Incentives to the Study of the Ancient Period of American History: An address, delivered before the New York Historical

In Short

This address investigates the profound historical mysteries surrounding the early populations and antiquities of the American continent, urging scholars to pursue systematic inquiry rather than superficial speculation. It evaluates the intricate philological connections of languages, ancient maritime discoveries by Scandinavian and Italian voyagers, and monumental architectures like pyramids and earthworks. By comparing these indigenous developments with ancient Oriental, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian traditions, the work argues for a deep, interconnected human antiquity. It has endured as an important milestone in nineteenth-century American ethnological and historical scholarship.

The Story

The work opens by defining the grand objective of narrowing the historical mystery that obscures the early periods of the American continent. It questions whether human habitation and art fabrication preceded the known monarchies of ancient Mexico and Peru, and whether links connect the pyramids of Mexico with the earthworks of the Mississippi valley. Setting aside granular details for an expansive overview, the address turns to philology, examining the Thiudic language family, the Icelandic affinities, and the comparisons between Asiatic idioms and American syntax. This linguistic inquiry suggests that the Indian tribes possess a profound national antiquity, far older than many modern East Asian populations.

From language, the discussion moves to pre-Columbian maritime explorations, evaluating the Scandinavian Sagas and ballads that record bold voyages to Vinland, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. It notes the Venetian records of the Zenos' fourteenth-century northern voyages and introduces the Mediterranean or Horitic element involving ancient Phoenician, Etruscan, and Punic influences, alongside the ancient rock alphabet. Shifting to the monumental discoveries of the New World, the narrative reflects on the astronomical precision and pictorial records of the Aztecs, highlighting their sophisticated solar calendar, which rivals ancient Egyptian and Persian systems.

The inquiry then examines monumental architecture, contrasting the earthen pyramids of North America—such as the massive structures in Illinois and Virginia—with the magnificent stone and brick pyramids of Cholula in Mexico, which rival or exceed the dimensions of Egyptian monuments. Sun-worship and the sacred use of eternal fire emerge as a fundamental religious thread connecting Mesopotamian traditions with the rituals of North American tribes and southern empires. Furthermore, geological disturbances in the Mississippi valley, including ancient lacustrine seas and fossil discoveries, are woven into the broader physical history of the continent.

The argument culminates by addressing the primary historical questions regarding the origin of the Red Race: whether they were true aborigines or preceded by other groups, and whether American civilization developed independently or derived features from foreign lands. Reviewing Indian traditions of eastern migration, the chronology of Mexican dynasties, and the widespread use of ideographic picture-writing, sun-worship, and totemic clans, the address concludes that these elements closely mirror ancient Chaldean, Persian, and Mesopotamian cultures. Ultimately, the work calls upon contemporary scholars to emulate the rigorous methods of modern science, philology, and archaeology to fully unravel the intricate thread of ancient American migration.

How It Unfolds

Defining the historical horizon The address opens by establishing the immense scope of American antiquity, questioning whether civilizations existed long before Mexico and Peru. It frames the study as an invitation to explore monumental and linguistic evidence rather than settling local details.

Tracing linguistic affinities The discussion advances into philology, examining European language groups and comparing American syntax with Asiatic idioms. This linguistic analysis establishes the deep antiquity and distinct structural foundations of the native tribes.

Evaluating pre-Columbian voyages The narrative reviews early maritime records, including Scandinavian Sagas describing northern voyages to Vinland and Venetian accounts of the Zenos. These accounts provide plausible evidence of European contact prior to Columbus, though filtered through varying degrees of historical distortion.

Analyzing Aztec astronomy and calendars The focus shifts to intellectual achievements, highlighting the sophisticated solar calendar and astronomical knowledge of the Aztecs. Their methods of intercalating cycles reveal a precision comparable to ancient Egyptian and Persian systems.

Comparing monumental architecture The inquiry contrasts North American earthworks with the vast stone pyramids of Mexico, such as Cholula. These structures demonstrate a shared architectural impulse rooted in ancient oriental traditions.

