Animal Carvings from Mounds of the Mississippi Valley: Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-81, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1883, pages 117-166

Key themes

Scientific Objectivity and Skepticism

Henshaw's core argument is a plea for rigorous scientific methodology, emphasizing skepticism towards prevailing assumptions and a commitment to empirical evidence. He challenges the uncritical acceptance of previous interpretations, advocating for a detached and objective examination of artifacts. This theme underscores the importance of questioning established narratives in scientific inquiry.

Interpretation of Indigenous Art and Culture

The work delves into the complexities of interpreting artistic representations from ancient cultures. Henshaw specifically addresses the difficulties in accurately identifying animal species depicted in carvings and critically evaluating the artistic prowess of the creators. This theme highlights the challenges of cross-cultural artistic assessment and the potential for misinterpretation based on ethnocentric viewpoints.

Challenging Historical Narratives and Biases

Henshaw's report implicitly and explicitly challenges the prevailing 19th-century narrative that often separated the 'Mound-Builders' into a distinct, often superior, race compared to other indigenous groups of North America. By questioning their supposed unique artistic skill and the accuracy of interpretations, he undermines a narrative that was frequently used to justify certain colonial attitudes or to deny the sophistication of contemporary Native American cultures.

Worth discussing

How did 19th-century ethnocentric biases influence the initial interpretation of Mound-Builder artifacts, and how does Henshaw attempt to counteract them?