Archaeological history of Ohio; The Mound builders and later Indians

🔖 This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV THE MOUND BUILDERS Ohio Mound Builders. Early Writers. Little Known Until the Report of Sguier and Davis. Great Increase in Number of Authors Since Their Day. Confiding Opinions Regarding this People. Theories as to Their Affiliation with Historic Tribes. No Definite Knowledge Concerning Their Origin or End. OR over half a century after the settlement of Ohio, there was more or less speculation about Mound * Builders' work, most of it based on casual observations and incorrect reports. It was generally known the primeval forests concealed earthen remains of various forms, and in some cases of considerable extent; but definite information concerning them was lacking, and while much diversity of opinion existed as to their origin, no theories advanced in regard to their builders or the purpose of their construction met either with zealous advocacy except, in some cases, from the author; or with forcible opposition. Occasionally an article would appear in a periodical or in a volume devoted mainly to some other subject, describing a particular group, or the remains within a limited area. Some of these articles were accompanied by a few crude illustrations. They were generally based upon cursory examinations, and the data which they presented did not afford sufficient grounds upon which to establish a logical argument. Nevertheless, some courageous writers, assuming the absolute correctness of these accounts, had no hesitation not only in (Wincing from them unwarranted theories but also in applying these theories to works of quite different character in remote localities. As a natural consequence, the known facts were soon invested with a magnitude and importance out of all proportion to their real value; and thus arose a belief...