Evidences of prehistoric textiles are sporadically encountered in the course of archaeological investigations in the Mississippi drainage area. Because of their paucity, they have been given little or no place in the consideration of the archaeological problems of this region. Distinctions in weaving techniques have already proven of value in indicating the cultural connections of ethnic groups. Enough scattered textile materials have been accumulated to merit a study of their distinctive value in the complexes of traits of which they are a part. With this the major objective of the study, the development of terminology becomes a basic necessity, making the function of this work twofold.

Delicate artifacts or small clusters of specimens whose proper excavation in situ would take a great deal of time can be dealt with by a method much used in paleontology but seldom in archaeological work. The material is taken out in a block of the original dirt in which the specimens are imbedded. This block is then shipped to the laboratory where it can be explored at leisure with better facilities for preservation and cleaning of artifacts than usually obtain in the field.

The object or group of objects to be removed in this way should be carefully exposed by loosening and brushing away the earth until the whole surface is visible. After the specimens are photographed, the surrounding earth is then dug away, leaving generous margins, until the undisturbed artifacts rest on a sort of pedestal. This pedestal of earth should be undercut several inches all around.

Mason begins his classical paper on the Cradles of the American Aborigines by stating that many questions in anthropology, depend for their answers on a correct knowledge of the manner in which the child passes the first year of its life. He points out that the cradle might modify the shape of the child's head and, indeed, of its whole frame. Apparently, then, the study of cradles should contribute equally as much to our knowledge of culture relations as it would to that of physical anthropology, especially since tradition is supposed to linger long in customs affecting the child. Again, the study should increase our understanding of the ecology of the cradle maker. In this connection, I fear, we often fail to consider the fact that the art of the particular people being studied reflects their attempts to make a living within their own environment. The cradle-board, as Mason also shows, is the child of geography and meteorology.

Trait manifestations for the Hopewellian, or according to the more recently accepted terminology, the Central Basin cultural phase, have for several years been known to exist in eastern Wisconsin, but the occurrence of this phase with a residentiary cultural group in the eastern part of the state has had no positive indication until recently when a typical Central Basin mound burial was discovered in the Big Bend region of Waukesha County.

The burial was partially unearthed by Mr. Henry J. Peterson while grading a portion of his land fronting on the south bank of Fox River in the N.W. ¼ of the N.W. ¼ of Section 25, Vernon Township. Mr. Peterson immediately notified the Milwaukee Public Museum of his find and kindly invited members of the staff to investigate the site. Mr. Peterson should here be commended for his foresight which made possible the gathering and preservation of data which otherwise might have been lost forever.