fot ie ROMER YY) Of i———— THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, BMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY: J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR : >. 9") * 3 ‘et CIRCULAR, SQUARE, AND OCTAGONAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO BY Be LR US. HOM AS pee aa et WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1889 LL - — | on td ad : 4 a ; } a Ant pay sa. 7 is aay 5 ei fa. PROPERTY OF ~~ THE AMERIC: 1 N pert = ser For THE AD\ 'T OF SMES ON LAN ON SLT TO wn BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY: J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR CIRCULAR, SQUARE, AND OCTAGONAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO BY Gabe Us al OMA WieAsorLi NG TOWN GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1889 er 9 ee : a4 h —— ie ad a: = S a we, + >” =< tis ‘ea as Le CON PENES. Obyjectotsble: papers 2sse cece = oe a siSawiteren =." Numbers and measurements in ‘‘ Ancient Monuments”... Iihereyslownship. works... 222-.52o->-.-52 > sins = INGA IEEE AW OBES) is Se Shenae eS eeeS GAA Opn Ee aedorsoe SealmliownshinmnOnks ese ac. cece ees oo =e Pioaaic a Resurvey of the Ohio inclosures .......--.- oie Seas Wsisess Opservatony Circle, Newark... - --<.s201- toe 2-2 (Qyeligyeroms ING HUN a2ks sate oh dos 6p boc coo edomeneaesec SMMALe Ww Ne Waris sae Setssceiane einaeeb sae else = deni oroun de OielessNe weal kee oo copes arela nicatnininie = Betas Circle of the High Bank works......---- Braces =o Octagon of the High Bank works...-.--- BBC Re Ee ENO PELOMEWORK:S eee s Says ns 3 aclat se aks anes Sie Nee Tine owen S Nip eNVOL KS tates ere raoersas alo) eisai RATING K Sipps hes ters iwi cya sistas wi ‘Pyramidal Mounds” Baum! Works sss 202-5 --= > Mein eS Gas ebegedicas ORCC OCRE ape ee me fs i cme wt ape ee oe os ms As ir) oe =o) ie is ae PLATE I. Fic. Pip Us: Re Actel © NeS: Copy of plate xxv, Ancient Monuments (Newark works)-......-.. . Fair-ground Circle, Newark, according to resurvey..--------...-- . Observatory Circle, Newark, according to resurvey ..-...-------- ~ Octason, Newark, accordine’ to resurveyiee = ase 2-12 sesso e nsec mequare, Newark, saccording tomesunyey, aacleeo= so eel seo cls : . Circle at the High Bank, according to resurvey..-.....-.-..---.:- Octagon at the High Bank, according to resurvey..---..----.---- Square of the Hopeton works, according to resurvey ..---..----.- Circle of the Hopeton works, according to resurvey .----.-------- Square, Liberty Township works, according to resurvey..---.-.--- . Square of the Baum works, according to resurvey.-.---...-..----- Copy of ‘Supplementary plan,” plate xx, Ancient Monuments ... Sinai Circle; Iaiberiy Mownship workS-rc---esecce sen sacle ees A copy of fic. No. 1, plate xx1, Ancient Monuments ......-.....-. . Sections (A and B) of Pyramidal Mound, Baum works .-.-.-....-.- . Bone from Pyramidal Mound, showing knife-cuts ........--.--- : 5 THE CIRCULAR, SQUARE, AND OCTAGONAL EARTH- WORKS OF OHIO, By Cyrus THOMAS. OBJECT OF THE PAPER. The object in view in submitting this paper is to give a summary of the results of a recent survey, by the Mound Exploring Division of the Bureau, of the more noted circular, square, and octagonal works of central and southern Ohio, and incidentally to call attention to some errors in the “Ancient Monuments” of Squier and Davis in regard to them. As most of the errors to be noted are based on internal evi- dence contained in the Ancient Monuments, reference will first be made to them, after which the Bureau surveys of the same works will be given. NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS IN *“*ANCIENT MONUMENTS.” Of the seventy-eight different works figured in chapters 1 and 2 of their memoir, relating to “Works of Defense” and ‘Sacred Inclosures,” which include all the groups the authors claim to have examined per- sonally, it appears that Squier and Davis surveyed but twenty-six, or one-third. The descriptions and surveys by Col. Whittlesey and Mr. McBride were furnished to them in manuscript, and appear in print for the first time in Ancient Monuments. Our re-examination has been limited to the still existing works surveyed by them and Col. Whittlesey, which contain circles, squares, or octagons. So far as a comparison on the ground has been made (which com- prises nearly all the works surveyed by them and Col. Whittlesey of the character mentioned, not obliterated) their figures appear, to the eye, generally to be correctly drawn, andin this fact lies the chief value of their work, as their descriptions are brief and usually void of minute details. The lack of these details, the fact that their measurements are in most cases givenin round numbers, and their omission to state whether these measurements were taken from the middle, the inside, or the out- 8 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. side of the walls, rendered it necessary to make a resurvey in order to substitute a eritical comparison of the works, one with another, as to form and size. This disregard of details and the failure to give a copy of their ‘‘ field-notes ” in any instance (the supposed exception on page 57 will be noticed hereafter) are somewhat surprising in view of the claim made of the accuracy of their surveys, and the following passage in the preface to their memoir : At the outset, as indispensable to independent judgment, all preconceived notions were abandoned and the work of research commenced de novo, as if nothing had been known or said concerning the remains to which attention was directed; * * care was exercised to note down on the spot every fact which was thought to be of value in the solution of the problems of the origin and purposes of the remains under notice, and particular attention was bestowed in observing the dependencies of the position, structure, and contents of the various works in respect to each other and the general features of the country. Indeed no exertion was spared to insure entire accuracy, and the compass, line, and rule were alone relied upon in all matters where an approximate estimate might lead to erroneous conclusions. The ancient inclosures and groups of works personally examined or surveyed are upwards of one hundred in number. It is certainly strange, in view of this statement, to find all their measurements of lines and areas given in such round numbers as 250, 300, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,059, and 1,080 feet, and 15, 30, and 50 acres; and not to find in any instance (except one which will be noticed further on) any statement as to where the survey commenced, how it was con- ducted, or what were the courses and distances run in making it. As is shown hereafter some of the figures among these monuments approach very closely to geometrical regularity, in fact present some- what difficult puzzles to those who claim that they were built by In- dians; yet these are few, and pertain to a limited locality and to what may be classified as one type of works. However, the exact regularity in form and ‘coincidence in size,” claimed by Messrs. Squier and Davis, applies only to some two or three circles and two or three squares, while some of those of which they make special mention and which they rely upon as furnishing evidence of the truth of their as- Sertions in this respect, and claim to have carefully surveyed in person, not only fail to make good their claim, but prove exactly the opposite. Turning to pl. Xx, representing the ancient works in Liberty Town- ship, Ross County, we find, in a ‘supplementary plan A,” a diagram showing the method of surveying circles, of which an explanation is given in a foot-note on page 57. In this note the authors say : To put at once all skepticism at rest which might otherwise arise as to the regu- larity of these works, it should be stated that they were all carefully surveyed by the authors in person. Of course no difficulty existed in determining the perfect regularity of the squares. The method of procedure, in respect to the circles, was as follows: Flags were raised at regular and convenient intervals, upon the embank- ments, representing stations. The compass was then placed alternately at these stations, and the bearing of the flag next beyond ascertained. If the angles thus determined proved to be coincident, the regularity of the work was placed beyond doubt. The supplementary plan A indicates the method of sur- MEASUREMENTS OF SQUIER AND DAVIS. 