r^
^
""^
"'^^^"'f ^
w' .
G-ivE N By
LIBRARY CATALOGUE SLIPS.
Smithsonian institution. Bureau, of ethnoloyy.
Twelfth annual report' | of the | Bureau of ethnology | to the |
a secretary of the Smith.soni.au institution | 1890-91 | by | J. W.
■^ Powell I tlirector | [Vii;nette] |
■g Washington | govcrument printing office | 1894
x 8°. xlviii, 742 pp. 42 pi.
Po'wrell (.John Wesley).
Twelfth annual report | of the | Bureau of ethnology | to the |
secretary of the Smithsonian institution | 1890-'91 | by | J. W.
Powell I director | [Vignette] |
Washington | government printing office | 1S94
8°. xlviii, 742 pp. 42 pi.
[Smithsonian institution. Bureau of ethnology.]
Twelfth annual report | of the | Bureau of ethnology | to the |
secretiiry of the Smithsonian institution | 1890-91 | by | J. W.
Powell I director | [Viguette] |
Washington | government printing office | 1894
8°. xlviii, 742 pp. 42 pi.
[Smithsonian institution. Bureau of ethnology.]
TWEIJTH ANNUAL REPOKT
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
SECRETARY OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
1.8D(I-'9 1
DIKECTOR
t i. i'
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1894
^)> .UrJ^ .
ijtt,.i?r^ irQ^^
i-f
e ,c c ( « ' «
;S
ri''
LHTTHR OF TRANSMITTAL
Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of Ethnology,
Washhif/fon, D. C , Juhj 1, 1801.
SiK: I have the honor to submit my tweh'th annual report
as Director of the Bureau of Ethnology.
The first j^art consists of an explanation of the jjlan of the
Bureau and its operations during- the fiscal year 1890-'9l; the
second part comprises an extended i)aper on the mound explo-
rations of tlie Bureau of Ethnology, giving an example of the
methods and results of the work of the Bureau relating to the
important branch of archeology indicated.
I desire to express my thanks for your earnest support and
your wise counsel relating to the work under my charge.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant.
Hon. S. P. Langley,
Secretarij of the Sinitlisonian Institution.
CONTENTS.
EEPORT OF THE DIRECTOR.
Page.
latioduction xxi
Field work xxii
Archeologic field work xxiii
Researc-he-s by Mr. W. H. Holmes xxiii
Work of Mr. Gerard Fowke xxvii
Work of Mr. Heury L. Reynolds xx vii
Work of Mr. Cosmos Mindeleff xx viii
General iield work xxix
Work of Mrs. M. C. Stevenson xxix
Work of Dr. W. J. Hoftman XXIX
Work of Mr. James Mooney xxx
Office work xxxi
Work of the Director xxxi
Work of Col. Garrick Mallery xxxii
Work of Mr. Henry W. Henshaw xxxii
Work of Prof. Cyrus Thomas x.xxiii
Work of Mr. W. H. Holmes xx.xiii
Work of Rev. J. Owen Dorsey xxxiii
Work of Mr. Albert S. Gatsohet xxxiv
Work of Dr. W. J. Hofl'man xxxiv
Work of Mr. James Mooney xxx v
Work of Mr. James C. Pilling xxxv
Work of Mr. J. N. B. Hewitt xxxv
Work of Mrs. Matilda C. Stevenson xxxvi
Work of Mr. Cosmos Miudeleft' xxxvii
Work of Mr. Jeremiah Curtin xxx vii
Work of Mr. De Laiuey W. Gill xxxvii
Administrative work xxxviii
Publications xxxviii
Accompanying paper ou the mound explorations of the Bureau xxxix
Financial statement xlviii
ACCOMPANYING PAPER.
REPORT ON THE MOUND EXPLORATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY, BY CYRUS
THOMAS.
' Page.
Outline of this paper 17
Preface 19
Introduction 27
V
VI REPUET OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
Page
Field operations 35
Manitoba and tbe Dalvotas 35
Minnesota 42
Pipestone county 42
Houston county 45
Wisconsin 47
Dane county 47
Crawford county 47
Vernon county 77
Grant county 83
Sbeboygan county 93
Barron couuty 94
Rock county 98
Iowa 99
Allamakee county 99
Clayton county 108
Dubuque county 108
Wapello county 110
Van Biiren county 112
Lee county 112
Illinois 112
.loe Daviess county 112
Pike county 117
Brown county 118
Adams county 120
Callionn county 121
Madison and St. Clair couuties 131
Randolph county 134
.Jackson county 141
Alexander couuty 148
Uu ion county 155
Lawrence county 163
Missouri 163
Clark couuty 163
Lewis county 167
St. Louis county 167
Cape Girardeau county 168
Bollinger eounty 170
Stoddard county 172
Scott and Mississippi counties 183
Butler county 193
Arkansas 198
Clay connty 198
Greene coviuty 199
Craighead county 200
Poinsett county 203
Mississiiipi county 219
Independence couuty 224
.lackson county 225
Crittenden county .' 226
St. Francis county 227
Arkansas county 229
Lee county 231
Monroe county 233
CONTENTS. VII
Field operations — Contiiiiied.
Arkansas — Continued. Pagp.
Phillips county 2.33
Desha county 237
Drew county 239
Lincoln county 241
• Jefferson county 242
Pulaski county 243
Saline county 245
Clark county 247
Ouachita county 248
Louisiana 250
Mississippi • 253
Coahoma county 253
Sunflower county 258
Washington county 259
Yazoo county 260
Adams county 263
Union county 267
Western Tennessee 278
Lauderdale county 278
Obion coiinty 279
Kentucky 279
Alabama 283
I^auderdale county 283
Madison county 285
Marshall county 285
Blount county 286
Sumter county 286
Elmore county 286
Clarke county 289
Barbour county 289
Montgomery county 289
Talladega county 290
.Jefferson county 290
Georgia 292
Bartow county 1 292
Habersham county 314
Elbert county 315
Richmond county 317
South Carolina 326
Kershaw district 326
Florida 327
St. Johns and Volusia counties 328
North Carolina 333
Caldwell county 333
Burke and Wilkes counties 344
Haywood county 346
Buncombe .and Henderson counties 348
Eastern Tennessee 351
Sullivan county 351
Carter county 3.54
Cocke county 356
.Jefferson county 357
Eo.ane county 358
VIII REPORT OF THE liUREAtl OF ETHNOLOGY.
Field operations — Coutiniied.
Eastern Tennessee— Continued. Pasje.
Blonut and Monroe connties 366
London county 390
Meig.s county 404
Rhea county 406
West Virginia : 407
Fayette county 407
Kanawha county 410
Putnam county 434
Mason county 435
Cabell county 438
Ohio 440
Knox county 440
Hocking county 446
Franklin county 449
Brown county 451
Coshocton county 457
Licking county 458
Perry county 470
Ross county 471
Pike county 489
Pennsylvania 494
Valley of the Monongahcla 494
Warren county 499
New York 503
Madison county 503
Chautamina county 505
Niagara county 512
Wyoming county 513
Livingston county 514
Michigan 516
Archcologic areas and distrilmtion of types 521
Primary iircheologic sections 521
Archeologic districts of the mound area 529
The northern section 530
The Dakota district 530
The Huron-Iroquois district 540
The niinois district 550
The Ohio district 561
The Appalachian district 573
The Central or Tennessee district 575
The southern section 586
The Arkansas district 586
The Gulf district 590
The Moimd-hnilders 595
( ieneral observations 595
Ditt'erent opinions 597
Objections answered 610
Other objections answered 625
Inscribed tablets 632
The historical evidence 645
A comparison of the works of the Mound-builders with those of the Indians. 659
Architecture of the Mound-builders 660
Fortifications, etc 667
CONTENTS. IX
The Mouuil-bnildera — Continued. Page.
Similarity in burial customs 671
General resemblance in habits, customs, art, etc 680
Links connectinj;- the Indians directly with the Mound-builders 688
The Etowah mound — Stone graves 688
Engraved shells, stone pipeH, copper articles, stone images 701
Evidences of tribal divisions — Subsequent use of mounds by Indians 706
Evidence of contact with modern European civilization found in the
mounds 710
Co[)per articles 713
Other metals 712
The Muskoki tribes 748
General observations 722
LLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
Plate I. Plan of tho Vilas anil Flucke groups, Crawford couuty, Wisconsin. 72
II. Plat of White's grouii, Vernon county, Wisconsin 82
III. Elephant mound and surroundings, Grant county, Wisconsin 94
IV. Plat of Eice lake group, Barron county, Wisconsin 96
V. Ancient works near New Albiu, Allamakee county, Iowa 102
VI. Map of Caliokia groui), Madison county, Illinois 134
VII. Map of the western jiart of Madison county, Illinois 136
VIII. Ancient works on Boulware's place, Clarke county, Missouri 168
.IX. The De Soto mound, Jeil'erson county, and the Knapp mounds,
Pulaski county, Arkansas 242
X. Plat of the Knapp mounds, Pulaska county, Arkansas 244
XI. Plat of the Carson mounds, Coahoma county, Mississippi 254
XII. Mound J, Carson group, Coahoma county, Mississippi 250
XIII. Mound i1, Carson group, Coahoma county, Mississippi 258
XIV. Selsertown group, Adams couuty, Mississippi, and platform and
mounds of the Selsertown group 264
XV. View of the large mound, Etowah group 294
XVI. Plan of the large mound, I^to wah group' 298
XVII. Figured copper plate from mound c, Etowah group (human figure). 304
XVIII. Figured copjier plate from mound c, Etowah group (bird figure) .. 306
XIX. Pot from Hollywood mound, Georgia 318
XX. Map of mound distribution : (In pocket.)
XXI. Observatory Circle, near Newark, Ohio 320
XXII. Fair Ground Circle, near Newark, Ohio 322
XXIII. High Bank Circle, near Chillicothe, Ohio 324
XXIV. Pipes from Hollywood mound, Georgia 328
XXV. Plat of the valley of the Little Tennessee River, Blount and Mon-
roe counties, Tennessee 366
XXVI. Copy of Timberlake's map of Overhill Cherokee towns 368
XXVII. Plat of group near Charleston, Kanawha county. West Virginia.. . 414
XXVIII. Plan and sections of the Staats mound, Knox couuty, Ohio 440
XXIX. Cemetery mound. Mount Vernon, Knox couuty, Ohio 444
XXX. Newark -works. Licking county, Ohio 458
XXXI. Fair Ground Circle, Newark, Ohio 460
XXXII. Observatory Circle, Newark, Ohio 462
XXXIII. Octagon, Newark, Ohio 464
XXXIV. Square, Newark, Ohio 466
XXXV. S(iuare of Hopeton works, Eoss county, Ohio 472
XXXVI. Circle of Hopeton works, Ross county, Ohio 474
XXXVII. Circle of Higli Bank works, Ross couuty, Ohio 476
XXXVIII. Octagon of High Bank works, Ross county, Ohio 478
XXXIX. Square of Liberty tawnship works, Eoss county, Ohio 482
XL. Square of Baum works, Ross county, Ohio 484
XLI. Pl.at of the "Angel mounds," near Evansville, Indiana 558
XLII. Copy of Plate XI, " Brevis Narratio '' 652
XI
XII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
l*age.
Fig. 1. Elimg.ate monud, Souris river, Manitoba 35
2. Eloiif^ate niouiids, Souris river, Mauitoba 36
3. Turtle ligure, Hughes county, South Dakota 40
4. Inclosnres and mounds, Pipestone county, Minnesota 44
5. Mound vault, Houston county, Minnesota 45
(i. Mound group near Madison, Wisconsin 46
7. Walled vault iu mound Prairie du ( 'hien, Wisconsin 48
y. Bird mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ---. 48
y. Section of mound and pit, pjairic du Chien, Wisconsin 49
10. Silver locket from mound, Prairie du C'nien, W^isconsin 51
11. Bracelet of silver from mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 51
12. Silver brooch from mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 51
13. Silver cross from mouu<l, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 52
14. Earthworks near Eastman Crawford county, Wisconsin 52
15. Plat of southwestern part of Crawford county, Wisconsin 53
16. Mounds on NE. i Sec. 24, T. 8 N., R. 6 W., Wisconsin 54
17. Mound ground at Hazeu Corners, Crawford county, Wisconsin .55
18. Bird effigies at Hazen Corners, C'rawtord county, Wisconsin.. 56
19. Quadruped etligy on Sec. 36, T. 8, R. 6 W., Wisconsin 59
20. Group of bird effigies. Sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 6 \V., AVisconsin 60
21. Bird effigy, Sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 6 W., Wisconsin 61
22. Mounds on Slaumer's land, Crawford C(mnty, Wisconsin 63
23. Conrtois group near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 64
24. Mound No. 6, Conrtois group, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 65
25. Plan of mound No. 16, Conrtois group, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.. 65
26. Mound No. 20 (section), Conrtois group, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.. 66
27. Doiiseman mound (plan), Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 68
28. Douseman mound (section), Prairie du Chien, W'isconsin 68
29 The Polander group, Sec. 14,T.9N., R.6W., Crawford county, Wiscon-
sin 70
30. MoundNo. 3 (section), Polander group, Crawford county, Wisconsin. . 71
31. MoundNo. 16 (horizontal section), Polander group 72
32. Plan of the Armstrong group, near Lynxville, Wisconsin 74
33. Plan of the Sue Coulee group, Crawford county, AVisconsin 75
34 Copper spindles frem the Sue Coulee group Crawford county 76
35. Mound group near Battle island, Vernon county, Wisconsin 78
36. Plan of mound No. 4, Battle island, Vernon county, Wisconsin 79
37. Copper plate from mound No. 6, White group (N. M. 88336) 81
38. Section of mound No. 10, White group 81
39. Obsidian implement fnmi mound No. 10. WTiite group 82
40. Pot from mound No. 11, White group 83
41.* Eftigy mounds near Cassville, Grant county, Wisconsin 85
42. Lines of works near Cassville, Grant county, Wisconsin 86
43. M(uind group Wyalusing, Grant county, Wisconsin 89
44. Elephant mound, according to Middleton's survey in 1884 92
45. Elephant mound, after Warner's figure 93
46. luclosure near Sheboygan, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin 94
47. Mound No. 1, Rice lake group 95
48. Circular inclosnre near New Albin, A llam.akee county, Iowa 100
49. Inclosure on Hay's farm, near New Albin, Allamakee couuty, Iowa.. 105
50. Walled mound. Fish group, Allamakee county, Iowa 107
51. Group near Peru, Dubuque county, Iowa 109
52. Stone gorget, Dubuque county, Iowa 1 10
53. Diagram of Indian battle ground, Wapello county, Iowa HI
54. Mound group, Duuleith, Illinois 114
ILLUSTRATIONS. XIII
I'aj^e.
Fig. 55. Vault iu mmiud No. 4, Uuulcith, Illinois 115
.-)6. Section of mound No. 10, Dunloitli, Illinois llt>
.57. Vault iu mound No. 15, Unulcitli, Illinois IHi
,5K. Welch giouii, Brown county, Illinois H*^
59. Mound No. 1, See. 34, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Calhoun county, Illinois 122
60. Mound No. 4, Sec. 34, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Calhoun county, Illinois 124
61. Group of mounds on Sec. 31, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Calhonn county 111 . . . 125
62. Vertical section of mound No. 8, NE. i See. 31, T. IDS., R. 2 W., Illinois 127
63. Vertical section of mound on SE. i Sec. 15, T. 10 S., R. 2 W., Illinois. l-i7
64. Vertical section of mound No. 1, NW. i Sei. 2., T. 9 S., R. 2 W., Illinois. 128
65. Vertical .section of mound No. 1, NE. i Sec. 27, T 10 S., R. 2 \V., Illinois. 130
66. Wood river mounds, Madison county, Illinois 132
67. Stone graves on Mill tract, Randolph county, Illinois 13o
68. The De Frenne stone graves, Randolph county, Illinois 137
69. Stone graves on blnft', Randolph county, Illinois 139
70. Hut rings near the bank of Big Mary river, Illinois HO
71. Pot from Jackson county, Illinois l"!-
72. Vogelgrouji, Jackson county, Illinois 1**
73. Spool-shaped ornament of copper 1*5
74. Schlimpert mounds, Jackson connty , Illinois 146
75. Section of mound on Schlimpert's place, Jackson county, Illinois - . . . 147
76. Mounds on Hale's place, Jackson county, Illinois 118
77. Skull from mound on Hale's place (side view) lol
78. Skull from mound on Hale's place (front view) 152
79. Bone plate from mound on Hale's place 153
80. Catholic medal from mound on Hale's place 154
81. Stone grave on Hale's place -- Ij^*
82. Plat of works on Linn's place, Union county. Illinois lo6
83. Mound A, Linn group (vertical outline) lo7
84. Round pond niouuds. Union county, Illinois 160
85. Copper plate hearing dancing figures, Uni(m connty, Illinois 161
86. Mound group, Clarke county, Missouri 164
87. The Ben Proffer mound. Cape Girardeau county, Missouri 168
88. The Witting mounds, Cape Girardeau c ounty , Missouri 169
89. The Peter Bess settlement, Bollinger county, Missouri 171
90. The Lakeville settlement, Stoddard county, Missouri 173
91. Stone pipe, Lakeville settlement 174
92. County line settlement, Stoddard county, Missouri 174
93. The Rich woods mounds, Stoddard county, Missouri 17t)
94. Plan of mounds, Nos. 3, 4, .5, and 6, Rich woods mounds 177
95. Section of mound No. 3 and adjuncts. Rich woods mounds 178
96. Pin Hook ridge mounds, Mississippi county 184
97. Baker's mound, Mississippi county, Missouri 1*^5
98. Beck with's fort, Mississippi connty, Missouri 185
99. Image v<'ssel from Beck with's ranch 188
100. Bowl from Beck with's fort 188
101. Water vessel from Beckwit's ranch, Mississippi county, Missouri 189
102. Water vessel from Beck with's fort, Mississippi county, Missouri 189
103. Gourd-shaped vessel from Beckwith's ranch, Mississippi county 190
104. Owl image vessel from Beckwith's ranch 191
105. Fish-shapeil vessel from Beckwith's ranch 192
106. Meyer's mound, Scott county, Missouri 193
107. Mound group near Harviell, Butler county, Missouri 194
108. Power's fort, Butler county, Missouri 19
XIV REPORT OF THE BUREAU OK ETHNOLOGY.
Page
Fig. lOU. .Suctiou of mound in Power's fort, Hiitler comity, ili.ssouri 196
110. Effect of eiirtlKiuake of 1811 on mouud, Green county, Arkansas 199
111. Webb group, Craighead county, Arkansas 201
112. Monnd.s at Tyronza Btation, Poinsett county, Arkansas 204
113. Section of mound N'o. 8, Tyronza station, Poiu.sett county, Arkansas.. 205
11^. Section of mound No. 12, Tyronza .station, Poinsett county, Arkansa. 205
115. Section of mounds, Tyronza station 206-
116. Clay casts of ear of maize or Indian corn 207
117. Clay floor of a tliree-room house 208
118. Mode of lathing houses by Mound-builders 209
119. The Miller mounds, Poinsett county, Arkansas 209
120. Vertical section of mound No. 1, Miller group, Poinsett county 210
121. Mound No. 9, Miljer group, Poinsett county, Arkansas 210
122. Phin of mound No. 11, Miller group 211
123. Plan of mouud No. 12, Miller group 212
124. Plat of Thornton group, Poinsett county, Arkansas 213
125. Plat of Taylor .shanty group, Poinsett county, Arkansas 214
126. Mound No. 1, Taylor shanty grouji 215
127. Section of mound No. 2, Taylor shanty group 215
128. Section of mound No. 4, Taylor shanty group 217
129. Plat of Pecan point -works, Missi-ssippi county, Arkansas 22C
130. Image v.issel, Pecan point, Mississippi county, Arkansas 221
131. Vessel ftom .Jackson mound, Mississippi county, Arkansas 223
132. The Sherman mound, Mississippi county, Arkansas 223
133. Engraved shell (Busiicon pervernum) from mound, Independence
county, Arkansas 224
134. Stone spool from moun<l, Jackson county, Arkansas 225
135. Bradley mounds, Crittenden county, Arkansas 226
13C. House site, St. Francis county, Arkansas 229
137. Plan of Menard mounds, Arkansas county, Arkansas 230
138. Imago pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 233
139. Image pipe, Monroe ceunty, Arkansas 234
140. Imag9 pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 235
141. Image pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 235
142. Plan of Old Town works, Phillips county, Arkansas 236
143. Pottery vessel from Old Town works 237
144. Mound No. 3, Old Town works 238
145. Ground plan and elevation of the Barney mound, Phillips county,
Arkansas 238
146. K'oger's mound, Phillips county, Arkansas 239
147. Jlouud near Arkansas City, Desha county, Arkansas 240
148. Old French fort, Desha county, Arkansas 241
149. The Taylor mounds. Drew county, Arkansas 242
150. Stone implement from Knapj) group 245
151. The Hughes mound. Saline county, Arkansas 246
152. An ornamented water bottle, Clark county, Arkansas 248
153. Flat-bottomed jar, Clark county, Arkansas 248
154. Monud group near Camden, Arkansas -.. 249
155. Flat of Troy ville mounds, Catahoula parish, Louisiana 251
156. View of mound No. 6, Troy ville mounds, Catahoula parish 252
157 Omitted.
158. Clarksdale works, Coahoma county, Mississippi 256
159. Section of mound No. 1, Clarksdale works 257
160. Vessel in form of a shell, Sunflower county, Mississii>pi 259
ILLUSTRATIONS. XV
Page.
Fig. 161. Avoiulale mounds, W.ashiugton county, Mississippi 260
162. Outline of inouud No. 1, ChanipliQ group, Vazoo county, Mississippi. 261
163. Vertical section of mound No. 1, Cbanipliu group, Yazoo county 262
164. Image ^•essel from Champlin mound, Mississippi 263
165. Mound group in Union county, Mississippi 268
166. Plan of mound No. 1, group in Union county, Mississippi 269
167. Sections along south trench, mound No. 1, Union county, Missis-
sippi 270
168. Section along south trencli, mound No. 1, Union county, Missis-
sippi 270
169. Section along the northeast trench, mound No. 1, Union county 271
170. Section along the northeast trencli, mound No. 1, Union county 272
171. Section along the north trench, mound No. 1, Union county 273
172. Section along the north trench, mound No. 1, Union county 274
173. Silver plate with Spanish coat of arms; mound, Union county 275
174. Fireplace in mound, Lauderdale, Tennessee 278
175. Image vessel from mound, Obion county, Tennessee..' 279
176. O'Byam's fort, Hickman county, Kentucky 280
177. Mound No. 1, O'Byam's fort , 281
178. Plat of Tally mounds, Jefterson county, Alabama 291
179. Mound No. 2, Tally group (plan and section) 291
180. Plat of Etowah group, copy of .Jones's plat, No. 1 294
181 . Plat of Etowah grouji, copy of Whittlesey's figure No. 1 296
182. Plat of the Etowah group (original) 299
183. Large mound of the Etowah group 300
184. Vertical section of mound o, Etowah group 302
185. Plan of burials in mound c, Etowah group 303
186. Figured copper plate from mound c, Etowah group 304
187. Copper badge from mound c, Etowah group 305
188. Copper ornament or badge from mound c, Etowah group 306
189. Engraved shell, mound c, Etowah group 306
190. Engraved shell, mouud c, Etowah group 307
191. Bust from Etowah mounds 308
192. Copper plate with bird figure; nu)und near Peoria, Illinois 309
193. Section of the Rembert group, Elbert county, Georgia 316
194. Plan of mound No. 1, Rembert groiip 317
195. Vertical section, mound No. 1, Rembert group 318
196. Upper horizontal section of Hollywood mound, Georgia 320
197. Fragment of European pottery, Hollywood mound, Georgia 321
198. Lower horizontal section of Hollywood mound, Georgia 321
199. Pot from Hollywood mound, Georgia 322
200. A painted vessel from Hollywood mound, Georgia 323
201. Pot from Hollywood mound, Georgia 324
202. Shell beads from Hollywood mound, Georgia 324
203. Copper article from Hollywood mound, Georgia 324
204. Shell beads from Hollywood mound, Georgia 325
205. Pipe from Hollywood mound, Georgia 325
206. Fragment of porcelain from Hollywood mound, Georgia 326
207. T. F. Nelson mound, Caldwell county, North Carolina 334
208. T. F. Nelson Triangle, Caldwell county, North Caroliiui 336
209. Copper cylinder. Nelson Triangle 336
210. Bracelet of shell and copper beads. Nelson Triangle 336
211 . Iron celt from Nelson Triangle 337
212. Part of iron blade, Nelson Triangle 337
XVI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
lace.
Fig. 213. Engraved shell, Nelson Trhiiigh- 3;i8
214. Engraved shell, Nelson Tiiauj;le 339
215. Pipe, Caldwell county. North Carolina 339
216. Pipe, Caldwell coiiuty, North Carolina 340
217. Pipe, Caldwell eonnty, North C.nrolina 340
218. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina 341
219. Pipe, Caldwell county. North Carolina 341
220. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina '341
221. Plan of \V. 1). .Jones mound, Caldwell county. North Carolina 342
222. R. T. Lenoir burial pit (plan), Caldwell county. North Carolina 343
223. Ancient burial ground, Wilkes county, North Carolina 345
224. Clay hearth (or fire-bed), Wilkes county, North Carolina 346
225. Bogus article, Haywood county, North Carolina 347
226. Bogus article, Haywood county, North Carolina 348
227. Bogus articles, Haywood county. North Carolina 349
228. Big mound, Haywood county. North Carolina .350
229. Section of Connor mound, Henderccm county, North Carolina 350
230. Plan of mounds on the Ilolston river, Sullivan county, Tennessee .. 351
231. Copper spindle from mound, Sullivan couuty, Tennessee 352
232. Plan of burials in mound, Sullivan county, Tennessee 353
233. Stone pipe from mound, Sullivan county, Tennessee 354
234. Plat showing ancient graves near Kingsport, Tennessee 355
235. Section of grave No. 1, near Kingsport, Tennessee 3.56
236. Section of grave No. 3, near Kingsport, Tennessee , 3.56
237. Section of mound ou Fain's island, .left'erson county, Tennessee 35!^
238. Plat of mound groups on Long island, Roane couuty, Tennessee 359
239. Diagram of mound No. 3, Long island, Roane county, Tennessee 360
240. Image from mound No. 3, Long island, Roane county, Tennessee . , . 361
241. Diagram of the H.agler mound, Roane county, Tennessee 364
242. Diagram of the Hardin mound, Blount county, Tennessee 367
243. Plat of the McMnrray mounds, Blount county, Tennessee 368
244. Diagram of McMurray mound. No. 2 369
245. Section of McMurray mound, No. 3 369
246. Diagram of McMurray mound. No. 3 370
247. Plat of Latimore and McSpaddin mounds (Citico group), Monroe
county, Tennessee 372
248. Vertical section, mound No. 1, Latimore group 372
249. Vertical section of the Citico mound (McSi>addin, No. 4) 374
250. Pl.an of burials in the Citico mound (McSpaddin, No. 4) 375
251. Moccasin-shaped pot, Citico monnd 376
252. Copper rattle or hawk's bell, Citico mound 376
• 253. Bone needle, Citico mound 377
254. Plat of the Bacon and McGee mounds, Blount and Monroe counties,
Tennessee 377
255. Plan of burials in McGee mound No. 2 - 378
256. Plat of the Toco mounds, Monroe county, Tennessee 379
257. Vertical section of the Big Toco mound, INIonroe county, Tennessee 380
258. Plan of burials in the Big Toco mound, Monroe county, Tennessee.. 381
259. Bone implement. Big Toco mound 382
260. Bono implement. Big Toco mound 382
261. Stone pipe. Big Toco mound 383
262. Ornamented shell, Big Toco mound 383
263. Stone implement, Big Toco mound - 383
26t. Pot, Big Toco mound 384
ILLUSTRATIONS. XVII
Page.
Flii. 265. Vertical section of Callaway mound, Monroe county, Tennessee 385
266. Diagram of Callaway mound, Monroe county, Tennessee 385
267. Water vessel, Callaway mound 386
268. Water vessel, Callaway niouud 387
269. Plat of the Niles ferry mounds, Monroe county, Tennessee 388
270. Group two miles below Niles ferry 389
271. Plat of mounds on the Click farm, Monroe county, Tennessee 390
272. Horizontal section, Bat creek mound No. 3, Loudon county, Tennes-
see 393
273. Engraved stone from Bat creek mound No. 3, London county, Ten-
nessee 394
274. Mounds on ,Iohn Jackson's farm, Loudon county, Tennessee 395
275. Mounds on .John Jackson's farm, Loudon county, Tennessee 396
276. The Lenoir mounds, Loudon county, Tennessee 397
277. Plan of burials in mound No. 1, Lenoir group 398
278. Diagram of mound No. 2, Lenoir group 399
279. Plan of burials in mound No. 2, Lenoir group 400
280. Vertical section of mound No. 2, Lenoir group 400
281. Horizontal plan of mound No. 2, Lenoir group 401
282. Ornamental pot, mound No. 2, Lenoir group 401
283. Shell ornament, mound No. 2, Lenoir group 402
284. Shell ornament, mound No. 2, Lenoir group 402
285. Pipe, mound No. 2, Lenoir group 403
286. Plan of burials in mound No. 1, Frazier group, Rhea county, Tennes-
see 406
287. Huddlusou's Circle, Fayette county. West Virginia 407
288. Singular stone heaps, Fayette county. West Virginia 408
289. Stone heap with two cavities, Fayette county, West Virginia 409
290. Section of stone heap with triangular cavity, Fayette county, West
Virginia 409
291. Enlarged plan of mound No. 1, and inclosure a, Kanawha county.
West Virginia 415
292. Section of mound No. 1, Kanawha county. West Virginia 416
293. Spring Hill inclosure on enlarged scale, Kanawha county. West Vir-
ginia 419
294. Inclosure G, Kanawha county, West Virginia 421
295. Inclosure I, Kanawha county. West Virginia 422
296. Inclosure L, Kanawha county. West Virginia 423
297. Inclosure K, Kanawha county. West Virginia 424
298. A section of mound No. 21, Kanawha county, West Virginia 425
299. Coj)per bracelet from mound No. 21, Kanawha county. West Virginiai 426
300. Copp<T gorget, mound No. 21, Kanawha county. West Virginia 426
301. Steatite pipe from Kanawha count.v. West Virginia 427
302. Section of mound No. 31, Kanawha county. West Virginia 432
303. Mound group, 1 mile west of Barboursville, West Virginia 438
304. Section of the Hawn mound, Knox county, Ohio 411
305. Plat and section of the area about the Staats mound, Knox county,
Ohio 442
306. Plan of Cemetery mound. Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio 444
307. Section of Cemetery mound. Mount Veruou, Knox county, Ohio 445
308. Works on the Davis place, Hocking county, Ohio 447
309. Plan of the large work, Davis place, Hocking county, Ohio 418
310. Ancient works near Dublin, Franklin county, Ohio 450
311. Group of mounds. Brown county, Ohio 453
12 ETH II
XVIII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
Page.
Fig. 31 J. Stone grave, Browu rounty, ( >hio 455
313. Section of a stone grave, Browu county, Ohio 456
314. Mounds near Brownsville, Ohio 458
315. Small inclosure, Newark grouj), Licking county, Ohio 460
316. Levels along jmrallels at Newark, Oliio 467
317. Ancient iuclosure, Licking county, Ohio 468
318. Stone fort on Flint ridge, Licking county, Ohio 469
319. Stone fort near Glenford, Perry county, Ohio 470
320. Section of the Cryder mound, near Adelphi, Ross county, Ohio 471
321. Small circle. Liberty township works, Ross county, Ohio 480
322. Pyramidal uiouud, Bauui works, Ross county, Ohio 485
323. Bone implement i)oint from Baum works 487
324. Circle A, Seal township works 490
325. Copy of Moorehead's station 241, PI. vi 492
326. The Seri)eut mound, Adams county, Ohio 493
327. Mound aud graves near MonongaluOa city, Pennsylvania 496
328. Sccticm of Irvinetou mound, Warren county, Pennsylvania 500
329. Pieces of silver from Irvineton mound, Warren county, Pennsylvania . .501
330. Inclosure near Pittsfield, Warren county, Pennsylvania 502
331. Ancient fort on Atwell farm, Madison county, New York 504
332. Seat of ancient Onondaga town, Madison county. New York 505
333. Old fort ue.nr Ellington, C'liautauijua county. New York 507
334. Inclosure near Ellington, Chautauqua county. New York 509
335. Inclosure on Dunn farm, Wyoming county. New York 514
336. Rifle river fort No. 2, Ogemaw county, Michigan 517
337. Map of the Huron-Iroquois district 541
338. Elevation of large mound. Angel group 557
339. Plat of large mound. Angel group 558
340. Thevillage of Secotan 621
341. Interior of hou.se of Virginia Indians 623
342. Section of mound 11, Cook farm group, Davenport, Iowa 636
343. Village of Pomeiock, from Brevis Narratio 669
344. Pipe from Virginia 706
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
By J. W. Powell, Director
INTRODUCTION.
The prosecution of ethnologic researches among the North
American Indians, in accordance with act of Congress, was
continued during the fiscal year 1890-'91.
The general plan on which the work was prosecuted in
former years, and which has been explained in earlier reports,
was continued in operation. A noteworthy feature of this plan
is that the ethnologists who, as authors, prepare the publica-
tions of the Bureau, personally gather the material for them in
the field, supplementing this material by a study of all the con-
nected literature and by a subsequent comparison of all ascer-
tained facts. The continuance of the work for a ni;mber of
years by the same zealous observers and students, who freely
interchange their information and opinions, has resulted in their
training with the acuteness of specialists, coiTected and gener-
alized by the knowledge obtained from other authorities on the
same or related specialties.
General lines of investigation were adopted by the Director
and the details were intrusted to selected persons skilled
in their pursuits, the results of whose labors are published
from time to time in the manner prescribed by law. A brief
statement of the work on which each of these special stu-
dents was engaged during the year, with its condensed result,
XXII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
is presented below. This, however, does not specify in detail
all of the studies undertaken or services reudei'ed by them,
as pai'ticular lines of research have sometimes been tempora-
rily suspended, in order immediately to accomplish objects
regarded as of paramount importance for the time.
The present opportunity is embraced to invite again the
assistance of explorers, writers, and stiidents who are not and
may not desire to be officially connected with this Bureau.
Their contributions, whether in the shape of suggestions or of
extended communications, will always be gratefully acknowl-
edged and carefully considered, and if published in whole or
in part, either in the series of reports, monogi-aphs, or bulletins,
they will receive proper credit.
The items which form the subject of the present report are
embraced in two principal divisions. The first relates to the
work prosecuted in the field, and the second to the office work,
which consists largely of the preparation for publication of the
results of the field work, complemented and extended by study
of the literature of the several subjects, and by correspond-
ence relating to them.
It is with profound pleasui'e that attention is called to this
abstract of the work of the officers of the Bureau during the
term of a single year. By long training, b}' great zeal, and by
deep scientific insight, these gentlemen are now able to accom-
plish results far beyond the expectations entertained when the
Bureau was originally organized. The researches in this field
have passed beyond the elementary stage, and the significance
of the data being rapidly gathered becomes more and more
apparent.
FIELD WORK.
At the close of the last fiscal year the specific exploration of
the mound area of the United States ceased, except so far as it
was found necessary to verify surveys and supply omissions.
A large part of the results of this specific work, which had been
continued for several past years, a})pears in the present volume.
A plan of general archeologic field work was practically initi-
ated by systematic explorations of the tide-water region in
ADMINISTRATIVE EEPOET. XXIII
the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and of the Ohio
valley, which determined, among other points of interest, that
the ascription of great antiquity to forms of stone implements
of America, which have been hitherto classed with European
paleoliths in age as well as in fabrication, was not substantiated
by the ascertained facts.
Careful exploration of the Verde valley in Arizona followed
that previously made in other parts of the large southwestern
region of the United States in which the presence of many ex-
tensive ruins had given rise to fanciful theories. The data as
classified and discussed show that the hypothesis of a vanished
race enjoying high civilization, proposed to account for the
architectm-e of the ruined structures, is umiecessary.
The close attention hitherto given to Indian languages was
continued, in recognition of the fact that some of them are fast
passing beyond the possibility of record and study, and that
the ethnic classification of all of the Indian tribes can be made
accurate only through the determination of their linguistic
divisions and connections. The study of aboriginal mythology
and religious practices was also continued, with special atten-
tion to the ghost dances and "Messiah religion," which have
produced important consequences bearing on the problem of
proper national dealing with the Indians. The misconception
of Indian religious philosophy, which in fact presents rather
apparent than actual antagonism to civilization as it is in the
stage commonly traversed toward higher culture, has occa-
sioned needless loss of life and treasure.
The field work of the year is divided into (1) archeology
and (2) general field studies, the latter being directed chiefly
to religion, technology, and linguistics.
ARCHEOLOGIC FIELD WORK.
RESEARCHES BY MR. W. H. HOLMES.
As previously announced, general exploration of the mound
region was discontinued and archeologic field work was placed
in the charge of Mr. William H. Holmes. During the summer
of 1890 he began the work of archeologic exploration in the
XXIV • REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
Atlantic coast states. The ancient quarries of quartzite IjowI-
ders and of steatite within the District of Coliunbia were
explored and extensive excavations were made. Tliis work was
contiiuied tlu-oughout Jnly, and in August a quarry site near
the new U. S. Naval Obsei-vatory, on a ndge overlooking Rock
creek valley, was examined. The phenomena observed on
this site were practically identical with those of Piney branch,
described in the Eleventh Annual Report. A large area of
bowlder beds of the Potomac formation, two or tlu-ee acres
in extent, had been worked ovev to the depth of several feet by
the aboriginal quaiTy men, and all available bowlders had been
utilized in the manufacture of leaf-shaped blades. These were
probably blanks, subsequently specialized as spear heads,
aiTOw points, perforators, and related instruments.
In August Mr. Holmes proceeded to the Mississipi valley
for the purpose of reexamining some mound groups not
previously explored with sufficient care. He spent a week in
Grant county, Wisconsin, mapping the remarkable groups of
effigy mounds for which that region is noted. Subsequently
he visited Pulaski county, Arkansas, and made a survey of
the Knapp mounds at Toltec station, whence he passed to the
vicinity of Hot Springs, Arkansas, to examine the ancient
novaculite quaiTies near that place. Apparently the early
inhabitants had quarried this rock extensively, and had used
it in the manufacture of spear heads, aiTOw points, and other
articles. The pittings were on a large scale, surpassing even
those of the District of Columbia quarries. These Avorks have
generally been attributed by white settlers to Spanish gold-
hunters of an early period.
