Picture-Writing of the American Indians

The volume opens with a formal letter from the director of the Smithsonian’s Bureau of Ethnology, outlining a year of diligent field work and scholarly publishing. It presents a snapshot of late‑19th‑century American Indian research, detailing expeditions, mound studies, and the collaborative spirit that brought together explorers, linguists, and artists. The tone is both administrative and inviting, encouraging further contributions from anyone interested in the continent’s ancient cultures.

The centerpiece of the report is a comprehensive study of Native American picture‑writing. Richly illustrated with high‑resolution plates, it deciphers the symbolic language etched on hides, pottery, and rock surfaces, revealing how tribes communicated stories, histories, and cosmologies without letters. Readers are guided through the methods scholars used to translate these visual codes, gaining insight into the cultural logic behind each motif.

Beyond the pictographs, the work also surveys recent publications on languages, textiles, and mound archaeology, offering a broad picture of the era’s ethnological pursuits. It stands as a valuable reference for anyone curious about the early scientific efforts to understand America’s indigenous heritage.