9 vey, the “Field Book” of which, the circle being 3,600 feet in circumference, and the stations 300 feet apart, is as follows: | | Station. | Bearing. Distance. Station. Bearing. Distance. gg 2 Feet. ° Feet il -peeectGaccsococoncs: Soe [poNienom near 300 Waewea aaa oe rasteeeee So aeWas see 300 eee = aa che mommentace < fe feayl 0} ee 300 aS EeeHNaHaHee ae peace Shan We oes 300 SRT a/s cisje, falniorelereintetetete >= HON elowhes cee 300 Oe ena ecessnececmess| S.15 W 300 Bc. eee coeds s | N. 15 W SOONER TON ease sane eee Spline eee | 300 Ty Bsdse eocose coddacoudes | N.45 W | SOO FWA ELS aia. cctitsceees doe cac S. 45: Heese. 31.0 RS ees moments neice, | N. 75 W SIs ha Pee eecmatrereSemeeosaas SEY) Baseone | 300 That the whole thing may be laid before the reader, we insert here an exact copy of their “supplementary plan A.” (See Fig. 1). As the authors are describing the Liberty Township works the reader will naturally infer that this note and supplementary plan have some reference to them. This, however, is a mistake, as the circumference SUPPLEMENTARY PLAN. Fic. 1. Copy of ‘‘ Supplementary Plan,” pl. xx, Ancient Monuments. of the smaller circle is 1,000 feet less than that of the supplementary plan,” and that of the larger one, 1,800 feet more. Nor does it refer to any ancient work figured or mentioned in their memoir. It is therefore disappointing, after the positive assurance in this foot- note of accuracy in the “ surveys,” and reference to a ‘ Field Book,” to find that the authors give as an illustration of their methods a purely imaginary circle, representing no survey by them, as there is no circular inclosure of the dimensions given, either figured or mentioned in theirentire memoir. A single glance at the “ Field Book” is, of itself, sufficient to convince any one who has surveyed any of these ancient works, or who has examined them carefully, that this is simply a lypo- thetical illustration. In the first place a chord which will divide the 10 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. cireumference into equal parts can be found only by first ascertaining the circumference ; in the second place it is not possible, even with the utmost care and best instruments, that the angles should be precisely the same and the steps exactly equal throughout, where the top of the circular wall is from 4 to 6 feet wide. ' It was probably the intention of the authors that this should be taken as a hypothetical illustration. But why give an imaginary “ Field Book” and example when they could have referred to any one of their own surveys? Why do they fail to give a single illustration from their actual work if they placed the full confidence in it which their words imply? Not only is this disappointing to the student of archeology, but the illustration of their methods is not calculated to inspire confi- dence in the accuracy of their surveys. Itis evident from the language of the note and the supplementary plan that the ‘306 feet” refers to the chords and not to the ares. As it is not presumable they had a chain or measuring line 300 feet long, the chord would have to be measured by steps, a task which, as any surveyor or mathematician knows, is far more difficult to accomplish than any work our authors were likely to un- dertake. It is therefore apparent that they have given an illustration which is impracticable and which is not drawn from their own work. Moreover, the doubts which these facts raise in our minds are not al- layed by a resurvey of the Liberty Township works, in connection with which the note and supplementary plan referred to are given. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP WORKS. Tor example, the smaller of the two prominent circles of the Liberty Township group, shown on pl). Xx, to which reference has just been made and which they represent as a true circle, with a diameter of 800 feet (certainly a round number where great accuracy is claimed), is in fact an irregular ellipse of the form shown in Fig. 2. The longer di- ameter, measuring to the middle of the wall, as ascertained by the sur- vey, is 866 feet, and the shorter 748 feet, the difference between the two being 118 feet. This survey was made precisely inthe manner sug- gested by Messrs. Squier and Davis, save that the chords were 100 feet each, except a gap of 313 feet where the wall is too nearly obliter- ated to be traced satisfactorily: this gap is indicated on the plat (Fig. ~) by dotted lines. The field-notes of this resurvey are given here, that the ¢ritical reader may have before him all the facts, so far as it is possible to put them ip print, upon which our conclusions are based. Beginning at station 1 (see Fig. 2) at the end of the wall on the south side of the gateway leading into the large circle, the courses were run from station to station westward, northward,,and around to the place of beginning.! Oo 1g. 1Tho - - i : : - ) x a . eat ah Phe measurements are always to be understood as to and along the middle of the walls unless otherwise noted. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY THOMAS SULLETIN PL. I Ce epee ww Ee c Tim lll 4G COUNTY, SE ae 9 ~2- Zz DH/D. ee Sour Lh LA Daves W0837-4 MOSSENG.CO.N-Y. ave ! it 7 - COO Crear VA re MU Ata OGY 2 apeo ty Li “nt we 33 Sand o¢ iytyer, 3 as ne i Eis ~ Area 50 Sections. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY NEWARK WORKS ist SNe. 7 aa90\ * 95%, stP 8 o oO xg 5 5) Q Ni “( _, 5 US ‘\ | Ay oN * % ss) 4 I ¢ o SCALE. to the Inch. 1300 ft. Moss ENG CON-Y. COPY OF PLATE XXV, ANCIENT MONUMENTS. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP WORKS. lst The gap spoken of is in that part of the circleimmediately on the south side of the gateway. The stakes marking the stations were set along the top of the wall, as near the middle of it as possible, and 100 feet Ny ILS me i it Mt LT ly, Lys “dy "i Wii My Mya Ml) ; TT MAA | I Laan Ay Ty ve ue a HII} {i TAS Wnt MANY \ Wht Fic. 2. Small Circle, Liberty Township works, according to re-survey. apart; the instruments used were a transit and a hundred-foot steel chain. Small circle, Liberty Township works, Ohio. | Station | _ Course. Distance. Station. - Course. Distance. From— Oars Feet. From— | Oa Feet THOM omits eres asset 8.60 00 W. 100 [Seton {eee mee N.53 52E.. 100 PAT) 8) meee See Gi Sleeps Wi: TOO eeltetonlaneee toe. a | N.67 05 B.. 100 Boe cE pees een S. 84 44 W. ; LOOn a5: towel ONeeme scenes: | N. 84 23 B ..| 100 ZA sf) G) SER ON GR aparece N. 74 45 W .-| LOOM Pe lORtO elise naeeeee ses) S. 81 08 E ..| 100 BELO wr Glen nets aaa ae N.70 00 W .| OOM memel'n Lop Game ene oe ee SHAySh ia cha 100 GRLORNT) scot se teees | N.59 16 W .| LOOM EL AUBHtO RO oat oee sce Soom 02. Hee! 100 Reto St oo ee | N. 42 00 W || 100:|l 19 tor20tecL.42. Sore |S. 6505 E ..! 100 Salty sheen eae | N. 24 23 W .| 100 OA) Pile ga a osnabene S. 39 45 EB ..) 100 NetOp Oot. ites ne ok | No12 48 W . {OUP Me ole tono ose nee mee epee S. 20 45 E ..| 100 TOMtOmMleay BAPE Foun |N. 5473E ..| 100 QO Tonle etee dees we Shot, nome? 100 TMH ORI OPS ets cae ee N. 20 30 E..| 100 Pa es Se aap op ers S. 058 W. 30 1Dtowlaper esses See Ne ad gO ee eee TORI ee OL tom lies wee eee S. 32 20 W .- 313 ‘In order to avoid repetition it may be stated here that these instruments were used in all the surveys made by the Bureau assistant, Mr. James D. Middleton, which are mentioned in this paper. 12 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO, As before mentioned, Squier and Davis nowhere state whether their measurements are from the middle, the inside, or the outside of the walls. As the walls are usually from 30 to 40 feet wide, the point of measurement becomes an important item where accuracy is required. From the fact that some of the “sections” in Col. Whittlesey’s sur- veys go to the middle of the walls we have taken for granted, in mak- ing comparisons with the surveys of Messrs. Squier and Davis, that this was the rule they adopted. While pl. Xx is before us we may as well notify the reader that the directions are all wrong, the top being east and the left side north; in other words, the large circle is, in fact, directly south of the square and not east as given in the plate, the whole plat having been turned one-quarter round from the true position. The directions marked along the lines of the square should be changed, thus: N. 45° E., to 8. 