In.September and October Mr. Holmes resumed his explora-
tions in the Distinct of Columbia and extended the work into
the valley of the Potomac between Point of Rocks and Cum-
berland, Maryland, and into the Ohio valley as far as Alle-
gheny. A visit was next made to the eastern shore of the
Chesapeake, and a very interesting Indian Adllage site on
Choptank river, 2 miles below Cambridge, was examined. An
ancient connnunity of oyster dredgers was once established on
a bluff about 20 feet above tide level. Subsequently this site
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXV
was bm-ied to the depth of 20 feet by wiiid-di-iveu sand, and more
recently the waves have encroached on the land, exposing
a section of the bluff and its buried village site. The most
important feature of this exposure was the section of an ossuary
or burial pit 12 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep, which had
been dug at the village site and filled with a mass of dis-
connected human bones, all of which were in an advanced
state of decay. These remains were not accompanied by ob-
jects of art.
In April Mr. Holmes made a jonmey to Bartow county,
Georgia, and to Coahoma county, Mississippi, to make detailed
observations on the great groups of mounds in these coun-
ties. The principal mound in Bartow county belongs to the
group known as the E^towah mounds, and is a sjilendid example
of the work of the builders. In shape the great structure
is a four-sided truncated pyramid, not wholly symmetric.
It is 63 feet high, and measures about 175 feet across the
nearly level top. The measurements of the four sides of the
base are 380, 330, 360, and 350 feet. The slopes are steep,
reaching in places 45 degrees, and are liroken by two decided
eccentricities of configm-ation. On the south a teiTace from
40 to 50 feet Avide sloj^es to the level of the base of the mound
on the east, and ends in a nearly level platfoiiu about 45 feet
square at the western end. The platform is about 20 feet
lower than the mound, and does not appear to have had means
of communication with its summit. This irregular terrace has
been called a roadway, but it has more the character of an
unfinished addition to the original mound. The other eccen-
tricity is a graded way extending eastward from the summit
of the mound, and which to all appearances is the real road-
way to the summit. This way is 20 or more feet in width,
though somewhat broken down by erosion, and has a slope of
only 21 degi'ees. The great Etowah mound was doubtless
the stronghold of the village, and its top was probably inclosed
by a stockade.
The Carson mounds in Coahoma county, Mississippi, form a
group of unusual interest. There are four mounds of large
size, two of them being oblong and having twin summits. The
XXVI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
highest has an elevation of 25 feet. Scattered about these
larg-e mounds are nearly a hundred smaller ones from
1 to 6 feet in height and from 10 to 200 feet in diameter,
most of which, as the refuse indicates, represent house sites.
The house floors were of clay, well smoothed on the upper
surface, and the walls and possibly the coverings were also of
clay, siipported by a framework of canes. The clay in many
cases has been baked, but whether from design in building or
through the burning of the structure surmounting the mound
is not easily determined. There are numerous large pits about
the border of the site, from which the earth used in building
the mounds was apparentl}^ obtained. The area covered by
the village is three-fourths of a mile by half a mile.
In the spring of 1891 Mr. Holmes began a systematic
exploration of the tide-water region in Maryland and Virginia,
which included a study of the art remains and of the phe-
nomena of shell banks and \'illage sites, as well as the map-
ping of all sites which have interest to the historian and the
archeologist. In this work he was assisted by Mr. William
Dinwiddie, and for a short period by Mr. Gerard Fowke.
Through documentary e\'idencc it is known that the tide-
water region was occupied by tribes of Algonquin stock be-
longing to the Powhatan confederacy. So thorough was their
occupation of this country that along the water courses nearly
every available site bears evidence of it and, in the salt and
brackish sections of the water courses, shell banks (the kitchen-
middens of this people) cover the shores in almost continuous
lines. The sites were so numerous that a careful study of all
was found to be impracticable, and it was decided to select
for detailed examination a small number which are typical.
On the Potomac the following localities were chosen for
special study: The ^dcinity of Little falls at the head of
tide water; the site of Smith's town of "Nacotchtank," now
Anacostia; " Chapowamsie " island, at the mouth of the creek
of that name; the site of the village of " Patawomeck, " on
Potomac creek; the great shell mounds of Pope creek and
the oyster-dredging stations about the mouth of Wicomico
river. Many sites on the western shore of Chesapeake bay and
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXVII
on Patuxent river, also many village sites along the James,
most of them mentioued and located by Capt. John Smith,
were visited and examined. These include " Chesapeack," on
Lynnhaven bay, Virginia; "Nandsamund," on Chuckatuck
creek, west of Norfolk; Jamestown island; "Chawopo,"
"Paspahegh," and "Quiyoughcohanock," near Clearmont;
"Weauock," on Eppes island, opposite City Point; and "Pow-
hatan," just below Richmond. The art remains procured
from these historic James river sites are identical in nearly
every respect with the Potomac and Chesapeake relics, a fact
which bears strongly on the question of the unity of the
art ]iroducts and the identity of the peoples of the tide-water
country.
WORK OF MR. GERARD FOWKE.
Mr. Gerard Fowke entered upon his duties as assistant
archeologist on May 1, 1891. He began at once the explora-
tion of James river valley, and at the close of the year was
making excavations in an ancient cemetery near Gala, Alle-
gheny county, Virginia. The object of that woi-k, aside from
the usual archeologic exploration, was to determine from art
products the western limits of areas occupied by the Algonquin
tribes and the eastern limits of the various groups of peoples
belonging further westward.
WORK OF MR. HENRY L. REYNOLDS.
Mr. Henrj" L. Reynolds was the only one of the former
assistants in the Mound Division retained on the archeo-
logic field woi"k. He was engaged during the early part of
the last fiscal year in making examinations and resurveys of
certain ancient works in Ohio, and in the spring of 1891 was
sent to South Carolina to examine several important works in
that state. Owing to severe illness, which terminated in his
death (on April 17, 1891) while in the field, this last trip was
not productive of scientific results. By the death of Mr. Rey-
nolds the Bureau has lost a skillful and industrious member,
and archeology an enthusiastic student. For some time pre-
XXVIII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
vious to his last trip, in addition to his other duties as assistant
to Prof. Thomas, lie was engaged in preparing a paper on
the prehistoric metallic articles of the mound area.
WORK OF MR. COSMOS MINDELEFF.
Late in November Mr. Cosmos Mindeleff was directed to
proceed to the Casa Grrande, on Gila river in Arizona, and to
examine that ruin with a view to its preservation as pro^^ded
for by act of Congress ; also to prepare plans and specifications
and make contracts for the work. He was furthei- tlirected to
make an examination of the valley of Rio Verde, and collect
data for a report on the archeology of that region. Owing to
unforeseen delays the contracts for the Casa Grande work were
not executed until May 15, 1891, and were not approved by
the Secretary of the Interior imtil late in Jime. Subse-
quently the time for the completion of the work was extended
tw.o months.
During his stay in the vicinity of the Casa Grande, Mr.
Mindeleff made surveys of this structure and of the extensive
ruin of which it forms a part, together with photographs,
detailed plans, sketches, and notes, with a \-iew to a detailed
report. Among other results of his examination he found that
the ruin of this imposing- structure is now standing to within a
very few feet of its height when built and occupied.
Pending the execution and approval of the conti'acts for the
Casa Grande work, Mr. Mindeleff made an examination of
the valley of Rio Verde from its mouth to Camp Verde and
beyond. This region had never been thoroughly examined,
and it had been supposed that it would be found as rich in
archeologic remains as the region about Camp Verde. Such,
however, proved not to be the case. A chain of settlements was
found extending from Camp Verde southward nearly to Fort
McDowell, but the ruins are not so numerous as in the region
immediately about Camp Verde. About 10 miles below the
latter locality an extensive and well-preserved group of cavate
dwellings was found.
Throughout the whole Verde valley the buildings, now in
ruins, were constructed of slabs of calcareous rock, or of
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXIX
river bowlders, or of both, and in construction, location, and
ground plans are affiliated with the northern type rather than
with the southern type, of which the best example is the Casa
Grande on Gila river. Data for a report on the ruins in the
valley of Rio Verde, and on the irrigating- ditches and the
horticultural systems there pursued, were collected and have
been prepared for publication. Mr. Mindeleff remained in the
field until after the close of the fiscal year.
GENERAL FIELD WORK.
WORK OF MRS. STEVENSON.
Mrs. Matilda C. Stevenson remained at the Pueblo of Sia,
New Mexico, from July 1 to September 15, 1890. She was
diligently engaged in completing her studies of the customs
and mythology of the Sia Indians, desribed in the Eleventh
Annual Report of this Bureau. She made their cosmogony
and the rites of their secret cult societies special subjects of
investigation, with the view of acquiring a clearer understand-
ing of their mythology and religious practices. The data thus
obtained are incorporated iii Mrs. Stevenson's memoir on the
Sia in the last report of the Bureau.
WORK OF DR. W. J. HOFFMAN.
Dr. W. J. Hoffman in July visited the Menomoni reservation
at Kesheua, the Objibwa reservation at Lac Court Oreille,
Wisconsin, the Ojibwa reservation at La Pointe, and the Ottawa
Indians at Petoskey, Michigan. At Keshena he attended the
annual ceremony of the Mita'wit, or Grand Medicine Society,
an order professing the powers of prophesy, the exorcism of
demons, the cure of disease, and the ability to confer success
in the chase. The ritual of initiation embraces the dramatiza-
tion of the Menomoni cosmogony, the reception by the Indians
from the Great Manito of the power of warding off disease and
hung'er, and the instruction to candidates as to the proper mode
of so living as to gain admission into the realm presided over
by Naqpote (the wolf), who is brother of Manabush, the mediator
between the Menomoni and the Great Manito. The initiation
XXX REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
ceremonies are preceded by a mortuary ritual, lasting one entire
night, in honor of the deceased member, whose place is filled
later on by the initiation of a substitute.
Investigations were made of the Menomoni ceremony to
compare it with a similar ritual found among the Ojibwa. It
appears that the Menomoni practices are offshoots from the
Ojibwa, and that where the Ojibwa shamans repeat certain
phrases in an archaic form of language as handed down to
them, the Menomoni employ Ojibwa words and phrases, per-
hiips to mystify the hearers, or, perhaps, because the ritual
was obtained from the Ojibwa in that form. The mode of
manufacture of the several kinds of mats luade by the Menom-
oni was also examined, and typical specimens were secm'ed.
On the completion of his work at the above reservations. Dr.
Hoffman proceeded to La Pointe to inquire of the Ojibwa
shamans concerning certain sacred birch-bark charts employed
by them in the initiation of candidates into their society,
and also to secure additional information relative to the expla-
nation of pictographic cosmogony records. He then visited
the Ottawa Indians on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan,
near Mackinaw, to ascertain whether the ceremonies of the
Grand Medicine Society are still practiced by them. This
body of Indians profess to have discontinued these rites, but
assert that a band of the Ottawa, living farther southward, near
Grand Traverse, adhere to the primitive belief and conduct
annual ceremonies.
WORK OF MR. JAMES MOONEY.
Mr. James Mooney made a short visit in July to the moun-
tain region of North Carolina and Tennessee, the former home
of the Cherokees, foi- the purpose of collecting additional facts
for a monograph on that tribe. In connection with the same
work he had intended to visit the Cherokee nation in Indian
ten-itory during the following winter, but in the meantime the
"Messiah religion" had begun to attract so much attention
that he was directed to investigate that subject also at the
same time, as well as to gather more material bearing on the
linguisdc affinities of the Kiowa tribe He left Washington
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXXI
on December 22, and proceeding at once to the Cheyenne and
Arapaho reservation in Indian territory, wliere the ghost
dances were in fnll operation, remained for several weeks study-
ing the dances, making photographs, and collecting the songs
used. This last was the most important part of the study, as
most of the Messiah religion is embodied in songs, many of
which go to the root of Indian mvthology. That religion is
a remodeling of aboriginal beliefs as influenced by the ideas
of Christianity lately imbibed from the white man, to be used
for the utter confounding of the white man himself. It is in
no sense a warlike movement. It is somewhat remarkable
that the ghost songs in use by the various tribes are almost all
in the language of the Arapahoes, the members of that tribe
being the most active propagators of the new religion and
their language being peculiarly adapted to music.
He then proceeded to the Kiowa reservation, where lin-
guistic and other materials were obtained by which it may
become possible finally to classify that hitherto isolated tribe.
Additional ghost-dance material was also collected. After
revisiting the Cherokee nation, where several weeks were
devoted to gathering information, especially in regard to the
Indian geography of upper Georgia, he returned to Washing-
ton early in April.
In accordance with arrangements for the World's Columbian
Exposition it was decided to make a tribal exhibit from one of
the more primitive prairie tribes. The Kiowas were selected
for the purpose and the work was assigned to Mr. Mooney,
who then returned to their reservation. During May and
June he collected a large variety of articles illustrative of the
home life, arts, dress, and ceremonials of the tribe, and was
still in the field at the close of the fiscal year.
OFFICE WORK.
The Director during the year devoted all the time he
could spare from other official duties to the completion of
a work on the linguistic families of North America. His
effort to classify the North American languages so that the
classification shall be of scientific value as M'ell as of practical
XXXII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
use, lias been explained at length in previous reports. Such a
classification, when properly made, will constitute an indispen-
sable preliminary to all accurate ethnologic work relating to
this continent. The essay, Avith an accompanying linguistic
chart, was substituted for anf)ther paper in the long delayed
Seventh Annual Report of this Biu-eau.
Col. GrARRiCK Mallery, U. S. A., during the year, when not
occupied in special and occasional duties designated l)y the
Director, was engaged in arranging for jniblication the mate-
rial gathered by him during several previous years on the gen-
eral theme of picture-writing. That title was used to embrace
all modes of expressing and communicating thoughts and facts
in a permanent form without reference to sound. Such modes
of expression being at one time, if not still, independent of oral
language, the study of their history, evolution, and practice
may assist in the solution of some ethnic and psychic prob-
lems, and may verify or modify some theories of anthropologic
import. In the scheme of arrangement for publication the
objective exhibition of mental concepts by the North American
Indians has been classified with proper predominance, as it
has exceeded in iutere.st all others known which have not
passed beyond the boundaries separating ideograms and
emblems from syllabaries and alphabets. In order to promote
explanation and comparison, however, copies and descriptions
of a lai'ge number of petroglyphs and other forms of picto-
graphs found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Austi-alia, and in many
islands, were collated. With the same object, still more earnest
attention was directed to the synoptic presentation of illustra-
tions from Mexico, Central America, and South America as being
presumably more closely connected than is the eastern hemi-
sphere with the similar developments found in the present area
of the United States, whether inscribed on rocks with author-
ship generally unknown or actually in cuiTcnt use among many
of the Indian tribes. This work was incorporated in the Tenth
Annual Report of this Bureau.
Mr. Henrv W. Henshaw throughout the entire year devoted
his time to administrative work and to continuing the prepara-
tion of the Dictionary of Indian Tribes already described.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXXIII
Prof. Cyrus Thomas was engaged during the year chiefly
in the preparation of his report on the exploration of the
mound area of the United States, which appears in the present
vohime, and in other office work necessary in connection witli
the pubhcation of a bulletin entitled "Catalogue of Prehistoric
Works East of the Rocky Mountains," printed during the
fiscal year though not issued until after its close. He was
also occupied in the preparation of maps for that bulletin and of
illustrations for his general report. It was intended at first
that the whole of that report should occupy two volumes as a
part of the series of Contributions to North American Ethnol-
ogy, but it was found convenient to divide it between the
present volume and the bulletin mentioned. As this change
of plan necessitated some modifications in the manuscript, the
opportunity was embraced to incorporate additional data
obtained through recent observations and coiTespondence.
Mr. W. H. Holmes included in his office work the prepara-
tion of papers on pottery, shell, textile fabrics, pipes, and other
productions of the mound-building tribes, and the writing of
reports on the numerous explorations made during the year.
These reports have been bi'ought up to date and are on file.
He has adopted the policy of prejiaring reports on field work
for file as the work proceeds, and his assistants are expected at
the close of each separate piece of exploration or unit of study
to make a report relating to it of a sufficiently finished nature
to serve the purposes of record and reference in case of their
disability or separation from the office.
Rev. J. Owen Doksey prepared the index to his monograph,
"The (pegiha, Language — Myths, Stories, and Letters," and read
the proof sheets of the second part of that volume, which has
since been published as Vol. vi of Contributions to North
American Ethnology. He resumed his work on the (|!!egiha-
English dictionary, inserting many new words occurring in the
texts, and referring to each new word by page and line. He
devoted considerable time to the tribal synonymy of the
Athapascan, Caddoan, Kusan, Siouan, Takilman, and Yakonan
families; comparing authorities, writing historical sketches of
the tribes, gentes, and villages of these linguistic families, and
12 ETH III ~
XXXIV REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
rearraugiiig- all the material in order to make it ready for priut-
ing. From December, 1890, to March, 1891, with the aid of a
Kwapa delegate in Washington, he collected much information
respecting the Kwapa (or Quapaw) tribe, a people closely related
to the Omaha and Ponka, from whom they separated ^irior to
1540. After March, 1891, he elaborated that material, which
consists of about 150 personal names, aiTanged according to
sex and gens, with the meaning of the name whenever attain-
able, together with over 3,500 entries for a Kwapa-English
dictionary, and several epistles and myths with grammatic and
sociologic notes. This material was found to be of great assist-
ance to him in the preparation of the (|3egiha-English dictionary
and other papers.
He also prepared for publication the following papers : A
study of Siouan cults, illustrated with numerous sketches col-
ored by Indians, which is incorporated in the Eleventh Annual
Report; Omaha and Ponka letters, containing the (fJegiha
epistles, which could not be published in Contributions to
North American Ethnology, Vol. vi; an illustrated paper on
Omaha dwellings, furniture, and implements; and a pajier on
the social organization of the Siouan tribes.
Mr. Albert S. Gatschet during the fiscal year was en-
gaged in office work only. After completing the manuscript
of the Ethnographic Sketch of his work, "The Klamath Lidians
of Southwestern Oregon," which was published during the year
as Vol. II, Part i, of Contributions to North American Ethnology,
he read the proof of it, which occupied him until October, 18! >(».
Later he was engaged in extracting, copying, and carding the
vocabularies and other matter collected by him during the past
ten years concerning the Tonkawe, the Hitchiti, the Shawano,
Powhatan, and Creek Indians. A large number of personal,
tribal, and local names of Indian origin were collected and
partly explained in the intervals of the above work.
Dr. W. J. Hoffman continued the arrangement and classifi-
cation of material relating to the society of shamans of the
(^jibwa Indians, which, together with numerous illustrations,
was prepared for publication, and forms part of the Seventh
Annual Report of the Bureau. Dr. Hoffman was also engaged
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXXV
in the arrangement of the Jata and sketches rehxting to the
pictography and gesture hxnguage of the North American
Indians, obtained by him during previous field seasons, to be
incorporated in tlie -works of Col. Mallery on those topics.
Mr. James Mooney devoted the earlier part of the fiscal
year to the elaboratiiin of his Cherokee material, the tirst
results of which, under the title of "Sacred Formulas of the
Cherokees," has appeared in the Seventh Annual Report of
the Bureau. He also prepared a short descriptive catalogue
of his previous ethnologic collections from the Cherokee and
began work on a paper indicating that the southern Atlantic
states were formerly occupied by a number of Siouan tribes,
if, indeed, that region was not the original home of the Siouan
stock. In connection with this investigation, a closer study
of the linguistic material from the Catawban tribes of Carolina
confirms the statement, which has already been published by
this Bureau, that tliey belong to the Siouan family. Mr.
Mooney also at intervals assisted in work on the Dictionary of
Tribal Synonymy.
Mr. James C. Pilling continued Jiis bibliographic work
throughout the fiscal year. At the date of the last report he
was engaged in reading proof of the bibliography of the
Algonquian languages. The volume has been published, com-
prising 614 pages and 82 full-page illustrations, chiefly fac-
similes of the title-pages of rare books, syllabaries, and other
interesting bibliographic features. Among the special articles
in it is one relating to the labors of the "Apostle" Eliot among-
the Indians of Massachusetts, and more especially to his
linguistic work. As this author was the earliest and the most
noted of those engaged in this line of research, considerable
space was devoted to him and his labors, and it was thought
proper to issue the article in separate form. It is noted below
under the heading of publications. Mr. Pilling has terminated
his connection with the U. S. Geological Survey, and is now
associated exclusively with the Bureau of Ethnology, his ap-
pointment taking effect May 1, 1891.
Mr. J. N. B. Hewitt has continued his work on the Tuskarora
dictionary, the Tuskarora-English part being well advanced
XXXVI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
and till' Phiglish-Tuskarora part commenced. Much material
for the compiLation of a com])lete grammar of the Tuskarora-
Iroquoiau tong'ue was added to that previously acquired.
For tliis ol)ject such anomalous, redundant, and defective verbs
as have been recorded in the dictionary have been conjugated
in all the derivative forms of which they are susceptible, a
difficult but instructive task. Several regular verbs have also
been conjugated to develop all their known derivative forms.
The number of possible derivative forms of a regular verb in
the several conjugations is estimated by Mr. Hewitt to i-each
between 2,800 and 3,000. This enumeration is of interest, first,
because it has been asserted by students of Indian languages that
the number of ]iossible derivative forms of an American Indian
verb is infinite, and, secondly, because it has been estimated
that a Greek verb so conjugated would be represented by
about 1,300 forms.
He also paid special attention to grammatic gender. There
are in the Tuskarora-Iroquoian tongue three genders, which he
names the anthropic, the zoic, and the azoic, which are ex-
pressed through the prefix pronouns only. In the anthropic
gender alone sex distinctions are found, and hence there are
masculine and feminine pronouns therein; but in the zoic and
azoic genders, sex is not indicated. Hence, by the prefix pro-
nouns, the objects of discourse are naturally classified into
three genders.
Mr. Hewitt continued making translations from the old
French writers, Perrot, Lafitau, La Potherie, and others, of the
notices and accounts of the beliefs, rites and ceremonies, super-
stitions, and mythic tales of the Iroquoian peoples. These were
collated as aids in explaining and elaborating the matter col-
lected in the field by him personally. By adding their testi-
mony to the evidence of etymology he forms the opinion that
the Iroquoian cosmogony or genesis-myth originates in the
personification of the elements, powers, processes, and the liv-
ing creatures of the visible and sensible world.
Mrs. Matilda C. Stevenson was engaged from the later
part of September, 1890, to June 30, 18'J1, in preparing for
publication the material collected at the pueblo of Sia, New
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XXXVII
Mexico, during the preceding spring and summer, which is
pubhshed in the Eleventh Annual Report of this series.
Mr. Cosmos Mindeleff during the first five months of the
fiscal year was occupied on the card catalogue of ruins
referred to in the last annual report and in the compilati(in and
preparation of maps showing tlie distribution of ruins in the
southwestern part of the United States. This work was tem-
porarily discontinued late in November, when he was ordered
into the field as set fortli in preceding paragraphs.
He also has remained in charge of the modeling room.
Its force during the year was devoted exclusively to the "dupli-
cate series," reference to which has been made in previous
reports, and no new work was undertaken. Five models were
added to the series, ranging in size from 16 square feet to 250
square feet, and comprising the following subjects: Mummy
cave cliif ruin, Arizona; Pueblo of Walpi, Arizona; Pueblo
of Sechumovi, Arizona; Ruin of Penasco Blanco, New Mexico;
and Pit of Nelson mound. This series is nearing completion,
and tlie Bureau now has material sufiicient to form tlie nu-
cleus of an exhibit, such as it is often called u]X)n to make,
without disturbing its series of original models now deposited
in the National Museum. It has also a small number of mod-
els which can be drawn upon to supply the demand for such
material for the purpose of exchange with colleges and other
educational and scientific institutions.
Mr. Jeremiah Curtin was occupied with ofiice work exclu-
sively during the year. From July 1, 18110, until February
1, 1891, he arranged and copied vocabularies which he had
previously collected in California, namely: Hupa, Elmikan,
Weitspekan, Wintu, Yana, and Palailmihan. He devoted the
later months of the year to classifying and cojiying a large
number of myths which he had collected among the Hupa,
Ehnikan, and Wintu Indians. These myths are for the greater
part connected with medicine, though some are creation myths
and myths relating to religion and the origin of various tribal
customs and usages.
Mr. De Lancy W. Gill continued in charge of the work of
jjreparing and editing the illustrations for publications of the
XXXVIII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
Bureau. The work done for the year eudiug June 30, 1891,
was as follows:
Drawings of objects and ethnologic specimens and miscellaneous
dia.t;rams 422
Ancient ruins, earthworks, and landscape drawings 1'53
Maps « 47
Total C02
These di*awings were prepared from field surveys and
sketches, fi-om photographs, and from the collections brouglit
in bv the members of the Bureau.
The photoo'raphic work remains under the able manage-
ment of Mr. J. K. Hillers. Photographic negatives were
secured from sittings of Indians representing the following
tribes, ^^z, Sac and Fox, Seneca, Creek, and Cherokee. J^rom
these negatives 129 prints were furnished.
Admixistkative Work. — Until April 30, 1891, Mr. James C.
Pilling was chief clerk of the Geological SiU'vey and performed
similar functions for the Bureau of Ethnology; after Mr.
Pilling's resignation from the Geological Sui'vey took etfect,
his successor, Mr. H. C. Rizer, beginning with May 1, con-
tinued to })erform the duties of chief clerk of the Bureau of
Etlmologv. Mr. Jolm D. McChesney, the chief disbiu'sing
clerk of the Geological Survey, continued to make disburse-
ments and transact the fiscal business for the Bureau through-
out the year. The duties of these officers have been performed
in an eminently satisfactory manner, without compensation
from the Bureau. Mr. W. A. Croftut, editor of the Geological
Survey, has remained in charge of the editorial work of the
Bureau, an exacting service which he also has performed for
several years without compensation from the Bureau. In this
work he has been efficiently aided by Mr. George M. Wood.
PUBLICATIONS.
The publications issued during the year are:
(1) Contributions to North American Ethnology, Volume
II, Part I. The Klamath Indians of Southeastern Oi'egon, by
Albert Samuel Gatschet, a quarto volume of cvii-f-Tll pages
ADMINISTRATIVE KEPOKT. XXXIX
and map. This part includes an etlmographic sketch of the
Klamath people, texts of the Klamath language with explana-
tory notes, and a grammar of the Klamath language. The
second part comprises the Klamath-English and English-
Klamath dictionaries. It was in type at the end of the last
fiscal year, but was not then received from the Public Printer.
(2) Bibliographic notes on Eliot's Indian Bible and on his
other translations and works in the Indian language of Massa-
chusetts. This is an abstract from a Bibliography of the
Algonquian Languages, by James Constantine Pilling, and
forms pages 127-184 of the Algonquian Bibliography, which
has since been issued. As separately issued these "Notes"
constitute a royal octavo pamphlet of 58 separately numbered
pages. Two hundred and fifty copies were printed and issued.
ACCOMPANYING PAPER ON THE MOUND EXPLO-
RATIONS OF THE BUREAU.
In 1858, 1859, and 1860 the present Director of the Bui-eau
of Ethnology was engaged in examining prehistoric mounds
in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. At that time it was
the prevailing opinion among archeologists that the mounds
and other aboriginal earthworks of the eastern half of the
United States are vestiges of a people more ancient and more
advanced in culture than the tribes of Indians that occupied
the continent at the time of the discovery by Columbus.
Sharing these opinions, he began the preparation of a catalogue
of mound-builders' arts, in the progress of which work many
mounds were visited and a few excavated, and the catalogue
grew from observations thus made in the field and from the
examination of collections in various parts of the country. In
the fall of 1859 certain mounds on the shore of Lake Peoria,
in Illinois, were examined and skeletons were found in one of
the largest, and with them works of art of various materials,
especially of stone and pottery. At the bottom, with some
articles of pottery, shells, stone implements, etc., an ornament
was found made of copper skillfully cut in imitation of a
spread eagle, with head turned to one side. Lying by the side
of this were a few glass beads. These challenged attention,
XL REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
and the question was necessarily presented to him, Did these
ancient people have the art of making- glass ? Subsequently
the coj)per ornament was more carefull}' examined, and it ap-
peared to be made of rolled sheet copper, or if the sheet was
made by hammering this was so deftly accomplished that
every vestige of the process had disappeared, leaving only flat
surfaces on both sides, with a uniform thickness of metal. If
these articles were the work of the mound-ljuilders in pre-
Columbian times, then the people must have possessed arts
more advanced than those shown by the mound arts previously
studied. Thus a suspicion arose as to the correctness of the
prevailing opinion.
National events interrupted the investigation, and carried
the investigator into other fields of activity; but while cam-
paigning in Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi, in t861-64
he discovered and examined many other groups of mounds.
In these new fields, also, most of the w^orks of art unearthed
were of stone, bone, shell, and pottery, but in excavating a
mound with stone graves, near Nashville, Tennessee, more
glass beads were discovered and also an iron knife, very much
rusted, which was afterward lost. At the time of this find his
former suspicion became a hypothesis that the mounds from
Avhich the glass, coppei-, and iron articles were taken were con-
structed subsequent to the advent of the white man on this
continent, and that the contents "gave evidence of barter
between the civilized and savage races.
When the Bureau of Ethnology was first organized the
energies of its members were devoted exclusively to the study
of the North American Indians, and the general subject of
archeology was neglected, it being the dominant pm-pose and
preference of the Director to investigate the languages, arts,
institutions, and mythologies of extant tribes rather than pre-
historic antiquities; but certain archeologists, by petition,
asked Congress to so enlarge the scope of the Bm-eau as to
include a study of the archeology of the United States, and
thereupon, when the next app;-opriation was made, in Febru-
ary, 1881, the act of Congress was modified by including the
italicized words in the following extract:
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XIJ
"Add to the paragraph appropriathig $25,000 for coii-
tinuiug ethnoL:>gical researches among the North American
Indians the following:
" '■Five thouscDid dollars of which shall be expended in continuing
archeological investigation relating to mound-builders and prehistoric
mounds.'' "
This change in the statute was a surprise to the Director, as
he had not been informed that such a movement was on foot.
In compliance with the terms of the statute the work of inves-
tigating the mounds of the eastern half of the United States
was at once organized, and Mr. Wills de Haas was placed in
charge, as he Avas one of the men who had interested himself
to have the investigation enlarged. Subsequently, in 1881,
Mr. de Haas resigned, and Prof Cyrus Thomas was put in
charge of the work, which he has ever since continued. The
new line of researches thus inaugurated has led to the publica-
tion of a number of papers in the reports of the Bureau, and
now one more comprehensive than any of the rest is presented
by Prof Thomas — a treatise which will be of interest, as it
seems to disprove the attractive theory that the ancient tumuli
of tlie eastern half of the United States are the remains of a
people more highly cultured than the tribes of who were In-
dians fovind by the white man, and who had vanished from the
country anterior to the Columbian discovery. The problems
raised in the mind of the present Director many years ago
seem to have reached a solution.
It is difficult to exaggerate the prevalence of this romantic
fallacy, or the force with which the hypothetic "lost races" had
taken possession of the imaginations of men. For more than
a century the ghosts of a vanished nation have ambuscaded
in the vast solitudes of the continent, and the forest-covered
mounds have been usually regarded as the mysterious sep-
ulchers of its kings and nobles. It was an alluring conjecture
that a powerful people, superior to the Indians, once occupied
the valley of the Ohio and the Appalachian ranges, their empire
stretching from Hudson bay to the Gulf, with its flanks on
the western prairies and the eastern ocean; a people with a
confederated government, a chief ruler, a great central capital,
XLII REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
a highly developed religion, with homes and husbandr}- and
advanced textile, fictile, and ductile arts, with a language, per-
haps with letters, all swept away before an invasion of copjier-
liued Huns from some unknown region of the earth, prior to
the landing of Columbus. These hypothetic semici^^lized
autochthons, imagined to have been thus rudely exterminated
or expelled, have been variously identified by ethnologists
with the ancestors of the Aztecs or the Toltecs, the Mayas, the
Colhuas, the Chichimecs, or the Pueblos, who have left no
sign of their existence save the rude and feeble fortifications
into which they fled from their foes, and the silent and obscure
elevations in which their nobles found interment.
Only about a hundred years have passed since scientific men
became fully aware of these remarkaljle antiquities. They
were first discussed by Dr. Franklin, Thomas Jeff'erson, Presi-
dent Ezra Stiles of Yale C-ollege, Noah Webster, and their
contemporaries, who advanced Aarious theories to account for
the origin of the mounds. Fraukliu and Webster were inclined
to attribute to De Soto and other Spanish explorers the few
that had been found and described, but Webster afterward
abandoned this theory and ascribed the mounds to the Indians.
Dr. Benjamm S. Barton, in 1797, set tV)rth the conclusion that
the mounds were not built by the living Indians or their pre-
decessors, but by a people of higher cultivation, with established
law and order and a well disciplined police. His work, "New
Views on the Origin of the Tribes of America," seems, in fact,
to have been the first publication of the theory of the "lost
races."
At the beginning of this century the students of American
archeology received two important accessions. Rev. T. M. Har-
ris, of Massachusetts, and Bishop Madison, of Virginia. Both
of them traveled extensively in the mound region, and both
were of scientific tastes and habits of mind. Bishop Madison
saw in these antiquities no evidence of an art higher than or
of tendencies diflerent from those of existing Indians, while Dr.
Harris thought that they evinced proofs of skill and cultm-e
implying the hand of a superior race and the influence of a
hio-her civilization.
ADMINISTRATIVE EEPOKT. XLIII
Since the days of Harris and Madison the discussion of this
subject has gone forward oA the hnes which their differences
detiued. Those who hokl that the Indians did not buikl the
mounds are far from agreeing- as to who did buikl them. Many,
like Mr. John T. Short, author of "The North Amei'icans of
Antiquity," follow Harris in the direction of the Toltecs, who,
it is assumed, occupied the Mississippi basin prior to their
appearance in the valley of Anahuac on the summit of the
mountains of Mexico. Wilson, in his "Prehistoric Man," argues,
on the contrary, that the Toltecs came from the south, and that
the Aztecs went from the north after building our mysterious
mounds. Dawson, in his "Fossil Man," holds that the mounds
were built by the Tallegwi, a primitive people reconstructed
from the traditions of the Delawares ; Lewis H. Morgan ex-
pressed the opinion that the makers of the mounds were
related to the Pueblo tribes of New Mexico; Squier and Davis,
who, in their "Ancient Monuments," exercised a world-wide
influence on this question partly because their conclusions
were published under the powerful aiithority of the Smith-
sonian Institution, set forth their views as follows :
"We may venture to suggest that the facts thus far col-
lected point to a connection more or less intimate between the
race of the mounds and the semicivilized nations which for-
merly had their seats among the Sierras of Mexico, upon the
plains of Central America and Peru, and who erected the
imposing structures which from their number, vastness, and
mysterious significance, invest the central portion of the con-
tinent with an interest not less absorbing than that which
attaches to the valley of the Nile."
But the assumption that the mounds scattered in-egularly
over the face of this country from Florida to the Red River
of the North were the work of a lost and nameless race, and
that the deposits of Indian remains within them were the result
of "intrusive burials," has been losing ground before recent
evidence accumulated by archeologists. The spade and pick,
in the hands of patient and sagacious investigators, have every
year brought to light facts tending more and more strongly to
prove that the mounds, defensive, mortuar}" and domiciliary,
XLIV REPORT OP THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOfJY.
which have excited so iinicli ciuMositv uud become the subject
of so inauy liypotheses, were constructed by the historic Indians
of our hind and their lineal ancestors.
It is just to say that Schoolcraft, Gallatin, Lewis Cass, and
Sir John Lubbock were ;dl along- inclined t( • attribute these
ancient works to the Indians, and this opinion has also been
entertained by Samuel G. Drake, Lucien Garr, Gen. M. F
Force, Tln-uston, and (notably) Dr. J. H. McCulloh.
Dr. W. H. Dall, in his translation of the Marquis de Nadail-
lac's "Prehistoric America," says: "The Mound-builders were
no more nor less than the immediate predecessors in blood aud
culture of the Indians described by De Soto's chronicler and
other early explorers — the Indians wlio inhabited the region of
the mounds at the time of their discovery by civilized man."
Yet, notwithstanding the ability and distinction of some of
the advocates of this view and the reasonableness and cogency
of their arguments, it is to be remarked that the theory that
the mounds and other remains of antiquity are referable to
mythical vanished races has always been the most popular,
and to-day the followers of Bishop Madison are far less
numerous than the followers of Dr. Harris.
In the hope of adding enough evidence to tliat already in
sight to enable ethnologists to reach the solution of the problem,
the researches recorded in this volume were undertaken.
The demonstration of the ftxllacy of Harris's fascinating
theory, long cherished and fully accepted by most ethnologists
and explorers, has a far wider scope than simply correcting
the current conception of pre-Columbian conditions; it enables
us to obtain a more accurate view of the historic Indians them-
selves and to form some idea of the culture-status of their
ancestry and of the lines of environment through which they
have descended; to unify and expand the field of vision and to
make useful investigations along a symmetric and homoge-
neous ethnic plane instead of wasting- time in chimerical and
sentimental speculations concerning the unknown.
The mounds in which the dead were deposited are the most
important among aboriginal relics, for they indicate, both in
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XLV
construction and in contents, something- of the art, reHgion, and
sociology of their occupants and builders. Articles found with
the skeletons, such as implements, ornaments, and fetiches,
many of them still in g-ood preservation, are full of biographic
and ethnic signiiicance concerning the beliefs, habits, pur-
poses, social condition and life historv of long- buried men and
of the survivors who paid them funeral rites.
These artificial mounds scattered throughout the United
States are of many types. They are made of diiferent mate-
rials. The}' are evidently designed for different purposes —
mortuary, military, social. They are constructed in different
forms. They evince different degrees of art. They have
diverse contents, which apparently vary with the varying- ends
in view and the various possessions available.
