First, The fact that the carving is quite unique, it being the
first aboriginal carving of the mammoth thus far claimed to have
been discovered in North America. Second, That no "scientific
observer" was present at the discovery. Third, That since its
discovery the Stone has been several times cleaned, and that
thereby many geological tests of its authenticity have been
rendered impossible. Fourth, That within the last few years, and
particularly in Philadelphia, serious frauds have been
perpetrated upon lovers of Indian relics. These considerations
may well have been sufficient to prejudice the mind of a
stranger against the alleged wonderful Indian relic, yet they
should in no case suffice to prevent, on the part of the
archaeologists, a thorough and impartial examination of all the
evidence pertaining to its discovery. In presenting this and
other evidence, the writer has [pg iv] wished only to be
impartial, and to be led by the facts as they have presented
themselves, and for the examination of which his