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.