Now as these tumuli are unnumbered and may fairly be
said to be innumerable, it is obviouslv impossible that every
mound can be scientifically examined and a complete correla-
tion and coordination thus established. If it can be shown
that some of the mounds and some of the other antiquities of
all the difi"erent types and classes were made by Indians, or
even by people having the same habits, beliefs, and culture-
status as. the Indians, the infei-ence is justifiable that all are
the work of the same race or one closely allied in culture. In
fact, such an inference from such data is irresistible. Prof
Thomas has made, in the paper herewith presented, a com-
prehensive accumulation of these significant facts which seems
to overwhelm all a priori theories of a "lost race" and to
demonstrate inductively that all of these mounds were built by
the people known to have built some of them or by other peo-
ple of similar characteristics and of the same grade of culture.
The explorations recorded in this paper were conducted in
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New
York, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and West
Virginia, and excavations have been made in more than 130
counties. More than 2,000 mounds have been explored,
including every known form, from the circular tumulus of the
XLVI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
north to the large truncated pyraniiil of the soutli, the stone
cairn, the liouse site, etc., stratified and unstratified; and the
coUaborators of the Bureau t>f Ethnology have collected au
immense treasury of pottery, celts, pipes, gorgets, flint and
bone implements, discoidal stones, copper articles, engraved
shells and toys, and ornaments of many kinds, which will be
invaluable to students of ethnology.
Incidentally, as strongly pointing to the conclusions to
which the explorations lead, Dr. Thomas introduces a summa-
tion f)f testin:iony tending to show that the ruined cities of
Palenque, Copan, and Uxmal were founded and built not by
an extinct ancient race but b}' the ancestors of the sturdy
Mayas who still possess Central America, and that the
deserted pueblos and cliff-dwellings of New Mexico and Ai-i-
zona are referable to the ancestors of the sedentary tribes who
still cluster on the arid plains and mesas' of that section. If
this be true it follows as a corollary that thev could not have
constructed the mounds of eastern America in the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries.
The ultimate conclusions resulting from the explorations
chronicled in this volume may briefly be stated as follows :
1. Nothing found in the mounds justifies the opinion that
they are uniformly of great antiquity.
2. The mound-builders comprised a number of tribes bear-
ing about the same relations and having about the same cul-
ture-status as the Indian tribes inhabiting the corresponding
area when it was first visited by Europeans.
3. The custom of removing the flesh before burial prevailed
extensively among the northern mound-builders, and was not
uncommon in the south.
4. None of the mounds were built for religious or sacred
pm'poses, but some religious ceremony was often performed
at the burial, involving the use of fire, perhaps in cremation.
There is no evidence that human sacrifice was practiced.
5. In some southern districts, especially in the bottom lands
of the lower Mississippi, it was customary to erect dwellings
on low mounds, apparently artificial, and, when deaths oc-
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT. XLVII
cuiTed, to bury the remains in the earthen floors, burn the
liouses, and heap mounds over the sites while the embers yet
smoldered. These residences appear to have been constructed
by setting upright sticks in the ground and wattling them by
interweaving canes or twigs, then plastering- these rude walls
with clay and thatching the roofs exactly as described by the
early French explorers of the region.
6. The contents of the mounds examined reveal in the
builders a people who had attained about the same status in
warfare, domestic customs, social conditions, and arts, as the
Indians of the same neighborhood when first -sasited by white
men.
7. The construction of similar mounds over the dead has
been practiced extensively in many localities since the com-
ing of Europeans, as is demonstrated by the finding of silver
and iron implements and religious emblems among the bones
and ashes of the abandoned liearths.
8. The explorations of the Bureau exhibit the fact that the
mounds of the eastern portion of the United States cannot be
distinguished from those of the western portion as belonging
to a higher grade of culture, while there is abundant evidence
that the western mounds have in part been erected and used
by the Indians in historic times. The present Director has him-
self seen two burial mounds in process of construction — one in
Utah, on the Ijanks of the Santa Clara, near the town of St.
George, constructed by a tribe of the Shoshonean family; the
other built by the Wintun Indians in the valley of Pitt river,
near the fish-hatching station on that stream. The evidence
in favor of the Indian origin of the western structures has
been so great and the facts have been so well known that
writers have rarel}' attributed them to prehistoric peoples.
S. The explorations of the Bureau herein recorded justify
the conclusion that works of certain kinds and localities are
attributable to specific tribes known to history. This makes
it possible for the archeologist to determine, to a limited
extent, certain lines of migration. For example, it seems to be
proved that the Cherokees were mound-builders, and that they
built most of the mounds of eastern Tennessee and western
XLVIII
REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
Noi'tli Carolina, and probably those of the Kanawha valley of
West Virginia. To the Shawnees may be ascribed the box
or cist graves of stone and accompanying mounds in Kentucky,
Tennessee, and northern Georgia. The stone graves in the
valley of the Delaware are referable to the Delawares. There
are facts enough to corroborate the inference that tlie ancient
works in northern Mississippi were built chiefly by the Chicka-
saws; those in the region of Flint river, in southern Georgia,
by the Uchees; and a large portion of all those of the Gulf
states by the Muskoki group.
10. Finally, the links of evidence connecting the Indians
and mound-builders are so numerous and well established as
to justify archeologists in assuming that they were one and
the same people.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Clasaijication of expenditures made from the appropriation for North American Eth-
iiolui/i/jfor the fiscal year ending June 30, 1S91.
Amount of appropriation, 1890-'91, (act approved August 30, 1890) $40,000.00
July 1, 1890, halaiK-e from previous appropriations 12,033.08
Total 52,033.08
Expenses.
Amount.
Expenses.
Amount.
$33,710.23
2, 354. 76
290.20
115. 16
310. 71
93.54
.30
32.26
352. 16
309. 00
$840.35
439.96
Office supplies and repairs
193. 41
Specimens
Bonded railroad aoconnts forwarded
to United States Treasury for set-
tlement
Balance on hand to meet outstanding
liabilities
174. 10
Field suiiplies for distribution to In-
42.70
12,774.24
Books for library
52,033.08
Stationery and drawing material
ACCOMPANYING PAPER.
12 ETH 1
REPORT
ON THE
MOUND EXPLORATIONS
OF THK
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
HY
CYEUS THOMAS.
CONTENTS.
Pago.
Outline of this pajier 17
Preface 19
Introduction 27
Field opiTiitions 35
Manitoba and the Dakotas 35
Minnesota 42
Pipestone county 42
Houston county 45
Wisconsin 47
Dane county 47
Crawford county 47
Vernon county 77
Grant county 83
Sbehoygan county 93
Barron county 94
Rock county 98
Iowa 99
Allamakee county 99
Clayton county 108
Dubuque county 108
Wapello county 110
Van Buren county 112
Lee county 113
Illinois 112
Joe Daviess county 112
Pike county 117
Brown county 118
Adams county 120
Calhoun county 121
Madison and St. Clair counties 131
Randolph county 134
.Jackson county 141
Alexander county 148
Union county 155
Lawrence county 163
Missouri 163
Clark county 163
Lewis county 167
St. Louis county _ _ 167
Cape Girardeau county 168
Bollinger county 170
Stoddard county 172
Scott and Mississippi counties 183
Butler county 193
5
6 CONTENTS.
Field t)per;itioiis — coutiuued. Page.
Arkansas 198
Clay county 198
Greene county 199
Craigbead county 200
Poinsett county 203
Mississippi county 219
Independence county 224
Jackson county 225
Crittenden county 226
St. Francis county 227
Arkansas county 229
Lee county 231
Monroe county 233
Phillipa county 233
Deslia county 237
Drew conuty 239
Lincoln county 241
Jcft'ersou county 242
Pulaski county 243
Saline county 245
Clark county 247
Ouachita county 248
Louisiana 250
Mississippi 253
Coahoma county 253
Sun flower county 258
Washington county 259
Yazoo county 260
Adams county 263
Union county 267
Tennessee 278
Lauderdale county 278
Obion county 279
Kentucky 279
Alalianui 283
Lauderdale county 283
Madison county 285
Marshall county 285
Blount county 286
Sumter county 286
Elmore county 286
Clarke county 289
Barbour county 289
Montgomery county 289
Talladega county 290
Jeft'ersou county 290
Georgia 292
Bartow county 292
Habersham county 314
Elbert county 315
Richmond county 317
South Carolina 326
Kershaw district 326
Florida 327
St. Johns and Volusia counties 328
CONTENTS. 7
Field operations — continued. Page.
North Carolina 333
Caldwell connty 333
Burke and Wilkes counties 344
Haywood county 346
Buncombe and Henderson counties 348
East Tennessee 351
Sullivan county 351
Carter county 354
Cocke county 356
Jefferson county 357
Eoaue county 358
Blount, Monroe, and Loudon counties 366
Loudon county 390
Meigs county 404
Eliea county 406
West Virginia 407
Fayette county 407
Kanawha county 410
Putnam county 434
Mason county 435
Cabell county 438
Ohio 440
Knox county 440
Hocking county 446
Franklin county 449
Brown county 451
Coshocton county 457
Licking county 458
Perry county 470
Ross county 471
Pike county 489
Pennsylvania 494
Warren county - 499
New York 503
Madison county 503
Chautauqua county 505
Niagara count}' 512
Wyoming county 513
Livingston county 514
Michigan 516
Archeological areas ;;nd distribution of types 521
Primary archeological sections 521
Archeological districts of the mound area 529
The northern section 530
The Dakotan district 530
The lluron-Iroquois district 540
The Illinois district 550
The Ohio district '561
The Appalachian district 573
The Central or Tennessee district 575
The southern section 586
The Arkansas district 586
The Gulf district 590
8 CONTENTS.
Page.
The Mound-l)n ilders 59.>
General observations 595
Different opinions 597
Objections answered 610
Other objections answered 625
Inscribed tablets 632
The shale tablets 638
The historical evidence 645
A comparison of the works of the Mound-builders with those of the Indians. 659
Architecture of the Mound-builders 660
Fortifications, etc 667
Similarity in burial customs 671
General resemblances in habits, customs, art, etc 680
Links connecting the Indians directly with the Mound-builders 688
The Etowah mound — Stone graves 688
Engraved Shells — Stone pipes — Copper articles — Stone images 701
Evidences of tribal divisions — Subsequent use of mounds by Indians 706
Evidence of contact with modern European civilization found in the
mounds 710
Copper articles 710
Other metals 713
The Muskoki tribes 718
General observations 722
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
Plate I. Plan of the Vilas and Flucke groups, Crawford county, Wisconsin. 72
II. Plat of White's group, Vernou county, Wisconsin 82
III. Elephant mound and surroundings, Grant county, Wisconsin 94
IV. Plat of Rice lake group, Barron county, Wisconsin 96
V. Ancient works near New Albin, Allamakee county, Iowa 102
VI. Map of Cahokia group, Madison county, Illinois 134
VII. Map of the western part of Madisou county, Illinois 136
VIII. Ancient works on Boulware's place, Clarke county, Missouri 168
IX. The De Soto mound, Jefferson county, and the Knapp mounds,
Pulaski county, Arkansas 242
X. Plat of the Kuapp mounds, Pulaski county, Arkansas 244
XI. Plat of the Carson mounds, Coahoma couuty, Mississippi 254
XII. Mound ft, Carson group, Coahoma couuty, Mississippi 256
XIII. Mound d, Carson group, Coahoma county, Mississippi 258
XIV. Selsertowu group, Adams county, Mississippi, and platform and
mounds of the Selserto wn group 264
XV. View of the large mound, Etowah group 294
XVI. Plan of the largo mound, Etowah group 298
XVII. Figured copper plate from mound c, Etowah group (human figure) . 304
XVIII. Figured copper plate from mound c, Etowah group (bird figure) .. 306
XIX. Pot from Hollywood mound, Georgia 318
XX. Map of mound distribution (In pocket.)
XXI. Observatory Circle, near Newark, Ohio 320
XXII. Fair Ground Circle, near Newark, Ohio 322
XXIII. High Bank Circle, near Chillicothe. Ohio 324
XXIV. Pipes from Hollywood mound, Georgia 328
XXV. Plat of the valley of the Little Tennessee river, Blount and Mon-
roe counties, Tennessee 366
XXVI. Copy of Timberlake's map of Overhill Cherokee towns 368
XXVII. Plat of group near Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia. . 414
XXVIII. Plan and sections of the Staats mound, Knox county, Ohio 440
XXIX. Cemetery mound. Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio 444
XXX. Newark works. Licking county, Ohio 458
XXXI. Fair Ground Circle, Newark, Ohio "160
XXXII. Observatory Circle, Newark, Ohio 462
XXXIII. Octagon, Newark, Ohio 16^^
XXXI V. Sqnare, Newark, Ohio 166
XXXV. Square of Hopeton works, Ross county, Ohio 472
XXXVI. Circle of Hopeton works, Ross couuty, Ohio 474
XXXVII. Circle of High Bank works, Ross county, Ohio 476
XXXVIII. Octagon of High Bank works, Ross county, Ohio 478
XXXIX. S(iuare of Liberty township works, Ross county, Ohio 482
XL. Square of Baum works, Ross couuty, Ohio 484
XLI. Plat of the ".Augel mounds," near Evansville, Indiana 558
XLII. Copy of Plate XI, " Brevis Narratio " 652
9
10 ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
Fig. 1. Elongate mound, Souris river, Mniiitolia 35
2. Elongate niouuils, Souris river, Manitoba 36
3. Turtle figure, Hughes county, South Dakota 40
4. Inflosures and mounds, Pipestone county, iliuuesota 44
5. Mound vault, Houston county, Minnesota 45
6. Mound group near Madison, Wisconsiu 46
7. Walled vault lu mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 48
8. Bird mound, Prairie du Chieu, Wisconsin 48
9. Sectiou of mound and pit, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 49
10. Silver locket from mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 51
11. Bracelet of silver from mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 51
12. Silver brooch from mound. Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 51
13. Silver cross from mound, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 52
14. Eartlnvorks uear Eastman, Crawford county, Wisconsin 52
15. Plat of southwest part of Crawford county, Wisconsin 53
16. Mounils on northeast quarter of Sec. 24, T. 8 N., R. 6 W., Wisconsin .. 54
17. Mouud group at Hazeu Corners, Crawford county, Wisconsin 55
18. Bird eftigics at Hazen Corners, Crawford county, Wisconsin 56
19. Quadruped effigy on Sec. 36, T. 8, R. 6 W., Wisconsin 59
20. Group of bird effigies. Sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 6 W., Wisconsin 60
21. Birdeffigy, Sec.35,T.8N., R.6 W., Wisc(msiM 61
22. Moun<ls on Slaumer's land, Crawford county, Wisconsin 63
23. Courtois group uear Prairie du Chieu, Wisconsin 64
24. Mound No. 6, Courtois group. Prairie du Chieu, Wisconsin 65
25. Plan of uuiuud Xo. Ifi, Courtois group, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ... 65
26. Mound No. 20 (sectiou), Courtois group, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.. 66
27. Dousemau mound (plan), Prairie du Chieu 68
28. Dousemau mound (section), Prairie du Chien 68
29. The Polander group, Sec. 14, T. 9, R. 6 W., Crawford county, Wisconsin 70
30. Mound No. 3 (sectiou), Polander group, Crawford county, Wisconsin. . 71
31. Mound No. 16 (horizontal section), Polander group 72
32. Plan of the Armstrong group, near Lyuxville, Crawford county 74
33. Plau of the Sue Coulee group, Crawford county, Wisconsin 75
34. Copper sjiiudles from the Sue Coulee group, Crawford county 76
35. Mouud group uear Battle isl.and. Veruou county, Wisconsin 78
36. Plan of mound No. 4, Battle islaml, Vernon county, Wisconsin 79
37. Copper plate from mound No. 0, White's group (N. M. 88336) 81
38. Section of mouud No. 10, White's group 81
39. Obsidi.iu implement from mouud No. 10, White's group 82
40. Pot from mouu<l No. 11, White's group 83
11. Effigy mouuds near Cassville, Grant county, Wisconsin 85
42. Lines of works uear Cassville, Grant county, Wisconsin 86
13. Mouud group near Wyalusing, Grant county, Wisconsin 89
44. Elephant mouud, according to Middletou's survey in 1884 92
45. Elephant mouud, after Warner's figure 93
46. luclosure near .Sheboygan, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin 94
47. Mound No. 1. Rico lake group 95
48. Circular inclosure near New .Vlbiu, Allamakee county, Iowa 100
49. luclosure ou Ilays's farm, near New Albiu, Allamakee county, Iowa.. . 105
50. Walled mouud. Fish group, Allamakee county, Iowa 107
51. Group uear Peru, Dubuque couut.v, Iowa 109
52. Stoue gorget, Dubuque county, Iowa 110
53. Diagram of Indian battle ground, Wapello cinuity, Iowa Ill
54. Mound group, Dunleith, Illinois 114
ILLUSTRATIONS. 11
Page.
Fig. 55. Vault in montKl No. 4, Dnnloith, Illinois 115
56. Section of moiiiul No. 10, Dunli^ith, Illinois 116
57. Vault in mound No. 16. Duuloith, Illinois 116
58. Welch group, Browu couuty, Illinois 117
59. Mound No. 1, sec. 34, T. 10, R. 2, Calhoun county, Illinois 122
60. Mound No. 4, sec. 34, T. 10, R. 2, Calhoun county, Illinois 124
61. Group of mounds on sec. 31, T. 10, R. 2 W., Calhoun couuty, lUiuois... 125
62. Vertical section of mound No. 8, NE. see. 31, T. 10, R. 2 W., Illinois 127
63. Vertical section of mound on SE. sec. 15, T. 10, R. 2 W., Illinois 127
64. Vertical section of mound No. 1, NW. sec. 2, T. 9, R. 2 W., Illinois 128
65. Vertical section of mound No. 1. NE. sec. 27, T. 10, R. 2 W., Illinois .... 130
66. Wood river mounds, Madison county, Illinois 132
67. Stone firaves on Mill Tract, Randolph county, Illinois 135
68. The l)e Frenue stone graves, Randolph county, Illinois 137
69. Stone graves on l)luff', Randolph county, Illinois .-... 139
70. Hut rings near the bank of Hig Mary river, Illinois 140
71. Pot from Jackson county, Illinois 142
72. Vogel group, Jackson county, Illinois 144
73. Spool-shajied ornament of copper 145
74. Schlimpert mounds, Jackson couuty, Illinois 146
75. Section of mounds on Schlimpert's place, Jackson couuty, Illinois 147
76. Mounds on Hale's place, Jackson couuty, Illinois 148
77. Skull from mound on Hale's place (side view) 151
78. Skull from mound on Hale's place (front view) 152
79. Bone plate from mound on Hale's place 153
80. Catholic medal from mound on Hale's place 154
81. Stone grave on Hale's place 154
82. Plat of works ou Linu's pl.aee. Union county, Illinois 156
83. Mound A, Linn group (vertical outline) 157
84. Round Pond mounds. Union county, Illinois 160
85. Copper plate bearing dducing figures, Union county, Illinois 161
86. Mound group, Clarke county, Missouri 164
87. The Ben Proifer mound. Cape Girardeau county, Missouri 168
88. The Witting mounds, Cape Girardeau county, Missouri 169
89. The Peter Bess settlement, Bollinger county, Missouri 171
90. The Lakeville settlement, Stodilard county, Missouri 173
91. Stone pipe, Lakeville settlement 174
92. County line settlement, Stoddard county, Missouri 174
93. The Rich woods mounds, .Stoddard county, Missouri 175
94. Plan of mounds. No. 3 to No. 6, Rich woods mounds 177
95. Section of mouud No. 3, and adjuncts. Rich woods mounds 178
96. Pin Hook ridge mounds, Mississippi county, Missouri 184
97. Baker's mound, Mississippi county, Missouri 185
98. Beckwith's fort, Mississippi county, Missouri 185
99. Image vessel from Beckwith's ranch 188
100. Bowl from Beckwith's fort 188
101. Water vessel from Beckwith's ranch, Mississippi county, Missouri . . . 189
102. Water vessel from Beckwith's fort, Mississippi county, Missouri 189
103. Gourd-shaped vessel from Beckwith's ranch, Mississippi county 190
104. Owl image vessel from Beckwith's ranch 190
105. Fish-shaped vessel from Beckwith's ranch 192
106. Meyer's mound, Scott county, Missouri 193
107. Mound group near Harviell, Butler county, Missouri 194
108. Power's fort, Butler countv. Missouri 195
12 ILLUSTRATIONS.
Paga
Fig. 109. Sectinu of mound in Power's fort, Butler county, Missouri 196
110. Effect of earth(|uake of 1811 on mound. Green county, Arkansas 199
111. Webb group, Craighead county, Arkansas 201
112. Mounds at Tyronza station, Poinsett county, Arkansas 204
113. Section of mound No. 8, Tyronza station, Poinsett county. Arkansas. . 205
114. Section of mound No. 12, Tyronza station, Poinsett county, Arkansas. 205
115. Section of mounds, Tyronza station 206
116. Clay casts of ear of maize or Indian corn 207
117. Clay floor of a three-room house 208
118. Mode of lathing houses l)y Mound-builders 209
119. The Miller mounds, Poinsett county, Arkansas 209
120. Vertical section of mound No. 1, Miller group, Poinsett county 210
121. Mound No. 9, Miller grouji, Poinsett county, Arkansas 210
122. Plan of mound No. 11, Miller group 211
123. Plan of mound No. 12, Miller group 212
124. Plat of Thornton group, Poinsett county, Arkansas 213
125. Plat of Taylor Shanty group, Poinsett county, Arkansas 214
126. Mound No. 1, Taylor Shanty group 215
127. Section of mound No. 2, Taylor .Shanty group 215
128. Section of mound No. 4, Taylor Shanty group 217
129. Plat of Pecan point ■works, Mississippi county, Arkansas 220
130. Image vessel. Pecan point. Mississippi county, Arkansas 221
131. Vessel from Jackson mound, Mi8sissii)pi county, Arkansas 223
132. The Sherman mound, Mississippi county, Arkansas 223
133. Engraved shell (Bust/con j)eii'(i«H»i) from mound, Independence
county, Arkansas 224
134. Stone spool from mound, Jackson county, Arkansas 225
135. Bradley mounds, Crittenden county, Arkansas 226
136. House site, St. Francis county, .Arkansas 229
137. Plan of Menard mounds, Arkansas county, Arkansas 230
138. Image pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 233
139. Image pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 234
140. Image pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 285
141. Image pipe, Monroe county, Arkansas 235
142. Plan of Old Town works, Phillips county. Arkansas 236
143. Pottery vessel from Olil Town works 237
144. Mound No. 3, Old Town works 238
145. Ground plan and elevation of the Barney mound, Phillips county,
Arkansas 238
146. Roger's mound, Phillips county. Arkansas 239
147. Mound near Arkansas City, Desha county, Arkansas 240
148. Old French fort, Desha county, Arkansas 241
149. The Taylor mounds. Drew county, Arkansas 242
150. Stone implement from Knapp group , 245
151. The Hughes mound. Saline count}', Arkansas 246
152. An ornamented water bottle, Clark county, Arkansas 248
153. Flat-bottomed j ar, Clark county, Arkansas 248
154. Mound group near Camden, Arkansas 249
155. Plat of Troy ville mounds, Catahoula parish, Louisiana 251
156. View of mound No. 6, Troy ville mounds, Catahoula parish 252
157. Excavation No. 10, Carson group. Omitted.
158. Clarksdale works, Coahoma county, Mississippi 256
159. Section of mound No. 1, Clarksdale works 257
160. Vessel in form of a shell. Sunflower county, Mississippi 259
ILLUSTRATIONS. 13
I'age.
Fi(i. 161. Avoudale mounds, WasUiugtou conut.v, Mississippi 260
162. Outline of mouud No. 1, Champliu group, Yazoo couuty, Mississippi- 261
163. Vertical section of mound No. 1, Champliu group, Mississippi 262
164. luiage vessel from Champliu mouud, Mississippi 263
165. Mound group iu Tniou couuty, Mississijipi 268
166. Plan of mouud No. 1, group iu Uuiou coiiuty, Mississipjii 269
167. Sections along south trench, mouud No. 1, Union county, Missis-
sippi 270
168. Section along south trench, mouud No. 1, Union couuty, Missis-
sippi 270
169. Section along the northeast trench, mound No. 1, Union couuty 271
170. Section along the northeast trench, mouud No. 1, Union county 272
171. Section along the north trench, mouud No. 1, Union county 273
172. Section along the north trench, mound No. 1, Union couuty 274
173. Silver plate with Spanish coat of arms; mound. Union county 27."i
174. Fireplace iu mouud, Lauderdale, Tennessee 278
175. An image vessel from mouud, Oliion couuty, Tennessee 279
176. 0'Byam"s fort, Hickman county, Kentucky - 280
177. Mouud No. 1, O'Byam's fort 281
178. Plat of Tally mounds, Jefferson couuty, Alaliama 291
179. Mound No. 2, Tally group (plan and section) 291
180. Plat of Etowah group, copy of Jones's plat. No. 1 294
181. Plat of Etowah group, copy of Whittlesey's figure No. 1 296
182. Plat of the Etowah group (original) 299
183. Large mouud of the Etowah group 300
184. Vertical section of mound c, Etowah group 302
185. Plan of burials iu mouud c, Etowah group 303
186. Figured copper jdate from mound c, Etowah group 304
187. Copper liadgo from mound c, Etowah group .305
188. Copper ornament or liadge from mound c, Etowah group 306
189. Engr.aved shell, mounil c, Etowah group 306
190. Engraved shell, mouud c, Etowah group 307
191. Bust from Etowali mounds 308
192. Copper plate witli bird ligure, mound near Peoria, Illinois 309
193. Section of the Rembert group, Elbert couuty, Georgia 316
194. Plau of mound No. 1, Rembert group 317
195. Vertical section, mound No. 1, Rembert group 318
196. Upper horizontal section of Hollywood monud, Georgia 320
197. Fragment of European pottery, Hollywood mound, Georgia 321
198. Lower horizontal section of Hollywood mound, Georgia 321
199. Pot from Hollywood mound, Georgia (135197) 322
200. A painted vessel from Hollywood nniund, Georgia 323
201. Pot from Hidlywood mound, Georgia 324
202. Shell beads from Hollywood mound, Georgia 324
203. Copper article from Hollywood mound, Georgia 324
204. Shell bea<ls from Hollywood mound, Georgia 325
205. Pipe from Hollywood mound, Gecugia 325
206. Fragment of porcelain from Hollywood mouud, Georgia 326
207. T. F. Nelson mouud, Caldwell county. North Carolina 334
208. T.F.Nelson Triangle, Caldwell county. North Carolina ,336
209. Copper cylinder. Nelson Triangle 336
210. Bracelet of shell and copper beads, Nelson Triangle 336
211. Iron celt from Nelson Triangle 337
212. Part of iron blade. Nelson Triangle 337
14 ILLUSTRATIONS.
Pag'.
Fig. 213. Engraved slioll, Nelson TriaMj;le 338
214. Engraved shell, Nelson Triangle 339
21.J. Pipe, Caldwell county, N<irtU Carolina 33U
216. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina 340
217. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina 340
218. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina 341
219. Pipe, Caldwell county, Xorth Carolina 341
220. Pipe, Caldwell county, North Carolina 341
221. Plan of W. D. Jones mound, Caldwell county, North Carolina 342
222. R. T. Lenoirhurial pit (plan), Caldwell county. North Carolina 343
223. Ancient hurial gronu4l, Wilkes county, North Carolina 345
224. Clay hearth (or fire-bed), Wilkes county, North Carolina 316
225. Bogus article, Haywood county, North Carolina 347
226. Bogus article, Haywood county. North Carolina 348
227. Bogus articles, Haywood county. North Carolina 349
228. Big mound, Haywood county, North Carolina 350
229. Section of Couuor mound, Henderson county, North Carolina 350
230. Plan of mounds on the Holstou river, Sullivan county, Tennessee . .. 351
231. Copper spindle from mound, Sullivan county, Tennessee 352
232. Plan of hurials in mound, Sullivan county, Tennessee 353
233. Stone pipe from mound, Sullivan county, Tennessee 354
234. Plat showing ancient graves near Kingsport, Tennessee 355
235. Section of grave No. 1, near Kingsport, Tennessee 356
236. Section of grave No. 3, near Kingsport, Tennessee 356
237. Section of mound ou Fain's island, Jefferson county, Tennessee 358
238. Plat of groups on Long island, Roane county, Tennessee 359
239. Diagram of nu>uud No. 3, Long island, Roane county, Tennessee . . . 360
240. Image from mound No. 3, Long Isl.and, Roane county, Tennessee 361
241. Diagram of the Hagler motind, Roane county, Tennessee 364
242. Diagram of the Hardin mound, Blount county, Tennessee 367
243. Plat of the McMurray mounds, Blount county, Tennessee 368
244. Diagram of McMurrtiy mound, No. 2 369
245 Section of McMurray mound. No. 3 369
246. Diagram of McMurray mound. No. 3 370
247. Plat of Latimore and MoSpaddiu mounds (Cltico group), Monroe
county, Tennessee 372
248. Vertical section, mound No. 1 , Latimore group 372
249. Vertical section of the Citico mound (ilcSpaddiu, No. 4) 374
250. Plan of burials in the Citico mound (McSpaddin, No. 4) 375
251. Moccasin-sh.aped pot, Citico mound 376
252. Copper rattle or hawk's bell, Citico mound 376
253. Bone needle, Citico mound 377
254. Plat of the Bacon and McGee mounds, Blount and Monroe counties,
Tennessee 377
255. Plan of buri.als in SlcGee mound No. 2 378
256. Plat of the Toco mounds, Monroe county, Tennessee 379
257. Vertical section of the Big Toco mound, Monroe county, Tennessee. 380
258. Plan of burials in the Big Toco mound, Monroe county, Tennessee.. 381
259. Bone implement. Big Toco mound 382
260. Bone implement. Big Toco mound 382
261. Stone pipe, Big Toco mound 383
262. Ornamented shell, Big Toco mouud 383
263. Stone implement. Big Toco mound 383
264. Pot, Big Toco mound 384
ILLUSTRATIONS. 15
Page.
Fig. 265. Vertical section of Callaway raouud, Monroe county, Tennessee 385
266. Diagram of Callaway mound, Monroe county, Tennessee 3S5
267. Water vessel, Callaway mound 386
268. Water vessel, Callaway mound 387
269. Plat of the Niles ferry mounds, Monroe county, Tennessee 388
270. Group two miles below Niles ferry 3^9
271. Plat of mounds on the Click farm, Monroe county, Tennessee 390
272. Horizontal section, Bat creek niouud No. 3, Loudon county, Tennes-
see 393
273. Kngraved stone from Bat creek mound No. 3, Loudon county, Ten-
nessee 394
274. Mounds on John Jackson's farm, Loudon county, Tennessee 395
275. Mounds (Ui John Jackson's farm, Loudon county, Tennessee 396
276. The Lenoir mounds, Loudon county, Tennessee 397
277. Plan of burials in mound No. 1, Lenoir grou]) 39,s
278. Diagram of mound No. 2, Lenoir group 399
279. Plan of burials in mound No. 2, Lenoir group 400
280. Vertical section of mound No. 2, Lenoir group 400
281. Horizontal plan of moundNo. 2, Leuoir group 401
282. Ornamental pot, moundNo. 2, Lenoir group 401
283. Shell oruament, mound No. 2, Lenoir group 402
284. Shell ornament, moundNo. 2, Lenoir group 402
285. Pipe, mound No. 2, Leuoir group 403
286. Plan of burials in moundNo. 1, Frazicr group, Rhea county, Tennes-
see 406
287. Huddlesou's Circle, Fayette county. West Virginia 407
288. Singul ar stone heaps, Fayette county, AVest Virginia 408
289. Stone heap with two cavities, Fayette county, West Virginia 409
290. Section of stone heap with triangular cavity, Fayette county, West
Virginia , 409
291. Enlarged plan of mound No. 1, and inclosure a, Kanawha county,
West Virginia 415
292. Section of mound No. 1, Kanawha county. West Virginia 416
293. Spring Hill inclosureon enlarged scale, Kanawha county, West A'ir-
ginia 419
294. Inclosure O, Kanawha county. West Virginia 421
295. Inclosure I, Kanawha county, West Virginia 422
296. Inclosure L, Kanawha county, West Virginia 423
297. Inclosure K, Kanawha county, West Virginia 424
298. A section of mound No. 21, Kanawha county. West Virginia 425
299. Copper bracelet from mound No. 21, Kanawha county, West Virginia 426
300. Copper gorget, mound No. 21, Kana-wha county, West Virginia 426
301. Steatite pijie from Kanawha couuty. West Virginia 427
302. Section of mound No. 31, Kanawha county, West Virginia 432
303. Mound group, 1 mile west of Barboursville, West Virginia 438
304. Section of the Hawu mound, Knox county, Ohio 441
305. Plat and sectiou of the area about the Staats mound, Knox county,
Ohio 442
306. Plan of Cemetery mouud, Mt. Vernon. Knox county, Ohio 444
307. Section of the Cemetery mound, Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio .. . 445
308. Works on the Davis place, Hocking county, Ohio 447
309. Plan of the large work, Davis place, Hocking county, Ohio 448
310. Ancient works near Dublin, Franklin county, Ohio 450
311. Group of mounds. Brown county, Ohio 4,53
16 ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page.
Fio. 312. Stone grave, Bro wu county, Ohio 455
313. Section of a stone grave. Brown county, Ohio 456
314. Mounds near Brownsville, Licking county, Ohio 458
315. Small iuclosure, Newark group. Licking county, Ohio 460
316. Levels along jiaiallels at Newark, Ohio 467
317. Ancient inclosnre, Licking county, Ohio 468
318. Stone fort on Flint ridge, Licking county, Ohio 469
319. Stone fort near Glenford, Perry county, Ohio 470
320. Section of the Cryder mound, near .\dcli)hi, Ross county, Ohio 471
321. Small circle, Liberty Township works, Koss county, Ohio 480
322. Pyramidal mound, Baum works, Hoss county, Ohio 485
323. Bone implement point, pyramidal mound, Baum works, Ross county,
Ohio 487
324. Circle A, Seal township works, Pike county, Ohio 490
325. Copy of Moorehead's station 241, PI. VI 492
326. The Serpent mound, Adams county, Ohio 493
327. Mound and graves near Monongahela City , Pa 496
328. Section of Irvineton mound, Warren county. Pa 500
320. Pieces of silver from Irvineton mound, AVarren county. Pa 501
330. Inclosure near PittsHeld, Warren county. Pa .'502
331. Ancient fort on Atwell farm, Madison county, N. Y 504
332. Seat of ancient Onondaga town, Madison county, N. V 505
333. Old fort near Ellington, Chautau<iua county, N. Y 507
334. Inclosnre near Ellington, Chautaui|ua county, N. Y 509
335. Inclosure on Dunn farm, Wyoming county, N. Y 514
336. Rifle river fort No. 2, Ogemaw county, Michigan 517
337. Map of the Huron-Iroquois district 541
.338. Elevation of the large mound, "Angel'' group 557
339. Plat of the large mound, "Angel " group 558
340. The village of Secotau 621
341. Interior of house of Virginia Indians 623
342. Section of mound 11, Cook farm group, Davenport, Iowa 636
343. Village of Pomeiock 669
344. Pijie from Virginia 706
OUTLINE OF THIS PAPER.
For the bcuetit of" those who clesire to learn the more iui]iortaut eonclusious reached
in this treatise, without the necessity of a thorough examination of the entire re-
port, an outline of them is here presented :
(1) That the mouml-builders of the area designated consisted of a number of tribes
or peoples bearing about the same relations to one another and occupying about the
same culture-status as did the Indian tribes inhabiting this country when first visited
by Europeans.
(2) That the archeological districts as determiiied by the investigations of the
mounds and other ancient remains conform, in a general way, to the areas occupied
by the different Indian tribes or groups of cognate tribes.
(3) That each tribe adopted several different methods of burial, these differences
depending to some extent upon the relative position, soci.al standing, and occupation
of the individuals.
(4) The custom of removing the flesh before final burial prevailed very extensively
among the mound-builders of the northern districts, and was not uncommon among
those of the southern districts.
(5) Very often some kind of religious ceremony was performed at the burial in
which tire [ilayed a conspicuous part. Notwithstanding the common belief to the
contrary, there is no evidence -whatever that human sacrifice in the true sense was
practiced. It is possible that cremation may have been practiced to a limited
extent.
(6) In some of the southern districts, especially those of the valley of the lower
Mississippi, where the bottoms are much depressed, it was the custom to erect dwell-
ings on low mounds apparently constructed for this jjurpose, and, when deaths oc-
curred,to bury the remains in the floor of these dwellings, burn the houses, and heap
mounds over them before they were entirely consumed, or while the embers were yet
smoldering. The houses in these districts ajjpear to have been constructed of up-
right posts set in the ground, lathed with cane or twigs, aud plastered with clay,
having the roofs thatched precisely as described by the early French explorers.
(7) The links directly connecting the Indians aud mound-builders are so numerous
aud well established that areheologists .are justified in accepting the theory that
they are ime aud the s.ame people.
(8) The statements of the early navigators aud explorers as to the habits, customs,
social condition and art, of the Indians when first visited by Europeans are largely
confirmed by discoveries in the mounds and other ancient works of our country.
This is especially true as regards the discoveries made by this bureau in Arkansas,
Georgia, and other southern states. They bear out, even to details, the statements
of the chroniclers of Ue Soto's expedition and of the early French explorers of the
valley of the lower Mississippi.
(9) The evidence obtained appears to be sulficient to justify the con<lusion that
particular works, and the works of certain localities, are attributable to jiarticnlar
tribes known to history; thereby enabling the archeologist to determine in some
cases, to a limited extent, the lines of migration. For example, the proof is appar-
ently conclusive that the Cherokees were nionnd-builders and that to them are to be
IL' ETII .; 17
18 OUTLINE OF THIS PAPER.
iittiibntodmost of tlie inouuds of eastern Tenuessee anil western Xortli Carolina; it
also renders it probable that they were the authors of most of the ancient works of
the Kanawha valley iu West Virginia. There are also strong indications that the
Tallegwi of tradition were CheroUeesand the authors of some of the ])riucij)al works
of Ohio. The proof is equally conclusive that to the Shawuees are to he attributed
the box-shaped stoue graves, and the mounds and other works directly connected with
them, iu the region south of the Ohio, especially those works of Keutucky, Tennessee,
and uiirthern Georgia, and possibly also some of the mounds and stone graves iu the
vicinity of Cincinnati. The stone graves in the valley of the Delaware and most of
those in Ohio are attributable to theDeIawar(!s. There are sufficient reasons for be-
lieving that the ancient works iu northern Mississippi were built chiefly by the
Chickasaws, and those iu the region of Flint River, southern Georgia, by the Uchees,
and that a large i)ortion of those of the Gulf states were built by the Muskokee
tribes.
