the relics of the history of knowledge and civilization, to extricate them from the mass of folly and superstition in which they are enshrouded. The ore lies deep, but not beyond reach; and though, from the very nature of things, success cannot be immediate, the difficulties to be encountered are such as more extensive research may hereafter overcome.

Nor should the inestimable worth of the results of such inquiries, when successful, be forgotten during the process of investigation. The details, often perhaps dry and wearisome, are still necessary steps in the progress towards a just conclusion, and should be borne with patiently, as a portion of that burden which knowledge always imposes upon those engaged in her pursuit. Their gradual and successive development is just as essential, to the solution of these interesting questions, as were the slow, minute and laborious calculations of mathematicians, to the discovery of the sublime truths of astronomy. Like the base of some ancient column, covered with fallen fragments almost defying the efforts of the explorer to restore it to its former light and glory, primitive history is hidden deep amid the gloom of time and the crumbling ruins of antiquity, to be revealed only by patient inquiry and unwearied zeal.

These remarks are peculiarly applicable to the elucidation of American Aboriginal History, by means of the traditions, monuments and institutions of its native inhabitants. Investigations of this character, always involving subjects of rational curiosity, replete with useful instruction, and of great moral and historical moment, rise in value and dignity when appertaining to the whole aboriginal population of a vast continent, probably untrodden by any other race of human beings, until a period comparatively recent in the annals of the world. And yet they

unfold a page in history possessing no startling dramatic interest, adorned with none of the glare and tinsel of the eccentricities of genius, unemblazoned with the achievements of ambition, and diversified with none of the thrilling incidents of personal adventure; but they rather appeal to the unbeguiled judgment of the reason by their intrinsic worth, as the only method, in the absence of higher testimony, of obtaining any just deductions, as restoring the lost and broken link of ancient connection between the old and new worlds, and as tending to perfect that chain, by which all mankind are traced to one head and bound together by the ties of a common origin. It is with deep impressions of this nature, that the future exploration of American antiquities should be urged; for we are as yet but upon the threshold, and though sufficient has already been unveiled for some rational conclusions, the cause of philosophy and knowledge demands a more accurate, thorough and extensive examination of monuments that are fast yielding to the despoiling hand of man and the attacks of time. From the vague often exaggerated descriptions of some of the early travellers, and from the conduct of the conquerors of the semi-civilized nations of Mexico, Central America, Bogota and Peru, information of incalculable value has been lost to us. It is impossible without the deepest regret and indignation to revert to that period, when ancient pictorial manuscripts were burned, idols, images and planispheres destroyed or buried in the earth, temples levelled with the ground and cities razed-all from the lowest motives of policy, or from the blind zeal of superstition. A frightful chasm has thus been made in the primitive history of this continent, irremediable if we contemplate merely the immense number of Mexican picture-writings that were wick

and

edly destroyed. It is possible, however, yet to remedy in a great measure the evil, so far as occasioned by this wanton demolition of architectural and monumental structures, by a careful examination of those which have escaped the violence of the Spanish conquest; and the subject is one eminently worthy of American enterprise.-To embody and collate the descriptions of the most remarkable of the ancient remains and ruins scattered over the continent; to compare the traditions, manners, customs, arts, language, civilization and religion of its aboriginal inhabitants, internally, and with those of other nations; and thence to deduce the origin of the American race and its subsequent migrations,-in a word, to attempt the determination of a portion of its unwritten history, is the object of this work; and if, in any event, it shall serve to stimulate curiosity and inquiry upon this interesting subject, at least one important purpose will have been accomplished.

PART I.

AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.

CHAPTER I.

INDIAN ANTIQUITIES.

THE ancient remains of art existing in America may be divided into two great classes, differing in style, character and importance. The first class comprehends those of more recent origin, which have manifestly proceeded from an uncivilized people, and which may be traced throughout the whole extent of the continent. They possess the same uniformity of character, that distinguishes the manners and institutions of all the barbarous Indian tribes, and most of them are doubtless of Indian construction. They consist chiefly of ornaments, rude inscriptions, and paintings not unlike the semi-hieroglyphic symbols at present employed by some of the aboriginal nations, and of such implements of warfare and domestic use, as are adapted to the wants of savage life; and yet they exhibit indications of that mechanical talent and dexterity which have been observed as a peculiar trait of nearly all the American natives.*

* Archæologia Americana, vol. i. pp. 112, 113, 114.-Brackenridge's Journal, p. 153.