Unraveling religious traditions The work explores the widespread practice of sun-worship and the sacred use of fire across the continent. These enduring rituals connect indigenous practices directly with ancient Mesopotamian and Chaldean forms of worship.

Synthesizing the quest for origins The address concludes by evaluating the ultimate origins of the Red Race, synthesizing traditions of eastern migration and picture-writing. It urges scholars to apply modern scientific rigor to solve the complex puzzle of continental migration.

The People

The work engages a diverse cast of historical figures, explorers, and scholars whose ideas shape the pursuit of American antiquity. Mythological and imperial figures like Coxcox and Manco Capac represent the legendary origins and sacred lawgivers of ancient Mexican and Peruvian civilizations, establishing foundational templates for sun-worship and statecraft. Navigators such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco Núñez de Balboa mark the watershed geographical discoveries that unexpectedly revealed a vast continent, though Columbus himself died without comprehending its true scale.

Scholars and statesmen contribute vital analytical frameworks to the discussion. Albert Gallatin stands out for his meticulous translation of ancient Mexican picture-writing from the folios of Lord Kingsborough, alongside his profound studies of Indian astronomical and linguistic systems. Alongside Gallatin, historical chroniclers like Fernando D'Alva preserve the ancient dates of Mexican dynasties, while thinkers like Thomas Jefferson first brought important paleontological finds, such as the mastodon bones of Big Bone Lick, to the attention of global science. Scholars such as Sir William Jones and Sir Stamford Raffles are noted for comparative insights into oriental market days and zodiacal symbols. Finally, the address invokes pioneering investigators like Belzoni, Humboldt, and Robinson as exemplars of rigorous scientific exploration, urging contemporary readers to follow their dedicated path in unlocking the monumental and linguistic secrets of the ancient world.

In Its Own Voice

Reflecting on the unexpected magnitude of the western hemisphere, the author highlights the profound geographical shock experienced during the age of discovery.

A continent stretching little under 10,000 miles, from south to north, with a maximum breath of 2000 miles, between sea and sea, rivers, such as the La Plata and the Amazon--mountains like that of the Andes, whose highest peak rises 20,280 feet above the sea--Volcanoes, which cast their fires over plains of interminable extent--tropical fruits of every kind--mines of gold and silver the richest the world had ever known--these were some of the features that America brought to light, while it added one-third to the known area, and more than one-third to the commercial resources of the world.

Emphasizing the endurance of ancient religious rites, the author notes the striking parallels found in indigenous worship across distant lands.

To find in America, a system of worship which existed in Mesopotamia, in the era of the patriarch Job, one thousand five hundred and fifty years before the advent of Christ, is certainly remarkable, and is suggestive both of the antiquity and origin of the tribes.

What It's Really About

Beneath its exploration of antiquities, the work addresses the fundamental question of human origins and cultural diffusion in the western hemisphere. It investigates whether native civilizations developed independently or inherited core elements from ancient Asiatic, European, and Mediterranean sources. The core argument contends that the rich tapestry of American earthworks, pictographic writing, religious fire-worship, and sophisticated astronomical systems cannot be understood in isolation from the broader ancient world. Instead, the author seeks to integrate early American history into a global framework of human migration, utilizing emerging sciences like philology, astronomy, and archaeology to bridge the vast gaps left by lost oral traditions and forgotten centuries.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers interested in the historiography of American archaeology will find this address a fascinating window into nineteenth-century intellectual ambitions. Reading it feels like sitting in a grand nineteenth-century hall listening to an erudite scholar assemble vast, sweeping connections across continents and millennia. Readers will appreciate the genuine curiosity and intellectual vigor that drove early American ethnologists to look beyond mere European settlement. However, contemporary readers must navigate the period attitudes, nineteenth-century scientific limitations, and speculative leaps inherent in an era when archaeology was still in its infancy. Despite these outdated frameworks and the formal, dense prose style of the mid-nineteenth century, what stays with the reader is the profound sense of wonder at the ancient landscape. It captures an enduring intellectual passion for uncovering the deep human history embedded in forests, mounds, and stars, leaving a lasting appreciation for the vastness of the American historical record.