OCR Text |
Show ANTIQUITY OP MAN 79 the source of large collections of objects of significance. The comparative study of some of the finds from these deposits has already proven of value. 1 For example, \ Jie pottery of the area east of the Mississippi seems to show but slight resemblance in character to that of other regions. In decorative designs there seem to be similarities between the southeast, particularly Florida, and the West Indies, making a certain interchange of culture elements highly probable. There are also traces of Yucatan influences on the gulf coast of the Florida peninsula. Another interesting set of objects is represented by articles and ornaments of shell. The shell gorgets in particular show elaborate designs, some of them bearing such strong resemblance to Mexican art that it is difficult to regard it as the result of chance. - Numerous articles of beaten copper, such as axes, spindles, disks, ear- pendants, rings, bracelets, etc., have also come to light, particularly in the shell mounds of Florida, and also in Ohio and Georgia. They have excited no little discussion as to whether they represent truly aboriginal workmanship or not, the majority of investigators apparently thinking that there is no good evidence of European influence. 3 A few objects beaten out 1 Holmes, " Aboriginal Pottery of the Eastern United States" ( Bureau of Ethnology, Twentieth Annual Report). * Cf. discussion on the subject by C. B. Moore at al., in American Anthropologist, N. S., V., 27- 57. |