Antiquities of Wisconsin manuscript - Increase Allen Lapham, who studied the mounds of Wisconsin, was a prolific recorder of its geographical, topographical, botanical, climactic, and other physical aspects. In May 1850, Lapham was sponsored by the American Antiquarian Society to conduct a survey of the prehistoric animal-shaped mounds of Wisconsin. The resulting manuscript included detailed and scientific information on the location, shape and occasionally the human remains and artifacts found within these mounds and an analysis of the ancient Indian civilizations with commentary based on phrenology. Samuel Foster Haven edited Lapham’s 1852 manuscript for publication as The Antiquities of Wisconsin (1855), the seventh volume in the series, “Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.” “The Antiquities of Wisconsin.” Gift of Increase Allen Lapham. AAS [record].
 |
The Amerian Antiquarian Society, 1812-2012 - A View at the Bicentennial