First published in 1852, Traditions of DE-COO-DAH is the only remembered work of American writer WILLIAM PIDGEON (1818-c.1870). Today, it is considered an amusing and telling example of the flaws and prejudices found in white researchers of the era, and has been called "a crazy masterpiece of pseudoscience." Pidgeon suggests that the various burial mounds found throughout North and South America are the work of an unknown civilization that lived in those areas prior to the American Indians. American Indian tribes could not have constructed something so grand on their own, according to Pidgeon. Even at the time of its printing, Pidgeon's work was rejected by academics and academic societies, including the Smithsonian Institute and the American Antiquarian Society. While mounds have been found in the places he describes, they do not match his descriptions in exact location, size, or arrangement. Nor has any evidence ever been found to suggest that a more advanced civilization than the American Indians would have been necessary to have built them. Students of history and archeology will find this book a valuable lesson on pitfalls of prejudice and assumption.

Title: Traditions of De-coo-dah, and Antiquarian Researches: comprising extensive explorations ... of the ... earthen remains of the Mound Builders in America; the traditions of the last Prophet of the Elk Nation relative to their origin and use: and the evidences of an ancient population more numerous than the present Aborigines.Publisher: British Library, Historical Print EditionsThe British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is one of the world's largest research libraries holding over 150 million items in all known languages and formats: books, journals, newspapers, sound recordings, patents, maps, stamps, prints and much more. Its collections include around 14 million books, along with substantial additional collections of manuscripts and historical items dating back as far as 300 BC.The GENERAL HISTORICAL collection includes books from the British Library digitised by Microsoft. This varied collection includes material that gives readers a 19th century view of the world. Topics include health, education, economics, agriculture, environment, technology, culture, politics, labour and industry, mining, penal policy, and social order. ++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++ British Library Pidgeon, William 1853 8 . 9603.c.9.

Comprising Extensive Explorations, Surveys, And Excavations Of The Wonderful And Mysterious Earthen Remains Of The Mound Builders In America; The Traditions Of The Last Prophet Of The Elk Nation Relative To Their Origin And Use, And The Evidences Of An Ancient Population More Numerous Than The Present Aborigines.

Comprising Extensive Explorations, Surveys, And Excavations Of The Wonderful And Mysterious Earthen Remains Of The Mound Builders In America; The Traditions Of The Last Prophet Of The Elk Nation Relative To Their Origin And Use, And The Evidences Of An Ancient Population More Numerous Than The Present Aborigines.

Comprising Extensive Explorations, Surveys, And Excavations Of The Wonderful And Mysterious Earthen Remains Of The Mound Builders In America; The Traditions Of The Last Prophet Of The Elk Nation Relative To Their Origin And Use, And The Evidences Of An Ancient Population More Numerous Than The Present Aborigines.

Comprising Extensive Explorations, Surveys, And Excavations Of The Wonderful And Mysterious Earthen Remains Of The Mound Builders In America; The Traditions Of The Last Prophet Of The Elk Nation Relative To Their Origin And Use, And The Evidences Of An Ancient Population More Numerous Than The Present Aborigines.