45° K., and N. 45° W.to N. 45° EK. So far as could be ascertained from the fragments of the square remaining unobliterated, the walls, although not exactly 45° east and west, vary from these courses only from half a degree to three degrees. The large circle is now so nearly obliterated that no further survey can be made, yet judging from the figure and dimensions given in the plat, the authors have also made an error here. The diameter, accord- ing to the authors, is 1,720 feet and the area 40 acres, whereas a circle with this diameter will embrace an area of 55 acres. Itis apparent from the figure that the area inclosed by this part of the works is not less than that of the large circle if complete. Nevertheless the authors remark, in speaking of these works and com- paring them with others of the Scioto Valley: These figures are not only accurate squares and perfect circles, but are, in most cases, of corresponding dimensions, that is to say, the sides of the squares are each 1,020 in length, and the diameter of the large and small circles a fraction over 1,700 and 8u0, respectively. Such were the results of surveys made at different times, the measurements of which correspond within a few feet. THE NEWARK WORKS. Attention is next called to the celebrated works near Newark, a plan of which is given by our authors on their pl. xxv, from a careful sur- vey made by Col. Whittlesey. As Col. Whittlesey was noted for his accuracy as a surveyor, the plat, as far as it remains unchanged since leaving his hands, is presumed to be correct, but there are indi- cations that some modifications have been made in it or that in this case Col. Whittlesey has failed to sustain his reputation for accuracy. At any rate there are some marked differences between the text and the plat. In order that the reader who has not a copy of the Ancient Monu- ments at hand may clearly understand the points made, a fac-simile of Col. Whittlesey’s plat is introduced here. (See Pl. I.) THE NEWARK WORKS. 13. Speaking of the structure “ HE,” the authors say This work is not, as has generally been represented, a true circle ; its form is that of an ellipse, its diameters being 1,250 and 1,150 feet respectively. There are two or three slight irregularities in the outline; too trifling, however, to be indicated in the plan. The area of the inclosure is something over 30 acres. The area as indicated on the diagram is “30 acres,” hence the fair inference to be drawn from the ‘something over” in the descrip- tion is that the area is afraction over 30acres. A short calculation will suffice to show that an ellipse having the diameters given above will inclose only 26 acres, precisely the area given to this inclosure by At- water,! and little more than that obtained by the resurvey. We also notice, notwithstanding the authors’ statement in the text above quoted, thatCol. Whittlesey gives, on the plat (see sections ‘+ C, D”) the shorter diameter as 1,200 feet, measuring to the middle of the wall on each side. A careful resurvey made by the agent of the Bureau makes the longest diameter 1,189 feet and the shortest 1,163 feet, showing a differ- ence between the extremes of 26 feet. The figure is somewhat ellip- tical, though not so much so as represented in Ancient Monuments. The curve is not exactly regular. (See Pl. IL.) The field-notes of this survey are given hereafter. Squier and Davis state in the text that the cireular inclosure “TF” which connects with the octagon “is a true circle 2,880 feet, or up- wards of half a mile, in circumference.” The area indicated on the plat (no menticn 1s made of this in the text) is 20 acres, and the diameter given on the plat (section ‘a-b”) is ‘1,050 feet.” Now, it is evident that a panornerenee of 2,880 feet, the figure being a true circle, will have a diameter of but 917 feet, showing a difference between the text and the plate of 153 feet. The area of a circle of this size is but a slight fraction over 15 acres. According to the survey made by the Bureau agents, the field-notes and plat of which are given further on, the diameter from the observa- tory to the entrance to the octagon is 1,056 feet, and the one crossing this at right angles 1,050 feet, giving an area of 20 acres. Atwater,! as nearly as can be ascertained from his survey, made the diameter of this circle 1,100 feet, which gives an area of 22 acres. The area of the octagon, as indicated on the plate, is ‘50 acres ;” in the text it is stated thatit is “‘something over 50 acres.” Atwater, whose estimates of acres are generally more correct than those of Messrs. Squier and Davis, says? it contains “about 40 acres.” According to our resurvey, the notes of which are given hereafter, this area, includ- ing the inner halves of the walls, is but a small fraction over 41 acres. In their description of the Marietta works (pl. XXv1), after alluding to the earlier notices thereof, they say: Since that period various descriptions have appeared in print, and a number of plans differing materially ia their details have been publishe d. It is of so much importance, 1 Archeol. “Americana, vol.1 (1320), p. 127 > [bid.,p. 126. 14 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. however, and has been the basis of so much speculation, that it is time an aceurate map and a careful description should be placed before the public. Such a map and such a description it is here aimed to present. The map they give, according to a note, is drawn from a survey made by Col. Whittlesey, in 1837. Yet, according to their text, the area of the larger square is 40 acres and that of the smaller 20, while on the inap that of the former is placed at 50 and that of the latter at 27 acres. Near the close of their description of these interesting works! is this Statement: The absolute identity in size between the smaller inclosure (which varies a little from a true square) and several of those which occur in the Scioto Valley, should not be overlooked in any attempt to educe the character and design of the group. That there is some significance in the fact is obvious. (See pls. xvi and xvu.) As the authors fail to give us measurements of this smaller inclosure by which we may judge of “this absolute identity in size,” we have only the area as a means of comparison. There is an octagon but no square on pl. XVI, which represents the ** High Bank works;” the authors’ ref- erence to this is, therefore, erroneous. The sides of the square on pl. XV, which represents the Hopeton works, are marked 900 feet each. It we assume the area of the smaller Marietta square to be ‘‘ 27 acres,” as indicated on the plat, the sides will be abort 1,084 feet, agreeing very nearly with those in Paint Creek Valley, but differing widely from the Hopeton square, pl. xvi. If we assume the area to be ‘20 acres,” as given in the text, the sides wiil measure about 933 feet, but little more than the Hopeton square. In their description of the ancient works of Montgomery County,’ figured as No. 1, pl. Xx1x, speaking of the large inclosure, they say: The diameter of this circle is 100 feet greater than that of the corresponding large circle of the Scioto works [pl]. Xx], and the same proportionate increase in size is to be observed in the square and lower circle. By reference to the plates it will be seen that the diameter of the large circle of the Montgomery County works is 1,950 feet and that of the Scioto (Liberty Township) works is 1,720 feet, a difference of 230 feet instead of 100 as stated by the authors. The area of the octagon at the High Bank works, pl. Xv1, as indi- cated on the plat, is “18 acres,” while the average diameter as given in the text is 950 feet (which agrees, as will be shown hereafter, almost exactly with the result of the Bureau surveys). This gives an area lacking but afew rods of 21 acres. On the other hand, they give to the Hopeton square, 900 by 950 feet, an area of 20 acres, which is as nearly correct as can be stated without the introduction of fractions. SEAL TOWNSHIP WORKS. The attention of the reader is called next to the “Seal (now Scioto) Township works” shown on pl. xxiv. The errors made by Squier ‘Ancient Monuments, page 73. 