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Egyptian dynasty—less than 4,500 years ago! They also believed full length on its back, was one of the largest skeletons dis- that the Mississippi Valley was sufficiently isolated from the Ohio covered by the Bureau agents, the length as proved by actual Valley to warrant the simultaneous flourishing of quite distinct measurement being between 7 and 8 feet. It was clearly cultures over a long period. traceable, but crumbled to pieces immediately after removal Since carbon-dating had not yet been discovered, Thomas used from the hard earth in which it was encased..." stratigraphic analysis (after Lyell) and, following the rest of the 12th Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary mandate, included detailed record-keeping and documentation of the Smithsonian Institution, 1890-1891 (1894) whenever appropriate. His findings were broadly accepted and are still referenced. Regarding the problem of "intrusive" Indian burials, what kind "Underneath the layer of shells the earth was very dark and of a time gap were these men looking at between the original appeared to be mixed burials and the later ones? with vegetable mold to the depth of 1 foot. At the bottom of this, rest- Wrenncseatlnint oy lene AME ade ing on the original sur- “ face of the ground, was a very large skeleton lying horizontally at full length. Although very soft, the bones were suf- ficiently distinct to allow of careful measurement before attempting to remove them. The length from the base of the skull to the bones of the toes was found to be 7 feet 3 inches. It is probable, therefore, that this individual when liv- ing was fully 7/4 feet high. At the head lay some small pieces of mica and a green sub- stance, probably the oxide of copper, though no ornament or article of has been opened on the copper was discovered." farm of Harrison 12th Annual Report of the Robinson, four miles Bureau of Ethnology to the East of Jackson, Ohio, Secretary of the Smithsonian Sse = ; and two skeletons of Institution, 1890-189] extraordinary size and a As his agents uncovered the physical evidence for powerful men of towering stature, Thomas held the position that any and all skeletal remains represented the direct ancestry of the present-day people. Was it not plausible to consider an extended "family" or hierarchical group of very tall folk who served with the people? Were they selective enough in their sexual associations to appear, overall, as a race with its own peculiarities and even physical characteristics? The findings that didn't fit into the guideline established by his superior were summarily recorded and forgotten by Thomas—a legacy we have inherited today. "An old Indian mound (1894) (Explorations in great quantity of trinkets Roane County, Tennessee) have been removed. Some years ago a party But Thomas's time was of relic hunters, limited because of the large supposed to have been territory he was to explore. a Ciao Tonthaet ml Sathan sent out in the interest of Under such working condi- the Archeological tions, anomalies were put Society, visited the aside for future research—to Robinson farm, and after be forgotten, as it has turned a few days' search out. Thomas was forced to removed a__ great rely on the accounts of opera- collection of stone tives in many cases. hatchets, beads and Spring Hill enclosure, Kanawha County, West Virginia. In the bottom of Mound 11 (upper left) was found a skeleton "fully seven feet long”. bracelets, which were packed and shipped to Evidently, some of these peo- ple discerned between "Indian" burials and the burials of the Mound Builders, perhaps an Eastern institute, and until this recent accidental discovery challenging the patience of Powell. it was supposed that everything had been removed by the "No. 5, the largest of the group, was carefully examined. relic hunters. It is thought by many that more relics are to be Two feet below the surface, near the apex, was a skeleton, found, and preparations are being made for a thorough doubtless an intrusive Indian burial... Near the original sur- investigation." face, 10 or 12 feet from the center, on the lower side, lying at The Adair County News, Kentucky (January 5, 1897) full length on its back, was one of the largest skeletons dis- covered by the Bureau agents, the length as proved by actual measurement being between 7 and 8 feet. It was clearly traceable, but crumbled to pieces immediately after removal from the hard earth in which it was encased..." 12th Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1890-1891 (1894) or Spring Hill enclosure, Kanawha County, West Virginia. In the bottom of Mound 11 (upper left) was found a skeleton "fully seven feet long". 54 = NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2003 www.nexusmagazi ne.com