As to what became of the Mound-builders, we cannot give very satisfactory answers. Some of them must have been destroyed by famine, disease, and warfare with enemies, just as were many of the nations of early history, in the Old World. Others probably gave up the habit of building Mounds, for some reason or other, and contented themselves with living just like other Indians. In this case, they were of course, the ancestors of the Indian tribes which we have known in historic times.
In the following pages there are shown pictures and descriptions of the commoner relics found in the fields and taken from the Mounds. Most of these objects were used both by the Mound-builders and the Indians who did not build Mounds. Where this is not true, it is made plain in the descriptions. It is hoped that these pictures and descriptions will help the reader to understand the relics so freely found in Ohio, and that they will encourage those who may be interested further to visit the Ohio State Museum, in Columbus. Here the finest collections of Indian and Mound-builder relics to be found anywhere are displayed for the study and enjoyment of the public.
HOW THINGS BEGAN
The Mound-builders, and all other peoples at some time during their existence, lived in the Stone Age period of human development. Throughout the countless centuries of the Stone Age, human beings did not know the use of metals, as such. Indeed, it is only during the past few centuries that men have known such things as iron and steel, to say nothing of other metals. Some of them made limited use of raw metals and minerals, believing them to be only peculiar kinds of stone, never dreaming that they could be melted and refined and cast into implements and ornaments. Stone and Flint were the “metals” of the Mound-builders and other primitive peoples, while bone, shell, clay, wood and fibers were also much used. If peoples of the Stone Age had not made their humble beginnings, we would not be today living in the Age of Iron and enjoying the conveniences of civilization. While the specimens illustrated and described in the following pages belonged altogether to the Mound-builders and the prehistoric Indians, they are very similar to those used by early peoples the world over. Their study will aid us in understanding and appreciating how things began.
Those who may wish to know more of the story of the Mound-builders and the Indians will find numerous books on the subject in their local libraries. When not available otherwise, they may be found in the Library of the Ohio State Museum, in Columbus. The following are recommended:
Publications of the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society, in which may be found articles concerning the Ohio Indians, and reports of explorations of the ancient mounds.
The Mound-builders, by H. C. Shetrone, published by D. Appleton & Co., in 1930.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
THE USE OF STONE