2 Tbid., page 83. SEAL TOWNSHIP WORKS. 15 and Davis in this case are those of measurements. The lengths of the sides of the square, as shown by the notes of the Bureau survey, are 854 feet east and west, and 852 north and south, being an average of 53 feet greater than Messrs. Squier and Davis’s measurements. The work is, however, very nearly an exact square. According, to these authors the parallels running north to the circle are 100 feet apart and 475 feet long. According to the resurvey they are 68 feet apart, measuring to the middle line of each wall, and the average length 634 feet (the eastern 647, and western 621). The dis- tance from the square to the break of the ravine is 427 feet for the eastern side, and 400 for the western, the width of the ravine 110 feet. Some of the errors and inconsistencies we have pointed out may be considered of minor importance, yet when we take into consideration the large number of them, in the face of the repeated assertions of the authors that their surveys were accurately and carefully made, we are compelled to recognize that there has been an inexcusable degree of carelessness, which is calculated to depreciate their work, and to a great extent destroys confidence in their measurements and figures. Notwithstanding these criticisms, which, as will be seen, reijate almost wholly to measurements and to want of care in editing their memoir, the work is of great value; for, as heretofore stated, the fig. ures of those works they personally examined are generally correct. In some cases, it is true, inclosures are represented as true circles which are not such; but this is a very common error in archeological treatises. RESURVEY OF THE OHIO INCLOSURES. Having pointed out some of the errors of the ‘Ancient Monuments,” in reference to the measurements and dimensions of the circles, squares, and octagons, we will now present the result of the resurvey of the works by Mr. Middleton, as agent of the Bureau. ““OBSERVATORY CIRCLE,” NEWARK. This circle, which is marked “IF” on pl. xxv of the Ancient Mon- uments, is situated at the extreme west of the great group, and is yet very distinct, being about 3 feet high at the lowest point, the aver- age height being between 4 and 5 feet. Most of the south half is yet in the original forest and has never been injured by the plow ; but the north half has been under cultivation for a number of years and is considerably worn. The effect of this wearing is apparent not only in the decrease in height, but in the increase in width of this por- tion, as shown by the field-notes given below. The chords in this survey were 100 feet each; the stations were on top of the wall as near the middle line as could be ascertained by measurement and judgment, and the stakes all set before the bearings 16 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO, were taken. The field-notes are as follows, beginning at station 0 in the middle of the gateway leading to the octagon: Survey of Observatory Circle. Station. | Bearing. | Distance. | ayiauh of | Remarks. | | | - aC TER Sit Lee a | SS Ts eee Cpa oS aa 3 oe aa aay Bais, 3 | ‘ \ Feet. Feet | OGtO Gales aS: a8 20 es 42 0 | Station 1 at junction of circle and south parallel. IeGOe Zest S120. 20eKer 2 100 | 36 | Ditoye3e5| Sealy Svs. 100 | oul Bit omaealeSs 16n00MBE 22 100 | 38 | APEO W5sel Se oy OUWes 100 | 38 | HCOmnGzals ep) OOAWE = 100 37 | Gato wisi. 27455 100 36 | Center of wall 2 feet east; that is, outward. TtO See Se8D, IIT AW.. | 100 34 | 8to 9...) 8.48 40 W.. 100 Sees 9 to 1U..| S. 58 16 W..| 100 3744] LO MOM ss) S693 NV 100 | 37 11 to 12..} S. 82 00 W-..| 100 Sea LAOS ft ON OO LaeNv! | 100 41 NS tO steel New O 20pNVe =| 100 SUA Ml 14 to 15..| N.66 15 W..! 100 88(?), Width estimatcd, not measured. 15\.torl6.22) NbosoG Wes 100 | 39 | 16 to 17..| N.45 JO W.. TKO eee 9 hee eg | (‘“Observatory.’’) 17 to 18 No SROB RW Esc 100 | 39° | 18 to 19 N, 20. 29 W.. 100 | 42 | 19 to 20 INES 22 Wes 100 | 43 | 20 to 21 Nie Les4aWies 100 40 21 to 22 N. 9 06E.. 100 39 22 to 23 IN, 20 54, E:.- 100 38 23 to 24 Neo eis 100 39 24 to 25 IN 427 325H 2 100 40 25 to 26 Iisa? Gio Dee 100 42 26 to 27 INE 62) 43) Hy <2 100 40 27 to 28 IN Ty O7eE 8 100 44 28 to 29 N. &6 23E.. 100 40 29 to 80 S827 ker. 100 44 | 30 to 3l S. 72 04E.. 100 42 31 to 32 S. 60 45 EF .. 100 45 32 to 33..|S. 51 06E.. 100 45 | 33 to 34..| S. 46 29E.. QO illsetee seater | Junction with north parallel wall. 34 to 0.. S. 33 20E.. BD) |e iate olelsainin | Middle of gateway. 34 to 36..) N. 52 04 E --| DDE ee weiten cee | North parallel. Loto 37.2) N. 51 53 .B 293 |..--22 2-22 es | South parallel. | Check Lines. | | 0 to 11..| S. 18 28 W. B83¢| coe eee | Oto i S2 51 27a). LOST RSet eeeeee | Ontos CaiS 752,00 Wheel Pas teres =o ars ste “4 indicates the half-way point in the cireumfer- | | | ence. 0 to 25..| N.85 10 W..|} RAY | reg Seog | 1 tod SS 7 59's.) AUN es mae as ee LT *tor25. =| ONG 423. he MeO Nos cttecreceme| 25 to 11..| S.28 03: E...} LODE yee Saris eee es In order to bring before the eye of the reader the approximate regu- larity of this circular work a figure, laid off to a scale, is introduced here (PI. If1). The solid black line of short chords marks the line of the survey along the top of the wall and the circular dotted line, the nearest approximate circle. Great care was taken in making the sur- vey, and the plat and calculation were found to confirm the accuracy claimed. : Measuring the various diameters the maximum is found to be 1,059 feet and the minimum 1,050, the mean of which is 1,054.5 feet, but it is found by trial that the nearest approx'mate circle has a diameter of THE OCTAGON, NEWARK, OHIO. 1G 1,054 feet. The widest divergence between the line of the survey and the circumference of the true circle is 4 feet. The aggregate length of the chords surveyed is 3,304 feet, while the circumference of the approximate circle is 3,311 feet; adding to the sum of the chords the additional length of the ares they subtend (0.1508 of a foot to each 100-foot chord), and we have a total of 3,309 feet. It is therefore evident that the inclosure approaches in form very nearly an absolute circle. The inference to be drawn from the fact that this and a few other in- closures noticed in this paper are so nearly true geometrical figures will be briefly discussed hereafter. ““ OCTAGON,” NEWARK, OHIO. This inclosure, which is connected with the ‘‘Observatory Circle,” is shown in PI. IV. The southern portions, a to b, and b to ¢, remain almost uninjered, being still more or less covered by the original forest growth. The other lines of wall have been considerably worn by the plow, though they are still quite distinct, the height not being less at any point than 24 feet as shown by the figures of the field-notes. Ney- ertheless the wearing makes it difficult, often impossible, to determine with absolute certainty the middle line, though there is never any good reason why the survey should vary from the middle line of this or any other of these Ohio inclosures, distinctly traceable, more than 3 feet at most. The field-notes of the survey are as follows: Commencing at station No. 36 (so numbered in the survey of the Observatory Circle) at the point where the northern parallel joins the Octagon; thence to station 37, the point where the southern parallel joins the Octagon, thence to ) and round to the place of beginning. Survey of the Octagon. Width of Height of +3 , aD Yic > Station. Gearing. Distance. aah as Fl Feet Feet Feet BORLON ie Sa anieis aas\oc cinic.wicie nace othe Sie SGnSOeM aecses cos coe aac 82 BOLO amcteaietenic(ses acajsimacie sa cee Un 49) 40 Mecmcieenccsievsscecac 580 40 to 43 DEM s LOtAa GF UG) Seen Bbce DE CAE TE ae ae aaa ING O45 Shy me ete onc ceeeoene 624.5 37 to 48 4.3 to4.2 c tod Rielars Bo St Dal De SAM ae eae a are | 625 47 to 39 5.9 to 5.8 (LATS), Cee SOBRE Coe ae een NG ZOmeCoE WL cee ae se beeen | 622 41 to 50 3.4 to 3.5 Cam COM ree ee ce ese eats jess wicaind IN de SBN Wes oe cteiaeinonicceies =| 621 40 to 37 2.5 to 2.6 jf iKD () opacs0 echo sonbooUSUCeeOeOnbee SGOELOPWicwececmee cee etooe. 