Columbus, Ramon Pane and the Beginnings of American Anthropology, 1906

1906. This work is a treatise on the establishment of anthropology in America. Christopher Columbus not only revealed the field of this study to the world, but actually in person set on foot the first systematic study of American primitive custom, religion and folklore ever undertaken. He is in a sense therefore the founder of American anthropology. Friar Ramon Pane's work was considered the earliest detailed account of the legends and religious beliefs and practices of the long since extinct natives of Hayti.