(10) Tlie testimony of the mounds is very decidedly against the theory that the
mound-builders were Mayas or Mexicans who Avere driven out of this region by the
jtressure of Indian hordes and migrated to the valley of Auahuac or plains of Yuca-
tan. It is also as decidedly against Morgan's theory that they were related to the
Pueblo tri bes of New Mexico. It likewise gives a decided negiltive to the suggestion
that the builders of the Ohio works were pushed south into the Gulf states and incor-
porated into the Muskokee group.
(11) Although much the larger portion of the ancient monuments of our country
belong to prehistoric times, and some of them, possibly, to the distant past, yet the
evidence of contact with European civilizatiou is found in so many mounds where it
can not be attributed to intrusive buri.il and in such widely separated localities,
tliat it must be conceded that many of them were built subsequent to the discovery
of the continent by Europeans.
PREFACE,
As the following report is based almost exclusively upou the results
of explorations carried on by the Bureau of Ethnology since 1881, it
seems desirable to set forth briefly the plan adopted and the methods
pursued.
During the first season the archeological work of the Bureau was as-
signed to Dr. Willis De Haas, but no definite and comprehensive plan
of operations was adopted. In 18815 the Director organized a small divi-
sion in the Bureau to which he assigned the work of investigating the
mounds and other ancient monuments in the United States east of the
Eocky mountains. This division was ijlaced under my charge with
Dr. Edward Palmer, of Washington city; Col. P. W. Norris, of Norris,
Michigan, and Mr. James D. Middleton, of Carbondale, Illinois, as regu-
lar field assistants. Subsequently Dr. Palmer left the division, and
Mr. John P. Eogau, of Bristol, Tennessee, was engaged in his place.
The division suffered the misfortune of being deprived of the valuable
services of Col. ISTorris by death, in January, 1885, while he was en-
gaged in exploration. His enthusiasm for the work kept him in the
field, although he was suffering from the disease which finally proved
fatal. Mr. J. W. Emmert, who had been temporarily employed, was
then engaged as a regular assistant.
The following-named gentlemen have also been engaged for short
periods in special fields: Mr. F. S. Earle and Mr. L. H. Thing, of Cob-
den, Illinois; Mr. William McAdams, of Otterville, Illinois; Eev. J. P.
McLean, of Hamilton, Ohio; Mr. Gerard Fowke, of New Madison, Ohio;
Rev. Stephen D. Peet, of Clinton, Wisconsin ; Mr. Henry L. Reynolds,
of "Washington City, and Rev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville,
New Yoi'k. Mr. Rogan and Mr. Emmert having retired from the work,
Mr. Fowke and Mr. Reynolds were appointed legular assistants.
The results of the explorations and field work of the division and a
discussion of results with special reference to the authors of the ancient
monuments of the area exphn-ed are given in the present volume.
Special papers relating to the collections made will be presented in
future reports or bulletins.
In attempting to formulate a systematic plan for a work of such
magnitude as the exploration of the mounds, great difficulties were
19
20 PREB^ACE.
eucouutered. The region occupied is vast, and the works are scat-
tered over it in great numbers, not by hundreds only, but by thou-
sands. It was at once perceived that to attempt a systematic and
thorougli examination of them all, or even of a large number of theui,
including surveys and mapping, would involve many years of labor and
.the expenditure of a very large amount of money. Neither the force
nor the money necessary for a work of such vast magnitude was avail-
able, for the lines of research undertaken by the Bureau of Ethnology
are necessarily many, and none may be unduly pushed at the expense
of the others. On the other hand, to attempt the thorough investiga-
tion of the mounds of any single distiict to the neglect of the area as
a whole, could result only in a failure to comprehend the more impor
tant problems connected with the mounds and their builders. More-
over, it should not for a moment be forgotten that the mounds are fast
being leveled by the encroachments of agriculture and under the stim-
ulus of commercial enterprise. Archeologic relics of all kinds have
attained a new value in recent >ears because of the great increase in
the number of private collectors. Those who gather specimens merely
for sale rarely preserve any data in connection with them, and, although
i-elics gathered in this haphazard manner have a certain value as
examples of aboriginal art or as mere curiosities, their scientittc value
is comparatively small. As a consequence of the leveling of the
mounds by the jdow and their despoiling by the relic hunter, oppor-
tunities for acquiring a clear insight into the character and methods of
mound-building and into the purpose of their builders, are rapidly
diminishing.
Chiefly for the above reasons a i)lan was adopted which comprises
the advantage of thoroughness in the case of single mounds and single
groups, and yet permits the work to be carried over a large area. No
attempt has been made to exhaust the local problems of mound-build-
ing by a complete examination of the works of any given section.
Nevertheless, such mounds and grcjups as are believed to be typical of
their class have been examined with care and thoroughness. By the
method of a careful examination of typical structures in the various
districts it is thought that the end aimed at has been secured — that is,
the collection of data necessary to au understanding of the more gen-
eral and important problems relating to the mounds and the mound
builders. The exhaustive examination of many single groups and the
study of local problems is left to the future. It is hoped that this
important work may be undertaken largely by local societies whose
resources, when inadequate, may be supplemented by state aid.
The questions relating to prehistoric America are not to be answered
by the study of its ancient monuments alone, but also by the study of
the languages, customs, arts, beliefs, traditions, and folklore of the
aborigines. If anj' of these monuments are the work of an extinct
PREFACE. 21
people, this tact can be satisfactorily determined only by a eompreben-
sive study of the subject; if all are attributable to the races found
occupying' the continent at the time of its discovery, the necessity for a
broad scientific method is equally apparent.
The most important question to be settled is, " Were the mounds
built by the Indians?" If a careful examination and study of the
antiquities should result in deciding it satisfactorily in the afflrmative,
then the questions relating to the objects and uses of these ancient
works would be merged into the stu^y of the customs and arts of the
Indians. There would tlicn be no more blind groping by archcologists
for the thread to lead them out of the mysterious labyrinth. The chain
which links together the historic and prehistoric ages of our continent
would be complete; the thousand and one wild theories and romances
would be permanentlj' disposed of; and the I'clations of all the lines of
investigation to one another being known, they would aid in the solu-
tion of many of the problems which hitherto have seemed involved in
complete obscurity. Should the result of the examination give a decided
negative answer to the question, one broad field would be closed
and investigation limited in the futme to other lines. In either case a
gTeat step toward the ultimate solution of tlie problem would be taken
and the investigations restricted within comparatively luirrow limits.
The director of the Bureau of Ethnology was desu'ous, therefore, that
this important question, the origin of the mounds, should if possil)le be
detiuitely settled, as it is the pivot on which all the other problems .
must turn. By following the plan adopted and using proper care to
note the facts ascertained, without bias, not only would the facts bear-
ing on this important question be ascertained, but the data would be
preserved for the use of archeological students without prejudice to
any thet)ry.
Premising that accuracy as to details and statements, without regard
to their bearing on any special theory, has been considered the chief
and all-important point to be kept constantly in view in all the opera-
tions of the division, the methods of work pursued (excei)t during the
first year, when want of experience caused some of the details of accu-
rate work to be omitted), have been substantially as follows:
First, a full and correct descrii^tion of the groups examined, giving
the topography of the immediate locality, the form, characters, and
dimensions of the works and their relations to one another was written
out, accompanied by diagrams and figures illustrating these descrip-
tions.
As a rule each mound explored ^\ as measured before being excavated,
and, if it varied from the ordinary conical type, a figure of it was made.
As the exploration proceeded the character and thickness of the strata
and the exact positions of the skeletons and relics found in them were
noted in a memorandum book. In many cases where there was prom-
22
PREFACE.
ise of important tiud.s, outline flyiircis, both of the horizontal and verti-
cal sections, were drawn on wliich the ))Osition.s of the skeletons and
relics were marked as found.
Every effort possible was made at the time oi collection to obtain all
the facts in reference to each specimen. The assistants made full
notes in the field and attached a number to eacli specimen before pack-
inji; and shipping. Descriptive lists, with corresponding numbers, were
forwarded with each shipment. All collections thus made were sent
direct to the Bureauof Kthnology, ami there, after 1)eiugoi)ene<l, exam-
ined and compared with the field catalogue, the numbers of the Bureau
series were attached, and the collections forwarded to the National
Museum, where the Museum mrmbers were placed ui)on them. After
this a comparison was made, in most cases by the collectors themselves,
to see that the memoranda, numbers, and articles agreed and were
given correctly. The final catalogues contain not only the collector's.
Bureau, and Museum numbers, wliich form checks ujion one another,
but also the name of the article, the locality, the collector's name, and
remarks indicating the conditions under which each was found. These
particulars are, of course, incomplete for specimens i)urchased and
donated.
As an illustration, the headiiig of the columns and one line fi'om
the general catalogue are given here:
Col- ,
lee- [Bureau; Smitbso-
tor'a I num- ' uian
num- ' ber. | number,
ber.
Name of
article.
Locality.
Collector.
Remarks.
Boat-sbaped
pot.
Lenoir group, Lou-
tl o u county,
Tennessee.
.John W. Emmert.
From mound Xo. 2.
by skeleton Xo. 49.
Two copies of this catalogue were made, one to be retained by the
Bureau, the other to be transmitted with the specimens to the Secre-
tary of the Smithsonian Institution, for use in the National Museum.
Although the specimens are included in the general collection of the
National Museum, they are so carefully marked and numbered that by
reference to the catalogue any article can easily be found and the pre-
cise locality ascertained from which it was obtained, with the attend-
ant circumstances. In order to accomplish this, the collections made
by the Bureau were retained until this accuracy was assured and the
duplicate catalogues made out and compared. By reference to the fol-
lowing report all the particulars known regarding them may be learned,
also all the facts in reference to the works from which they were
obtained.
The number of specimens collected by the division since its organiza-
tion is not less than 40,000. Among those procured by the field assist-
ants, which constitute by far the most valuable portion, will be found
PREFACE. 23
not only almost every variety of material, form, and ornamentation
hitherto obtained in the United States east of the Kooky Monntaiiis,
bnt also many new and interesting kinds.
The chief value of the work to archeologists, however, it is believed
will be found in the descriptions of the mounds explored and groups
examined and surveyed. In order that students of American archeol-
ogy may have as complete illustrations as possible of groups and forms,
not only are figures given but in numerous instances the complete field
notes of surveys and measurements are added.
The sections in which operations have chiefly been carried on are as
follows: Southwestern Wisconsin and the adjoining sections of Minne-
sota, Iowa, and Illinois; the northeastern and southeastern parts of
Missouri; the western part of southern Illinois; the eastern part of
Arkansas; certain points in northern and western Mississippi; the
Kanawha Valley of West Virginia; eastern Tennessee, western North
Carolina, and northern Georgia. Some work has also been done in
northern Florida, New York, Ohio, the Wabash valley, Kentucky,
western Tennessee, Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the Dakotas.
Hundreds of groups have been examined and in most cases surveyed,
platted, and described. Over 2,000 mounds have been explored, includ-
ing almost every known tyi)e of form, from the low, diminutive, circular
burial tumulus of the north to the huge truncated earthen pyramid of
the south, the embankment, the stone cairn, the house site, etc. Every
variety of construction hitherto known, as well as a number decidedly
ditierent in detail, have been examined. Some of the latter are very
interesting and furnish important data. Particular attention has been
paid to the mode of construction and methods of burial in the ordinary
conical tumuli, because these furnish valuable evidence in regard to the
customs of the builders and aid in determining the diflerent archeolog-
ical districts. Many ancient graves and cemeteries and also several
caches and cave deposits have been explored.
Perhaps the most important portion of the collection from an archeo
logical view is the pottery, of which some 1,500 specimens have been
obtained, including most of the known varieties and several that are
new in form and ornamentation. It is believed that this collection will
be found to contain most, if not all, of the hitherto known types of tex-
tile impressions and some that are unusual. As the history of each
specimen is known and its genuineness unquestioned, the collection
will be of great value to anti(iuarians.
An unusually large number of polished and pecked celts has been
secured, including every known pattern and variety yet found in the
area investigated. Special value attaches to this collection of celts
from the fact that it has been obtained mostly from mounds and hence
affords a means of comparing true mound specimens with surface finds.
The number of stone pipes obtained is proportionally great, inehid-
ing a large percentage of the usual forms and some new ones. But the
24 PKEI'^ACE.
most important fact in relation to this part of the collection is, tliat it
so supplements other collections that the archeologist is enabled to
trace the evolution of the comparatively modern and historic form from
the "Monitor," or supposed earliest mound pipe. Moreover the record
(jf localities whence the pipes have been taken may indicate the geo-
ffraphical line of this evolution.
A number of copper articles, including nearly all the types hitherto
known, are in the collection. In addition to these, among the new
forms are specimens of two new types decidedly the uKjst important
yet discovered. These were obtained from both mounds and stone
graves.
The collection of engraved shells obtained fi'om mounds probably
exceeds any other in the country in number, variety, and impcn'tance.
The specimens of textile fabrics and remnants of matting, though
not numerovxs, are important and valuable. Among these is a large
and wellpi'eserved specimen of each class found in a cave deposit
where the burial could not have taken place more than a hundred
years ago; yet they are of precisely the pattern and stitch found in the
mounds and impressed on typical mound pottery. With the cloth and
matting were also the bone implements used in weaving the former.
The collection of chi^jped flint implements, stone axes, discoidal
stones, gorgets, etc., is large. Among the stone articles are parts of
three well-made stone images which must liave been nearly one-half
life size. Bone implements, shell, etc., are in fair proportion.
As it was important that the explorations should be carried on dur-
ing the winter as well as the summer, it was found advantageous to
work in the northern sections in the summer and move southward as
the cold advanced. Each assistant at the close of the working year
made a report of his operations during that time. These reports would
have been incorporated as furnished, but, as in most cases they related
to diflerent sections investigated during the same year, this would
have prevented a systematic presentation of results, and hence the idea
was abandoned, and the data obtained have been arranged geograph-
ically by states and counties. This method, however, is subject to the
objection that county lines are liable to frequent changes and seldom
correspond with the natural lines which influenced primitive settle-
ment. Notwithstanding this objection, the fact that these political
divisions afford the only means of defining localities on the maps of the
present day has governed in selecting the niethod for this report.
Mounds are frequently described and illustrations introduced which
are seemingly unimportant. The object of this will be apparent to every
archeologist, for seemingly unimportant works att'ord tlie student a
means of comparison and furnish him with valuable negative evidence
which otherwise would not be available. Moreover, in the prei)aration
of the report, I have proceeded upon the theory that no fact should be
PREFACE. 25
omitted, however trivial it may now appear, as a time may come wlieu
it will supply needed evidence in arclieological investigations.
The geographical order in which the report is arranged is as follows:
First, the Mississippi valley proper, commencing with Minnesota and
Wisconsin and proceeding southward; next, the Gulf States from Mis-
sissippi eastward, after which follows the Appalachian district, includ
ing North Cai'olina, eastern Tennessee, and West Yirgiuia, then Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan.
The territory over which the explorations have been carried is large,
and, fiom necessity, no one section has been exhaustively examined for
reasons given above. Suffice it to say tliat the chief object kept con-
stantly in view was the search for types. But this included types of
form, of modes of construction and internal arrangement, of methods of
burial, of contents, and of indications of uses, etc.
The illustrations are original with a few exceptions. Those which
are copied are chietiy from previous publications of this Bureau. A
few, however, are fi"om the annual reports of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion, the electrotypes being kindly loaned for this purpose.
Before concluding this preface I wish to acknowledge the many favors
the division has received both in prosecuting the field work and in pre-
paring the report. We have been kindly received in all portions of the
country to which our operations have extended, the citizens always
showing a commendable desire to encourage our work and to give us
all the information possible. Here and there permission to explore
mounds has been refused, but such refusal has generally been based on
valid reasons.
To the assistants who have carried on operations in the field I extend
thanks for the zeal and faithfulness with which their work was per-
formed. I am also indebted to Mr. W. H. Holmes, Rev. W. M. Beau-
champ, and Mr. Gerard Fowke; and also to Mr. Eeynolds for val-
uable papers, and to Mr. James D. Middletou for the plats and results
of the surveys made by him of works in Ohio and elsewhere.
It is proper to state here that only a partial study of the articles col-
lected has as yet been made. Papers by specialists, describing and
discussing them, are being prepared and will appear hereafter,
0. T.
REPORT ON THE MOUND EXPLORATIONS OF THE
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
By Cyrus Thomas.
INTRODUCTION.
Before introducing the report of field work it will not be amiss to call
attention to the various kinds of ancient monuments found in the area
over which the explorations extended.
It is somewhat strange that, notwithstanding the large number of
works devoted wholly or partly to the antiquities of our country, which
have appeared since the publication of the " Ancient Monuments," by
Messrs. Squier and Davis, no attempt has been made to rectify their
imperfect and faulty classification. Their division of these antiquities
into " Constructions of Earth," " Constructions of Stone," and " Minor
Vestiges of Art," is sufficient for practical purposes so far as it goes,
and the same may be said of the division of the first class into " En-
closures" and "Mounds." But their further classification into "En-
closures for Defense," " Sacred and Jliscellaneous Enclosures," " Mounds
of Sacrifice," "Temple Mounds," etc., is unfortunate, as it is based
on su])posed uses instead of real character, and has served to graft
into our archeological literature certain conclusions in regard to the
uses and purposes of these various works that, in some cases at least,
are not justified by the evidence. For example, there is not a particle of
evidence that any inclosure was formed for religious or "sacred" uses,
or that any mound was built for " sacrificial" purposes in any true or
legitimate sense of the term. Yet author after author, down to the
present time, has adopted this classification without jjrotest. It is only
in some very recent works that objections to it begin to appear.
Failure to correct this faulty classification is doubtless due to the dif-
ficulties which lie in the way of satisfactorily grouping the variety of
forms presented and to our imperfect knowledge of the uses and
objects of these works. Xadaillac, after alluding to the various forms,
remarks that " these facts will show how very difiicult, not to say im-
possible, is any classification,"' a statement which anyone who
iPreli. AmiT. Fn-nrli KiId. p. <)0-Eiik1- Eiln. p. 87.
27
28 MOUXIJ EX1'I.(M{ATI0.\.S.
attempts a systematic ariaugemeiit will be disposed to accept as true.
Any attempt in this direction ninst be, to a laiffe extent, arbitrary and
a tentntivc arranffcmcnt. Notliinji' more than this is claimed for the
classilication here presented, which is limited to the works of the area
now under consideration. Were it not for the absolute necessity of
gronjiinji' under designated heads in order to simplify tiie work, no
attempt in this direction would be made at this time.
It is undoubtedly desirable to adopt some arrangement agreeing
with the European classification if this be possible, but a comparison of
European anticiuities with those of North America will soon satisfy
any one of its impracticability. The chronological arrangement into
four classes, to wit. Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron, is con-
ceded to be ina|)plicable to America. Evidences of the two stone at;es
may possibly yet be found, and a I'Opper age be substituted for the
bronze, but the likeness will extend no farther. I may add tliat. per-
sonally, I doubt very much if this classification into ages has been of
any advantage to archeology.
As the first step, all antifpiities of this region are considered as be-
longing to three general divisions:
(1) MonnmcntH, or local aiitiijnitics. — Those antiquities that are fixed
or stationary, which necessarily i)ertain to a given locality or i)lace, as
earthworks, stoneworks, cave dwellings, mines, quarries, etc.
(2) Movable ant iqii it iex, or relics and remains. — Those which have no
necessaiy connection with a given place or locality, such as imi)lements,
ornaments, and other minor vestiges of art; also human and animal
remains, etc.
(3) Paleographic objects. — Inscriptions, picture writings, .symbols, etc.,
whether on fixed stones or transportable articles.
Although this arrangement is confessedly an arbitrary one, it is
adopted because it appears to be a practical working system by
which the lines of distinction are somewhat rigidly drawn. Moreover,
it is adapted to the two methods of investigation and study, viz, in the
field and in the museum.
THE FIXED OR LOCAL ANTIQUITIES.
The fixed or local antiquities of the section under consideration con-
sist chiefly of earthworks, stoneworks, cave deposits, mines and quar-
ries, and might be classed under these heads but for the fact that some
belong partly to one class and partly to another; for example, while
most mounds are built entirely of earth, some consist wholly of stone
and others are partly stone and partly earth; then there are other
local antiquities which can not be properly classed under either of these
headings. The nearest approach, therefore, which can be nuide to a
satisfactory classification is to gronj) the individual monuments accord-
ing to tyi)es of form and external cliaracters, reference being made to
uses only where these are obvious.
iiioMAs.i MOUNDS DEFINED. 29
The variety of aucient works so far as form ;iii(l modes of I'oustruction
are coueerned, is almost endless, but all may be iuehided, in a general
way, under the following- primary headings, viz, Mounds, Refuse Heaps,
Mural Works (such as inclosiu'es, embankments, etc.), Excavations,
Graves and Cemeteries, Garden Beds, Surface Figures, Hearths or
Camp Sites, Hut Kings or House Sites, and Ancient Trails. Besides
these as belonging to sei)arate heads are Mines and Quarries, Cave
Deposits, and Petroglyphs.
MOUNDS.
The term ''mound," as u.sed throughout this report, is limited to the
artificial tumulus and is not intended to include walls, embaykmeuts,
refuse heaps, or other works not usually classed as "mounds" in this
country, though the lines of distinction between the examples which
approximate each other in form are apparently arbitrary.
The tumuli or mounds are the most common and most numerous of
the fixed works, being found throughout the region under consideration,
and, in fact, constituting the larger portion of most of the groups.
The forms are so varied that it would tax the imagination to devise one
that is not represented. There is probably one exception and a some-
what remarkable one, as it is that wliich enters into the idea of a true
pyramid. The form alluded to is the pyiauiid with true successive
stages. There has been, it is believed, no mound found in the United
States east of the Rocky Mountains, with successive stages running
entirely around the structure. In other words, the form figured by
Pidgeon in the frontispiece to his "Decoodah" as the type of the
"ancient American battle mound," is without a representative in the
United States.
Although so varied, they may for convenience be arranged in four
classes, as follows : Conical tumuli, elongate mounds, pyramidal mounds,
and efdgy mounds.
COXICAL TUMin.I.
Under this head are placed all those rounded, artificial heaps or hil-
locks which seem to have been cast up with so:uc special object in view —
that is to say, are not such mere accunuilations of rubbish as the refuse
heaps. The form is usually that of a low, broad, round-topped cone,
but as at present found, is, in consequence of wear by tlie plow and
the elements, often that of an irregular heap distinguished from the
refuse heap only by internal evidences.
Mounds of this type are the most common of our ancient monuments,
being found throughout the region under consideration, sometimes iso-
lated, but more usually in association with other works. There are, in
fact, few groups of ancient works to be found where moun<ls of this
kind are entirely wanting.
They vary in size from a slight, scarcely perceptible swell in tlie sur-
face of the ground to elevations SO or 90 feet high, and iiomOor 8 feet
30 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to 300 feet in diameter at the base. As a general rule the burial mounds
are of this form.
The term " conical," although used in its widest and most general
sense, is scarcely broad enough to include all tumuli that are referred
to this class. The circular or nearly circular base is the usual form,
but oval and pear-shaped mounds, especially the former, are not rare.
Some two or three of a crescent shape have lieen observed, but these
are exceptional cases. There are also some irregular forms which must
be placed in this class if we would avoid multiplying divisions in our
classification to an unwarranted extent. These are mostly irregular
heaps, similar to " refuse heaps," but which, as internal evidence shows,
can not be properly placed in the latter category.
As the further subdivision of the class must be determined chietly,
if not wholly, by what the interior of the works presents, this part of
the subject will be left for a subsequent chapter. However, it may be
stated here that no attempt has been made to divide the conical tumuli
into any fui'ther subclasses than burial mounds, and those not designed
for burial puri^oses.
ELONGATE OK WALL MOUNDS.
This division is intended to include those singular elongate works
which seem to be confined strictly to the effigy-mound district. The
only characteristic which distinguishes them Irom the conical tj^ie is
their walllike form; in fact many of them, as maybe seen by referring
to Dr. Lapham's "Antiquities of Wisconsin," might very properly be
called walls. This wall-like form is apparent even where the length
is not great compared with the width; in other words, they seldom
assume the oval shape. The width varies fi'om 20 to 40 feet; the le:igth-
from .50 to 900 feet, though the height seldom, if ever, exceeds 4 feet.
They appear to be simple lines of earth cast up from the adjoining
surface, and are seldom used tor burial purposes, and even in these few
cases it is evident the burial in them was a subsequent thought, their
construction having no reference to this use. The object in buildiug
them is yet an unsolved riddle.
PYRAMIDAL MOUXDS.
The typical form of this class is the truncated, quadrangular pyra-
mid. In some examples these are so reduced in heiglit, compared with
extent, as to assume the appearance of mere earthen platforms; others
have a terrace extending outward from one or two sides. Although
the mounds of this class are usually four-sided, some are circular or
rounded, and a few pentagonal, but all are flat on top. The wearing
by the plow and the elements has in most cases destroyed the sharp
outlines of the original form, so that it is difficult, sometimes, to deter-
mine this satisfactorily. In such cases the statements of the early
observers become important. But few works of this class are found
in the northern districts.
THOMAS.] INCLOSURES AND WALLS. 31
EIFIGY MOUNDS.
These are the singular earthen structures designed to represent ani-
mal figures, the human form, or some inanimate object. They are lim-
ited almost exclusively to the Wisconsin district, the only known excep-
tions being two or three in Ohio and two in Georgia. It is more than
probable that most of those to which the name "Manmonnd" has been
applied are really bird eftigies.
Although not belonging strictly to the mound class in the restricted
sense, yet, as being nearest allied thereto, we may arrange here the
refuse heaps and house sites.
REFUSE HEAPS.
Although the ancient heaps of rubbish in America are composed
chieHy of marine and fresh-water shells, the more comprehensive term
refuse heap is given here, as under it may be placed not only the accu-
mulations of shells but other heaps known as kitchen-middens and open-
air workshops or accumulations of flint chips. The heaj) is distin-
guished from the mound by the fact that the former is a mere accumu-
lation of rubbish, while the latter is constructed with a specific design
in view.
HOUSE SITES AND HtTT KINGS.
The works to which the latter of these names is applied are usually
small rings or circles of earth from 1.5 to 50 feet in diameter, the inclosed
area being more or less depressed. This name is given them because
it is now conceded ^hat they are the remains of circular houses or wig-
wams. In Arkansas and some other southern sections these rings ap-
pear to be replaced by low, flattened, mostly circular mounds in which
are found the indications or remains of houses which in most cases appear
to ha\e been consumed by fire. To these and other similar remains,
though not covered by mounds, the name •' house sites" has been applied.
CAIRNS.
With the exception of two or three efdgies and the accumulations of
flint chips the only stone mounds found in the United States east of the
Eocky Mountains are of the conical type. The term " cairn" is some-
times applied to the smaller and more regular ones, though "mound"
is the word usually employed in this country in referring to them.
INCLOSURES, WALLS, ETC.
The works included in this class are inclosures, usually formed by a
more or less complete surrounding wall of earth or stone; lines of walls,
sometimes single, sometimes in pairs forming parallels; embankments,
and other mural works.
32 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
INOLOSURES.
In this class are included some of tlie most important and most inter-
esting ancient monuments of our country. In form they are circular,
square, oblong, oval, octagonal, or irregular. Those -which approach
regularity in figure and symmetry in their parts are either circular,
square, or octagonal, and with a few exceptions are found in Ohio an<l
in the immediately adjoinining sections of Kentucky and Indiana, and
in West Virginia.
Of the irregular in form there are several tyi^es; some, especially
those located on level ground where tlie space is ample, are irregularly
circular and in most cases are flanked by a ditch. This form is common
in the region bordering the northern lakes ; others, often of stone or
stone and earth combined, are found on elevated points, the figure
being determined by the boundaries or character of the area inclosed.
Inclosures of this type arc frecjnently incomplete, a steeji bluff, river,
or lake shore forming one or two of the sides.
In this class are included a few works where there is in reality no
wall, a ditch or line of picket holes alone marking the boundary.
WALLS AND EMBANKMENTS.
Double or j)arallel lines of walls are in most, if not all, cases connected
with other works. Single lines of wall are mostly those of earth or stone
built across the neck of some projecting bluff or promontory or across
some i^eninsula formed by the bend of a river or curve in a lake shore.
These are evidently works thrown up for defensive purposes, often to
protect a temporary or permanent village.
EXCAVATIONS.
This term is usually applied to those basin-shaped or irregular, arti-
ficial depressions often observed in connection with the more extensive
groujis. It is api)arent in many cases that they have been dug with no
other object in view than to obtain dirt with which to build a mound
or construct a wall. But in other cases they have evidently been made
for some specific purpose.
CANALS AND DITCHES.
Indications of what may be properly designated as " ancient canals"
have been discovered at a few points, mostly in the south.
Ditches are seldom found except in connection with inclosures or de-
fensive works. Yet, a few instances occur where they seem to replace
the walls of inclosures, one of the most important groups of the South
being thus surrounded.
PITS AND CACHES.
Pits as a matter of course are excavations and in a strictly sj'stem-
atic arrangement should be placed under that head, nevertheless as the
THOMAS] GRAVES AND CEMETERIES. 33
present object is to indicate the varions works by the terms wliich have
come into use in this country, they are given seijarately. Tliey are fun-
nel-shaped or deep, cup-shaped excavations, tlie depth being greater in
proportion to the diameter than the ordinary basin- shaped excavations.
Those works, to which the term is applied, appear to be of two classes :
First, the holes or pits made in digging for flint, which are usually
known locally as "Indian diggings," and which, as a matter of course,
are irregular as to form and size; second, the regularly formed pits of
but a few feet in diameter and depth, and used chiefly as places for
secreting food and other articles, and hence often called "caches."
GRAVES AND CEMETERIES.
The ancient graves of the area under consideration in this report are
of various types, nevertheless there are one or two of these which form
such important factors in discussing the question of the origin and
builders of our ancient monuments that it is proper they should be
mentioned here.
Oneof the most common and most important types is the " box-shaped
stone gi'ave" or cist. This is in the form of an oblong ]3ox, constructed
of unhewn stone slabs. Graves of this kind are found isolated, in
groups forming cemeteries and also in mounds.
Stone graves of other forms occur usually in mounds, but as these
will be noticed hereafter it is unnecessary to describe them here.
The term "cemetery" is, of course, used in its ordinary sense.
GARDEN BEDS.
These are certain surface indications, found chiefly in Michigan and
Wisconsin, leading to the conclusion that the limited areas covered
were formerly under cultivation. These indications are generally low,
parallel ridges, as though made in planting corn in drills. They aver-
age about i feet in width, and the depth of the space between them a
few (6 to 8) inches. They are generally arranged in beds or plats.
OTHER FEATURES.
Fire beds or hearths are nothing more than the indications of local
fires, found in mounds and in the ground. Camp-sites are usually indi-
cated by marks of flre and other signs of temi)orary camps found near
the surface of the ground.
Ancient trails are sufficiently indicated by the name.
Surface figures are outline figures of the human or animal form or of
some object formed on the surface of the ground with pebbles or bones.
Cave deposits are sufficiently indicated by the name.
So far as ascertained the ancient mines of this country were limited
to those of copper, flint, and other stone and mica.
13 ETH 3
FIELD OPERATIONS.
MANITOBA AND THE DAKOTAS.
Within the area embraeed by tW proviuce of Manitoba and the two
states of Dakota five distinct types of prehistoric worlvS have been
observed. First, the mounds of the Red river valley, extending from
Grand Forks, North Dakota, down to Selkirk, Manitoba. Secondly, the
mounds along the Souris river in Manitoba and North Dakota, and in
Benson, Ramsey, and Walsh counties, North Dakota. Thirdly, the
mounds along the Big Sioux river in southeast Dakota and Iowa asso-
ciated with bowlder circles. Fourthly, the bowlder circles found upon
the highest lauds of the Alissouri and James rivers and their tribu-
taries, associated with bowlder outlines of animals. Fifthly, the house
sites in the form of basin-shaped depressions found along the Missouri
river from the mouth of the Niobrara to 10 miles north of Bismarck.
Of the first class, namely, the mounds bordering the Red river of
the North, there are but- few, scarcely more than twenty now visible.
Those visited by the Bureau agent were in the vicinity of Grand Rap-
ids, North Dakota, St. Andrews, and East Selkirk, Manitoba. All had
been explored. They occur singly rather than in groups. The soil of
which they are composed appears to be that of the surrounding laud.
They are conical iu form, and none at present exceed nine feet in diam-
eter, though originally, before they were cultivated and excavated, they
were doubtless higher. Human burials were found in all.
SOXIKIS RIVER MOXTNDS.
Along the Souris river, in southwestern Manitoba and south of the
junction of the South Antler, numerous mounds were discovered. They
extend over an extensive area up the river, and it is not improbable that
they may be found following the stream across the border into Dakota.
# %(iiMiiii(iiiiiiiii(niimiiiiiiiiffliiiiiiiHiHiiMiii»»iiiMiiMimiiiiiiirti* '%
,^^4«lllll|(illW|ll«ll(tlli|IIIIHIWlll«l*l«IIIIWIIIHIUIIIII1llllHIW!(li|ll«^
Fig. 1. — Elongate mound, Souris river, Manitoba.
They occur in large groups, are conical in form, and range from 1 to 5
feet iu height and from 30 to 40 feet in diameter. In their midst were
seen the two forms of elongate mounds, one as shown iu Fig. 1, the
other the ordinary oblong form. As the discovery of these mounds was
incidental, and our assistant carried no instruments ui^ou the trip, no
35
36 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
survey of any of the fjrouj^s could l)e madi-. Tlic cloiiffate iiiouiids or
embankments lango from 1 to 2.V feet liigh and from 100 to 3(K) feet
long. In the form showing expansi(ms or mounds at the ends, no per-
ceptible difterence was noticed between the height of the mounds at
the ends and the bank between them. They are composed of gravelly
soil and in size are, as a rule, quite low and broad. Seven of these
peculiar mounds were noticed just south of the Junction of the South
Antler, within 1 mile of Sourisford post-offlce. Two or more of this
form sometimes occur either in au imbricated position or at right
angles to one another, as in Fig. 2. Their positions and appearance
are such as to preclude the idea that they were used for defense.
f%wi/w/li)illillil/!iiiiii«i||li/lllillllli)lliiiiiii,
#'Wwi/w/li)llllllll/!liliii«Hlll/lllllllll|)llili||ii)illili|«#'%
^|i|j((|l||IIW»llllllllllllllflll1lllWI|||(((|(/(|||l((IIIIIWII)|((ll«||/««|ll»#^^
^^%IIIW«l«llliilll«(|i|llllmil||ll|||i;(Wil(lHlm)iiiiMM|W!^%
a.
^ %((miiimMiiiiim.iiMiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiii iiniiiinMiii|iii|iii|iiinn(iiiHici||f^"^
^^^yMMIWIIIlmillllllltHIIIMIIIIIMIilllllllllllllnnllllHlnMiliwmiiMMlMlik'^ ^
b gs
#%
,#
Fig. 2. — Elon^atf diouiuIm, Souris river, ilanitoba.
Some are situated along the brink of the precipitous river bluff, while
others lie farther inward upon the prairie level. The mounds or expan-
sions at the extremities of one were dug into but without any result.
Mounds of this character were also seen down the Souris river across
the South Antler. Large numbers of them lie between that stream
and the junction of the North Antler, li miles distant. They range
from 2 to 8 feet in height. The larger ones had been explored by set-
tlers. One, 5 feet high, situated near the left bluff of the South Antler,
was composed throughout of the gravelly prairie soil, intermingled con-
siderably with buffalo bones. The bones of four skeletons were found
in a confused condition in a pit dug in the original surface of the ground.
A catliuite pipe of the tubular variety, curving towards the base, and
many pieces of broken pottery were found with them. These pottery
fragments are ornamented with straight incisions, and are composed
of a. mixture of clay tempered with Hue sand or pulverized granite.
In another, 8 feet high, composed, like the last, of the gravelly prairie
soil, the bodies or bones of five skeletons were found buried beneath
THOMAS.] SOURIS RIVER MOUNDS. 37
the original surface. They apijeared to have been origiually placed in
a sitting- posture in a circle facing one another. The bones bore no
signs of decay. The decayed remains of timbers were found just above
them. Five catlinite pipes of the tubular variety, a polished sandstone
tablet engraved on one side with the rude figure of a turtle, and two
small clay cups about the size of an ordinary finger bowl, accompanied
the skeletons. The pottery has an incised spiral ornamentation extend-
ing all around the bowl and a corrugated rim. The composition is a
mixture of clay with fine sand or pulverized granite. Quite a fresh
piece of bark, apparently bearing the marks of a steel knife along
one edge, was also found accompanying these remains.
In front of the residence of Mr. Amos Snyder and near the junction
of the North Antler with the Souris there is a mound 3J feet high.
This, not having been previously disturbed, was examined by Mr. Key-
nolds. He found the mound composed throughout of the uppermost
prairie soil, very compact and hard, and the i-emains of a single skele-
ton on the original surface of the ground. The bones, which were
extremely well preserved, were disarticulated and piled together, as
though interred after having been denuded of the flesh, and the cranium
placed on top. Fragments of buflalo bones and pottery, similar in type
to that above described, except that some of it was ornamented with
straight parallel incisions, were found mingled among the earth. Also,
three fine specimens of arrow heads of a light grayish flint and a por-
tion of some polished implement of bone, ornamented with straight
incised lines which appear to have been produced with a sharp steel
knife.
Another mound, 4 feet high, about 50 rods westward from the last,
was opened the same day. A trench 3 feet wide was cut through it to
the original surface, but no burial remains were found. Many broken
buffalo bones, and pieces of pottery similar in description to those
found in the other mounds, were intermingled in the earth throughout.
A cross trench was abandoned for lack of time.
Other mounds similar to these in appearance were seen on the oppo-
site or right bank of the Souris river on the Eumball farm, 3 miles
from Sourisford post-oflice. One situated near the dwelling is 3 feet
high and 30 feet in diameter. It appeared to be composed, like those
just described, of the soil of the surrounding land. Not ftir from the
dwelling were also four oblong mounds, similar in form to that shown
in Fig. 1. One of them measured 225 feet long and 24 feet broad.
Their height is scarcely more than 1 foot above the siuTounding level.
While at Grand Forks, North Dakota, it was learned from Prof.