613 47 to 43 8 to4 JaetOM Drm oc/Scin soe ee aS cece cie sees SPO OM DAN cisacm oe web eome reas 621.5 45 to 47 4.3to4 MP LOO Teer Reco eee Gok ee oneceee SS PUORAUPEY Acute este cinees tess 581.5 43 to 41 3,8 to 3.7 The two numbers to each course in the width and height columns are two measurements of each wall near the ends in the direction of the survey. The stations indicated by letters are at the intersections of the lines of the walls: Station a is at the intersection of the lines h-36 and 37-b. LS6(——9 18 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. The diameters as ascertained from the plat (in all cases to the inter- sections) are as follows: rOMply tONOmeee ans eae coe fle see tan | POrOMuUsONdeee cnet c=... 1,219 feet. LOUUG iLO aoe eee dicloateet.. NHS LOM)fabOM eects =< == 1,202 feet. TOMO MLO Me meee tei aoa L70Smteet= i Eromengtoniescess ec ce -- = 1,720 feet. ROME Ci lOve nace mare eee (aSomteeta | HTOM galore see ee ee sce 1,487 feet. The widths of the gateways are as follows, the measurements being from base to base: That at a 46 feet; at b 23 feet; atc 47 feet; at d 26 feet; at e37 feet; at f 12 feet; at h 60 feet. The angles at the crossings of the diagonals and diameters at the center oare so nearly rigat angles as to be worthy of notice in this con- nection. Tor instance, the angles at crossing of the diagonals bf and dh differ but 10’ from true right angles ; while those at the crossing of the diameters ae and eg ditter but 2’. The inner angles at the intersection of the lines of the walls, that is to say the angles of the octagon, are as follows: Ninamecinesa tec) cea 155°:59: A cAttb te cee ee en 113° 59! iro tee ce eto ase ola! fad 1550.30) <\tit ieee ae eee ee 114° 42/ Pian OR sca. Ue tess 1530560 4] SA eee es eee 117° 12! ZA 1 epee aaa ape ee 1580835". MGW eee oe ee ere 115° 05/ The very slight differences in the courses of the opposite sides, which in a true figure should be parallel, should not be overlooked. That between ab and ef is 1° 51’; between be and fg is 1° 22’; be- tween cd and gh is 35’; between de and h 36 is 12’. THE SQUARE AT NEWARK. This is the smaller square inclosure on the east side of the Newark works, and in pl. xxv, Ancient Monuments, is directly east of the pond. It connects with the fair-ground circle (KH on the plate) by a broken line of parallels. According to Col. Whittlesey’s plat it varies considerably from a true square, being distinetly narrowed on one side, but, as will be seen from the notes of the resurvey, it must have been very nearly square. 9 436,)) 4b) tod SAN. 20145 Wi sees L 186i |B ences 19 to 20..| N.24 44 W_..-... 100 430 cs wie oe | tO LOV Oe eee inen ee aaeememete EET RAS lodoene = 20'toj21-2) N12) 20 Wess. : 100 AD. |) 32) re: CONG Seem aeeae ae eee Sola lesser |eosetee Dido 22e4| NCS. 20W esse ae 100 39a cee Otis: | ene S54 | ae oe aap QOWoeta NG foo Ei) soee eas | 100 cs ese 37sbolooe. | NEGO Hae. aa. | 84] 53] #32 23 to 24..| N.21 25 E ....... eaVO0 sy e801 | ecererrcts || 2:t0 50..|N.66/27 22222. ; 9 | 48 | 733 * N. wing. tS. wing. From the plat made according to these figures we ascertain that the longest diameter, namely, that running northeast and southwest, is 1,189 feet; and the shortest—southeast and northwest—is 1,163 feet; a difference of 26 feet. Although nota true circle, the difference between the longest and shortest diameters falls much short of 100 feet, as stated by Messrs. Squier and Davis. CIRCLE OF THE HIGH BANK WORKS. (ANC. MONUMENTS, PL. XVI.) These works occupy a broad, unbroken level of the drift terrace, which has been cultivated almost annually since 1845. The walls of the cir- cie and octagon are still quite prominent, and are respectively 2 and 5 feet high. (See Pl: VI.) This circle is very similar in size and other respects to the ‘ Observa- tory Circle” at Newark, and, like that, is connected with an octagon, though the relative sizes of the two inclosures differ in this respect, the octagon of the Newark works is larger than the circle, while that of the High Bank works is smaller than the circle. We see in this group the tendency to combine circles, octagon, and parallels as at Newark, making it probable that the works at both points are due to one people. According to Messrs. Squier and Davis this circle is a ‘‘ perfect” one, the diameter being 1,050 feet, which, as will be seen by what follows, agrees very closely with the result of the resurvey. CIRCLE AT HIGH BANK. aT. Theanotes of the resurvey, as copied from Mr. Middleton’s field-book, are as follows, commencing in the center of the gate-way leading to the octagon : Survey of Circle of the High Bank works. Dis- | Width | Dike Width . 1 . ° ations Jearings. rf Stations. earings Stations. Bearings tances.| _° tations Bearings. fativestiesat wall wall. | | | | | | | | | | | | | ect. | Feet OF iF Feet Feet. 1lto 2..|8 75 30 || 24to25..| N.63 88E . 75 36 2to 3..|S 75 SOs WincosboleGee Ne TOROUME pemeraee sence 75 34 3to 4..| 8 75 32) le 2OtOrtas| vNato 0 0lBieteistcie ce eee eel 75 35 ttoasles 75 AMG VOT EOas A Se BB O0L Rese ok eee 75 32 DitO™ Gaal IN) 73 A0 MN E2S CO Qeal se, Con OO RE eece eee 75 30 6to 7..| N. 75 BEI l| OIE Sel] et OM UNO! ob oan eee gokee 75 30) ibOMOralIN.TOn 7D | Bee oAOpllool tues SIO) Saeemaeecoosos 75 32 8to 9..| N 3 75 Ota |FolslbO me sntis.e OL 52 0H aa co eee 75 28 9to10..| N.57 28 W fia) SAS tooo ces. 42 Sb) momen eeenes| 75 32 J0to1l..| N.45 00 W 75 SY MBB Hei bal) ise (IO) Seer onacanokor eT 30 11t012..| N.41 00 W fh BIG eos tOlsore | os oo. O0LBips ossceinecot nce lpr 34 12to013..) N.34 14 W nie 4A Woot Oaaiss LOU00ME paces eset scene 75 32 13 to14..| N.26 10 W 7) | S47 SG tOrmidicc|ie.e OL 4 Ow Pe oe crete eeiaare essere hea 28 14to15..| N.15 00 W 75 Aa OietOc Sel ios | aud Ou bun. secie ceteris cise | 75 26 15to16_..| N. 7 30 W 7 40 BOOM O mela ac O Omi eset ereterereteretee ll 10 32 16to17..| N. 3 36 W 73 AEF) OOCOl Oars Nisa Ose UVa neisinee one Uo) 30 17to18..| N. 8 00 E fhe SON 40 COra eS. (OTE Wi jaaecmiceieeeee 75 26 18tol19 .| N.16 35 E GoM ANSE TETOT4 2eate 28 OP 00 Wim ieneese 75 28 19 to 20..| N.22 00E 75 ot || 42 bOaose leis: BONCO) Wieeaeeeene is 30 20 to21..| N.34 00 E ay || S20 | PABitO4 taal. do: oONWisrarsesre cs cle sates 75 30 21 to 22..| N.40 00 E 75 SZ e44 LOMO salar ate conWie soeeeioe marcas (Des lbneees = 22 to 23...) N.47 15 E As) O8n Hl e4 Dito SRE Ss 548) 49 0Wis 2 ceremonies PAM Soe 23 to 24..| N.58 30 E Ti) 34 Supplementary. Oy 7 Feet. | ‘eet. atob N.81 20 W (AA OL ONC Ae ems ot a ciate cae wiecie cone eee See cee 746 atoc N.36 28 W PANO AGH IE CHULONMe clatiaccacs ccmce meee seach ener cae 743 RUOVC ANE SRO OL peen mets cone seeds cnceciesicce le WOR TONGA eters crac eh oat Soe eae me eee J, 042 atoe S. 36 00 E. Direction of entrance to Octagon. Plotting the figure carefully from these notes, and then drawing the nearest possible coincident circle, we obtain results similar to those ob- _ tained by the survey of the Observatory circle at Newark. This is shown in PI. VI. In this figure the solid biack line of short chords running along the middle of the wall marks the actual line of survey, while the dotted line is the nearest approximate circle, the center of which is at the in- tersection of the two designated diameters.!. These diameters are act- tually surveyed lines, and relate to the line of chords. The middle of that running from d to d is at the intersection; but the middle of that run- ning from a to ¢ is about 2 feet from the intersection toward ce. The somewhat unexpected results to which allusion has been made: in reference to this and the Observatory circle are, first, that the figure is so nearly a true circle; and, second, that the radius is almost an ex- act multiple of the surveyors chain. Itis true that Messrs. Squier and Davis assert that this and some other inclosures are perfect circles, but their many errors in regard to dimensions, and our belief in the 22 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. salis. We were therefore surprised to find after a very careful survey the close approximation to a true circle in these cases. As it is impossible to show this satisfactorily in a figure on the scale given here, the attention of the reader is called to the following facts, which he can verify