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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 1275

South America.  The Panamanian area has been exploited for its prehistoric gold ornaments but the true archeology [[archaeology]] has been almost wholly neglected.  The project is a cooperative one between the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian and has the sanction of the Panamanian Government.

River Basin Surveys. In connection with engineering plans for reservoirs over a wide area in the western and southern states, there is recognition that the water impounded behind the extensive dams will cover many sites of historical and scientific value.  Anthropologists estimate that approximately 80% of our Indians in pre-Columbian times lived in the valleys where their village and house sites would be flooded by the dams described.  There are also scientifically valuable fossil deposits in the same situation.
The Smithsonian has agreement with the National Park Service covering investigation of these areas under which funds for the work come from the Reclamation Service and the Corps of Engineers.  The work is under Dr. F. H. H. Roberts, Jr., Assistant Chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
Since July 1 the following surveys have been made:
Columbia-Snake River Basins, 14 reservoir sites with location of 179 archeological [[archaeological]] and 2 fossil sites.

[[2 columned table]]
|California|6 reservoirs with 79 sites|
|Oklahoma|2 reservoirs with 28 sites|
|Tennessee|1 reservoir with 39 sites|
|Texas|2 reservoirs with 70 sites|
|Missouri Basin|8 reservoirs|

Since July 1946, 1300 sites of interest have been located of which 125 are recommended for complete study and excavation.

[Initialed] A.W. [Initialed]