Henry Montgomery that elongate, conical, and connected mounds,
resembling these in character, and containing specimens of the types
found in the mounds of this region, exist in Benson, Eamsey, and Walsh
counties. North Dakota.
38 MOUNU EXPI-(JRATI(JNS.
SIOUX KIVER MOUNDS.
Aloiij;- the Big Sioux river, within Id miles south of Sioux Falls, aud
priiicilially where the river forms the boundary line between Minne-
haha, eouuty. South Dakota, and Lyon euuuty, Iowa, there are said to
be about 275 mounds. Many of tliese our assistant visited. They
were tbuud situated on both sides of the river in elusters or groups
upon the highest points of the river hills, or upon the broad terraces
of the valleys. One of the groups visited demands special attention.
Jt is situated in the extreme northwest corner of Lyon county, Iowa,
and compiises about 50 mounds of the simple conical type, averaging
about 4 feet in height. In the midst of the mounds, at times touching
the skirt of them, are seen stone rings, circular and obloug, made with
the granite bowlders of the praiiie. It is evident that these mark the
site of au old village, the circles and obloug outlines indicating the
positions of the lodges, the skin coverings of which were held down
by stones, AVith probably one or two exceptions every cirdeor oblong
form preseuts a break, namely, a place about 3 or 4 feet wide where the
continuity of the figure is broken by the absence of stones. This
ai)pears to have been the entrance, and in most instances it is at the
southeast, or the point most protected from the cold northwest winds.
They average about 30 feet in diameter. The number of lodges consti-
tuting the original village could not be counted, since about half of the
group lies in a field, the original prairie sod of which has been disturbed
l)y the plow of the settler and the stones utilized by him upon his farm.
In the undistmbed portion they outnumber the mounds about three to
one. The mounds are so intermingled with the stone figures as to show
that the two were constructed by the same people. In some instances,
where the stone circles nearly touch the skirt of a mound, the wash
from the latter has covered the stones upon that side while those on
theother side are fully exposed. This seems to indicate that the mounds
had been constructed after the circles or lodges had been placed. These
boulders are, as a rule, half imbedded in the jirairie sod, but this fact
does not necessarily imjily great anti<iuity. Investigations had been
made among these mouuds by Mr. F. W. Pettigrew, of Sioux Falls, but
the result did not indicate that they were used for burial.
About half a nule up the valley, on the same river terrace, theie is
another large village site consisting of numnds and circles similar in all
res]K'cts to those just described. Eachof these groups is upon a most
beautiful aud expansive terrace peculiarly adapted for a permanent vil-
lage. Groups of mounds, fewer in number and smaller in size, are to
be seen in the vicinity upon the most commanding points of the river
heights, and in these human interments have been discovered. These
may therefore b(^ considered as tlie burial places of this peojde.
About 10(1 rods to the south of the village remains above described
there is an irregular earthen iuclosnre somewhat octagoniil in outline,
THOMAs.i Bowlder circlks. 39
formed by tbrowins' "P the, dirt from the inside. At one point it inter-
sects ii iow monnd, seated npon tlie oiiginal surface, in whicli the owner
of the land discovered a skek'ton. The inclosure embraces about 10
acres, but no survey could be made at the time it was visited on account
of the high corn crop that covered it. The group of mounds and stone
circles above described has been accurately surveyed by Mr. P. W. I'et-
tigrew, of Sioux Falls.
BOWLDER CIRCLES.
In addition to the bowlder circles above described there are some of
another class, which, from all accounts, appear to be (juite common
throughout the Dakota country. They differ from the others in that
they are unaccompanied by mounds, and average as a rule only
17 feet in diameter. The bowlders are much smaller and are scat-
tered about irregularly instead of approximating a perfect circle like
the others. They are, however, like these, half imbedded in the soil.
Formerly they were doubtless much more common, but now they are
found principally, if not altogether, upon the highest ridges or buttes
overlooking the valleys. Those visited by the Bureau agent were sit-
uated on Medicine Butte, near Blunt, South Dakota, and Snake Butte,
G miles up the Missouri river from Pierre, South Dakota. They occupy
the most commanding points of the buttes. In fact their locations are
the very best in all those regions for grand, extensive views. No relics
of any description are found about them, and everything seems to point
to temporary occupation only. Their positions and character indicate
that they are the sites of old teepees, and this is confirmed by the tes-
timony of all the old Indians and "squaw men " who were questioned
as to their origin. In former times, they say, bowlders were the chief
means by which the Indians held down the skins of their lodges, and
even now it is resorted to in some of their temporary camps. Each of
these groups of stone circles is accompanied by the outline figure of an
animal, made with such small bowlders as are available upon the site,
and similar to those composing the circles about them. Like the lat-
ter, they are half embedded in the ground. The figure accompanying
the group upon Medicine Butte is a snake outlined with two rows of
bowlders. These boulders vary in size, those of the body being larger
than those of the tail, and that forming the nose or mouth larger than
those forming the head. The curvature of the body, the head, and the
eyes are all well defined. A sketch of this snake figure is given with
others of the same type by Mr. T. II. Lewis in the American Anthro-
l)ologist, vol. 9. His description is full and accurate. The figure ac
com])auying the gronj) on Snake butte above Pierre is that of a turtle,
the figure of which, with dimensions as ascertained by our assistant, is
given herewith (Fig. 3). It is 15 feet in length, and 7 feet across the
body, and is composed of 83 stones varying somewhat in size, though
not as much so as those forming the snake above described. A num-
40 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
ber of smaller stones, as seen in the fljiiiro, ran from the neck through
tlie body, which probably was intended to rei>resent the " life line," thus
}iivin}>' the fljiure a mythical sifiiiificance. This effij;y lay in a direction
S. 38° E. and was situated not far from the bluff of the Missouri river,
to which it lay parallel. Tepee remains, or stone circles, are to be
Fig. 3.— Turtle figure, Hughes county. South Dakota.
seen between it and the edge of the bluft, and on the other side, to the
east, commencing about 150 feet to the south, is a long line of bowlders
of similar description, which extend northerly fully i-'OO rods. In some
places these stones are compact and set closely together, but towards
each end they thin out by becoming farther and farther apart. At the
north end this line terminates in a small heap of stones. This was
torn down, and the earth beneath dug into, but without result. There
are about 35 stone cii'cles in this group, and the turtle figure lies in
the midst of them, as does also the line of bowlders just described.
They are seen on both sides of it to a certain distance. Some are also
to be seen ui)on the high crest of the butte. These circles are of the
same dimensions as those seen on Medicine butte, but the stones did
not seem to be so deejily buried, in fact, they were as nuich above the
surface as could be expected. Ashes were found upon digging in the
THOMAS.] HUT RINGS. 41
center of one of the circles, though no sncli traces were seen in others
that were examined here and upon Medicine Bntte. The animal fig-
ures on each of these sites are poorly situated, and in each case there
are circles that almost touch them. Indeed, their position with refer-
ence to the latter is such as to make them seem incidental tt) the prior
location of the tepees. If they were intended as objects of veneration
and worship, as has been conjectured, there are sites in the immediate
vicinity of each better adapted for such purposes — sites where the
archeologist more naturally expects to find them.
HUT RINGS.
Many old village sites, resembling each other in every respect, are to
be seen on either side of the Missouri river from the mouth of the
Niobrara to about 10 miles above Bismarck. Unlike the house sites of
this type in southeast Missouri and Illinois no mounds accompany them,
though kitchen-middeus, resembling mounds, are seen among those
farther up the river. Two of these village sites were examined by the
agent of this Bureau near the towu of Pierre, South Dakota. They
occupied the second terrace of the river and were indicated by numerous
basin-shaped depressions, sometimes, especially in the larger cases,
with a distinct rim or bank around the edge. They are, at present,
from 1 to 2 feet deep and 75 feetiu diameter. Occasionally one is seen
fully 4 feet deep and 75 feet in diameter. In some instances the en
trance was indicated by a graded depression leading outward. At
least fifty such hut rings were counted on each of these sites. It was
apparent, however, that originally there were many more, for many had
disappeared before the encroachments of the town. Numerous signs of
former occupation abound, and refuse heaps are seen about almost
every depression. Some of these refuse heaps were examined and
found to consist chiefly of river loess, and to contain invariably much
fragmentary pottery, discai-ded stone imi)leuients, and the broken bones
of the buffalo and other food animals. Indications of fire were dis-
covered in the center of the depressions or house sites. The ornamen-
tation of the pottery is, as a rule, similar to that of the Mandans, except
that it appears to be a trifle ruder. The characteristic incised lines of
the Mandan pottery are constantly met with. The tempering material
employed is also the same, it being a fine sUicious sand. Quite a large
group of these remains is to be seen farther down the river at the mouth
of Chappelle creek, accompanied by the remains of an earthen iuclosure.
It was situated on the edge of the bank of the creek near its junction
with the river. A distinct outside ditch was apparent on the side un-
protected by the bank. It had a single entrance way and the interior
was well tilled up with house sites of the above description. Tlie num-
ber of these depressions within and without the fort indicate a much
larger population than is known of any of the villages of the jNIissouri
when first visited by whites. Another very large group, similar to these
42 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in every respect, is, a(;cording to Mr. J. C. Collester, of Eetlfiekl, South
Dakota, to be seen at tlie mouth of tlie Moreau river. Tliese are doubt-
less the remains of the Arikara village that was visited by Lewis and
Clarke in their passage up the Missouri in 1802. The houses of the
Arikaras were described by these explorers as circular dome-like struc-
tures, the floor of which was about .'$ feet below the level of the sur-
rounding land. But in house-building, as in the manufacture of pottery
and other things, the customs of the Arikaras, though somewhat ruder,
resembled those of the Mandans, and the similar remains farther n\^ the
river may therefore be due to that people. Some are probably the re-
mains of the Mandan villages described by Lewis and Clarke in 1802,
and by Catliu in 1833.
MINNESOTA.
The only explorations made in this state on behalf of the Bureau
were at and about the noted Pipestone quarry in Pipestone county and
in the extreme southeastern county.
PIPESTONE COUNTY.
The only group known in this county is that in the vicinity of the
sacred Pipestone quarry.
A sketch and description of the locality as it formerly appeared, to-
gether with an account of the Indian traditions relating to it, may be
iound in Catlin's " North American Indians.'" These works consist of
low mounds and an irregular inclosure in the vicinity of Pipestone.
One of these mounds, which for convenience is designated No. 1, is
of the usual low conical form, 28 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. An
exploration revealed nothing but the dark, adhesive soil of which it
was chiefly composed, and stone ti-agments, a few of which were catlin-
ite, bearing traces of tool marks. No bones, ashes, or charcoal were
observed. Possibly it was nothing more than a refuse heap.
No. 2 is the mound represented in Catlin's sketch ^ of which he gives
the history, and which, according to his statement, was built two years
before his visit, pi'obably in 1836 or 1837. He does not give the diam-
eter, but estimates the height at 10 feet. Nic(jllet saw and noted it in
1838. Col. Norris noticed it in 1857, when, although apparently undis-
turbed, it was but little over G feet in height. When he saw it again
in 1877 it bore the marks of having been opened, and he then learned
that a cranium and some of the weapons and trinkets deposited with
the Indians buried had been unearthed and carried ofi^'. He found a
perfoiated Ijear's claw and some glass beads among the angular frag-
ments of rock lying in the excavation. Making a thorough excavation
when he visited it in 1882 on behalf of the Bureau, he found near the
center some decayed fragments of wood, one of them apijarently the
' Vol. 2, p. 144. ' North American Indians, Vol . 2, p. 164, PI. 270.
THOMAS.] PIPESTONE COUNTY, MINNESOTA. 43
short, thick, perforated stock or liandlc of an Indian wliip. With the
dirt of the nioiiud were ininyled many fragments of stoue.
No, 3, composed of earth and auguhxr fragments of stone, was prob-
ably a refuse heap from the diggings.
Nos. 4 and 5, simihir to No. 3.
No. (> is a conical tumulus on the bank of the creek about a hundred
yards above the falls, and is 0 feet high. Projecting throngli the sod
was a stone slab 2 feet long, nearly as wide, and 9 inches thick, stand-
ing nearly jierpendicular in the center; beneath it, lying flat, was
another of similar form and size. Beneath the latter was a pile of
broken stones, mostly ol' smaller sizes, among which were pieces of
pipestone, badly decayed fragments of human and coyote bones, but no
entire skeleton. In this were found charcoal and ashes, the only
instance of their presence in any of the mounds at this place. They
were underneath the pile of stones. A small stone drill was found
with them.
No. 7, which is nearer the cliff than No. fi, is about 30 feet in diame-
ter and 4 feet high. It was but little else than a pile of angular stones.
No. 8 is simply a bastiou-like enlargement of the large circular
earthwork at one of its numerous angles (see No. 8, Fig. 4), about 4
feet liigh. Nothing was found in it, not even the angular stones so
common in the other mounds.
No. 9 is a circular mound inside the earthwork, 20 feet in diameter
and 4 feet high. In this was found a single skeleton lying at full
length upon the right side, head north, on the original surface of the
ground. It was covered with a layer or jiile of stones about 2 feet
thick, and was so much decayed that the bones and even the teeth
crumbled to dust when exposed to the air. No implements or orna-
ments were found with it except a flint lance head, some arrow points,
and two or three rude scrapers which were near the breast.
No. 10 is merely an eidargcmcnt of the west horn of one of the circu-
lar works lying east of the large inciosure, of which more particular
mention is made hereafter. Its diameter was found to be 20 feet;
height, 3 feet. Nothing of interest was found in it.
CIRCULAR AND CRESCENT EAimiWOllKS.
These interesting works are situated about 2 nules a little north of
east from the quarry; a plan of them is given in Fig. 4. It is not cer-
tain that (Jatlin saw tliese works, although they are situated near the
great war trail from Flandreau and the pipestone quarry to the Minne-
sota (formerly St. Peters) river. Nicollet, however, noted them in
1.S38, and makes special mention of two circular inclosures, oi' " camps,"
as he calls them, estimating the circumference of one at 2,000 feet.'
The shape of this inciosure, which appears to be the only complete
one in the loc^ality is shown at «. The circumference, according to
' Senate Report No. 237, 26tli Congress, 2d session, p. 14.
44
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Col. Norris's measiirenieiit, is 2,.38() feet, tlic wall varying in height from
a few iuclies to 4 feet. It has two well-marked and distinct oijenings,
or gateways, one at the north, the other at the southeast, besides
smaller and less evident ones. In the southern half is mound No. 9,
heretofoi'e mentioned.
The crescent-shaped embankments, which are roughly sketched in
the figure, are about half a mile east of the large inclosure. They are
simi)ly earth embankments of slight elevation and are possibly parts of
unfinished works.
jt.
X
*%-.
Si-..
/
%
\\
Smooth
'■;?'
Fig. 4. — luclosnres and mounds, Pipestone county, Minnesota.
Nicollet's statement in regard to the works is as follows :
After haviug recounoitered distinct marks of a buffalo path, we unexpectedly fell
upon a circular breastwork of about 2,000 feet in circumference and sufficiently ele-
vated to protect the bodies of those who are defeudiug themselves within. The
principal entrance is still marked by the places where the chiefs or principal person-
ages of the nation had their lodges, the situation of these always indicating not
only the main access to the camp but also the direction whence the enemy was
advancing.
Two miles further on, accordingly, we met with another camp of a similar charac-
ter. As the system of defense was on neither side more complicated than just
described, it would seem that they had been erected during a long talk the result of
which might lead to a war; whilst the small number of tumuli that are found
within the breastwork would seem to imply that both parties remained in presence
for some time, though there was no important battle fought.
The Sioux have lost the reminiscences of these camps, and merely conjecture that
they were occupied during the .settlement of difficulties between the Tetons and
Yanktons.
Col. Norris thinks he saw in 1842 the second inclosure mentioned by
ificollet, but did not find it in 1882.
HOUSTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
45
HOUSTON COUNTY.
The extreme soutlicast corner of this county, which is also the south-
east point of the State, is just north of the town of New Albin, Iowa,
at the contluence of Winnebago creek with the Mississippi river.
About 1 mile north of this point, upon the summit of a cliff rising
vertically 400 or 500 feet from the eastern or Mississippi valley side,
and barely accessible for a pedestrian up the steep and somewhat rocky
slopes on the south, west, and north sides, three mounds were found
and excavated, with the following results:
No. 1, about 30 feet in diameter and 6 feet high, of the usual conical
form, on the summit of the cliff, had already been opened suflicieutly to
remove therefrom the skeleton of an Indian warrior, together with his
gun, hatchet, etc. The excavation which had been made was still
partly open, and extending downward only about half the depth of the
mound. Digging down about a foot farther into the hard, lightcol
ored earth, apparently a mixture of clay and ashes, a stone slab was
encountered something over 2 feet long, something less in width, and 5
inches thick, of the same kind of rock as that found in the cliff.
This was lying Hat upon others of various sizes, which were placed
edgewise, so as to form an oblong cist or cotHn, but so small that its
contents, the decayed bones of an adult, were nearly in a heap, as
though the skeleton had been folded and deposited after the flesh was
removed. No implements or other vestiges of art were found.
Fig. 5. — Mound vault, Houston county, Minnesota.
No. 2. This interesting mound, situated about 50 feet south and
somewhat down the slope from No. 1, is circular, about 25 feet in diam-
eter and 0 feet high. An excavation had been made in the top to the
covering or top slabs of a stone vault or chamber which further explo-
ration showed the mound to contain. The form of this vault is shown
in Fig. 5. It was about G feet in diameter throughout, and before it
was disturbed probably reached nearly or quite to the top of the
mound. Some of the top rocks had been thrown down, and, with some
small human bones, were lying on the slope of the mound. The floor
of the inner area was filled to the depth of about 2 feet with charcoal,
ashes, and split bones of animals, among which were found two roughly
chipped scrai)ers or skinners. This accunmlatiou had not been dis-
turbed by those who made the first partial opening above, and who, as
was learned, had unearthed the skeleton of an Indian child, with some
modern beads and other trinkets.
46'
MOUND EXI'LORATIONS.
No. 3 is situated about 10(t feet uoitli but much below No. 1, and is
about 20 feet in diameter and -i feet high. Nothing wliatever ol' inter-
est was found in it.
Nothing was observed in relation to these works differing irom the
usual couieal mouuds found in this region except the yeeuliar com-
FlG. G. — Mound group near Madison, Wisronsin.
manding position they occupy aud tlie walled structure in No. 2. Of
the numerous bluffs in this region no other affords such a clear and
extensive view of the surrounding country as this. An unobstructed
view of the Mississippi for a considerable distance above and below,
also up the Little Iowa, Winnebago, and other streams, is here ob-
tained. From this position can be seen the mouth of Itoot river on the
west, aud on the east the deep-gorged Badaxe, and the last battlelield
on which Black Hawk fought. It nuist therefore have always been a
favorite lookout point or station
THOMAS] EARTHWORKS IN WISCONSIN. 47
Mound No. -! seeius to have been purposely built upon the, suiiuy
slope of the clitif just below the summit, so as to be sheltered from the
cold northwest winds and partly also from observation, while its oc-
cupants had a nearly unobstructed fleld for observation and signals.
Unlike the other mounds near it which were opened, it was composed
wholly of the rock and soil taken from around it. Possibly it may
have been used as a sentry post or signal station. The charcoal, ashes,
and split bones of animals were doubtless the remains of the feasts
and fires of the watchmen; the burial of a child iu the mound was
intrusive and by modern Indians. Not a fragment of pottery was found
at this lo(;ality, although within 10 miles of the pottery circle in Iowa,
which will be noticed hereafter.
WISCONSIN.
The explorations in this State were confined chiefly to the southwest-
ern counties, though brief visits were made to some other localities,
where a few mounds were opened and some interesting groups sketched.
DANE COUNTY.
One group near Madison, which does not appear to have been no-
ticed by other explorers, was examined. This is situated about 2 miles
southeast of the capital and Just beyond the mounds near Lake Win-
gra, described by Dr. Lapham. The woi'ks consist chiefly of earthen
circles and ovals, which in some cases surround excavations, and are
shown in the annexed Fig. G. As will be observed, with the exception
of No. 8, which is a low mound, situated a short distance southwest of
No. 7, they are in a single straight line running northwest and south-
east. No. 1 is a double excavation, one portion oval, the other in the
form of a horseshoe and surrounded by a ring of earth 1 foot high;
depth of excavation from 3 to 6 feet. Nos. 2, 6, and 7 are low mounds,
but the others, which are rings of earth, are about 5 feet high on the
outside and 4 feet on the inside, the surface of the inner area being-
raised about a foot above the surrounding level. The respective diame-
ters are as follows: No. 2, 32 feet; No. 3, 34 feet; No. 4, 36 feet (great-
est diameter) ; No. 5, 28 feet; No. 6, 2G feet; No. 7, 28 feet. No. 1 is 45
feet long. No. 4 is not a complete circle, having a wide opening toward
the southwest.
These are certainly not the work of the white man, as they present
nothing in common with his habits or customs. They appear now just
as they did in 1844, except that some of those in the field at the north-
west end of the row have since been nearly obliterated by the plow.
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
The first group of mounds of this county noticed here is found on the
bluff just iibove the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers,
and about 5 miles southeast of Prairie du Ghien. The blutt's at this
48
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
point form a sharp promontory jutting out toward the west, with remark-
ably steep and partially precipitous sides on the south and west, rising
about 150 feet above the general level. This is capped by a sharp
sandy ridge, rising in the central portion another hundred feet. On
the crest of this ridge are four mounds, which may be numbered 1, 2, 3,
and 4. Between 1 and 3 is a somewhat broad and flattened depres-
sion, in which mound No. 2 is situated. The ridge beyond the point
gradually descends toward the east, becoming broadened and flattened
as it recedes. On this portion there are 10 small circular mounds in a
single line.
Fig. 7 Walled vault iu nioimd, Prairie du C'hicn, 'Wisconsin.
Mound No. 1 (Fig. 7) was opened in 1876 by Judge Bronson, who
ftmnd at the base of it some six or eight skeletons lying stretched out
horizontally, and covered by a dry, light colored mortar, which had run
between and incased the bones and even tilled some of the crania. As
only the southern portion had been opened, the remainder was carefully
Fig. 8. — Bird niound, rrairic du C'liicn. AViscon.'^in.
explored. The dried mortar was very hard and difficult to dig through,
but the pick soon struck some flat limestone rocks, which, when
fully exposed, were found to be parts of a rough wall about 3 feet high,
from the natural surface of the ground, and S feet long. In the oppo-
site side of the mound, about 12 feet from this and parallel to it, was
another similar wall.
The ends of these walls are shown in Fig. 8. Between them on the
natural surface had been placed side by side a number of skeletons
THOMAS.) MOUNDS AT PRAIRIE DU CHIEN. 49
lying flat and lengthwise, parallel with the walls. The heads of these
are indicated by the row of little circles at the bottom. Immediately
over these was the layer of mortar; next above this, between the walls
and also over the vanlt forming the body of the mound, was a layer of
very hard, light-colored clay mixed with ashes, but no charcoal. The
top covering was of sand and soil to the depth of 18 inches. Before it
was disturbed this mound was about 35 feet in diameter and 6 feet
high. There was no evidence of Are, but much tending to show that
the builders intended to incase the skeletons in a water-tight covering
of mortar, which, when originally placed there, must have been suffi-
cieiitly soft to run into all the interstices between the skeletons, these
all being filled, as were also some of the crania.
On the depressionof the ridge heretofore mentioned, between mounds
1 and 3, is mound No. 2. This is an elfigy representing a bird (see Fig.
8), the dimensions of which are as follows: Length of body, 42 feet, or
total length, including the head and neck, 00 feet; of each wing, 42 feet;
greatest width of body, 18 feet, and greatest elevation 3 feet. Several
pits dug in it proved it to have been constructed wholly of the yellow
FiQ. 9. — Section of mound and pit, Prairie du Chien. Wisconsin.
sand and soil of the ridge. Xo bones or relics of any kind were found
in it. The indications lead to the belief that it was carved out of the
ridge, rather than thrown up, the wings still foiming the crest from
which the head and body slope gradually in opposite directions.
Mound No. 3 (Fig. 0) is a few paces to the west of No. 2 and on
slightly higher ground. This was also partially explored by Judge
Bronson in 1876, and, with the further examination by the Bureau
agent, gave the following results : First, a covering of soil and sand a
foot or more in depth (No. 5), next a layer (No. 4) of calcined human
bones nearly 2 feet in depth, without order, mingled with charcoal,
ashes, and reddish brown mortar (clay and sand), burned as hai'd as a
brick. Immediately below this was a layer (No. 3) 1 foot thick of mor-
tar consisting largely of sand burned to a brick-red color. Below this
in the layer marked 2 were found the skeletons of 15 or 10 individuals
without any arrangement, mingled with which were charcoal, firebrands,
and ashes. The bones were charred and portions of them glazed
with melted sand. The mass appears to have been fli-st covered with
12 ETH 4
50 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
soft mortar, which filled the spaces, and the burning done afterward.
Scattered tliroaj;h the mass were lumps of clay apparently molded iu
the hands, which the tire had converted into rude bricks. The bottom
of this layer corresponded with the original surface of the gi'ound.
Further excavation to the depth of '1 or 3 feet revealed a circular pit in
the original soil (marked 1 in the figure) about 0 feet in diameter, the
bottom of which was covered an inch deep with fine chocolate-colored
dust. The strangest fact regarding this pit is that, although the inter-
mediate tilling between the 1-foot depth at the bottom and the layer
above (the bottom of the mound proiier) was similar in appearance to the
ordinary soil of the ridge, yet the under portion of it lemained arched
over the 1-foot space beneath. It was probably hardened by the fierce
fire above.
Eleven paces west of this mound, situate i on the brow of the blufl',
is No. 4, only 12 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. This mound, like
the others, was built up chiefly of very hard material resembling mor-
tar. In it was a single skeleton lying on its right side; placed in the
form of a circle on the left hip were 140 shell beads. The left arm lay
extended along the upper side; the knees were drawn up at right
angles to the body. Although now so dry and hard, the mortar at
some former time had made its way into and filled the skull and fitted
neatly around the bones which were all well preserved and had not
been disturbed since they were first placed there. Around the neck
were VI shell beads and 5 small perforated sea shells.
On the lower, broadened portion of the ridge, in its eastern exten-
sion, as before I'emarked, is a row of ten small cii'cular mounds, which
vary in height from 2 to 4 feet and in diameter from 19 to 32 feet. In
addition to these there are also here two elongate mounds or embank-
ments in a line with each other, their nearer ends being about 3 paces
apart. The longest of these is 192 feet in length, the other 45 feet.
Two of the circular ones were opened, in both of which were found
some indications of their having been used for burial purposes, but in
one only were any bones obtained. No relics of any kind were discov-
ered. From the larger ones which had been jtreviously opened a num-
ber of stone and copper implements were obtained.
A short distance to the northwest of the foregoing group are traces
of many circular mounds, some long earthworks, and etfigy mounds.
In fact nearly the whole area of the valley of Prairie du Chieu town-
ship appears to have been once literally dotted over with ancient
works. Many of these are efligy mounds representing deer, bears,
rabbits, etc., apparently in droves, sometimes with and sometimes
without other works intermingled. But in all cases the etfigies are
heading southwest, trending with the general course of the river iu
this section.
At the upper end of the prairie are a number of eflBgy mounds and
long works as yet but little injured, wliile others in the fields are
THOMAS.]
RELICS WITH INTRUSIVE BURIALS.
51
nearly obliterated. Some of these have been opened and various relics
obtained, mostly those accompanying intrusive burials.
The greater number of a row of large circular mounds, situated ou a
higli bottom between the old bayou and the river, have been removed
to make way for buildings, railroad tracks, etc., this being the only
part of the immediate area which is not overflowed when the water is
very higli. Many articles of stone, copper, iron, and silver were found,
but mainly fi-om intrusive burials, though obtained at or beneath the
base.
One large mound, 70 feet in diameter and 10 feet high, was still unex-
plored. This was opened. It had been considerably defaced, especially
on the western side. According to tradition it was a noted burial place
of the Indians, which was certainly confirmed by the result. The
surface or top layer was composed mainly of sand
and alluvial earth to the depth of some 3 or 4 feet.
Scattered through this in almost every part of the
mound were found human skeletons in various
stages of decay and in ditterent positions, but mostly
stretched horizontally on the back. Mixed with
these remains were fragments of blankets, clothing,
and human liair; one copper kettle, three coj)per
bracelets, one silver h)cket, shown in Fig. 10; ten
silver bracelets similar to the one shown in Mg. 11,
one having the word "Montreal" stamped on it; and
another the letters "A. B.;" two silver ear-rings; six
silver brooches similar to Fig. 12; one copper finger
ring; one double silver cross (Fig. 13); one knife
handle; one battered bullet, and one carved wooden
pilje similar to those at present in use. In fact, the
top layer to the depth of 3 or i feet seemed to be packed as full of skel-
etons as possible without doubling them, and even that had been re-
sorted to in some cases.
Fig. 10.— Silver locket
from mound, Prairie
dii Cbien, Wiaconsin.
Fig. 11, — Bracelet ul" silver i'rom nintiud,
Prairie du Cliien. Wisconsin.
Fig, 12. — Silver brooch from mound. .
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin,
Carrying the trench down to the original surface of the ground there
was found, near the center, at the bottom, a single skeleton of an adult,
52
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in the last stages of decay, and witli it a stone skinner, stone drill,
scraper, fragments of river shells, and fragments of a niaimuotli's tooth.
Tlie earth below the thick up
per layer was mixed with claj'
and ashes or some other sub-
stance evidently diiierent from
the surrounding soU, but not
so hard as the mortar-like ma-
terial found in the mounds on
the bluli'.
The main road from Prairie
du Chien to Eastman follows
chieHy the old trail along the
crest of the divide between the
drainage of the Kickapoo and
Mississippi rivers. Along this
are a number of efiSgy mounds ;
some of them in cultivated
fields, but the larger number in
the forest, the trees upon them
being of the same size as those
on the surrounding ground.
Most of these, which are in part
referred to in Mr. Strong's notes
and figures,' were surveyed and
platted. A plat of the south-
west part of Crawford county
showing the location of the
groups mentioned is given in
Fig. U.
Fig. 13.— Silver cross from mound, Prairie duCliien. Wis. -r,, ... , .
The farst group measured is
situated about a quarter of a mile north of Eastman, on See. 18, T. 8 N.,
R. 5 W. These mounds lie west of the road, partly in the woods and
Fig. 15 — Eartliworks near Eastman, Crawford county, AVisconsin.
partly in the field. The group is in fact a series or chain of low, small
circular tumuli extending in a nearly straight line northwest and south-
east, connected together by embankments as shown in Fig. 15. They
are on the top of the ridge.
I Smithaoui.m Report of 1877, pp. 239-246.
CRAWFORD COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
53
Fig. U.— Plat of southwest part of Crawford county, Wisconsin.
54
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Commeuciug with mound No. 1, at the southern end of the Une, the
direction and distances from center to center and the diameters and
heights are as follows :
Number
of mound.
Courae.
Distance.
Diameter,
nortli aud
south.
Diameter,
east and
west.
Height.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet.
Feel.
1
22
18
25
22
3
3
1 to 2..
N.S?" W..
55
2 to 3..
N.330W..
55
19
23
3
3 to 4..
If.250W..
56
18
22
2*
4 to 5..
N. 36° W. .
56
23
24
3
5 to 6..
N.310W..
56
22
25
3
6 to 7..
N.34°W-.
56
20
21
24
7 to 8..
N.430W..
53
23
27
^
8 to 9..
N.360W..
56
20
18
14
9 to 10..
N.36°W..
57
23
25
2
10 to 11..
N.3»°W..
58
27
25
2
11 to 12..
N.30<'W..
5T
22
18
1
In the same section, at the village of Eastman (or Batavia), are the
remains of two bird-shaped mounds, both on top of the watershed and
both heading southward.
Fig. 16. — Mounds on northeast quarter of Sec. 24, T. 8 X., R. 6 W., Wisconsin.
About 2 miles from Eastman, in the direction of Prairie du Chien,
just east of the Black River road, on Sec -'4, T. 8 N., K. G W., are three
effigy mounds and one long mound, shown in Fig. 10. They are situ-
THOMAS.]
MOUND GROUP AT HAZEN CORNERS.
55
ated in a little strip of woods near the crest, but ou tlie western slope
of the watershed and near the head of a coulee or ravine.
This is the group which Mr. Strong represents in his Figs. 12, 13, and
14.' The two effigies I'epresenting quadrupeds (bears) are headed to-
ward the south, while the other (probably representing some swallow-
tailed bird) is headed eastward; the long mound runs northeast and
Mfxterri' Cam^^fery/
M0UN09 ON rARw o^ BG Thomas,
EA3T..(*pa rov^^SMiP, CfiiW^f opo Co
A/tSCONSiN
Fig. 17.— MouDd group at Hazen Corners, Crawford county, Wisconsin,
southwest. The dimensions of these are as follows: The total length
of each of the quadruped figures is about 80 feet, greatest height about
2 feet. The expansion of the wings of the bird ft'om tip to tip is 267
feet; length of the body from top of the head to the tip of the longer
branch of the tail, 110 feet ; height of the center of the body, 3 feet.
' Smitbsonian Keport, 1877, p. 244^
56
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
As will be seen by reference to Mr. Strong's figures, these measure-
ments differ considerably from his. This is due in part, but to no great
extent, to the wearing down and consequent expansion since the date
of his examination.
The length of the loug^ mound is 120 feet, average width 15 feet, and
height from 12 to 15 inches.
HAZEN CORNERS OUOUP.
The next group surveyed is situated on Mr. B. G. Thomas's farm,
Sec. 36, T. 8 K, R. 6 W., at what
is known as Hazeu Corners. The
mounds are on the crest of the
ridge heretofore mentioned and
on both sides of the Black River
road, 9 miles trom Prairie du Chleu.
This is the group represented in
Mr. Strong's Fig. 4. It is mostly
covered with a growth of small
trees, which confirms Mrs. Thom-
as's statement that when her fam-
ily first came to this place the ridge
here was almost bare of trees.
The main ridge runs a little east
of north before reaching this point,
but here it curves and branches,
one branch running north, the other
eastward. A few of the mounds
are on the crest, the rest on the
southern slope of the ridge that
runs eastward and on the eastern
slope of the main ridge close to the
junction of the branches.
The group consists of 24 mounds,
1 quadruped, 3 birds, 13 long and 7
round mounds, all of which, except
two of the birds, are shown in the
diagram (Fig. 17); the latter are
shown in Fig. 18.
The dimensions of mound No. 1
(quadruped) are as follows: Total
length, 98 feet; width over the
shoulder to the fore foot, 41 feet;
width of body between the legs, 27
feet; width of fore leg near the
body, 23 feet ; width of the hind leg
near the body, 17 feet; distance between the legs at the "body, 32 feet;
height at highest point, 3 feet. The natural curves of the animal's
body are remarkably true to nature.
THOMAS.l
MOUND GROUP AT HAZEN COKNEKS.
57
The followiug- table gives the diineusions (length aud width of the
loug and diameter of the roiiud mounds) of those numbered '2 to lil.
No.
Diameter
or length.
Width.
Height.*
KemarkB.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet.
2
90
13 to 18
3
3
93
15 to 15
24
4
51)
14 to 18
^
This is the measure-
meut of the part re-
5
6
24
31
3
2h
maining.
7
8
28
102
4
3
15 to 19
9
22
0
10
11
110
166
14 to 17
18 to 19
2i
12
21
o
13
28
2i
24
3
14
21
15
136
11 to 17
16
138
14 to 18
3
17
74
12 to 16
24
18
110
13 to 18
2
19
173
18 to 22
24
20
155
13 to 18
2
21
180
16 to 23
3
* Approximate.
The dimensions of bird mound (22) are as follows, commencing "with
the end of the north wing :
Feet.
Width of north wing at tip 8
Width of north wing between tip
and curve 15
Widtli of north wing at curve 18
Width of north wing at body 35
Width of body and tail 15
Width of body at ;i to ! 17
Width of neck, i to k 18
Width of head, j) to g 15
Widtli of south wing at body, k to I. 32
Width of south wing at curve, m to o. 19
Width of south wing between curve
aud tip, at )• 14
Width of south wing at tip 4
Feet.
a to 6 84
i to c 44
c to ri 27
rf to e 100
ctof 34
etog 74
ftog 108
a to e 228
eto/i 23
c to i 16
c to J: 15
ctol 20
c to «t 26
c to H 36
c to o 29
This efflgy lies with head down hill, and the washing from the ridge
has filled in between the body and the wings until they are probably
lower aud narrower than when they were first built. The outline of
the south wing is filled with this washing for a distance of 38 feet, and
hence its dimensions here could not be accurately determined. It and
58
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
tlie mounds numbered 17, 18, and 19 stand on the lowest ground of
any of the group. It is about 3 feet high at the point c if the measure-
ment is taken from the surface about the head, but only about a foot
and a half if taken under the right wing. The surface of the vrings
and body is rough and rounded, the slopes to the surface of the ground
abrupt to the east and gradual to the west. The wings taper and
decrease in height to the tips, but the body keeps its height and form.
Mound No. 2,'3 (Fig. IS) is also in the form of a bird with outstretched
wings. It lies to the southwest of li2, on top of the ridge, with the head
lying crosswise of the highest point.
Mound No. 24 is close to the right or east, on the high part of the
ridge, extending in the same direction as 23.
The outlines of both are clear and the slopes to the surface abrupt.
The wings curve and taper and decrease in height to their tips, while
the bodies of both preserve their height and form. They are covered
by a thick growth of young trees. The dimensions of No. 23 are as fol-
lows, commencing at the end of the left wing:
Feet.
« to i 94
6 to c 37
eta d
<i to e
cto/
e to iji ,
/ to .7 .
a to e .
e to fe
c to i . .
56
90
37
72
109
240
22
23
«to h 28
cto J 25
c to n 44
e to 0 56
Feet.
Width of left wiug at tip 9
Width of left wiug midway between
tip and curve 18
Width of left wing at body 25
Width of body at tail 31
Width of body at /i to i 29
Width of neck at t to fc 25
Width of head at end 24
Width of right wiug at body 30
Width of right wiug at curve 25
Width of right wing midway be-
tween curve and tip 18
Width of wing at tip 7
The measurements of mound 24, also commencing with the left wing,
are as follows :
Feet.
a to ft 94
J to c 35
cto d 45
dtoe.
cto/.
cto g .
ftog
ato e .
c to A .
c to i .