independently by making for himself a plat on a larger scale from the notes given above relating to the High Bank circle. (1) The chords forming the sides of the inclcsed quadrilateral sub- tend equal ares of the surveyed line; that is to say, the distance along the wall from @ to d is equal to that from b to ¢, also to that from ¢ to d and from d to a; the distance in each case being 830.4 feet, or one-fourth of the circumference according to the survey. As these chords are respect- ively 744, 746, 743, and 741 feet in length, showing an extreme varia- tion of less than 3 feet from a medium and of but 3 feet from a true quadrant, we have an evidence of the close approximation to a true circle. (2) The extreme difference between the various diameters (except at the eccentric point at the southeast, between the gate-ways) does not exceed 3 feet, or a variation from the medium of 4 feet, and from that of the true circle of more than 5 feet. (3) A circle with a radius of 526 feet and center at the intersection of the two given diameters varies at no point from the surveyed line (except at the eccentric point in the southeast) more than 6 feet; or, in other words, both would fal] on a wall only 6 feet wide. It is evident, therefore, that we have here a very close approximation to a true circle. OCTAGON OF THE HIGIL BANK WORKS. (See Plate VII.) The Octagon at this point differs from that at Newark chiefly in size and a closer approximation to a square. The variation from the usual form resulting from throwing the gate-way along the wall between the angles is readily accounted for by the fact that there is here a some- what abrupt depression, which is avoided by the curve given the wall. The field-notes of the resurvey are as follows—commencing at station 1, in the middle of the gate-way leading to the circle: Survey of the Octagon of the High Bank works. | | | | Station." Bearing. Station. Bearing. e) 8to 9.) N.53 37 2to3....| §.43 50H || 9to10.| N.42 57 3 to 4...2/'S. 30.178 2 |) 10to1l.| N.31 27 AOI CUR Sods elogW oe seen eacee eames | 449 || 11 to 1.| N.43 27 HOG, Soa|PS, CORSA. wae tema cies see esas 340 || 5tol12.| S. 60 43 B tosreseel S70) STW ae cc ee ce | 57 65 || 12 to 10.| N. 42 HL OsB EA AN: SO LAO RVs ee See Soe | 60 || | | HOPETON WORKS. Ze The lengths of the sides, diameters, and diagonals ascertained from a earefully drawn plat of large scale are as follows: Feet. | Feet. Biromplle tou: Qieeraeancce sce cee 908 | Krom ytomomee p= eee eee 1,008 POY owl Oe Agere ee = sre oic's: clara ote Seon LeromysytOrl\ Oy a2 ees ote ete 1, 005 Pronied to eer os ss oo. QHOs|*Erome4: totes. Meee es eee 1, 250 IdRoyon IID ioy TUL aaa eoneonponeee S0e8r) Eromi2 tor? ae eee eee ae The inner angles are as follows: That at station 1 contains ......- 163 2 | That at station 5 contains ...-... 163 32 That at station 2 contains ....... 103 53 | That at station 12 contains .--.--- 103 40 That at station 3 contains .....-- 166 27 | That at station 10 contains ....-.. 168 3 That at station 4 contains .....-. 105 28. That at station 11 contains 105 06 | That at station 11 contains ...--. It is apparent from these figures and from the plat (PJ. VIL.) that this inclosure is comparatively regular, the opposite angles with one excep- tion differing less than half a degree and the exceptional one differing from its opposite but 2°. Nevertheless the regularity is not such as would be expected from the use of instruments. The diameter as given by Messrs. Squier and Davis is 950 feet, and the area according to their calculation is 18 acres. According to the resurvey the diameter in one direction (measuring to the intersections of the middle lines of the walls) is 1,008 feet and in the other 1,005.” That Messrs. Squier and Davis are to be understood as counting to the middle of the walls is to be inferred from the fact that the diameter of the circle was evidently measured in this way. Assuming they were correct in reference to the circle it follows, of necessity, that their meas- urements of the octagon are erroneous, the diameter given being 50 feet too short, and the area 2.6 acres too small, 20.6 acres being the true area. HOPETON WORKS. (ANC. MON., PL. XVII.) The only parts of this group we notice here are the large circle and the connected square. These works are situated on the general level of the Scioto Valley, designated by Squier and Davis “the second terrace,” which here stands about 30 feet above the river level. The walls of the circle and square are yet very distinct, and with the exception of a single break in the circle can be readily traced. In fact, the lowest point of the square is yet 5 feet high. The circle is more worn, the western half averaging about 2 feet high, while the eastern half is lower, fading out for a short distance near the northeast corner of the square. They are situ- ated close to the foot of the bluff which forms the slope to the upper level, here between 30 and 40 feet above that on which the work stands. As will be seen by reference to the plate in Ancient Monuments, instead of a passage-way between the circle and square, the two are here in direct contact, part of the circular wall forming a large portion of the north line of the square. 24 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. Mr. Middleton’s field-notes of the survey of these are as follows: First, the square.—The square, in this case, was station 1 at the south- west corner at the intersection of the two adjoining lines of wall. Survey of the square of the Hopeton works. | Station. Bearing. | Distance. | Remarks. | | — ——— OF | Feet. ASCO, 22-1) ING | 244 To center first gateway. Zito. 5....| IN. 336.5 | To the end of wall at second gateway. Si OnAe os | aN. 55.5 | Across the second gateway. AO llaNe 324 To intersection at northwest corner of the square. Diton G22! IN. 283 To the wall of circle. Gto-7--:) N. 508 To the intersection at northeast corner of square. bey is aal| ash 1 To first gateway. S'to\-9.--)45:; 207 To second gateway. OS toWd0ees| 'S:,: 355 To gateway of small circle. 10 toll Ss. 331 To intersection at southeast corner. 1itol2 Ss. 201 To first gateway. 12 to 13 S. 340 | To second gateway. 13to 1 S. 285 To place of beginning. |. Second, the circle.—The commencement on the south side at station 6 where the circle connects with the wall of the square running from station to station. Survey of the circle of the Hopeton works. ie eee ’ pon 6 Bearing. Distance. | eth ot Remarks. -|_——==|—__— 2 Oy Feet. Feet. AA setae: + oho NAGANO Wi cramice aie = cree 100 42 Loree sess. INWGS"09 Wisse ce sos ase 100 38 NO Peetecces INFD5#29) Wisc owen. = cae 100 40 Cy eterstasetator= PNM OR VV icesers ateyerae re 100 42 11 eee ae ING by OL Wik aSan-massen 100 44 LON cterercis:: ENO MZ OVW ies = aetaxs ate etre 100 45 20s atece sels iNew OLS 0 uni. Sse cas soes 100 44 Sos IN asp Oe ee 100 46 ee eeest IN 22°40 Wee cca acc | 100 42 VAS Petes INE S828) Mi poane Saco eee 100 41 a4. e 2+. 2. | ee 57 fe Seen ian ese soe a rE Outside half of wall worn. 745 aS ee BD DEO ME Wissen oa otveais 0 : PARE AG SRE NSO BMAD neysraisicte even eters 100 40 | Dis ora eioxnin fe NOL Ons, sac cue cree lee 00 40 23 sees | S. Beiei dbs ets | 100 Peet) 20 eae ane Nels Tiycet eh DRE Te area | 100 40 | Base outlines not easily traced. BOR ae er We 0+ Opt ie nese oeeic ae 100 36 | Do. SlSsceeaee WS Ooge tea. ceeimesciee 100 |..-..-----) Outlines obliterated. Width not ascertained. oak aa IS. 40 20H occ kobe 100 | 36 | Bote trie SAN aa Maes. aces LOOK. le ee Do. Sh oo Sp aU GO aces Soeeae 100 30 Outlines not easily traced. Does sects SPB otnces esanasee 100 | 30 | Do. Ors eee ss Hen 4 ObWiecn-snesamste 100 | 38 | Do. Siete ES 16 AB Wee slene! | 100 39 Station on end of wall. Soe canna LSiS1 OO Wie a- sass acs LOO eas esate | Wall obliterated between stations 36 and 37. 51 | eee ee MS 4200 RN. sacaticeeeos 100 | 48 18 feet back to center of end of wall of square.. Eee new OT le laWeeseeeee se cee 100 41) Ae a, SAGE RSH AN Sane cee 100 | 43 | Adee aoe Hise Gaus Wireceeesecece 100 | 40 | Station on end of wall at gateway. Gateway F Prete. Te || ai | 35 feet wide. 3 we eeccee ©. OO LL VW ..