Introduction to American Bureau of Ethnology

 Native American Nations | Bureau of American Ethnology                   

The series of Contributions, in quarto, was begun in 1877 by the Geographical and Geological Survey of the Rocky Mountain Region (J. W. Powell, director).  Of the earlier numbers, printed under authority of special resolutions of Congress, volumes I, II (in two parts), and III had be completed when, in the year 1879, the Bureau of Ethnology was organized.  In March 1881 the publication of volumes VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X authorized, but the series was discontinued in 1895, after volumes I to VII and IX had been completed.  Volumes VIII and X were never published.

The Annual Report series began with that for the year ended June 30, 1880.  The Forty-eight Report is an index to all the reports form the First to Forty-eight, and with its appearance the Annual Report series in royal octavo form terminated.  Annual administrative reports of the Bureau are now issued as octavo pamphlets, and the ethnological papers that formerly accompanied the reports appear now in the Bulletin series.

The series of Bulletins was first authorized by Congress in 1886.   Today virtually all the researches published by the Bureau are included in this series. With Bulletin 119 the Bureau inaugurated a new series of Anthropological Papers, designed as an outlet for brief articles.  These papers are numbered consecutively, a Bulletin being devoted to them from time to time as they accumulate.  A limited edition of Anthropological Papers is issued in separate form.

The publications of the Institute of Social Anthropology, 16 in number began in 1944 and ended in 1953 with the termination of the Institute.

Besides the series mentioned there have been issued small editions of 4 Introductions and 3 Miscellaneous Publications.

Publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology are distributed free of charge, with the exception of the copies disposed of by the Superintendent of Documents.  The quota allowed to the Bureau is distributed mainly to libraries and other institutions of learning and to collaborators and others engaged in anthropological research or in instruction.

US Government Printing Office, 1956

1-12 13-25 26-37 38-48  Bulletins

This site includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes implied.

List of Publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology, 1956 and 1971

Bureau of American Ethnology