95
39
71
110
230
26
23
cto A: 22
cto I 24
0 to n 35
Feet.
c to 0 46
Width of left wing at tip 6
Width of left wing midway between
tip and bend 18
Width of left wing at bend 21
Width of left wing at body 25
Width of body at tail 23
Width of body at 7i to 7 29
Width of neck 27
Width of head 23
Width of right wing at body 25
Width of right wiug at bend 23
Width of right wing at tip 6
THOMAS.l FOX-SHAPED EFFIGY. 59
The nearest spring is some 300 or 400 yards northeast of the group
at the foot of the ridge.
Three of the round mounds of this group were explored, in each of
which were found skeletons much decayed. In two of them no speci-
mens, but in the other, on the original surface of the gTouud at the
center, a small stone celt, some pieces of melted lead, and a regularlj-
formed gunflint. These articles were close together and about 2 feet
from the skeleton.
Trenches were also cut through the long mouuds, which showed that
the first 10 or 12 inches were of the ordinary vegetable mold, but the
remainder to the original surface, of yellow clay. In one or two places
small pieces of charcoal were observed, but nothing indicating burial.
The result was the same in all the trenches.
To ffazen's
Fig. 19.— Quailrnpert effigy on Sec. 36, T. 8 N.. R. 6 W., Wisconsin.
Northward of this group some 100 yards there is a mound in the
form of a quadruped, probably a fox (Fig. 19), partly in the woods and
partly in the field on the west side of the road. It is built on the crest
of the ridge with the head to the south. The outlines of the body are
clear, but those of the head are somewhat indistinct. It gradually
decreases in height from the head, where it is about 18 inches, to the
end of the tail and legs. It is in the same section as the mounds at
Hazen Corners. The nearest water is the spring before mentioned.
The ridge slopes to the east and west from the mound and also falls
slightly to the north and south. A partial exploration has been made,
but nothing save a good sized rock was dug out of it.
60
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The measurements of this mound are as follows :
Feet.
Feet.
Width of tail at body 17
Width of tail at end 3
Width of body at fore leg, k to ^j 21
Width of body between legs 19
Width of body at hiud legs 20
Distance between legs at body, A' to I 31
Distance between legs at toes, i torn. 50
Tip of nose to fore leg, a to i 64
Length of nose to end of tail, « to e. . 145
Length of body, A to n 62
Length of tail, h to e 35
Length of fore leg 32
Length of hind leg 30
Width of fore leg at body, htok .... 18
Width of fore leg at end 16
Width of hind leg at body, I to n 19
Width of hiud leg at end 13
The tail is pointed and the ends of the legs are round.
MOUNDS ON SECTION :!5, T. 8 N., E. 6 W.
About a mile southward of Hazeu Comers on the Blake river road
is a group of four
bird-shaped and
one long mound
situated on the
NE. of sec. 25, T. 8
N., R. 6 W., at the
cross roads. The
efiQgy mounds are
west of the road
and the long one
is east of it. They
are all situated on
the northern slope
of the ridge not far
from the top; the
heads of the effigy
mounds are, as
usual, to the south
and up the hill.
Three of these ef-
figies are of about
the same form, the
only diflerence be-
tween No. 3 and
the others being in
the shape of the
wings, which
stretch nearly at
I'ight nngles with
the body instead
of curving like the
others. Their
bodies are shorter
than those at Hazen Corners; otherwise there is but little difference.
THOMAS.]
BIRD EFFIGIES.
61
The tops of all the mouiuls in tins f;TOui) are rounded and tlie slopes
abrupt. Like the otheis they gradually narrow and descend to the tips
of the wings.
JSTo. 1 (Fig. 20) is about 3 feet high; No. 2, 3 J feet; No. 3, 2i feet;
No. 4 (Fig. 21) 2J feet, and No. .5 (Fig. 20) (the long mound), 2 feet.
Fig. 21.— Bird effigy, Sec. 3."), T. g N., K. 6 W., Wi.scousin.
The dimensions of No. 1, commencing with the tip of the left wing,
are as follows :
Feet.
fl to 6 82
ft to c 28
c to d 27
<i to e .59
« to e 161
c to / 25
c to g 56
ftog 81
ctoh 21
c to i 20
c to it 21
ctol 17
c to «i 24
c to « 37
c to o 36
In No. 2, they are as follows :
Feet.
o toft 71
6 to c 40
ctod 48
d to e - 74
« to e 209
cto/ 15
c to (/ 54
Feet.
Width of left wing at tip 7
Width of left wing midway between
V)end and tip 21
Width of left wing at body 26
Width of body immediately under the
wings 25
Width of tail 20
Width of head at the front 18
Width of right wing at body 23
Width of right wing at bend 21
Width of right wing between bend
and tip 17
Widtli of right wing at tip 8
Width of left wing at bend 22
Feet.
ftog 69
c to ft 18
c to i 29
c to fc 22
f to ; 18
c to m 34
0 to »i - 56
62
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Feet.
c to 0 54
Width of left wing at tip 5
Witlth of left wiug between tip and
bend 17
Width of left wing at road 18
Width of left wing at body 23
Width of body at butt of wings -11
In Xo. 3, they are as follows :
Feet.
ato J 121
* to c 98
6 to d 28
6 to e 56
6to/ 18
6 to </ 21
6 to7( 17
bto i 20
Width of left wing at tip 4
Width of left wing between tip and
body -. 17
Of No. 4, tlie measurements are :
a to J
6 to c .
c to d .
dto e
Feet.
. 88
. 36
. 39
. 83
a to e 214
c to /.
c to J
24
61
c to 7i 22
e to i ' 20
c to fc 23
c to / 25
c to jii 44
c to « 35
c to 0 44
Fc«t.
Width of body at tail 23
Width of right wiug at body 18
Width of right wing at road 12
Width of right wiug between bend
and tip 15
Width of right wing at tip 6
Feet.
Width of body at butt of wings 25
Width of body near the end 26
Width of head 20
Width of right wing at body 25
Width of right wing between body
and tip 16
Width of right wiug at tij) 5
a to c 219
Feet.
Width of left wing at tip 7
Width of left wing between tip and
bend 18
Width of left wing at bend 24
Width of left wing at body 30
Width of body at butt of wings. . . . 30
Width of body at tail 22
Width of neck at butt of wings 25
Width of head at front 17
Width of right wing at body 28
Width of right wiug at bend 23
Width of right wing between bend
and tip 17
Width of right wiug at tip 5
No. 5, the loug mound, is 152 feet loug and 1!» feet wide at the
north end, 22 in the middle, and 20 at the south end.
The tips of the wings, the heads, and tails of the effigy mounds and
the ends of the long monnd are rounded.
These mounds do not appear to be included in those mentioned in
Mr. Strong's paper.
Mouxns ON slaumer's land.
This is a small group consisting of but two mounds, an efiflgy, and a
loug mound. They are situated west of the Black river road, just north
(10 or 15 rods) of the line between Prairie du Chien and Eastman town-
ships, on SW. i Sec. 35, T. 8 K, E. 6 W., on the top of the ridge in the
woods. The ridge slopes from them to the east and west. The group
COURTOIS GROUP.
63
is shown in Fij>'. 22. No. 1 (the long one) is 14:2 feet long, 21 feet wide
at the north end, 20 in the middle, and 13 at the south end. It is about
2 feet high and extends northwest and southeast.
No. 2, the effigy, 410 feet
south and a little west of No.
1, is about 3 feet high, the top
round, and the surface tolerably
even, with highest point on the
back ; the slopes to the east ab-
rupt. It measures from —
Feet.
(I to 6 75
6 to (■ 38
ctorf 41
dtoe 72
c tof 36
e to y 70
ftoff 106
cto ft 22
c to I 20
cto A- 24
c to ; 26
c to m 49
c to n 42
c to 0 45
Width of left wing at tip 8
AVidth of left wing between tip
and bend 17
Width of left wing at bend 21
Width of left wing at body 23
Width of body at end 20
Width of body at butt of wings. .30
Width of neek at butt of wings . 2H
Width of head from p to q 31
Width of head at end 14
Width of right wing at body ... 24
Width of right wing at bend ... 21
Width of right wing between
bend and tip 19
Width of right wing at tip 7
Expanse of wings, from a to e. . . 200
The ends of the wings and body are roughly semicircular.
THE COURTOIS GROUP.
About 3 miles north of Prairie du Chien is a group of ordinary con-
ical mounds situated on Sec. 12, T. 7 N., R. 7 W., the general plan of
which is seen in Fig 23. The mounds numbered 1 to 9 are on a long,
narrow, sandy swell, about 70 or SO feet wide, which runs north and
south, and is just high enough to place them out of reach of the high
water of the Mississippi;
adjoining fields.
the others, numbered 10 to 33, are in the
64
MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
No. 1. Circular in outline, rounded on top, 60 feet in diameter at the
base and 3 feet lii^li. Made of black sandy loam.
No. 2. An oblong, flat-topped mound; length, 60 feet; width, 35 feet,
and height, 3 feet. As it was occupied in early times by the house of
a Frenchman, and looks as though it had been plowed or graded down,
the present form is
probably not the ori-
ginal one.
No. 4. Similar in
size and form to No.
1 ; 5 feet high. A par-
tial examination of
this mound had pre-
viously been made,
when some specimens
were found, but no
particulars could be
learned in regard to
them. It consisted of
three layers; first, a
top layer, 2J ft. thick,
of black sandy loam;
next a thin stratum
of silver sand, and a
bottom layer, 2 feet
thick, of dark muck,
slightly mixed with
sandy loam. The re-
examination revealed
nothing save a few
fresh-water shells.
No. 5. Conical, 40
feet in diameter and
3i feet high, had pre-
viously been opened
by a trench through
it ti'om north to south.
A further examina-
tion brought to light
some badly decayed human bones, which had been partially disturbed
by the previous explorers, but enough remained in position to show
that the bodies, or skeletons, had been folded when buried. These lay
on the gravelly substratum of the ridge; hence it is presumed that
the thin surface soil had been removed before burial. Nothing more,
save a few decayed shells scattered here and there through the mound,
was observed.
COURTOIS GROUP.
65
No. (■>. Similar in size and form to No. 1; 4 feet high and composed
througliont of dark sandy loam, similar to the surrounding- surface soil.
The plan of this mouud, showing- the relative positions of the skeletons
and articles discovered, is given iu Fig. 34,
In the western side (at./'), about
2 feet belo-R' the surface, was a
small deposit of fresh water shells,
but so far decayed that no speci-
mens were saved. At e a folded
adult skeleton was discovered, with
head south and face west; under
it lay a small stone perforator and
above it a small arrow head. The
bones were broken and very soft
and the skull was crushed tlat;
from the indications it would seem
that they had been broken before ^"'- 24.-Mound No. e, courtois group, Prairie du
- . , Cliien, Wis.
burial.
At d the original surface of the ridge had been excavated to the
depth of a foot and over an area about 12 feet in diameter. In this
layer were some 6 or 7 adult skeletons, all fohled, with the heads in
various directions, but all so soft and badly decayed that none of the
skulls could be saved. At g, near the eastern side, at the depth of 2
feet, was part of an iron knife blade.
Nos. 3, 7, 8, and 10 were found to consist of dark loam throughout,
but furnished no specimens or any evidence of having been used as
burial places.
No. l(j is a very small and insignificant mound, scarcely exceeding 20
feet in diameter and not more than a
foot in height, though it has evidently
been considerably worn down by the
plow. Nevertheless it is important as
presenting the characteristics of a
somewhat peculiar class of mounds
quite common in this State, but seldom
met with elsewhere; for this reason
the figures and details are given more
fully than would otherwise be required.
Circular in form, as shown by the
plan given in Fig. 25, low, rounded,
but somewhat flatfish, it was con-
structed of material similar to the sur-
rounding soil, and of the same character throughout, without any indi-
cations whatever of stratification. A circular, basin-shaped excava-
tion had first been made in the ground to the gravel, in this case to the
depth ot 2 feet. The boundary of this excavated portion is indicated
by the dotted circle.
12 ETH .5
Fia 25.— Plan of monnd No. 16, Courtois
group, Prairii' du Chien, Wis.
66 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Four skeletons were found at tlu; points indicated in the figure, all
lying Iiorizoiitally at full Iciigtii; L! side l)y side near the center on
the gravel, with heads south aud faces up; 1 at the north side on
th(! gravel, with head west and face northeast, aud the other on the
south side, witli head to the east. No itn|)h'ni('nts or ornaments of any
kind were ohscM'ved. It is in-obabh; tliat tuuiuli of this character are
the burial places of the common people.
No. 17 \*'as similar in every respect to No. 16 except that the excava-
tion was only to tlie deptii of 1 foot, and that in it were S folded skele-
tons in no regular order, heads being in all directions. On the margin
of the excavation and rather above the natural surface of the ground
was a brokcMi skull.
No. 18, 20 feet in diameter and U feet high, unstratified, was com-
posed of earth similar to the surrounding soil. Tiiere were no indica-
tions tluit the origiiuil surface, had been hollowed out in this case, as in
most of the otiu-rs of the group, nevertiieless '1 broken skulls were
found a little south of the center at the depth of 3 feet, hence 1 foot
below the original surface. A few feet northwest of the center, scarcely
ii foot below tiie snrface of the mound, were .'? folded skeletons, and in
the center another lying at full length, head west and face up. The
height of the mouud had been reduced by plowing.
Fig. 26.— Mount) Nn. 'JO (.section). Conrtois group, Prairif dii Chion. Wis.
No. 19, 25 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, was similar to No. 18.
Broken hunum bones were found in this tumulus to the depth of
6 inches, and 3 folded skeletons at ditterent depths in no regular
order of burial. But, what is somewhat singular, the skull in each
case had been disconnected from and i)laced on top of the bundled
bones of the skeleton.
No. 20, 70 feet in diameter and 5 feet high. This mound, as will
be seen by the section shown in Fig. 2(i, was stratified as follows: Top
layer of .soil, 18 inches; next a hard mortar-like substance, or clay
mixed with ashes, 2i feet; below this a layer of black, sticky, wet
earth, 1 foot, and a bottom layer of sand 1 foot thick, extending to the
gravel 1 foot below the original surface of the ground. On the west
side, in the top layer, at the depth of from 9 to 12 inches, were 6
folded skeletons, and at the head of each a siugle sandstone of con-
siderable si/.e. Other human bones (Manured in the same layer at a
dei>th of from G to 9 inches,' which had been disturbed by the plow.
In this layer was also a small pile of lead ore, on it some burned
' The measureinentB indicating the depth of skeletons iind articles are always to be understood to
the upjHT surfacir tliereof from the top of the mound.
TiioMAH.i COURTOIS GROUP. 67
bones, lUiil oil these ;i folded skeleton witli tlic liead west, a lance bead
by one slionldor, and a stone iniplcMnent near by.
Near tiie center, in tins liardpaTi or mortar-like layer (No. li) iinnii'di-
ately nnder layer No. 1, was a, folded skeleton wiMi h<?a(l east. l!y the
head was a broken clay vessel. Directly nnder this, in layer No. . 'J,
was a broken chiy pot. At the west side, iu the bottom or sand layer,
was an (ixtended skeh'ton, head east, finder the body a, S|)earhead,
and nnder the head a lew copper heads. Some cojjper beads were also
fonnd around the ankles.
No. 21. Sixty leet in diameter and .! feet IiIkIi. The; first stroke, of
the spade brougl't to li};ht broken human lionets, which la,y close to tiie
surface and appeared to have been disturbed by the plow, as they
were not in r<'{;nlai' order. Near the center, a foot down, lay a folded
skeleton with head west, and l)y it a broken i)ot. A little to tin; <!ast
of the last, and .'5 feet down, was another skeleton stretched at full
length, with the head and fa(r(! uj). Under the head wctro a few (;o|i])er
b(;ads. South of this, and at the sanxi ih^iith, was a small c,op|iei' orna
nient, and a short distance stnitheast of the center, also at the sami'
depth, a tine lance hiiad.
No. 22. Sixty feet in diameter and 5 feet hif;h. First foot, soil; tin-
rest black, mncky eartir, with a, slif;ht admixture of sand. At the depth
of 2 feet were seven skeletons, with heads in various directions, some
stretched out with the faces up, others folded, also other bones. At
tint center, about .'{ feet down, were a few rib bon(\s, ajijiarently the,
remains of a skeleton, over which lay a- coj)per plate. At the same
depth, a little south of the center, three silver beads were disctovered.
Althouf;!) the excavation in this case, as in the rest of tlni moninls,
was carried down into the gravel beneath, nothing was Ibninl below the
depth indicated.
No. 2(J. Sixty feet in diameter and ."> feet high. (Jomposed of earth
similai' to the suri-oniuling soil. Near the center, 2 feet down, weie two
folded skeletons, with the lictads northeast. At the heads were two
])0t8, one with the mouth up, the other on its side, and in it a lumj) of
lead or(!. Under one of the skulls were two perfoiated bear's tec^tli.
Several soft sandstones were found in the south w(!stpoition, and nnder
them some very so't luinnin bones, the remains of a l)ody buiied lieie.
Southeast of thci mound, and almost adjoining it, is a long, narrow,
l»ear-shap(t(l pile of dirt (not sh(»wn in the plat) ;ibout 10 fc<^t long, 10
feet wide at the widest point and 2 feet high. A broad trench across
the middle revealed nothing except the fact that it was composed of
earth similar to the surionnding soil.
No. 2.5. A small mound !•"> feet in diameter, 1 foot high, and of the
same type as No. 10. In the exciavation originally made in the natural
surface was a single skeh-ton stretched at full length, head southeast
and face uj) and near by it a broken pot.
68
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The surface of the field around the mouiuls is uneveu and looks as
though thelatterhad been heaped up with dirt taken from about them,
leaving irregular depressions.
THK DOl'SEMAN MKIINll.
A mound of the usual conical form, about a mile and a half north of
Prairie du Chien, 75 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, situated on the
land of Mr. n. L. Douse-
man, was oi)eiied with the
following result: It was
composed throughout of a
black sandy loam, like the
surface soil of the field in
which it stands, the mate-
rial piobably coming from
what seems to be an artifi-
cial depression immediate-
ly southeast of it. The an-
nexed figure (Fig. 27) is a
horizontal plan showing
the relative positions of the
skeletons and other things
discovered therein. Fig. 28
is a vertical section. About
G feet east of the center (at
h), and 2 feet below the sur-
face, was a regularly built, solid, oblong pile of small rough salidstone
and limestone fragments 2 feet long east and west, 18 inches wide, and
15 inches high. Under it were portions of a human skeleton, but the
skull was wanting; the bones were very soft and badly decayed.
Flo. 27.— Douacman mnuinl (ulan). Prairie (h\ Chien. Wi.^.
^^l^^^^S^l^^^S?^^^^^^?^^^?^^
Fig. 28.— Douscman luouml (section), Prairie du Cliien, Wis.
North of the center, at c, 2 feet below the surface, was another j)ile of
similar dimensions, but oval and hollow. At d was a third of similar
size and form, and at e a foui'th. These three were regularly built of
soft, coarse-grained sandstones, which bear indications of fire, though
no charcoal or ashes were on or about them. No bones were seen in
ov under either of these three piles or little vaults. Quite a number of
shell beads were found some 10 or 12 inches below the surface, imme-
diately under which was a folded skeleton /, head south, face west. Ee-
mainsof two other skeletons wei'e found, one in the center at g, at the
base of the mound. This was so completely decayed that fragments of
TiiuMAs I THE VILAS MOUNDS. 69
tlie skull oulj' were left. The other, at /(, 2 feet below the surface,
was similarly decayed.
rriK VILAS MOUNDS.
This group, shown in Plate i, is a large oue, containing 56 mounds,
and is situated on the area bounded by the Mississippi and Wisconsin
rivers and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Eailroad, ou Sees. 7
and 8, T. 6 N., K. 6 W., about .'5 miles south of Prairie du Chien. They
stand on the high sandy bank of the Wisconsin river, in a growth of
small trees, some of them being Hush with the brink, some on a small
table laud 10 or 1') feet higher than the others, and the rest on the gen-
eral level of the prairie, all above high water.
The river banks are about 40 feet higher than the usual water level,
the slopes steep, the surface where most of the mounds are situated
comparatively tlat, but to the northwest it rises in a small table some
. 10 or 15 feet higher than the prairie that borders on the Mississippi
river, and commands an extensive view of the bottoms. The soil is
sandy and easy to work, although not deep nor very productive. The
trees appear to be of recent growth.
No. 48, S. 77° E. of 49, Oli feet long, extends east and west, and was
intended to represent some kind of a quadruped, probably a bear.
The eastern end at the time of examination was covered by a heavy
growth of corn, and has been so plowed down that its form could not
be fully ascertained.
Nos. 23, 24, and 33 were carefully excavated, but furnished no indi-
cations of having been used for burial purposes; nor were ashes, char-
coal, or relics of any kind found in them; yet under each there was an
excavation to the depth of a foot or more. They were composed ot
dark, sandy soil. Others were examined, but nothing discovei'ed.
THK POLAX'DUR GROUP.
This group is about a mile up the Mississippi river from Lynxville,
Crawford county, on Lot 2, Sec. 14, T. 9 N., R. 6 W., at the mouth of a
deep, narrow ravine.
The mounds are located partly on top of a narrow bench that runs
around the foot of the blutt' to the northwest and partly on its western
slope. One of them is in the bed of a small creek (now dry) that
drains the ravine. A plan of the group is given in Fig. 29. They are
mostly simple conical heaps of earth, although there are some long
ones in the group. Two of the large ones, close to the foot of the slope,
are connected by a long, low embankment, like those found on the
Souris river in Manitoba. The majority of them are small and low.
The bank upon which they staiul is probably 75 feet higher than the
road that runs close to its foot on the west side. The bench is covered
by a growth of trees, which the owner says have grown up within the
last twenty-seven years.
70
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mouud Ni). 3, situated on the western slope of tlie bench, is conical
in form, about 45 feet in diameter and 7 feet high. Commencing at
the top, there was first a thin hiyer of vegetable mold 2 inches in
thickness («, Fig. 30) ; next a layer, mostly of clay, sliglitly mixed with
sand, which had probably washed from the blufts, 3i feet thick (c);
below this a layer of clay, very hard, 18 inches {d); then a layer {b)
of loose, fine, dry dust, which gave out a peculiar odor; and lastly,
correspomling to
the original sur-
face of the ground,
a thin layer, appar-
ently composed of
decayed vegetable
matter (e). Be-
neath this was an
excavation about
1 foot in depth, 8
feet wide, and 12
feet long. Owing
to the slope on
which the mound
was placed, this
had been cut into
so as to make a
level bed, on which
the bodies were
deposited. Here
were twelve skel-
etons— ten of ad-
ults and two of
children. The two
children were in
the northeast cor-
ner of the pit; the
bones were in con-
fusion. Three of
the adult skeletons
were in the middle
of the platform ; the bones were disarticulated, but those of each skeleton
formed into a bundle. Two skulls and a few of the bones of the body
were found between the children and the other three, one of the skulls
lying on top of the other. In the south eud of the pit were three skulls
in fragments and the remains of five skeletons in a confused heap. A.
single skull, but no other bones with it, was found in connection with
a few flat stones in the hard clay layer at the depth of 2 feet.
Mound 9, 20 feet in diameter and between 2 and 3 feet high, stood on
THOMAS. J
THE POLANDER GROUP.
71
the same slope as the preceding and, like it, liad an excavation in the
original surface of the grouud, but much smaller, the length being only
4 feet, the width a little less, and the depth 1 foot. A foot from the top,
near the center of the mound, lay a bundled skeleton, apparently an
intrusive burial. Nothing was discovered in the pit except what were
supposed to be decayed remains of two bundled skeletons.
Mound 8, one of the smaller tumuli of the group, presented some
marked variations from those described. The diameter was scarcely
20 feet and height .'3 feet. In the central portion, 2 feet distant fi-om
each other, were two stone graves, oval in outline, each 3^ feet long by
3 feet wide, built up of cobblestones, and had probably been closed
over dome-fashion at the top, though this portion had apparently fallen
in. Over these, covering the tops about (> inches and filling the spaces
between and each side of them, was a layer of surface soil, and cover-
ing this a single layer of loose sandstones about 6 inches thick. lu
one grave were two bundled skeletons; in the other, three.
Fig. 30. — Mound No. 3 (section), Polander group, Crawford county. Wis.
Mound 6, circular, 23 feet in diameter and 3 feet high, was con-
structed as follows: Commencing at the top, there was first a layer, 2
inches thick, of vegetable mold, then a foot of surface soil; next a sin-
gle layer of rough stones of various sizes; next a layer of earth 1 foot
thick. Immediately under the layer of stones, nearly in the center of
the mound, were two folded or bundled skeletons, lying on some loose
stones. These stones were found to be part of a wall lining a pit in
the original .soil. This pit was 4 feet long by 3 feet bi'oad between the
walls, which were of a single thickness of cobblestones, the sides
somewhat fiaring, the corners nearly square, 18 inches deep, and sides
lined entirely around with stones. Lying on the bottom were the skele-
tons of three adults and one child, all folded.
In mound No. 1 nothing was found save three good-sized stones. In
No. 17 were three folded skeletons. In 29 there was a pile of stones
somewhat in the form of an inverted cone, measuring 10 feet across the
vipturned base and tapering to a point at the depth of 3 feet; a few
coals lay on the upper surface. At the bottom of the mound, on the
original surface of the ground, were a copper drill and an arrow point.
Trenches were cut across the long mounds, but nothing observed,
except that they were formed of loose surface soil.
No. 4 measured 26 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. In the center
was a kind of vault formed by a circular stone wall 0 feet in diameter
from outside to outside, and 4 feet inside, built in a pit dug in theorig-
72
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
iual surface to the depth of a foot or 18 iiicbes. In this vault or grave
was a skeleton very well preserved, doubled up and lying on the right
side, at the dt^pth of 4 feet from the to]i of the mound. The vault was
covered very carefully with flat limestones like those of which tlie wall
was built. No implements, ornaments, or relics of any kind were found.
Xo. 11 was about the same size as No. 1. Lying on the natural sur-
face of the ground near the center were four large flat stones, placed
so as to form a square. These bore distinct evidences of having been
burned. In the area between tliem lay a single skeleton, folded and
placed ou its side. There were coals and ashes immediately about and
on the stones, but none in direct contact with the skeleton.
Mound No. 12 was like No. 4 throughout, with stone vaidt and single
skeleton, differing only in the fact that the skeleton was stretched out
horizontally and that the covering
of stones over the vault was less
complete.
No. 16, though a small mound
only 17 feet in diameter and L*| feet
liigh, presented some interesting
features. It also contained an
incomplete stone vault (Fig. 31),
which, though only about 3i feet
wide, and of the form shown in the
figure, extended from the toi) of
the mound down a foot or more
below the natural surface of the
ground. This contained a single
skeleton in a half upright position,
the head being only about U feet
below the surface of the mound
while the feet were down some 3J or 4 feet below the surface, or nearly
2 feet lower than the head. The head was southwest, the feet north-
east. Near the right hip was a discoidal stone. There were no traces
of coals or ashes in this mound.
No. 30 contained neither stones, vault, nor skeleton, the oidy things
found in it were a few badly decayed Unio shells near the bottom.
Fig. 31. — Mound No. 16 (horizontal section), Po-
lander group.
THE FLUCKE MOUNDS.
This group, .shown on plat (PI. i) in connection with the Vilas
group, is on the farm of Mr. Joseph Fliicke, 2 miles south of Prairie du
Chien, and in the vicinity of the Vilas group. It contains twelve cir-
cular mounds, the relative positions of which are shown in the figure.
Of these, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were opened with the following
result :
No. 1, 65 feet in diameter and G feet high, was composed of dark,
sandy soil throughout, except near the bottom, where there were some
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL.
F LUCRE GROUP
•«
#9
•7
«6- »J
PLAN OF THE VILAS AND FLUCKE GROUPS, CRAWFORD COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
THOMAS.) THE FLUCKE GROUP. 73
very thin layers of black earth, but these were of limited extent,
not reachlDg across the mound, and not exceeding 2 inches in thickness.
Beneath the central portion was an excavation in the natural soil,
about 12 feet in diameter and extending down to the yellow sand, a
depth of something over a foot. On the bottom of this excavation
were three skeletons, all lying iii a horizontal position. No. 1, on the
back, head east, elbows out and haiids turned towards the head; near
each hand was a fine, large obsidian spearhead, one of which is 9
inches long. Near the head, on each side, were two spool-shaped arti-
cles of copper. From the position in which these were found, relative
to the head, it is presumed they had been used as ear ornaments-
Skeleton 2 was lying close to and on the north side of No. 1, the bones
much decayed; no relics with it. No. 3 lay with the head northeast. The
bones were partially burnt and charred from the head to the hips and
more or less covered throughout with charcoal and ashes. The skull
was crushed to pieces and charred until it was black; near it were sev-
eral large copper beads, or perhaps ear pendants, made of sheet cop-
per rolled into the form of long cones, varying in length from three-
fourths of an inch to an inch and a half.
Mound 2 stands on the same elevation as No. 1. It measured about
60 feet in diameter, and a little less than 6 feet high. This, like the
other, had beneath it a slight excavation in the natural soil. In this
were the bones (except the skull) of an adult, in a close, compact bun-
dle; with them were some of the teeth, but no part of the skull. The
flesh had evidently been removed before burial here. Near by was a
single arrowhead, the only article found in the mound.
Mounds 3 and 4, each 3 feet high, and respectively 42 and 36 feet in
diameter, were similar in construction to 1 and 2, with the usual exca-
vation beneath, but without any evidences of burial in them.
No. 5, a beautiful mound measuring 68 feet in diameter and 7 feet
high, stands on the same elevation as .1 and 2. In the center was a
cu'cular or inverted conical mass of yellow sand and gravel, extending
from the top of the mound to the depth of 3 feet. In this mass were
the much decayed bones of a child. One side of the skull was colored
by copper ; a small copper bracelet made of two pieces of slender copper
wire twisted together and a coil of copper wire were found with the
bones. As these are evidently of European manufacture this may
have been an intrusive burial. At the bottom of the mound, in an
excavation in the original surface, were other human bones, but so
decayed that it was impossible to tell whether they belonged to one or
two bodies.
THE ARMSTRONG GROUP.
This group, which is situated near the Mississippi, one-fourth of a
mile below Lynxville, at the mouth of a deep and nari-ow ravine, and
consists of eleven round mounds and one effigj^, is represented in
Fii;-. 32.
74
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mouud No. 11, somewliiit oval iu foiiii, ineasuied 48 feet in diameter
froui uurtli to soutli, 33 feet from east to west, and a little over i feet high.
Near the center was a skeleton lying on a circular platform of stones.
This platform or layer of stones was about .5 feet iu diameter and
rested on the original surface of the gound. The skeleton was so far
decomposed that it was impossible to determine precisely its position.
No. 12 occupies the lowest point in the group and is only about
200 yards from the river's edge, on a level about 20 feet above the usual
water mark. It measured only 26 feet in diameter and 4 iu height, and
was composed almost wholly of stones, packed so tightly that it was
=^*»*«<\^*""«««
,«*^sf!??!'
Fig. 32. — Plan of the Armstrong group, near LvnsviUe, Crawford county. Wis.
difBcult to remove them. The stones being removed to the depth of 2J
feet, a layer of dark earth was reached, though still filled with stones.
At the bottom of this layer, which extended downward 18 inches, was
a mass of human bones so closely packed that but little earth was mixed
with them. They occupied a space about 6 feet in diameter and rested
on a platform or layer of stones which extended under the larger portion
of the mound. As there were nine skulls, there were at least nine indi\nd-
uals or rather skeletons buried here. Among the bones were two bear's
teeth, a few bone articles, some fragments of pottery, a piece of deer's
horn, and the claw of some bird.
On top of the high bluff immediately back of this group is another
larger group of mounds, some of which are efBgies.
MOUND IN PHAIKIK DU CHIEN.
This mound. which is situated just below Old Fort Crawford, and meas-
ures (jO feet in diameter and nearly 5 feet in height, is noticed bere on
account of the excavation beneath it. This was 12 feet in diameter,
THOMAS.)
THE SUE COULEE GROUP.
75
extending 5 feet below the original surface of the ground, and was filled
with dark, sandy earth similar to that of which the mound was com-
l)osed. No specimens of any kind, charcoal, ashes, or indications of
burial were discovered.
SUE COULKK GROUP.
This group, a plat of which is given at A in Fig. 33, is situated near
the Mississippi river at the month of the ravine known as " Sue Coulee."
It consists of eighteen beautiful round mounds, standing on a level
bench or table, some 30 feet high, which runs back to the bluff. They
have been plowed over for about sixteen years. Several of them had
been partially explored previous to the visit of an employe of this Bu-
reau, but nothing could be learned of the result.
At B, Fig. 33, is shown a cross section of Sue Coulee at a-b; 1 is the
creek channel; 2, the table or bench on which the mounds are located;
3, the bluff on the soutii
side; and 4, the bluft" on
the north side.
Mound 1, 42 feet in di-
ameter and 5 feet high,
was composed of yellow,
sandy soil similar to that
of the surroumling sur-
face, unstratified and no
excavation l)eneath it.
Near the center on the
original surface were ten
skeletons all i)iled to-
gether, with their heads
in almost every direction,
the leg and arm bones
crossing one another.
Some stones were lying
immediately on them.
Among them was a very
large flint spear head
and some bear teeth.
Mound 4, 44 feet in di-
ameter and 4 feet high,
was composed of the same yellow, sandy soil as No. 1. In the center
lying on the natural surface, were three skeletons, two of them side by
side, heads east, the third with the head northeast, the feet of the latter
touching the feet of the other two, and all stretched at full length in a
horizontal position. They were covered with stones as those in No. 1.
Mound 9, but 30 feet in diameter and 2i feet high, was composed of
darker earth than those ali-eady mentioned. A single skeleton, very
Fig. 33 — Plan of the Sue Coulee group, Cr.awford county,
Wis.
76
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
J
(1
mucli decayed, probably of a comparatively young person, was found
lying on the natural surface of the ground near the center of the mound.
Some scattering pieces of charcoal were observed, but no stones.
Mound 12, 48 feet in diameter and S feet high, was
composed throughout of the yellow earth heretofore
mentioned, but the portion extending from the depth
of 3 to 5 feet was packed very bard and tight, nuich
more so than that above or below it. No articles or
indications of burial were observed.
No. 16 is the middle one of the row (see Fig. 33) of
five mounds running parallel to and on the side next
the Mississippi. It measured 45 feet in diameter and
4 feet in height. In the central portion, at the bot-
tom, were eleven skeletons close together, with the
heads in every direction; no implements or orna-
ments accompanied them, but at some distance from
them, and about a foot above the level at which the
skeletons lay, was a large broken pot. At the bottom
a pit had been dug to the depth of 3 feet in the natu-
ral soil, in which were four skeletons, two lying with
heads southeast and the other two, one a child, with
heads northwest. Near the head of the former lay a
copper plate. This is lOf inches in length and 2f
inches in width at the widest part, a thin sheet less
than one-twentieth of an inch thick, but slightly un-
even. Near each end, on one side, are four rows of
small, circular indentations (some of them entirely
through), which must have been made with a metallic
instrument, as is evident from the raised points on
the opposite side of the plate. This lay just below
the skull and near the under jaw. Near the hand of
the same skeleton were two long, slender, square
copper drills or spindles, one about 9 inches long and
one-fourth of an inch thick, pointed at one end and
chisel-shaped at the otlier; the other 7 inches long
and pointed at both ends, shown in Fig. 34. Near
the head of one of these skeletons was a thin, cup-
shaped ornament of copper, ])robably part of an ear-
pendant.
Mound 7, which stands on the highest ground of any of the group, is
quite symmetrical, <>0 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, and, with the
exception of a column running down in the center, it consisted of
yellow, sandy soil. The column, circular in outline, 5 to G feet in diam-
eter, and composed of loose dark earth, extended fiom the highest
central point to the original surface of the ground. The yellow earth
immediately surrounding it was very hard.
Fig. 34. — Copper spin-
dles from the Sue
Coulee group, Craw-
ford county. Wis.
THOMAS.; MOUNDS OF VERNON COUNTY, WISCONSIN. 77
111 tliis coluiiiii, at the tlcptli of 5 feet from tlie toji, lay a mass of
human boues about 2 feet thick which spread over the entire circuit
of the pit. Although but slightly decayed, they were mostly broken
into pieces; even the skulls were in fragments, and all were heaped
together in such confusion that it was impossible to determine the
number of individuals represented, but there could not have been less
than 1(» or 12.
Immediately below them a small copper spindle was discovered simi-
lar to those already mentioned, and some split bear teeth with holes
through them. At the bottom of the mound was a complete skeleton,
lying at full length on the original surface, face up, head east, and
arms by its side. Near the left hand lay a line copi^er ax, weighing 1
pound !) ounces, a little over 0 inches in length. By the side of this
was a large round implement of chipped obsidian, and near the right
hand were 67 small copper beads, a bear tooth, and the jaw bone and
some teeth of a small quadruped.
The respective distances of the mounds of this group from one another,
measuring from center to center, are as follows: From 1 to 2, 365 feet;
from 2 to 3, 88 feet; from 3 to 5, 88 feet; from 5 to 4, 210 feet; from 5
to 6, 55 feet; from 6 to 7, 238 feet; from 7 to 8, 105 feet; from 8 to 9,
108 feet; from 0 to 10, 112 feet; from 7 to 12, 200 feet; from 12 to 11,
180 feet; from 12 to 13, 90 feet; from 13 to 15, 95 feet; from 15 to 14,
65 feet; from 15 to 16, 101 feet; from 16 to 17, 80 feet; and from 17 to
18, 85 feet.
During the grading of a street that runs by Old Fort Crawford in
Prairie du Chien, in a rise near the fort, a number of skeletons were
unearthed. One of these had been buried in a small canoe about 9
feet long. Most of the skeletons lay with the head to the southeast;
with some were brass or copper kettles with iron bails ; on the arm
bone of some were bracelets made of thick copjier wire. Among the
articles found was a fine catliuite pipe and one or two other stone
pipes.
VERNON COTTNTY.
There are several inounds on the foot hills or lo\^•er benches of the
bluffs in Sec. 15, T. 11 N., li. 7 W., in the extreme southwest corner of
the county. The bluffs are very high and steep with a narrow strip
of land between them and the Mississippi river, sloping, but not too
steep to cultivate, the soil being very productive. A diagram shelving
the relative positions of those examined is given in Fig. 35.
