First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology: to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 1879-1880, Government Printing Office 1881

"First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology" by John Wesley Powell is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This report details the establishment and operations of the Bureau of Ethnology, which focuses on researching and compiling information on North American anthropology, specifically regarding its indigenous peoples. The report covers various studies undertaken during the Bureau's first fiscal year, showcasing significant collaborations and findings in linguistics, cultural customs, and historical accounts. The opening of the report describes the context of its creation, including the transition from previous geological and geographical surveys to the establishment of the Bureau dedicated to ethnological research. It mentions Powell's role as the Director and outlines various methods of operation, highlighting the collaborative nature of the research. Additionally, it references the contributions of numerous scholars and assistants in documenting languages, customs, and social structures among various Native American tribes, setting the stage for the detailed studies that follow in the subsequent sections.