--ssenneee TOIB: 5 earths. + Skeletor mumalimbers. @ Tinber ends a—---- Sand. EES Gravel, Mixed Clay. SECTION B. Fic. 4. Sections A and B of Pyramidal Mound, Baum works. upon its surface scant traces of black wood ashes were seen, while a small quantity of white bone ashes lay scattered upon its western border. This burnt streak overlaid a thin sand seam, below which it seems it could not penetrate. The post molds of the superstructure consisted of a double row, the outer line being uniformly directly over the lower series in a vertical line, and separated from the latter entirely around the cirele by a solid line of gravel. The two rows of the upper structure averaged 18 inches apart. Both might have penetrated orig- inally beyond the surface of the mound, since they were discovered between 14 and 2 feet beneath the surface, which had been considera- bly plowed. Horizontal timber molds, a little smaller in diameter, filled in places with charcoal, could be distinetly seen lying against the side of each line of posts at the points shown in the figure. These appear to have been cross-beams or stays used for bracing purposes. In the eastern trench a gap 3 feet and 2 inches wide was noticed by the absence of post molds in both upper and lower series. Within the area inclosed by these posts, all the skeletons were interred. These lay at different depths and in different positions, the favorite or predominant one, at jeast in the upper portion, being just inside and alongside of the inner circle of palings. The skeletons unearthed were all in a remarkably good state of preservation. None of them could have been intrusively buried, for the stratification above them was not disturbed. All excepting Nos. 15, 16, and 17, lay upon one or another of the thin seams of sand. All except No. 6 lay stretched out at full length. The latter lay partly upon the side with knees 30 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. drawn up and head crouched down upon the ribs as though originally placed in a sitting posture. All except Nos. 10 and 11 had the arms and hands placed at the sides. The right arm of skeleton No. 10 lay bent across the stomach. The right arm of skeleton No. 11 was bent so that the hands touched the chin. From both jaws of this latter skeleton all the teeth had been extracted before interment. With skeleton No. 1 a bone implement was found at the back of the cranium, and an incised shell and fragments of a jar at the right side of it. With skeleton No. 2, which was that of a child about ten years old, a small clay vessel was found 5 inches behind the cranium. At the left hand of skeleton No. 3 wasa shellsuch as is found among the sands of Paint Creek. A bone implement was at the back of the cranium of No. 4. With skeleton No. 7 were found a lot of small semi-perforated shell beads and two bone implements directly back of the cranium. By the right side of the cranium were the perfect skull and jaws of.a wolf, and beneath this were two perforated ornaments of shell. In the right hand was a shell, such as is found in the creek near by, while in the jeft was a pipe fashioned from stone. At the right of the feet of this skeleton was the extremity of an ob- long ash pit, about 4 feet long and 2 feet broad, and 1 foot 10 inches in depth. It was filled with white ashes which were evidently those of heman bones since none but human bones could be identified. In these ashes and compactly filled with them was an earthen pot. It lay at the right of the feet of skeleton No. 7. It was lifted out of the ashes with great care, but the weight of its contents and its rotten condition caused it to break in pieces before it could be replaced upon the ground. Nu- merous other pieces of pottery of a similar character were found in these ashes, and it is not improbable, from the indications, that all these ashes were originally placed in pots before interment. A perforated shell dish two inches in diameter and a lump of soggy sycamore wood were gathered from the ashes. Neither wood nor shell bore any signs of having been burnt. These ashes could not have been buried intru- sively since the sand layer above them was undisturbed. Skeleton No. 9 lay 7 feet deep and a half foot below the general burnt streak. It was originally covered with a wooden structure of some kind, for the cores of two red cedar timbers were resting lengtb- wise upon the body, and the burnt remains of probably two others could be plainly seen on each side placed parallel to those upon the body. This red cedar was still sound, but the white wood which envel- opes the red cores seemed to be entirely in a charcoal condition. The indications are that these timbers were originally 1 foot above the body, for the earth to that extent over the whole length of the body was very soft. The timbers were noticed to extend slightly beyond the head and feet, while the head upon which they lay was upon its right side. The earth above them was a mixture of clay and fine sand, and pecu- liarly moist. The length of this skeleton to ankle bones was 6 feet PYRAMIDAL MOUND, BAUM WORKS. ol and 1 inch. Two bone implements were found at its head, and at its right side near the head were two fragments of polished tubes and a hollow point of bone which bore unmistakable signs of having been shaped with a steel knife (see Fig. 5). These bone implements were found be- neath the right elbow of skeleton No.10. Skeleton No. 11 corresponded in level and conditions to skeleton No. 9. The timber, however, seemed to have nearly all decayed, since only a few small pieces of red cedar could be gathered, and scarcely any traces of black ashes could be seen. The earth, however, for about a foot above was very soft, and two tim- ber molds at this level were distinctly traceable, extending from the di- rection of the skeleton’s side toa foot and a half beyond its feet. Bones of deer and bear, stag antlers, nussel shells, and many fragments of coarse pottery were found in the west trench 94 feet Leyond the post molds. It will be observed, if reference is had to the figure, that Nos. 1, 2, D, and 7 are all upon the same sand layer as Nos. 4 and 6. Nos. Fic. 5. Bone from Pyramidal Mound. 9, 11, and 12 also correspond in depth, but they did not, like the others, rest upon sand. Fragmentary human bones, disturbed by the plow, were found corresponding in depth to the topmost sand streaks shown in the diagram. Black walnut timber, measuring 4 feet and 5 inches above the general burnt streak, was found in a decayed and soaked condition at the point indicated in the figure. One end bore the marks of having been burnt. The soil around it was mostly a moist dark loam mixed with patches of what has been above described as a grayish plastie lime. A foot and a half beneath the surface and a little to the southeast of the center, a curious double fire-bed or hearth was uncovered. It was about 5 feet in diameter. Uppermost was a layer of white ashes vary- ing from one to two inches in thickness. They were the ashes of burnt shell and bone, but no bone could be found sufficiently large to deter- mine whether or not it was human. Beneath this was burnt clay from 4 to 5inches thick, resting upon a layer of sand, which at this point was between 2 and 3 inches deep. The surface of this sand was quite hard. Directly beneath it came another bed of ashes of equal thickness with the one above, and of like composition except that it contained a quantity of black wood ashes and several broken pieces of pottery. Below this appeared burnt clay again, from 4 to 6 inches deep, resting as before upon a thin layer of sand. A hearth somewhat similar to this, but lacking its double feature, lay almost directly beneath this last upon the general burnt streak that has been heretofore described. 