No. 1,40 feet in diameter and 5 feet high ', unstratifled. Nearthe cen-
ter, a foot and a half below the surface of the mound, was an irregular
layer of burned sandstones, some flat and others irregular in form.
Immediately beneath these lay some partially burned human bones,
' Wlien no nit'iM'ence is made to tlit- form it is to be uDdLTStootl flint the mounds are of the simple
i'oiiieal ty])e.
78
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and near them a single chipped stone hoe. A little northwest of the
center, at the dejjth of 5 feet and apparently resting on the natunil
snrface of the ground, were the remains of five folded skeletons, heads
north and fiices west. Under one of these was a single perforated
bear-tooth. Tlie skeletons had been covered with a mortar-like siili-
stance which was dry and very hard.
No. 2, 100 feet northwest of No. 1 (measnring from base to base), 7.5
feet in diameter and 7 feet high. This was composed thronghout
(except the surface layer) of blue clay mixed with sand, very hard aud
tough. Large sandstones, weighing [from 10 to 100 pounds, occurred
at all depths, but not placed witli any regularity or according to any
percejjtible plan. At tlie depth of 8 feet, and hence slightly below the
original surface of the ground and a little southwest of the center, were
__^_
ffiss.rtn'Efi
Fig. 35.— Mound group near Battle island, Vernon county, Wis.
six folded skeletons, lying on the bottom with the heads east and faces
north. As soon as they were uncovered the bones fell to jjieces so that
uot even the skulls could be saved. The dirt immediately around them
was wet and sticky.
No. 3, 60 feet north of No. 2, 40 feet in duimeter and 3i feet high.
The top layer, l.i feet in depth, cou.sisted of black, rich loam, the re-
mainder of blue clay. The original soil had evidently been removed to
the depth of a foot or more — in one portion to the depth of 2 feet —
before burial. On the north side, not far from the margin, the clay, for a
considerable space, was very hard and dry, immediately beneath which
were some four or five folded skeletons, with heads, so far as could be
determined, in various directions. Near the southeast margin, at the
ilepth of 6 feet, lay six other skeletons at full length with heads in
different directions. Under one of them were three bears' teeth. The
owner in a previous examination found near the center, at the depth of
15 or 18 inches, a long string of glass beads.
white's group.
79
No. i, 300 feet north of No. 3, 05 feet in diameter and 4 feet hijih.
At the depth of 4 feet eight skeletons were lying at full length on the
natural surface of the ground, with heads east and tiices up. They lay
on the natural slope of the bench, so that the heads were higher than
the feet. Their relative positions are given in Fig. 36 (a horizontal
section of the mound), the larger figures indicating adult skeletons
and the small one that of ;i child. Under the one at the northern end
of the row were several bear
teeth, and near them and at
the same depth lay the under
jaw of some animal. At the
head of each skeleton was a
large, irregular piece of sand-
stone. The composition of this
tumulus was chiefly a mixture
of sand and light yellow clay
unstratifled.
No. 5, 30 feet northwest of
No. 4, was 80 feet in diameter,
5 feet high, and more flattened
on top than is usual with tumuli
of this type. On the northern
side, at a depth of 3 feet, two
folded skeletons were discov-
ered, under one of which were
several copperbeads, and under
all bears' teeth. About the center and near the bottom was a single
skeleton also folded and under the head were several bears' teeth. In
the southern side, at the depth of 5 feet, a single very fine lance head
was discovered; no bones were near it.
No. 6, 125 feet northwest of No. 5, 85 feet in diameter and 4 feet high,
was composed of rich black earth interspersed with sandstones. Near
the center, at the bottom, lay a single badly-decayed skeleton, over
which was heaped an irregular pile of sandstones of various sizes.
No. 7, 20 yards northwest of No. (i, 50 feet in diameter and 5i feet
high, consisted chiefly of dry, yellow clay. In the northern side at the
depth of 5 feet were three or four much decayed skeletons, apparently
folded, with heads east and taces north and in the southern portion at
the depth of 2 feet the fragments of a stone pipe. Under the latter
was an irregular pile of burned sandstones; but no ashes or coals
were discovered, from which fact it is inferred that the stones were
placed here after having been subjected to fire.
white's group.
In the northwest corner of the county, in Sec. 28, T. 14 N., R. 7 W.,
on land owned by Mr. H. White, is a group of small circular mounds
Fig. 36 — Plan of Mound No. 4, Battle island, Vernon
county, Wisconsin.
80 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
extending in a nearly straight line along the margin of the sandy level
known locally as "Sand Prairie," where :t descends to the lower bot-
tom lands of Raccoon river. Tliis level extends to tlie bliifls about a
half mile distant, which are here very high and ateep. A plan of the
group is given in PI. it, from which it will be seen that it contains 22
mounds of various sizes.
No. 1 of this group, 35 feet in diameter and 3i feet high, was composed
tiiroughout of black, sandy soil similar to that around it. Six inches
below tlie surface, at the center, fragments of a red earthenware vessel
were found, but so rotten that they fell to pieces on being handled. A
little north of the center, at the bottom, lying on the natural sand
stratum, were the remains of four skeletons, heads north. Another
skeleton was found in the southern side at the same depth, folded,
head south, face east; over the skull was a small lance head.
No. 2, immediately north of No. 1, touching it at the base, was 45 feet
in diameter and 3 feet high. It was composed throughout of earth
similar to the surrounding soil. Five skeletons were found at various
depths, from 2 to 4 feet. Some were lying at full length, others folded
with heads in various directions, but were all so soft that none could
be saved.
No. 3, Kit) feet north of No. 2, 40 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, was
not stratified. Tlie skeleton of a child was lying near the center at the
depth of IS inches, head west. Under tlie head was a brass ornament
wrapped in cotton cloth, and about the position of the breast the frag-
ments of another metallic ornament, also a few glass beads. This skele.
ton had evidently been incased in a wooden coffin of some kind, but
whether of bark or boards could not be determined. In the southwest-
ern side the skeleton of an adult was discovered at the same depth,
folded, with head south. Nothing else was observed, save a few frag-
ments of pottery near the surface.
No. 4, about 100 feet uortheastof No. 3, measured 50 feet in diameter
and 4 feet high, unstratifled. Nothing was discovered in this mound.
No. (>, KJO feet northwest of No. 5, oblong, 50 feet in diameter north
and soutli, and 4 feet high, was composed of black, sandy soil from the
flelds. In the northern side, at the depth of 2 feet, were ten skeletons,
some folded and others stretched out on theii' backs, heads in every
direction. A little west of the center, at the depth of 4 feet, two more
were found folded, with the heads west. On the skull of each of these
was a thick copper plate, apparently beaten out of native copper witli
rude implements. The larger, over the southern skull, represented in
Fig. 37, is 8 inches long by 4i inches wide. About 6 inches above it
was a fine large lance head. The other plate is nearly square, 4^ inches
by 4;^ inches. The bones were so rotten and soft, except immediately
uniler the copper plates, that none of them could be preserved. Fresh-
water shells were scattered through the mound at various depths.
white's group.
81
111 No. 7, 25 feet in diameter aud 3 feet high, nothing was discovered
save a single slieleton near the northern edge, a foot below the surface,
and a few fragments of pottery near the head.
No. 8, diameter, 65 feet ; height, 6 feet ; nnstratifled ; disclosed
nothing.
No. 9, diameter, 60 feet; height, 5 feet; nnstratifled; contained
nothing worthy of notice.
Fig. 37. — Co])per plate from Mound No. 6, Wliltf's group (No. 8833d. National Museum).
No.
10, 50 feet
in diameter and 4i feet high. A vertical section
of this mound is shown in Fig. 38. The top layer, 2 feet thick, consisted
of black, loose, sandy loam similar to the surrounding soil of the field.
Six skeletons were lying in this near the center, some folded, others
stretched at full length, heads in diflerent directions. The next or
lower layer, 3 feet thick, and extending downward slightly below the
original surface, consisted of red clay very largely mixed with sand.
Skeletons were found in this at various depths. A little south of the
center the original soil, below layer No. 2, had been hollowed out to the
FiQ. 38.— Section of Mound No. 10, White's group.
gravel. This excavation was about 7 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 1 foot
deep. In it were the remains of a single adnlt skeleton, stretched at
full length, face up, aud covered with a layer of hard black muck. The
bones were nearly all gone, but their forms and positions could be
traced. Under the skull was a flue lance head, and about 2 feet south,
ill the same excavation, a magniflcent chipped implement of obsidian,
represented in Fig. 39.
12 BTH 6
82
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
No. 11, touching No. 10 at the northeast, 50 feet in diaaieter and 4
feet high, was composed chiefly of a dark, sandy soil, about 10 feet of the
central portion being of yellow clay and sand mixed. In the S(juthern
portion, at the depth of 2 feet, were two very soft, folded skeletons,
heads west. A little southwest of the center, at the depth of 3 feet, a
few human bones were found incased in hard, black muck or mortar-
like substance, and immediately under them some copper beads. Near
the center, at about the same depth, was a folded skeleton, with the
Fig. 39.— Obsidian implement from Mound No. 10, White's gronp.
head northeast, also incased in the hard, black muck. By the skull was
a broken earthen pot and a bottle-shaped vase, short neck and flat bot-
tom. The broken pot, which has been partially restored and is repre-
sented in Fig. 40, is equal, if not superior in the quality of the ware, to
any mound pottery discovered in the Mississippi valley. A jasper
lance head was discovered a little north of the center near the base.
The other mounds of the group, which are small, simple tumuli of the
conical type, were not opened. Their sizes are as follows:
No.
Diameter.
Height.
• No.
1
Diameter.
Height.
12
Feet.
J 5
Feet.
4,
17
Feet.
50
Feet.
4
i:i
;i5
3
18
35
2
14
25
:{
19
20
2
15
20
2
20
r.O by 35
4
16
50
H
21
40
H
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. II
PLAT OF WHITE'S GROUP, VERNON COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
TUd.irAS.l
GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
83
About halt' a uiilo south of No. 1 of this group, on Sec. 3.'5, same?
towuship, stands an isolated mound of the same type, wliicli, upon
opening, proved to be uustratitied, as most of the others already men-
tioned. Diameter about 50 feet and height 7 feet. On the west side a
few soft and badly decayed human bones were discovered at the depth
Fig. 40. — Pot I'roui Mound K
of li feet. On the east side similar bones were found at the depth of 4
feet, and ou the southwest, at the same depth, the fragment of a large
sea shell (Busycon per vers um).
GRANT f:OXTNTY.
On the blufits north of Sinepy creek are the remnants of two groups
or lines of mounds. These were visited in 1880 by Col. Norris, and in
ISltO a second visit was made. Such portions of the groups as have
been subject to cultivation have entirely disai)peared. On the narrow
promontory overlooking the river is a row of small conical mounds, com-
posed largely of rough stones from the adjoining blutf. Five of these
mounds were opened in 1880. All contained human bones, which in
two cases were charred.
Many of the bones in these mounds were disconnected and often
broken as though deposited after the flesh had been removed, probably
after exposure of the bodies ou scaftblds or after i^revious burial.
On a second promontory, east of the first, across a deep ravine, is a
group of works consisting of two effigy mounds and one oblong mound.
84
MOUND EXPLOEATIONS.
Other oblong mounds, said to have been situated to the north of these,
have been obliterated by the plow. The most southern of the efflgy
mounds would seem never to have been finished. The body is represented
by a well-rounded ridge, and the head and forelegs are i)resent, but only
a trace of one of the hind legs appears. These mounds are in a forest
and have not been disturbed by the wliites. The other animal figure
is somewhat larger, the body being 'JO feet long. The legs are unusually
long, the length from the toes to the back line being upwards of 40 feet.
The head is merely a heavy rounded projection, and the tail is so ob-
scure as to be barely traceable.
WORKS NEAR CASSVII-I.E.
About 1 mile soutli of Cassville the road traverses a bench or level
bottom, which is seldom overflowed, extending fi-om the bluffs to a
bayon, a distance of nearly 1 mile. Near this road on one side, when
visited in 1880, were two lines of works, consisting of efhgy, circular,
and elongate mounds, and on the other a single row of circular mounds.
These, except 1 and 2, are shown in their respective forms and positions
in Fig. 41.
No.
Length.
Height.
Shape.
Remark B.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Feet.
10 by 20
10 by 30
90
90
Feet.
3
3
4
4
Oblong
....do
Ordiuary eartb mound.
Opeiu'd; notliinj; found.
Probably represents an elk.
Do.
Effigy
....do
do
150
45
72 by 84
20
120 by 84
5
3
4
2
4
Effigy
Oblong
Effigy
Circular
Effigy
Lizard; head and body 9U feel, tail 60 feet.
Ordinary earth mound.
A well-fonued bird.
Opened; nothing found.
Probably an eagle.
Nos. 12 to 15 are small circular and oval mounds on the eastern side
of the road in a line south of the Eagle's head ; Nos. 16 to 28 the row
of circular mounds on the west side of the road. The latter vary in
diameter from 15 to 40 feet and in height fi-om 3 to 5 feet. Quite a
number of these had previously been opened, and, as was ascertained,
presented evidences of intrusive burials.
Excavations were made in a number of the mounds of this and adja
cent groups, but nothing was discovered save human bones in the
last stages of decay.
This locality was revisited in 1890, when slight traces of these works
were seen. The railroad had been carried directly through the group
and an immense gravel pit now occupies the site. About three-fourths
of one of the bird figures remain and some shapeless hillocks mark the
line of conical mounds.
WORKS NEAR CASSVILLE.
85
Stone cairus containing fragments of decaying human bones were
found on top of the adjacent bluti'; and upon the bank of the bayou near
Cassville is a circuhir mound 40 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, in the
base of which, beneath tlie hard earth, were four skeletons of adults in
a much better state of preservation.
Fig. 41. — Effigy mouods near Cassville, Grant ommty, Wisconsin.
The large Dewey farm, now owned by Gen. Newberry, extending
from 1 to 3 miles north of Cassville, is literally dotted over with mounds
and other works. This was a favorite haunt of the modern Indians,
who used these earthen structures as depositories for their dead, hence
intrusive burials are very common here. In a number explored, of
which only the bottom central core remained undisturbed, nothing was
found except decaying human bones and very rude stone implements.
A remarkable series <>f mounds is situated upon the bluffs about 3
«6
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
miles north <>f Oii.ssx ille. These, remarks ^Fr. Holmes, may he taken
as an illustration of the earthworks of this region. The bluffs are
here upwards of 300 feet in height and are very abrupt on the margins
overlooking the river. The horizontal beds of massive magnesian lime-
stone outcrop along the
brink, giving a series of
gray escarped promon-
tories, between which
are notch-like recesses
cutbythedrainage. The
steep faces of the bluff'
are without timber, but
the recesses and the up-
per surfaces are covered
with forests; this, to-
gether with the dense
growth of underbrush,
make exploration ex-
tremely difficult.
Between Muddy creek,
which comes out of the
bluffs at right angles
to the river escarpment
and the Sandy, a rivulet-
emerging three-fourths
of a mile farther south,
there is a tongue of the
plateaudivided into sev-
eral parts at the outer
end and connected by a
narrow ridge with the
main plateau. This out-
standing mass is a mile
in length and at the
widest part not more
than one-fourth of a
mile wide. Mounds are
found upon the main crest as well as upon most of the spurs. This
distribution in groups was determined apparently by the topography,
as will be seen by reference to the accompanying map. (Fig. 42.)
The main lines of works occupy the crest of the i)rincipal ridge,
which borders Muddy creek on the south. Beginning at the outer
point we follow the curved ridge encountering fir.st six oblong mounds
of the usual character, then a conical mound standing somewhat alone,
and beyond this a series of eight conical mounds connected into a chain
by low ridges. Traversing a distance of about 700 feet a second chain-
>4
I
THOMAS.] WORKS NEAR WYALUSING. 87
group is encoiiiitered, and at tlie eastern extremity of this lies the only
effigy niouiid of the system so far as observed. East of this a broken
series of oblong and chain mounds continues indefinitely. On the
southern spurs of the promontory are three additional groups of cou-
ical and oblong mounds following the crests of the ridges and termi-
nating near the escarped points.
All of these works are iu an excellent state of preservation. A few
have been dug into by relic hunters. The two isolated conical mounds
are of average size, being about 25 feet in diameter and between 3 and
4 feet high. The oblong mounds are straight even ridges, ranging from
80 to 125 feet in leugth and from 10 to 20 in width, and in height rarely
exceeding 3i feet.
The chain mounds are of particular interest. They have been built
with much care and are wonderfully preserved. The cones average
less than 20 feet iu diameter and are from 2 to 4 feet in height. The
distance from center to center varies from 30 to 40 feet and the con-
necting ridges of earth are about l(i feet wide and from 2 to 3 feet
high.
The most noteworthy member of the series is the eflflgy mound. It
is perhaps more suggestive of the puma than of any other quadruped.
This work is well preserved, but the loose vegetable mold of which
it is composed does not admit of the preservation of more than a gen-
eralized form, no matter to what extent the individuality of the original
shape was developed.
The full length of the figure may be given as 144 feet, although the
tail is very indistinct toward the extremity. The head is toward the
east and exhibits no other feature than a slight projection for the nose.
The characters of the animal have received proper attention. The body
is full and rounded and the extremities fall off gradually in width and
height. The curves of the back and legs are well rendered, and the
whole conception is presented with sufficient spirit. The distance from
the toes to the back line is 36 feet. The body, at the point of greatest
relief, is not over 3i feet high.
The mounds of this group appear to be composed mainly of vegetable
mold obtained on the spot.
The conical mound, situated upon the very brow of the bluff, is 25 feet
in diameter and 4 feet liigh. Abroad trench carried through it revealed
only the decayed bones of a child, extended at full length beneath the
central core of hard, diy earth. Pits sunk in the oblong mounds
brought nothing to light. A number of circular mounds on the adja-
cent blufl's was also opened, but nothing save decayed human bones
was found in them.
WORKS MKAK WYALUSING.
Fom- excellent illustrations of the remarkable mound groups of Wis-
consin are to be seen near Wyalusiug, a station on the Burlington and
8H MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Northern liailroiid. The village of Wyalusing is picturesquely situ-
ated on a narrow strip of alluvial land between the Mississippi river
and the blufl', which here rises abruptly in a single step to the height
of 350 feet. These bluffs, as those elsewhere in Grant county, are the
margin of a plateau which extends eastward from the escarpmeut.
The margin of this plateau is cut by numerous streams and is for the
most part too rugged for cultivation. In the marginal region the
ridges separating the streams are ofteu narrow, but have rounded
and somewhat level crests, which were favorite resorts of the mound
builders.
Upon the steep timbered bluff that rises above the village of Wya-
lusing is found a line of earthworks following the crest of a nearly
straight ridge. The principal work of the group is an animal eflflgy, a
quadruped. It is of large size and is in an excellent state of preser-
vation. Singularly enough it does not occupy the crest of the ridge
which runs parallel to the river, but lies in a shallow depression in the
slope between the crest and the margin of the steep bluff overlooking
the village. The head is toward the south and the legs extend down
the gentle slope toward the river. The form is perfectly preserved,
the body is well rounded and the outline is everywhere distinct. So
perfect is the preservation that the extension representing the ears or
horns shows a slight parting at the outer end, and the two legs of each
pair are separated by a shallow depression throughout their entire
length. The feeling for correct form possessed by the builders even
in this rude method of realization is indicated by the outline which
defines the forehead, by the curves of the back and belly, and of the
gambrel joints of the legs, as well as by the relief which expresses
something of the rotundity and relative prominence of the parts.
What additional details of form have been effaced by the lapse of
time can not be determined.
The length of the work from the forehead to rump is 115 feet; the
length of the head is 47 feet; the distauce from the feet to the back,
representing the full height of the figure, is 50 feet; the width of the
body is 28 feet, and the width of the legs about 20 feet. The relief
does not exceed oj feet at any point, the ears, uose, aud legs not
exceeding half that.
Some years ago Mr. D. W. Derby, an enthusiastic collector of mound
relics, dug into the body of this eftigy about the locality of the heart,
aud found human bones aud an earthen vessel about the size of the
crown of an ordinary hat. The vessel had a flat bottom, but was so
Itagile from decay that mi part of it could be preserved.
liuiming api)roximately parallel with the greatest length of the ani-
mal figure aud occupying the crest of the ridge is a row of oblong
mounds. These vary from a straight line to accommodate themselves to
the crest, and in orientation vary from S. 25° E. to S. 15 W. The largest
one is 100 feet in length aud the shortest 60 feet. The width averages
WOKKS NEAR WYALUSING.
89
about 20 fiH't and tbeheij,flit is in no case greater than .3i feet. On tlie
rounded surfa<',e of the north eud of the ridge is a luimber of small
circular depressions that may rei)resent old dwelling sites; others are
seen on a level space about 100 feet north of the animal figure. The
ridge terminates at the north in a rounded point and at the south in
a long narrow one, and is con-
nected with the chain of ridges
on tlie east by a broad saddle;
along this, and extending for an
indefinite distance, is an almost
continuous series of mounds most-
ly of the oblong type. In the oldei'
cultivated fields oidy traces of the
works are found, but in the new
ground, and in the wooded areas,
the forms are fully preserved.
There is no telling what was tbe
original extent of these wonderful
lines of mounds, or what their
connection with the other series,
the remnants of which are found
ou nearly every part of the blufl's
where tillage has not destroyed
tliem.
A second group of more than
usual interest is located upon the
promontory that overlooks the
village on the north. This prom-
ontory extends to the northward,
as a narrow ridge with an uneven
crest, to the residence of Mr.
Derby and beyond. Its trend is
parallel withtlu! river, from which
it rises at an angle of 40 degrees
or more. On the opposite side it
falls oft' with abruptness to a
little stream which runs to the
southward and passes out at the
north end of the village. From
the railroad bridge at the cross-
ing of the stream we ascend the
point of the promontory by a series of slopes and cliffs to the height of
about 200 feet; beyond this point the ridge extends to the northward
and is narrow, and for about one-quarter of a mile nearly horizontal.
Upon the level crest, which is forest covered, are four mounds; at
the south are two conical mounds and at the north two mounds repre-
FlG. 43.— Mound group near Wyalusing, Grant
county. Wisconsin.
90 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
sentiiifj;' auiiual.s, distributed as shown in Fifi. 4;5. All are in an excel
lent state of preservation save where recent excavations conducted by
Mr. Derby have niutihxted them. The southern mound was conical in
shape and about 20 feet in diameter and G feet high. When Mr. Derby
bejiau his excavations the eastern half of the cone was covered with
roufjfh stone slabs obtained from the vicinity. In digging into the cen-
ter of the mound four stones as large as a human head were found near
the surface. At the depth of a foot a circle of stones was encountered,
having a diameter of 4 feet; at a depth of about 2 feet the top of a cis-
tern, 3^ feet in diameter, of well laid stones, was uncovered. This was
3 feet deep and had been built upon the surface of the limestones of
the bluff". The well was tilled with black earth, in which were found
seven oblong shell beads, a copper celt of ordinary shape, and a red
plpestone, platform pipe; outside of the well a flake of flint was found,
and some curious lines of colored sand were observed. These seemed
to radiate roughly from the center of the mound and were followed to
the circumference by the explorers. Wide trenches were carried across
the mound from east to west and from north to south.
The second mound was much like the first and is still perfect, save
for the sinking of a pit in the center. Nothing of interest was found.
The present diameter is over 30 feet in the line of the ridge and some-
what less across it. The height is 6 feet.
A little over 100 feet to the north of this mound is the first animal
moiind. The creature, possibly a bear, is represented as lying upon its
side with the head to the south and the feet to the east. The body is a
neatly rounded ridge 70 feet long and nearly 2.5 feet wide, and has a
relief of nearly 4 feet. The head is about 30 feet long, the projection
representing the ears being very slightly indicated and difficult to
define. The low ridge representing the forelegs is straight, while that
for the hinder ones is bent, thus defining the gambrel joint. The dis-
tance from the toes to the back line is a little less than 40 feet. This
figure is of the most frequently occurring type of etitigy works.
The other effigy mound, 150 feet to the north, is of a form somewhat
unusual. It is spread out upon the ridge, after the fashion of a lizard
or alligator. The head is toward the south, and is merely a rounded
projection of the body embankment. The tail at the opposite end is
upwards of 35 teet long, but is very attenuated and indistinct toward
the tip. The body is a rounded ridge 3 J feet high and less than 20
feet wide, and the legs, extended to the right and left, are low embank-
ments of earth, the forelegs being bent forward and the hinder ones
backward, as shown in the illustration.
Passing noith along this ridge, another series of mounds is encoun-
tered. The first member is an oblong mound, about three-fourths of a
mile beyond the residence of Mr. Derby. This is followed by a series
of works in which are oblong, conical, and animal mounds, some of
which are almost obliterated by the plow.
THOMAS. I THE ELEPHANT MOUND. 91
On tlie crest of the blufl', north of the last mentioned mounds and
jnst south of the Wisconsin river, is a continuous straight line of
mounds, all of which, except two, are elongate, embankment like struc-
tures, giving to the line the appearance of an interrupted wall. Of the
two exceptions one is oval and the other is an efiBgy mound, probably
intended to represent an elk. Several of these mounds were o])ened,
but in none, except the third from the south end of the line, was any-
thing found. This is somewhat oval, 24 feet in diameter, and 4 feet
high. In the center was a rude, irregular stone cofBn or vault of flat
sandstones, so arranged around the single skeleton that a large one
sufliced to cover it from animals. The bones were in the last stages of
decomposition.
The top of this bluff, for the distance of half a mile, is literally cov-
ered with these works, which are uniformly placed so near the brink of
the descent to the Mississippi as to present a clear cut outline, except
where the view is obstructed by trees. As the position is a command-
ing one, and as very few of the works were intended or used for burial
purposes, it is diflicultto conceive of any other object the builders could
have had in view in their construction than that of defense. But how
they were made available for this i>urpose without encircling any area
or without closing the numerous openings is difficult to understand.
On the NW. i of Sec. 20, T. 6 N., K. 6 W., about 1 mile east of the
works just mentioned, is another group of considerable interest. This
consists of one continuous line of circular and effigy mounds, number-
ing 3G in all.
THK ELKI'IIANT Ml)l Nl).
This effigy, of which so much has been said and written, is situated
on the southeast quarter of Sec. 21, T. o X., R. 0 W., in Blooniington
towTiship, 4 miles south of Wyalusing. It lies on the right side, head
south, in a depression between two drift sand ridges, in what is known
as the Cincinnati bottom. This bottom extends from the bluff on one
side to a large bayou on the other, and is just above the overflows of
the Mississippi. Although the mound has been under cultivation for
five years, the outlines are yet distinct. " By a hasty measurement,"
says Col. Norris, who incidcntiilly visited it while engaged by the Bureau
in the northwest, " I made its entire length to the front of the head 13.5
feet, the width across the body from 55 to 60 feet, the height varying
from 3 to (i feet. I made a rude sketch of it on the spot with pencil, for
the purpose of showing the so-called trunk as I saw it. There is a
depression some 4 or 5 feet deep between the trunk and breast, and a
kind of slight platform or apron-like extension on the upper or back
part of the head, from 2 to 3 feet high, or half as high as the rest of
the head. Whether the resemblance to an elephant, which arises
almost wholly from the proboscis-like extension to the head, is due to
intentional work done by the builders or has resulted from the drift-
ing of the loose, sandy soil, of which it is mainly composed, is a ques-
92
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
tioii difficult to decide. I can only say that 1 lepieseut it a.s I louud
it." This sketch, which is not reproduced here, shows the trunk some-
what distinctly as curved inward toward the fore legs. It is very
doubtful whether this should be considered a part of the effigy. If
both Mr. Warner and Col. Norris show correctly what they saw, the
trunk was evidently a shifting line of sand.
Fig. 44. — Elephant mound, according to Middleton's surrey in 1884.
In November, 1884, Mr. Middleton was directed to call to his assist-
ance a civil engineer and make a regular and careful survey of this
mound for the purpose of modeling it for the New Orleans Exposition.
This was very carefully done, and the result is shown in outline in Fig.
44. His report in reference to it, as seen at that time, is as follows:
" The ' Elephant mound ' is located on the southeast quarter of Sec.
21, T. 5 N., E. C W., Bloomington township, in a long rectaDgular
depression or rather eul de sac as shown in PI. iii, the level of which
is a few feet only above high water. The immediate spot on which it
stands is a little higher than the general level around it. For 1*00
yards north the surface is even, with a slight rise to the foot of the
bank. This bank is about 20 feet higher than the mound level. Going
east along line a b (PI. in) the ground at first dips slightly, but rises
a little as it approaches the foot of the bank, which is here about 30
feet above the mound level. South towaixls c the surface is flat for
more than COO yards. The bank on the west is about the same height
as that on the east. About 200 yards south is an effigy mound, a bird
with outspread wings, head south. Near by there are a number of
round mounds placed in a line and two or three long mounds.
"Plowing over it for a number of years has considerably reduced
the height of the elephant effigy, and has rendered the outlines of por-
tions of the head and back somewhat indistinct, but the body between
the legs is quite plain. It is gently rounded on the surface, the high-
THOMAS. 1
MANITOWOC AND SHEBOYGAN MOUNDS.
93
est points teing at the hip, where it is nearly i feet high. Entire
length, 140 feet; width across the body to the farther end of the hind
leg, 72 feet; across the body between the legs, 55 feet; across the body
and fore leg, 77 feet; across the neck, 40 feet; length of head from back
to nozzle, 60 feet; width of hind leg at the body, 32 feet; at the foot,
15 feet; length of hind leg, 22 feet; across the fore leg at the body, 28
feet; at the foot 15 feet; length of fore leg, 28 feet."
Fig. 45. — Elephant mound, after Warner's figure.
Fig. 45 is another view of this mound, which is an exact copy, re-
duced to half size, of the original manuscript pencil sketch by -Tared
Warner, from which the figure in the Smithsonian Report for 1872 was
made.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.
MANITOWOC AND SHEBOYGAN MOUNDS.
There are some scattering mounds on the hills bordering the Sheboy-
gan marshes on the north. These are usually isolated, simple conical
tumuli, though some are in irregular groups on elevated situations.
The only one opened (the rest had been previously explored) was
situated on a sandy ridge half a mile north of the marsh and 100 feet
above it. It was about 50 feet in diameter at the base and 5 feet high.
After ijassing through 18 inches of surface soil the central mass was
struck, which apiieared to be coHiposcd of earth mingled with firebeds,
charcoal, ashes, and loose stones. Near the center of this mass, at the
bottom of the mound, a large human skeleton in a sitting posture was
discovered, apparently holding between its hands and knees a large
clay vessel, unfortunately in fragments. These were covered over by
an irregular layer of flat bowlders. Nothing else worthy of notice was
found.
About 2 miles west of this, on a bluff overlooking the marsh, was
another mound of similar form and slightly larger, which had been pre-
viously opened by Mr. Hoissen of Sheboygan. It was found literally
94
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
filled, to the depth of 2i feet, with huiiiiui skeletous, many of which were
well lireserved and evidently those of modern Indians, as with them
were the usual modern weap
ous and ornaments. Beneath
these was a mass of rounded
bowlders aggregating several
wagon loads, below which were
some 40 or 50 skeletons in a
sitting posture, in a circle,
around and facing a very large
sea shell. This specimen, which
with the other articles taken
from this mound is in Mr. Hois-
sen's collection, measures 21
inches in length and 29 in cir-
cumference at its greatest
girth.
Just south of the outlet of
the marsh is a small, oval in-
closure, with an opening at one end of some 4 or 5 feet. It consists of a
single wall 3 feet high and a ditch about two feet deep (shown in Fig. 46).
J
V
/
\
Fig. 46 Inclosure near SheboyKan. Slicboysan county
Wisconsin.
BARKON COUNTY.
THE RICE LAKE MOUND.S.
The only explorations in this county were around Eice lake. This
group, a plat of which is given in PI. iv, is situated at Eice lake
village, on sec. 10, T. 35 N., E. 11 W., about half a mile above Bed
Oedar river. The land at this point is somewhat broken, and the
area occupied by the group is cut bj- a small ravine that runs northeast
to the lake. Some of the mounds are on gravely knolls, a few in the
ravine, some on the slope up to the level which runs back to a ridge a
quarter of a mile distant and some on this level. The location was well
chosen for hunting, fishing, and procuring a supply of food, as game
and fish are still abundant and wild rice formerly grew on the lake.
The group consists of fifty-one mounds, chiefly of the ordinary coni-
cal form. There are no eflBgies or long slender embankments in it. Two
of the long type, however, were found at the other end of the village.
The construction varies so little that few only will be described as
samples of the rest, No. 1, for instance, as representing Nos. 24, 26, 35,
39, 46, and 45. This stands in the bottom of a ravine about 10 feet
above the water level and about 500 feet from the shore of the lake;
diameter, 28 feet; height, 4 feet. The construction, as shown in figure
47, was as follows, commencing at the top : First, a layer of dark vege-
table mold {<(], 2 inches thick which had formed since the mound was
abandoned, next, a layer {h) of sandy loam with a slight admixture of
clay; third, the core (c), forming the central and remaining portion of
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWFLFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. HI
^
M#
mm.
^^m
■<^.-
■mk
.•^^
M
^«\l
§§^-#^
^^"
#*«'^"""'"""'«i,„„ -s^
c&.
i^cS:^^:
<S§
^^^g^
*■■
""mm.
%m
_<fSS^^^&i.,^
^-^
^1
,-.«SSSS5^^^^^^^SS®s,^
^
ELEPHANT MOUND AND SURROUNDINGS, GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
THE RICE LAKE MOUNDS.
95
the stnu'tiire and resting on the original surface of the gnlly. This
consisted of clay mixed with sand and was veiy hard. It appeared to
be composed of small, rounded masses about 16 to 18 inches in diame-
ter and 6 to 10 inches thick, doubtless representing the loads deposited
by the builders. Lying on the original surface of the ground, under-
neath the core, were two skeletons (1 and 2) bundled, as was the case
with nearly all found in this group. The buudUng was done by plac-
ing the long bones together as closely as possible ai-ouud the ribs, the
vertebral bones being placed here and there so as to render the bundle
as compact as possible. Close to these were the charred remains of
another skeleton (3) pressed into a layer scarcely exceeding an inch in
thickness, but, as there were no signs of lire, ashes, or coals on the sur-
face beneath, burning must have taken place before burial. As all the
skeletons were under the core, and the small masses heretofore men-
tioned showed no signs of disturbance, they must have been buried at
one time.
Mound 24 measured but 22 feet in diameter and 3 in height. It dif-
fered from No. 1 only in containing four skeletons, none of them charred.
Fig. 47 Mound No. 1. Rice lake group.
Mound 20, but 25 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, contained four
skeletons of the original burial and three of intrusive burial, as did also
No. 35.
In No. 46 there had been seven original burials, at the base of the
core, as usual, one of a child, — no intrusive burials.
No. 8, oval in outline, 36 feet long, 26 feet wide, and 5 feet high,
differed from the others, as it lacked the core and layer of sandy loam.
With the exception of the top layer of vegetable mold it consisted of
yellowish clay mixed with sand, probably taken from the immediately
surrounding surface. Six skeletons were found in it; the first, 3 feet
south of the apex and at a depth of 2 feet. No. 2 a foot and a half
south of the first. These two apjteared to have been buried at the
same time, or nearly so, and most likely were intrusive burials. No. 3
was at the bottom, on the original surface, under No. 1 ; No. 4 a foot
northeast of 3; No. 5 two feet east of the last; and No. 6 a foot north
of No. 5. The last four skeletons were probably the first interments
in the mound, and appear to have been buried about the same time
from the fact that they were bundled, and the bones clean and white,
although so soft as to fall in pieces when exposed to the atmosphere.
Mound No. 11, standing east of No. 8, is also oblong, 35 feet long,
96 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and 23 feet wide. The construction tlie same as the preceeding. There
had been five original and five intrusive burials, the latter in the cen-
ter at the depth of 3 feet, the others at the bottom of the mound,
in the north end. All of the skeletons were bundled, those near the
surface being in a bettei' state of preservation than these in the bot
tom. A large pine stump was .standing over the latter, the roots of
which had broken them up to a considerable extent.
Mound 42, standing in the ravine, measured 27 feet iu diameter and
4 feet high. The construction was found to be similar to that of ITo,
1; first, the thin layer of vegetable mold; then sandy loam and the
clay core; but here was a pit in the original .soil, rectangular in
form, 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 in depth, the sides and ends flar-
ing. In this mound there had been three intrusive and two original
burials. Two skeletons of the former were in the southwest part, at the
depth of 2 feet; the third in the center at the depth of 4 feet, a cut
having been made in the top of the core to receive it. The material of
the layer over it had a disturbed appearance; indicating that these
were intrusive burials.
Two other skeletons were found on the bottom of the pit, bundled as
usual. The bones of these two are larger than those of any of the
other skeletons of this group. Mounds numbered 41, 47, and 48 were
so similar in every respect to 42 as to need no further notice.
Mound 49 stands on the lower margin of the gravelly ridge south of
the gully, 20 or 25 feet above the water level of the lake; its diameter
being 2(i feet and height 5 feet. It was found to consist, except the top
layer, of an unstratified mass of dark brown loam with a considerable
mixture of sand and gravel, having the same appearance as the soil ol
the ridge on which it stands; an occasional lump of clay, similar to the
load masses heretofore spoken of, was observed. Under this main layer
or body of the mound, near the center, was an oval pit, diameters 2 and
2i feet, and 1 foot in depth. This mound furnished evidence as usual
of both intrusive and original burials. The original burials were two
adults in the pit; these, as also the skeletons of the intrusive burials,
being bundled, an indication that the two peoples who buried here be-
longed to the same race. Mounds 28 and 36 were similar throughout
to Bo. 4y.
GROUP ON SEC. 10, T. 35 N., R. 11 W.
These mounds, which are on the opposite side of the lake from the
preceding, are all of the round or conical type and are located on a
point of land some 25 feet above and overlooking the lake and the other
village just described. No. 8, one of the largest of the group, meas-
ured 45 feet in diameter and 5 feet high. Commencing at the top, the
first 3 feet was a layer of sandy loam; the remainder was a hard core
of clay mixed with sand, made up of small masses, like those heretofore
described. The latter rested on a layer, about an inch thick, of what
Jsn^EAl' OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANXr.U REPORT. PI.. XX
">,^
-. *.,T>ldaHo«;e.i
!, \ Mr '■)■ , »,,
t> ,"
nrrS^f*^ j
j '"^. Oni^
COMKMCHES I >
3 f-^*^,.
a I COUtt THY
-' c » o c I i * j ■A---Hi.<Krr>{' N
H" r T_ O >R
^ir^
lii-
-.^ i \ -^r
''^ '1.
