are based on the study of actual specimens or photographs of them, on field-work, on published material, and on museum specimens.
After deliberation I concluded to describe the implements, ornaments, and utensils of North America according to class or type rather than by locality. The several scholars who had aided me in this work and to whom I am under the greatest of obligations are therefore given credit in their several places. This was a better plan, and all of my observations are so grouped.
I am especially indebted to Mr. Charles E. Brown, Secretary and Curator of the Wisconsin Archæological Society and at present Dean of the State Historical Museum at Madison, Wisconsin; and to Professor Henry Montgomery, Ph.D., Head Curator of the New Museum of the University of Toronto, Ontario. Both of thesegentlemen are co-laborers in the preparation of the pages which follow; both have offered suggestions and been of great assistance; both made thorough studies in their respective regions. Mr. Brown’s papers in theWisconsin Archeologistand other reports, and his studies in museums in the Northwest, have made him an authority on copper and other forms of ancient objects. Professor Montgomery has carried on investigations, extending through many years, of the archæology of the Dakotas, Utah, and eastern and central Canada.
Readers will observe that I have embodied Mr. Brown’s papers in various portions of “The Stone Age” according to the types under discussion, but Professor Montgomery’s several papers are presented as geographical treatises in Volume II, just before my own Conclusions.
Much credit is due to both of these scholars for their permission to make use of previously published papers, and for hearty coöperation.
I am under obligations to the Wisconsin Archæological Society for the loan of plates illustrating specimens in its collection, and to Mr. George A. West, the authority on Wisconsin pipes, for the loan of figures illustrating pipes from the Northwest; and, further, to Mr. West for his kindness in reading my chapter on pipes and offering suggestions. The Directors of the Milwaukee Public Museum have my thanks for their generous action in making, especially for “The Stone Age,” a series of plates illustrating type-specimens in copper on exhibition in their collection. Dr. S. A. Barrett, Curator of Anthropology in the Milwaukee Public Museum, also rendered me assistance.
Dr. George L. Collie, Curator of the Logan Museum, Beloit, Wisconsin, kindly made for me a number of plates of interesting copper objects, striated axes, and other artifacts in his museum. He also furnished me with descriptions, and permitted me to republish portions of his paper entitled “Aboriginal Discrimination in the Selection of Material for Tools,” printed in volume VII, number 3, of theWisconsin Archeologist. These and other gentlemen have been very kind to me and I appreciate their coöperation. That “The Stone Age” may be a success is largely due to the interest taken in it by my numerous correspondents.
The student who wishes to consider all the forms in a given region will find it necessary to refer to the Index. Because of mymethod of treatment, I was compelled to ignore geographical lines. Otherwise endless repetition would result. The only exception to be noted was made in favor of Professor Montgomery’s paper.
I am especially indebted for assistance in the preparation of this work to my colleague, Charles Peabody, Ph.D., Honorary Director of the Department of American Archæology, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and also connected with the Peabody Museum of Harvard University. Having access to the great library of Harvard University, he kindly took in charge the Bibliography covering necessary titles for the information of readers and students. While the result does not embody every reference, yet it is the most extensive list ever presented up to the present time. Messrs. Montgomery, Barr, and Brown also added a number of titles. Dr. Peabody’s interest in “The Stone Age” and his unselfish labors and his many suggestions and advice were potent factors in making the work possible.
I am also under particular obligations to about forty-five persons who have been kind enough to assist in the making of illustrations for “The Stone Age.” It is no more than fair to state that without this coöperation it would have been impossible for us to present so many figures and such excellent photogravure plates, and at the same time offer the two volumes at the price named in the original circulars.
Colonel Bennett H. Young, of Louisville, Kentucky, has made for me about fifty half-tones of type-specimens in bone, shell, clay, and stone which he used in his work “Prehistoric Men of Kentucky,” and also in “Discoveries in Kentucky Caves,” just published. Mr. F. P. Graves, of Doe Run, Missouri, a friend of mine for more than twenty years, made eight photogravure plates of the best specimens in his collection and presented these for use in “The Stone Age.”
Mr. B. W. Arnold, of Albany, New York, sent me by express a portion of his collection, comprising some of the most beautiful projectile points and knives of semi-precious stone that it has ever been my privilege to examine. In order to emphasize the high workmanship and beauty of these points, Mr. Arnold had five colored plates made. Color reproductions and photogravures do justice to the art of stone-age man. I am particularly indebted to both Messrs. Graves and Arnold for their kindness in making possible these fine plates.
Professor William C. Mills, Curator of the Ohio State ArchæologicalSociety and State University Museum at Columbus, and Mr. Clarence B. Moore of Philadelphia, loaned me plates illustrating specimens found during their explorations.
Professor William H. Holmes and Dr. F. W. Hodge of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, permitted the free use of contributed articles as well as figures published in the Smithsonian Reports and theAmerican Anthropologist. The generous and hearty coöperation of all these individuals and institutions whose names are herewith appended is no small personal satisfaction to me. In addition to the names presented, there are more than three hundred persons who sent me photographs, drawings, or lengthy descriptions of the types in their several localities.