3 yy GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO. This mound is situated upon the edge of the first general bottom from Paint Creek, which, though protected by a huge levee, is annually inundated. In overflow times the smaller cirele of the adjoining in- closure is almost entirely submerged, and the summit of the mound is the only land visible above a broad expanse of water. Around the mound, upon all sides, particularly to the east, are traces of former In- dian occupation. Numerous fragments of pottery, similar in texture, fabrication, and ornamental features to those found in the mound, be- strew the plowed ground. These were intermingled with the valves of mussel shells, pitted stones, shell disks, human bones, arrow-heads, pieces of perforated stone gorgets, and innumerable quantities of chipped flint. Specimens of all were collected and forwarded to Wash- ington with the relics taken from the mound. REMARKS. As it is not our intention to attempt at this time a full discussion of the questions raised by the data presented in the preceding pages, we shall limit our remarks chiefly to suggestions. The close approximation to geometrical regularity in the Observatory and High Bank circles, and the Newark, Liberty Township, and Baum squares is to be admitted beyond further question. The approach to regularity in the octagons at Newark and High Bank, though deserv- ing notice, is not so close as in the square and circular inclosures men- tioned. The first question which presents itself in view of these facts is, How are we to reconcile them with the theory that the works were built by Indians? As before stated, we shall not attempt at this time a thorough dis- cussion of this and other questions which arise in reference to these ancient works ; nevertheless we may as well suggest some thoughts and note some facts which may aid in solving the problems. A careful study of these works and of all the data bearing upon the questions regarding them, will satisfy any one, not biased by a precon- ceived theory, that their cliaracteristics are essentially aboriginal. In other words, there is nothing in them or connected with them contra- dlictory to the theory of their Indian origin, except it be the single fact that a few of them approach very nearly to true geometrical figures. That it was a custom among the Indians north and south to build circular inclosures and forts, is fully attested by history; it is also known that some of the Indian forts in the northern section were po- lygonal, especially those built by Iroquois tribes. There is, therefore, nothing in the form or arrangement that is inconsistent with Indian ideas and usages. On the other hand, there is nothing in their form or construction consistent with the idea that their conception is due to European influence. There are, however, indications relating to indi- vidual works which forbid this idea. I will mention but one of these. REMARKS. oO The Hopeton works are situated close to the foot of a bluff which over- looks the whole area that they embrace. Such a location is not con- sistent with European ideas of a defensive position. ‘ The great age that has been attributed to them is simply theory without any adequate facts upon which to base it. The suggestion that the works are found only on the older terraces, far above overtlow, is contradicted by the evidence, for the works along Paint Creek are, in truth, on the valley level, and some of them are subject to overflow from the creek. A part of the Seip inclosure (Anc. Mon., pl. xx1, No. 2) is builtin a washout from the creek, which is certainly an indication that its age is not very great. The facts brought out by the exploration of the “ Pyramidal Mound” of the Baum works as heretofore given, are worthy of consideration in this connection as indicating the age of the structure. It is true that the connection of the mound with the inclosureis not absolutely established ; yet their relation to each other is suchas to raise a strong presumption that they belong to the same age and were built by one people. The condition of the inclosures, where they are not injured by the plow, is not calculated to inspire the observer with the idea that they belong to a very remote antiquity ; in fact their appearance—as for example the Fair-Ground Cirele—con- stantly impresses the idea upon the mind that they are of comparatively recent date. The discovery in the mounds of this section, presumably of the same age, of numerous indications of contact with Europeans, which can not be mentioned here, must also be allowed to have some bearing upon the question of the age of these works. That Indians ean lay out true circles of moderate size will be ad- mitted; that they are less able now to perform many things which ne- cessity formerly compelled them to practice must also be admitted. No valid reason can be presented why Indians, taught by necessity and practice, could not lay off by the eye and by means at hand figures with which they were familiar more correctly than the white man with- out instruments. 11867——3 7 7 oe ‘_s. * 7 . hi 7 re _ Way y,. 7 HG 7 a ee DEX | 31 | N. Page. INGWALKAWOLkS.ceetocerecesaetione se noe 12-14, 15-20 ATC BEe so, oo eee erotee temeeyca cone 12-14 Observatory circles... sc...se. tt-ce 15-17 Octagon i ceeencceeeassee csc cor eeeaee 17 Square)... castes te cecces scones eee 18 Hair-oroundeircleysesacee eevee eee 19, 20 O. Observatory circle, Newark works....... 15-17 Octagon, High Bank works............... 14, 22, 23 Newark works! .o-osc-seeaceteeemene 17 IE Paint Creek Valley, works in........ 14, 30, 32, 33 Pottery about Baum works.............. 31, 32 Ws Reynolds, H. L., report on the pyramidal mound of the Baum works............. 27-32 S. Scioto (formerly Seal) Township works.. 14,15 WeociotonValley= works ines sss.cieeeee sees 12, 14, 23 Seal (Scioto) Township works............ 14,15 Seiphnclosureymodernsssess-s2-seeeeee ee 38 Skeletons in mound of Baum works...... 29-31 Square, Hcpeton works .................- 14, 24 INe@Watktaan-qecstonsecavcccceccecics 17, 18, 32 Liberty Township works............ 25, 32 Squier and Davis, relative accuracy Ol ee gee 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 25 On Liberty Township works......... 8, 9,12 Oni Marietta works) ---<-3ccsecete= acon 13, 14 QnGNewarks workst secs cecte soc ccents 13, 15-18 On Montgomery County works ...... 14 On High Bank works .-.-...-..--..... 20, 21 OnrHopeton works. e. dec -es seca 23-25 Oniliberty) workSecencace ot ccee cceee 25 On Banm ay ork'stec caer caceeciereeese 26, 27 OntSeipunclosurepass-sseeeee esc ei 33 W. Whittlesey, Charles, survey of Marietta WOLES) DYzise aie stclocessemavane veseiee 14 Survey of Newark works by ...-. 12, 13, 18, 19 14 | INe Page. Ancient Monuments. (See Squier and Davis.) Atwater, Caleb, cited on Newark works.. 13 Ashes in mound of Baum works ........ 30, 31 B. SAMY OGK See seas 20-22 Ota ON meee teemicesiseicleiieia ste sislerrice = teed, 22:23 FLOP ELON GW OLS peer -ieie'ele «!oi aisle o'ciee=fuiyale ola) = 14, 23-25 SHIWERRS @¢ Sc0cOS CaO D ERO REC OBE SUEe One 14, 24 Oircloeerse cece eee cee cesses wsinocees 1 MNGTAMIS TRU CLUES |=-1s1-1ejrm-i215 <:a's olsiaele cine'e als 32,33 Troquois built circular forts..........-.-- 32 L. Liberty Township works.........-- 8-12, 25, 26, 32 GinCl Ocean tenes sa0 xe occcese scateeooeess 10, 11 | VISES UMONTOM Gree sciara/a/siiae ic << e eis erase cre 25, 26 SIO Udo ee setae seer srelcic,< sislcin ac\sfaee cise 25, 32 | Licking County Agricultural Society, .works on fair-grounds of. (See Fair- ground works.) M. Marietta works, Squier and Davis on.... 18, 14 Middleton, James D., surveys and meas- ATOM ENUS ND Yjeiei-iole = \sisiaiste oso =0%s 11, 15, 20, 21, 24-27 Montgomery County works............-- O Oo a, e os - a 2, 3 a ov ald Vee i - —— Magy il LD } ' ' 1 1 1 i 1 1 ' ‘ ‘ i 1 4 1 t ' ‘ ' ' ' ' ' ' ‘ ‘ ' ‘ ' 1 ' ‘ ‘ 1 ‘ ! ‘ . ‘ . ‘ 1 ' ‘ ' 1 My = < ‘ Lily x ‘ 2 as alt Gini iili.. __ ETT CIRCLE OF THE HOPETON WORKS, ACCORD: eo ~~-=- -- TS S88 eae pote /= WTA DT wet FAIR-GROUND CIRCLE, NEWARK, oe glam RESURVEY. ‘i haw ge baer Sag ; ae 5 ‘ EME: wo vty NZ ; SS AN Pe. — ee = we eee =r te ote ----------- A 5.) i a aaa e \\ i aunt (Hiss SA iit UN \\ \\ \ ee G Rant Vihays SQUARE OF THE HOPETON WORKS, ACCORDING TO RES ty 1.9 a a cn AN iE Cu al sy nd BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY S CUCM MMMM ft < Sie cae 7h una iidiawiiiiiananidiaiwunililinitiitiiiii ey | IN ANNAN NANA NATION NNN HN US Moss TUNE the > WO. CO MK = awiiecaaniananiadanuuriuonudanintiiiTiNiiiiiivitiinn initiates. y % a SQUARE, LIBERTY TOWNSHIP WORKS, ACCORDING TO RESURVEY a “ABAUNSSY OL ONIGHODOY ‘HYVM3N ‘3YVNDS oo! feler4 1334 INAH 00! ANAAUHARARA H Reesecmensnenemenein Nz 7A AARNE AAUAN RA AANA AAA Ald NILITING SVWOHL SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES "ALAA 01453 2402