Corpus t'A/»,T» ■-- ^ I
;»
!,•&.«"
i'-;
l^r
1
S*Clrniff^
AT
DISTKIBVTIOX OF
M01M)S
IX THK
EASTEUN I^ITEI) STATES
('OJIIPII.EO
rxnEH TUE DIRECTION OF
CYHUS THOMAS.
BED DOTS IXOH'ATK MOTNOS OH MOITID OROV'PS.
r
%■
_i f . . rf..
%f^
■^^
^"
Aiki
#&
.-:^
,1, .'W'l'
ii^
v*^^-
^%
'/iiiiin
THOMAS.) THE RICE LAKE MOUNDS. 07
seemed to be the decayed vegetable material of the original surface of
the ground. A skeleton was discovered southeast of the center, only
3 inches below the surface, bundled. Fragments of a skull were found
near the center at the depth of 2 feet. Here there were evidences that
a grave had been dug in the mound after it had been completed, and a
body buried in bark wrappings, but all save these fragments of the
skull had completely decayed. A third was at the same depth. Four
feet east of the center was another at the depth of 3 feet, but the skull
in this case was wanting from the bundle. In the apex of the central
core, in which a cut had been made for its reception, was a fifth at a
depth of 3J feet from the top and 6 inches in the core. No skeletons
were found in the lower part of the mound, though at two points the
earth was similar in character to that which results from decayed bodies
and probably marked burial places. At the bottom of the mound,
south of the center, was the only relic obtained, a copper drill or spin-
dle, similar to that shown in Fig. 34; this is 7i inches long, a little over
one-fourth of an inch square, and pointed at each end. When found it
was upright.
Mound 12, situated west of No. 8, in a thicket, measured 32 feet
in diameter and 3i in height. The upper layer consisted of loose sandy
loam, like the surrounding surface. Theremainder, of sand and clay, very
hard, rested on the original surface of the ground. Under this was a
pit, length 7 feet, width at one end 4 feet, at the other 5i, depth 2 feet,
its walls perpendicular and bottom flat. Three bundled skeletons, the
only ones found in the mound, were in this pit. With one were a few
copper beads.
Mound 14, standing 120 feet from the lake shore, measured but 26 feet
in diameter and a little over 3 feet in height. The construction was
similar to that of No. 8; first a layer of sandy loam, 1 foot thick, then
the core, 2 feet thick; but in this case there was, immediately below
the second layer, a stratum of charcoal 4 inches thick, covering an area
C feet in diameter, and immediately below it a layer of burned earth 3
inches thick and covering the same area. Underneath this, on the
original surface, were the remains of three bundled skeletons partially
burned. The remains of two logs, which had been nearly consumed by
fire, could be traced in the layer of burned earth. They must have been
about 6 feet long and 4 or 5 inches in diameter. They were parallel,
within a foot of each other, and had evidently been laid on the earth
covering the skeletons, but there were no indications of a wooden vault.
The evidence seemed conclusive that the fire had been kindled here
after the skeletons and logs were in place. The first skeleton was in
the center under the two burned logs, and the indications were that it
had been wrapped in birch bark, parts of which, although both wrap-
pings and bones were charred, were obtained. The other two skeletons
were north and west of this central one, and one of them showed but
little of the effects of the fire, while the other was nearly consumed.
12 ETH 7
98 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Southward, outside of this burned area, but under the core or layer,
were two other skeletons, which seemed to have been buried at the same
time as the other three.
ROCK COUNTY.
In 1886 Rev. S. D. Peet explored an efiBgy mound, probably repre-
senting a turtle, in the group near the waterworks at Beloit. The
results of this examination he reports in substance as follows:
This mound was found by measurement to be 80 feet long, the length
of the body and tail being equal, each 40 feet; the width of the body
across the middle 15 feet, and across the ends 30 feet.
Other parties had taken off the top before his examination. A broad
trench running through the middle, lengthwise, was carried down to
the original surface of the ground. Here he found 8 skeletons, bun-
dled, lying on the original surface of the mound. The dirt over them
showed evidences of fire, but was not baked. The particulars, which
resemble closely those observed in another efligy of the same kind
belonging to the same group opened by Prof. S. Eaton, maybe summar-
ized as follows: First, the mound consisted of black loam; second, the
earth was packed tightly about the bones; third, no gravel was found
above the skeletons, but the original gravel of the bluff was immedi-
ately below them, indicating that the top soil had been removed before
burial; fourth, the bodies were laid on the surface and the material of
the mound, scraped from the surrounding area, thrown over them ; fifth,
the bodies or skeletons were evidently not interred in an extended posi-
tion, for the bones of each individual were folded or heaped together,
pieces of the skull in some instances resting upon them; they were
probably "bundled" skeletons, buried after the flesh had been removed;
sixth, there were no implements or ornaments of any kind with them;
seventh, some of the bones were tolerably well preserved, others much
decayed; and eighth, all of the skeletons were those of adults.
The bones of each skeleton were in a separate pile or bundle, those
of the lower extremities being doubled up along the trunk, but the
skull in most cases placed on top. It is, therefore, evident that the
burial had taken place after the flesh had been removed, probably by
exposure on platforms or scaffolds — a custom which seems to have been
followed by the mound-building clans of this section. Under one body
there was a small layer of stones. These stones were burned, smoked,
and cracked, as if they had been subjected to great heat. Two or three
pieces of dirt were taken out which were flat on one side, as though
the dirt had been wet and packed down upon bark and then left to dry
out, or, possibly, a fire had been kindled upon it, so as to take the color
out of it. It was diflicult to tell where the fire had been placed. Pieces
of coal were scattered through the dirt and some of the bones showed
signs of fire, though it was apparent that the bodies could not have
been cremated.
WORKS IN ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IOWA. 99
IO\WA.
The exploratious made in this state ou behalf of the Bureau were
confined to the counties bordering on or adjacent to the Mississipin
river, and chiefly in the extreme northeastern section.
Some of the works of this section evidently belong to the same type
as those of Wisconsiti, eiiigy or figure mounds being found in one or
two of the extreme northeastern counties of the state, showing that
the tribes which reared the singular structures in Wisconsin were not
limited geograiihically by the Mississippi, although they extended
beyond it but a short distance and over a comparatively small area.
As we proceed southward a change in the mode of construction and
in other respects becomes apparent, indicating the presence of different
tribes; yet there is sufficient resemblance in the two classes of works
to indicate ethnic relationship, or at least that they belong to the same
culture state.
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
This northeastern county of the state is bordered on the east by the
Mississippi river, and much of it watered by the Little Iowa and its
branches, all of which have worn deep channels through the Potsdam
sandstone, which, whether remaining as castellated cliffs .300 or 400
feet high or nmnded off to bold bluiis or terraced slopes, results in giv-
ing the charming contour and sheltered valleys of a mountain region.
I'OTTEKY CIHCI.H AND OTHEH WORKS.
About 7 miles above New Albin, on the Little Iowa river, is an exten-
sive group of earthworks, consisting of inclosures, lines of small mounds,
excavations, etc., situated ou the farm of Mr. H. P. Lane, and repre-
sented in PI. V. The largest Mork is an inclosure, marked A, and
shown on a larger scale in Fig. 48, to which the name " pottery
circle" has been apidied. It is situated on the margin of a bluff
overlooking the Little Iowa river and an intervening bog beyond, prob-
ably the former channel of the river. It is almost exactly circular iu
form with clear indications of sti'aight stretches (not shown in the
flgui'e), as though somewhat polygonal, the curve being broken on the
eastern side, where it touches the brink of the bluff, is there made to
conform to the line of the latter. The ends at the southeast overlap
each other for a short distance, leaving at this point an entrance way,
the only one to the inclosure. A ditch runs around the inside from
the entrance on the south to where the wall strikes the bluff on the
north, but is wanting along the bluff side and overlapping portion.
The north and south diameter, measuring from center to center of the
wall, is 251 feet; from east to west, 235 feet; the entire outer circum-
ference, 807 feet; the length of the straight portion along the bluff,
100
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
100 feet, and of the overlapping portion at the entrance, 45 feet. The
wall is quite uniform in size, about 4 feet high and from 25 to 27 in
width, and the ditch about 8 or 10 feet wide and from 1 to 3 feet deep.
The entrance is 16 feet wide, but there seems to have been no ditch
along this portion. On the north, adjoining the wall on the outside
fr^m'i^im^'^'^'^i'wii'^m-'
Fig. 48. — Circular inclosure near New Albin, Allamakee county. Iowa.
and extending along it for about 100 feet, is an excavation, Fig. 48
(see plan and section), 35 feet wide at the widest point and 3 deep.
As this ground, including the circle, has been under cultivation for
fifteen years, it would be supposed that the height of the wall is con-
siderably less than originally, but this is doubtful. On the contrary, it
is probable it was originally about 20 feet wide and not more than 3
THOMAS.] EARTHWORKS AT NEW ALBIN. 101
feet high, composed maiuly of yellowish-brown clay, obtained, in part
at least, from the ditch, but that, during occupancy, the accumulation
of numerous bones of animals used for food, stone chips, river shells,
broken pottery, and dirt, and since abandonment the accumulation of
sand, drifted by the winds from the crumbling- sandstone butte over-
looking it, have not only filled the ditch, but elevated the whole inte-
rior area and the wall 2 feet or more. This accumulation of sand is so
great and so uniform over the adjacent plateau that fifteen years of cul-
tivation has not reached the clay of the original natural surface, nor
has it unearthed or penetrated to the bones, pottery fragments, and
other refuse matter covering the original surface in the circle.
Three trenches 4 feet wide were dug through this wall from side to
side and down to the original soil. The first was run through the
northern portion opjjosite the large excavation. Here was found, first
a layer of sand about 1 foot thick; next, an accumulation of refuse
material mixed with earth, forming a layer from 1 to 2 feet thick; and
below this the original clay embankment 2 feet thick, resting on the
original surface. A section of the ditch, embankment, and excavation
at this point is shown in Fig. 48. The dotted line a h indicates the
natural surface; Xo. 1, the original clay layer of the embankment or
wall; iSTo. 2, the layer of earth and refuse material with which the ditch
is filled; and 'So. .3, the top layer of sand.
In No. 2 were found charcoal, ashes, fragments of pottery, fractured
bones, etc.
Trench So. 2, opened through the west side, gave a similar result.
So. 3, in tlic southern i)art, across the lap of the walls and entrance
way, varied in showing less clay and no distinct ditch.
A broad belt of the inner area on the east side next the blufl^' wall
was excavated and carefully examined. It was found to consist of the
same kind of accumulations as No. 2 in the first trench, except that
here the shells were more numerous and there were many burnt stones.
SQUARE KARTHWdltK.
i>, PL V, is situated at the southwest corner of the plateau, on the
margin of the blnlf, facing west. It consists of a wall from 12 to 15 feet
broad and 2 to 4 feet high, along three sides of a nearly regular par-
allelogram. The length of the wall on the south is 175 feet, that on
the east 150, with traces of a ditch on the outside; that on the north,
200 feet.
About 30 feet east of the northeast corner, which is the highest point
adjacent to the work, and above the inclosed area, is an excavation now
about 3 feet in depth.
Within this square inclosure are three small mounds, which were
opened with the following results :
No. 1,30 feet long by 20 wide and 4 high, was found to consist of atop
layer of loose sand 1 foot thick, the remainder of hard yellowish clay.
102 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
In the latter were several flat sandstone fragments, and beneath them,
on the original surfaceof the ground, a much decayed liuman skeleton,
with a few stone chijis, Unio shells, and fragments of pottei-y.
No. 2, 18 feet in diameter and 3 feet high, was mainly a loose cairn
of sandstones, covering traces of human bones, charcoal, and ashes.
No. 3, 15 feet in diameter and 3 feet high, a stone i)ile or cairn cov-
ered with earth and heaped over a mass of charred bones, (diarcoal,
ashes, aiul some fragments of pottery.
This iiiclosure is about half a mile from the pottery circle, and, like
it, well situated for defense, bnt not so well constructed and apparently
more au(nent.
THE OBLONG WORK.
This is an oblong inclosure, situated south of the group just men-
tioned, and just across an impassable slough, and is tlie one marked E
in PI. V. It is on a sloping terrace at the foot of a bluff, which rises
abruptly behind it to the height of 200 feet. The end walls run from
this blurt' to the margiu of the slough, where thei-e is also another
descent. Along this margin runs a connecting wall some 300 feet in
length. The wall at the west end is ICO feet long; that at the east end
175. The height varies from 1 to 3 feet and the width from 10 to 15
feet. On the outside of each end wall is a washout, possibly marking
the ditches from which the dii't to form the walls was taken.
Extending southward from the pottery circle to the bluff' bank that
margins the slough, a distance of about half a mile, and expanding at
the southei'n end to an equal exteut, is a dry, undulating plateau. On
the eastern half of this aiea are six parallel lines of mounds running-
northeast and southwest (marked B in PI. v ), mostly circular in form,
varying in diameter from 15 to 40 feet and in height from 2 to 6 feet.
A few, as indicated in the figure, are oblong, varying in length from 50
to 100 feet. The luimber in the group exceeds 100.
An examination revealed the fact that, in addition to the mounds,
much of the area between them was used as a burying place, and that
scattered here and there between the graves were charcoal and ashes,
stone chips, shells, etc. Both in the mounds and these graves there
was a compact layer of hard, light-colored earth, having much the
appearance of lime mortar, probably clay and ashes mixed together,
which had undergone the action of fire. As the burials iu these inter-
mediate spots were seldom over IS inches deep, the only soil above the
hard layer which covered them was the sterile sand fibm the sandy
butte marked C on the plate, while the mounds were uniformly covered
with a layer of richest soil, although below this and covering the skel-
etons was the layer of hard, light colored earth.
A trench cut through the oblong mound of this group (No. 1)
revealed near the center an oblong pile of loose sandstones, beneath
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL.
' 7J
W^
3
■ - ■■:'' Ml
ANCIENT WORKS NEAR NEW ALBIN, ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IOWA.
THOMAS.) EARTHWORKS AT NEW ALBIN. 103
which was found a crypt or rude stone coflSu about 6 feet long and 18
inches wide, formed by first placing flat sandstones on the natural clay
siu'face of the ground, theu other slabs edgewise at the sides and ends,
and a covering of similar stones. Within this, extended at full length,
witli the head nearly west, was the skeleton of an adult, but too iiiueh
decayed for preservation. With it were some stone chips, rude stone
scrapers or skinners, a Unio shell, and some fragments of pottery sim-
ilar to those found in the ])ottery circle.
THE SAND BUTTK.
This prominent feature of the area (marked C in PI. v), which, by
the eroding influence of wind and rain, has covered the plateau to the
depth of a foot or more with sand since the works were constructed, is
about 100 feet high at its northern end and 150 at the southern extrem-
ity. On the narrow crest are three small circular mounds, in which
were found human bones, fragments of pottery, etc. The same com-
pact earth as found elsewhere was also encountered in these, showing
them to be the work of the same pei>ple.
WALLED VAULT.
In the side of the eastern bluft', about half way down from the top,
is a somewhat singular work (marked F). This is a room or vault
about 11 feet square, excavated in the lace of the bluff and roughly
walled up with flat sandstones. Although many of these stones are
too large to be handled by an ordinary man, they were evidently
brought by some means from the sand butte, and several are still on
the top of the bluff above the vault. The back and most of the end
walls are sustained by the bank, standing from 4 to 6 feet high, but the
front, although built of the larger pieces, especially about the door-
way, is only about half as high. A careful examination of the interior
revealed nothing but charcoal, ashes, and decaying firebrands, which
might possibly have resulted from the burning of a timber roof.
The regularity with which the walls were built, and the square corners,
aside from all other indications, suggest that this is of comparatively
recent date, and the work of a difl'ereut people from those who con-
structed the circle and mounds of the plateau. It was probably made
by some white or half-breed trapper within the past two centuries.
Among the results of the exploration of this interesting group may
be noted the following: That, although human skeletons and bones
were found in great numbers in the mounds and under the surface
of the plateau, none were found within the pottery circle or nearer than
liOO yards of it. Those found were sometimes ndngled promiscuously
with charcoal and ashes, but were usually whole skeletons, frequently,
but not always, lying horizontally near the natural surface of the
ground, without any apparent system, except that they were uniformly
covered with from 1 to 3 feet of very hard earth, seemingly mixed with
104 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
aslies or >sometliiiig' of a similar nature and color, giving this covering
the appearance of dried lime or mortar.
Fragments of pottery were found in abundance in the circle, in the
mounds, in the washouts, and in fact at almost every i)oint in the area
covered by the grouj). Judging by the fragments, for not a single
entire vessel was obtained, the prevailing forms were the ordinary
earthen pot with ears, and a flask or gourd-shaped vase with a rather
broad and short neck. The latter were the larger ones and were usually
too thin for use in cooking, or even for holding liquids. The paste of
which this pottery was made had evidently been mixed with pounded
shells. The only ornamentation observed consisted in the varied forms
given the handles or ears, and indentations or scratched lines.
Nearly all the implements found were of stone, exceedingly rude,
being little Ise than stone flakes with one sharp edge, many of which
appear to have been resharpened and used as knives, scrapers, and
skinners. Some had been worked into moderately fair perforators or
drills for making holes in horn, bone, or shell, specimens of all these
with holes having been found.
The immense quantity of charred and fractured bones, not only of
fishes, birds, and the smaller quadrupeds, such as the rabbit and fox, but
also of the bear, wolf, elk, and deer, shows that the occupants of this
place lived chiefly by the chase, and hence must have used the bow and
arrow and spear; yet, strange to say, less than a dozen arrow or spear
heads were found, and these so rude as scarcely to deserve the name.
A single true chipped celt, three sandstones with mortar-shaped cavi-
ties, and a few mullers or flat stones used for grinding or some sim-
ilar purpose, were obtained. The specimens of other materials obtained
consist of fragments of horn, evidently cut around by some rude instru-
ment and then broken off at about a finger's length and possibly
intended to be shaped into more perfect implements, or probably
handles for knives. Several horn and bone punches and awls were
also found, and among them one that is barbed, and another with a per-
foration through the larger end.
ANCIENT INCL08URK ON HAYS's FARM.
On the farm of Mr. A. D. Hays, 2 miles southwest of New Albin, is
the circular iuclosure shown in Fig. 49. This is situated on the lower
bluff just above the point where the Little Iowa river enters the Mis-
sissippi. The bluff here is about 100 feet higher than the bottoms
which border these streams, and continues along the Mississippi for
some distance at about the same height, with small circular mounds
scattered over its surface ; but the plateau slopes gradually to the mar-
gin of a deep ravine which enters the Little Iowa upon the western
side. This area, including the circle, has been under cultivation for
twenty-one years; but, notwithstanding the wear, the lines of the works
were distinctly traceable throughout.
INCLOSURE ON HAYs's FARM
105
The circle consists of three parallel ditches and two intermediate
earthen walls. The inside ditch (before the works -were disturbed) was
probably 5 or G feet deep and 12 feet wide ; the inner wall the same
width; the middle ditch 4 feet deep and a little over 12 feet wide; and
finally, the outer ditch 4 feet deep and about the same width as the
wall. As will be seen from the figure, the inclosure is circular, with a
y'^i^-^
Fig. 49 Inclosure on Hays's farm, near New Allun, Alhimakee county, Iowa.
break on the side where it strikes the southern margin of the bluff
overlooking the slough that runs into the Little Iowa river. The cir-
cumference of the circle, exclusive of the break, is 990 feet, and the
extent of the break along the bluff 225 feet. At the southeast an
embankment some 10 or 12 feet wide and from 3 to 5 feet high runs
down the crest of a narrow spur about 150 feet, gradually taueriug to a
106 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
point. The slope on which this work is situated, like that at the pot-
tery circle, is considerable, but very smooth and even. The location is
a good one for defense and was in all probability selected by the ancient
people who erected the works on this account.
The most singular parts of the works at this place are three stone
structures, to which the name " furnaces" has been applied by tlie peo-
ple of this locality. One of these was found in a small mound within
the inclosure (marked A in Fig. 49) and two not in mounds, outside
and about 80 or 90 paces from the northwestern part of the circle.
Light traces of those outside of the wall remain, while of that in the
inclosed mound only about 1 foot of the wall was visible. But Mr.
Hays, who has owned and occuiiied the land for twenty-one years and
since it was first opened for cultivation, gave the following information
in regard to them: The one in mound A, and the other, not shown in
the figure, were each 18 feet long, each formed of two parallel walls
about 3 feet high and .3 feet apart, composed of flat sandstones (yet to
be seen close by), roughly laid up, and gradually drawn in near the top
until one layer would cover the opening left in the top near that end.
The inner stones stood fire well, as shown by the indications on them.
Mound A in the circle is 24 feet in diameter, and now only about 1
foot high. Fragments of pottery, stone chips, Uiiio shells, and pieces
of bone are still abundant in and about the work, and especially among
the stones in the mound.
fish's mounds.
These are situated on the lands owned by Mr. Fish, near the Missis-
sippi river, a short distance below the point where the Little Iowa joins
it. Those of one group are placed along the crest of a ridge running
parallel with the river, and about one-fourth of a mile therefrom. They
number about 30; circular in form, and varying from 20 to 40 feet in
diameter. One singular feature was observed; those on the higher
and sandy ground having a core of clay about the same size and form
as those on the firm clay portion of the ridge, though to the latter a
layer of several feet of sand was added, making them appear much
larger and more recent than the others; yet upon opening the two
classes, the contents, consisting of decaying human bones, fragments
of pottery, and rude stone implements, showed no perceptible dili'er-
ences.
In one of the mounds opened two skeletons were found, lying hori-
zontally side by side, facing each other. They were at the base of the
hard clay core, which seemed to have formed a perfect roof, while the
sand, upon a sharp ridge, formed the flooring, thus protecting them
from moistiu-e and preserving them longer from decay than where less
favorably situated; the skulls were obtained almost uninjured.
Many mounds similar to these were found along the foothills of these
rocky bluS's.
THOMAS.]
fish's cave.
107
Upon tlie terrace below these moiiiuls, where the railroad track has
been graded lengthwise, was a line of comparatively large mounds, the
remaining portions of which show that, although from 0 to 15 feet
high, and composed mainly of sand similar to that around them, they
had a hard central core of clay mixed with ashes, from 2 to 4 feet high,
under which was generally found at least one skeleton. Several stone
hatchets, arrow and spear heads, and a. few copper chisels, were found
by the first explorers. One of the mounds, 32 feet in diameter and 8
feet high, contained a walled circular vault, represented in Fig. 50 ;
this, like the stonework in the furnaces, did not have the true arch,
but, as the main portion of it, which still remains standing shows, it
was built of fiat stones, and gradually lessened in diameter as it rose.
Fig. 50. — Walled mound, Fish group, Allamakee county, Iowa.
being covered at the top by a single stone. It contained a single adult
skeleton in a squatting posture, with which was a small earthen vase
of the usual globular form.
FI8H',S CAVE.
This is simply a fissure in the vertical face of the sandstone bluff
facing the Mississippi, about G miles south of New Albin, which by the
action of the river or other means has been enlarged to a cave or rock
house 40 or 50 feet long and 12 feet high. The elevation is so little
above the Mississix^pi that it must be at least i)artially flooded during
high water. The walls and ceiling are literally covered with rude etch-
ings, representing quadrupeds, birds, turtles, bird tracks, totems, and
symbolic or fanciful objects. These figures range in length from 2 or
3 inches to 2 or 3 feet, and i^roportionally in width, and are cut into
the soft rock from one-fourth to a full inch in depth, the width of the
lines exceeding their depth. The width of these lines appears to have
been increased by a crumbling process which must have gone on for a
time after they were cut, but was checked by the formation of a dark-
colored and hard crust over the surface, which now protects them.'
The floor was covered to the depth of 2 feet with a mass of refuse mate-
rial consisting of fish and other animal bones, fragments of pottery and
stcne, charcoal, and ashes mingled with dirt.
'A tracing of the figures was made and handed to Col. Garrick Mallery, for use in
his study of Sign Language.
108 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
CLAYTON COUNTY.
The ancient remains of this county are chiefly effigy mounds or em-
blematic works similar in character to those found in Wisconsin, and
evidently attributable to the authors of those singular structures. So far
as could be ascertained, these works are only found on the west side of the
Mississippi, between Yellow river on the north and the Maijuoketa on the
south and westward, a distance of some ten or twelve miles. As will
be seen by reference to a map of this region, this small belt is directly
opposite that portion of Wisconsin which seems to have been the chief
home of the effigy mound-builders, where, as well as in this small por-
tion of Iowa, they have left enduring evidences of a dense population
or long occupancy, as the bluffs, the terraces, and even higher bottoms
of the river subject to occasional overflow are alike dotted over with
effigies and the usual accompanying small circular mounds and lines of
earthworks.
ELKPORT EFFIGY.
This is situated on a bluff overlooking Turkey river near Elkport,
about 10 miles west of the Mississippi, and is 120 feet long, nearly one-
half its length consisting of an extremely elongated tail, which is in
strong contrast with the short legs. It is probably intended to represent
the otter. The gTcatest height of the body is 5 feet, the main portions
of the extremities ft'om 2 to 3 feet, but the tail tapers to a point.
There are many other interesting works along Turkey river and
upon high bluft's above McGregor, notably effigies of antlered elks,
uniformly in lines or groups heading southward. Unfortunately the
sketches made of these were so defaced by subsequent exposure to a
heavy rain as to render them valueless for reproduction.
Near the town of Clayton is another ^roup of these works, which con-
sists of an extended line of effigy and circular mounds.
DUBUQUE COUNTY'.
Near the town of Peru, immediately south of the mouth of Maquoketa
creek, situated on a dry, sandy bench or terrace some 20 feet or more
above a bayou which makes out from the Mississippi, is a group,
mostly of small circular tumuli. As the relative positions may possi-
bly furnish some aid to the archeologist in studying their several uses,
a sketch of the group is given in Fig. 51. Fifty years ago, according
to the old settlers, this ground was covered with a heavy growth of
timber, which was removed for the purpose of cultivation; but the
larger portion having afterwards been abandoned, most of the mounds
are again covered with a young forest growth. A number were opened,
but only detached portions of a skeleton were found, as a skull in one,
a leg, arm, or other part in another, four or five adjacent ones appar-
ently aggregating one entire skeleton. Some of these bones are
charred and all are much decayed, indicating great age. Otherwise
THOMAS. 1
MOUNDS OF DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA.
109
nothing' peculiar was (observed in this group, except the arraugenient
of the mounds, which is shown in the sketch. Nos. S-t, 35, 36, and 37
are four oblong mounds, vary-
ing in length from 40 to 110
feet, and from 1^ to 4 feet in
height. The inner portions
were found to be of hard, com-
pact earth, as is usual in this
region.
EAGLE POINT GROUP.
This group is about 3 miles
above Dubuque on the bluffs
and terrace fi'onting the Mis-
sissippi. The larger number
of the mounds — about 70 —
all of which, except two ob-
long ones, are small and con-
ical, are on a level terrace
about 50 feet above high-
water mark. On a bluff im-
mediately west of these is a
single embankment or mound
about 300 feet long, 20 feet
broad, and 3 feet high; and
on Eagle point proper, imme-
diately north, which is the
point of a bluff some 200 feet
high overlooking the river,
are several low circular and
two long mounds and a stone
cairn.
Eleven of the small circular
mounds on the terrace were
opened thoroughly, but noth-
ing found in them except
some charcoal, stone chips,
and fragments of pottery.
In an excavation made in the center of the long mound on the west-
ern bluff two decayed skeletons were found. Near the breast of one of
them were a blue stone gorget (shown in Fig. 52) and Ave rude stone
scrapers; with the other, thirty-one fresh- water pearls, perforated and
used as beads.
An excavation was made in one of the long mounds on the point, and
also in one of the circular ones. Both were found to be composed of a
Fio. 51. — Group near Peru. Bnbuque county. Iowa.
110
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
very liard feineiit or jdepaied eartli, which could be broken up only
with the pick, when it ciuuibled like dry liuie mortar, and was found
to be traversed throughout with flattened horizontal cavities. These
cavities were lined with a peculiar black felt like substance, specimens
of which were carefully preserved. There is scarcely a doubt that
these cavities mark the spaces occupied by a body or bodies buried
here, and it is possible that this felt like substance is the remnant of
the fleshy portion of the bodies. An examination for the purpose of
deciding this point will be made and reported hereafter.
Flo. 52 Stone gor;;et, Dubuque county. Iowa.
WAPELLO COUNTY.
The diagram of the area between Eldou and lowaville along the Des
Moines river, shown in Fig. 53, is constructed from a careful examina-
tion of the ground
and the statements
of Mr. J. H. Jordan,
who has resided
here since the close
of the Black Hawk
war, and was th e In-
dian agent to the
Sacs audFoxes from
the time of their re-
moval thither after
the war until Black
Hawk's death, Sept.
15, 1838. Between
the two points
named stretches the
noted Iowa bottom,
which is at least 2
miles wide at the
middle, about which
point formerly stood
the old agency; near
the same point is the
present residence of
Mr. Jordan. The
position of Black
Hawk's grave, the
race tracks, the mounds of the lowas, the mounds of the Pottowata-
mies, and the place where the scaffolds for their dead stood are also
indicated on the plat.
This valley had long been a famous haunt for the Indians, but at the
time of Mr. Jordan's first acquaintance with it was in possession of the
lowas, whose main village was around the point where his house stands.
MOUNDS NEAR lOWAVILLE.
Ill
The race course consisted of three parallel hard-beateu tracks nearly a
mile in length, where the greater portion of the Iowa warriors were
engaged in sport when surprised by Black Hawk and a large portion
of them slaughtered, in 1830. After Black Hawk and his warriors had
departed with their plunder the remaining lowas returned and bui'ied
□
an .
Q p tLDex
Fig. 53 Diagram of Indian battle ground, Wapello county, Iowa.
their dead in little mounds of sod and earth trom 2 to 4 feet high at
the point indicated in the diagram.
After the Black Hawk war the remnant of the lowas, by a treaty,
formally ceded their rights in this valley to the Sacs and Foxes. Here
this noted chief was buried, in accordance with his dying request, in
a full military suit given him by President Jackson, together with the
various memorials received by him from the whites, and the trophies
112 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
won from tlie Indians. He was placed on his back on a puncheon
slanting at a low angle to the ground, where his feet were sustained
by another, and covered with several Inches of sod. Then a roof-shaped
covering of slabs or puncheons, one end elevated and the other lowered,
was placed above. Over all was thrown a covering of earth and sod
to the depth of a foot or more, and the whole surrounded by a line of
pickets some 8 or 10 feet high. Tlie subsequent stealing of his bones
and their return to his friends have been recorded by the historian and
poet, and need not be repeated here.
VAN BUBEN COUNTY.
MOUNDS NEAR l>OUIi.
These mounds are some IS in number, circular in form, of rather
small size, and placed in a nearly straight line upon the very crest of
a remarkably straight and sharp ridge, 30 or 40 feet higher than the
plateau upon which the town is built.
One denoted No. 1, about 25 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, had
been previously opened by Mr. Doud, and yielded two gray disks each
4 Inches in diameter, a grooved stone axe and stone chips.
No. 7, about 20 feet in diameter and 3i feet high, was explored and
found, as usual, to contain a core of hard earth, but nothing else.
No. 12, diameter 25 feet and height 4 feet, was found to contain, be-
neath the hard core and lying on the original surface of the ground,
decayed human bones and three fragments of dark colored pottery.
No. 14, opened, nothing found.
No. 15, same size as No. 12. In this, beneath a very hard core and
lying horizontally on the original surface with head north, were the
remains (scarcely more than traces) of a human skeleton.
LEE COUNTY.
Upon the bluffs near the junction of the Des Moines river with the
Mississippi were many circular moirnds, most of which have been opened
and numerous articles mostly of intrusive burials obtained therefrom.
Several were opened by the Bureau agent, but nothing found in them
save decayed human bones, fragments of pottery and stone chips.
ILLINOIS.
JOE DAVIESS COUNTY.
Overlooking the city of East Dubuque (Dunleith) is a line of bluffs
whose grassy slojies and summits are dotted over with ancient mounds
of unusual symmetry, some of them above the usual size for this section
of the country. The relative positions of these mounds to one another,
to the bluffs, and to the river are shown in the diagram (Fig. 54).
MOUNDS AT DUNLEITH.
113
The following list gives the respective sizes and a brief statement of
the results of the explorations made in them. They are all of the usual
conical form :
No.
Diameter.
Height.
Kemarks.
Feet.
Feet.
1
12
3
Stone cairn. Coals, ashes, etc.
2
42
5
Human bones.
3
43
4
Notliing found.
4
46
8
Contained a stone crypt .
5
70
12
Large skeleton, copper ornaments, etc.
6
40
8
Opened, but result unknown.
7
40
4
Do.
8
32
5
Human bones.
9
34
4
Opened, but result unknown.
10
20
3
Notliing fdund.
11
25
;;
Result unknown.
12
60
9
Vault and human Ijones.
13
43
4
Reopened, result given hereafter.
14
2.T
3
Skeletons.
15
45
6
Bones.
16
65
10
Vault found.
17
50
8
Opened, result unknown.
Xos. 18 to 26, inclusive, form a line of nearly connected mounds, from
30 to 50 feet in diameter and 4 to 7 feet high.
A section of the bluff through the line of mounds No. 13 to No. 17 is
shown in the lower part of Fig. 51, in which is seen the general slope
of the upper area.
No. 5, the largest of the group was carefully examined. Two feet
below the surface, near the apex, was a skeleton, doubtless an intrusive
Indian bm-ial. Near the original surface of the ground, several feet
north of the center, were the much decayed skeletons of some 6 or 8
persons, of every size, from the infant to the adult. They were placed
horizontally at full length, with the heads toward the south. A few
perforated TJnio shells and some rude stone skinners and scrapers were
found with them. Near the original surface, 10 or 13 feet from the
center, on the lower side, lying at full length upon its back, was one of
the largest skeletons discovered by the Bureau agents, the length as
proved by actual measurement being between 7 and 8 feet. It was all
clearly traceable, but crumbled to pieces immediately after removal
from the hard earth in which it was encased. With this were three
thin, crescent- shaped pieces of roughly hammered, native copper,
respectively 6, 8, and 10 inches in length, with small holes along the
convex margin; a number of elongate copper beads made by rolling
together thin sheets; and a chert lance-head over 11 inches long.
Around the neck was a series of bear teeth, which doubtless formed a
necklace; there were also several upon the wrists. Lying across the
thighs were dozens of small copper beads, which perhaps once adorned
12 ETH 8
114
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the fringe of a Imiitin^- shirt. These were formed by rolling slender
wire-like strips into small rings.
A partial exploration of Xo. -4 was made in 1857, revealing masses of
burned earth and charred human bones mingled with charcoal and
ashes. A further examination revealed, on the lower side, the end of a
.VhticaZ Section on dotted line a •a
Fig. 54.— Mound group, DunUiti, Illinois.
double line of flat stones set on edge, about a foot apart at the bottom
and adjusted so as to meet at the top in a roof-shaped arch or drain (for
which it Mas probably intended). This extended inward nearly on a
level, almost to tbe center, at which point it was about 3 feet beneath
the original surface of the ground. Here a skeleton was discovered in
a vault or grave which had been dug in the ground before the mound
MOUND NO. 4 AT DUNLEITH.
115
was cast up. Over that ijortiou below the waist and the dislocated
right arm, which was drawn below the waist, were iilaced flat stones
so arranged by leaning as to support eacli other and prevent pressure
on the body; no traces of fire were on them, yet when the upper por-
tions were reached, although extended iu a natural position, they were
but charred remains, scarcely traceable amid the charcoal and ashes
of a fire that had nearly consumed them.
It was apparent that a grave had flrst been dug, the right arm of the
skeleton dislocated and placed beside it below the waist, and this part
covered ; then the remainder burned to a cinder and over all a mound
raised, which covered, iu addition thereto, a pile of charred human
bones, charcoal and ashes. The mound, vault, and drain are repre-
sented in Fig. 5.5. (1, outline of the mound; 2, the vault, and 3, the
drain.)
A partial examination was made of mound 'So. 13 in 1857, showing it
to be similar to the preceding, so far as then explored. Further explo-
ration brought to light a circle of stone slabs 10 feet in diameter, set on
Fig 55.— Vault in Mound No. 4, Dunleith. lUinoia.
edge at the natural surface of the ground. Within this circle, at the
depth of 3 feet, were five skeletons, two of adults, two of children, and
one of an infant. They were all lying horizontally side by side, heads
south, the adults at the outside and the children between them.
No. 15, except a roof or arched stratum 2 feet thick of prepared earth
or mortar, so firm as to retain its form for several feet unsupported,
was found to be an ossuary or heap of human bones in a promiscuous
mass, many of them decayed. Only an ankle bone which had reunited
after being broken was saved.
The most interesting feature of the group was fouud in No. 16, a
symmetrical mound 05 feet in diameter and 10 feet high.
The first 6 feet from the top consisted, of hard gray earth, seemingly
a mortar like composition, which required the use of the pick. This
covered a vault built iu part of stone and in part of round logs. When
fully uncovered this was found to be a rectangular crypt, inside meas-
urement showing it to be 13 feet long and 7 feet wide. The four
straight, surrounding walls were built of small unhewn stones to the
116
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
height of 3 feet and a foot or more iu thickness. Three feet from each
end was a cross wall or partition of like character, thus leaving a cen-
tral chamber 7 feet square, and a narrow cell at each end about 2 feet
wide and 7 feet long. This had been entirely covered with a single
layer of round logs, varying in diameter from C to 12 inches, laid close
together side by side across the width of the vault, the ends resting
upon and extending to uneven lengths beyond the side walls.
Mf'
,''>*
M
4
'rlfis.
Fig. 56.— Section iif Muiiml No. 16, l>iinlLith niinoi.s.
In the central chamber were 11 skeletons, <» adults, 1 children of dif-
ferent sizes, and 1 infant, tbe last evidently buried in the arms of one
of the adults, presumably its mother. They had all apparently been
interred at one time as they were found arranged iu a circle in a sitting
posture, with backs against the walls. In the center of the space
around which they were grouped was a fine large shell, Busycon i)er-
version, which had been converted into a drinking cup by removing
the columella. Scattered around this
were quite a number of pieces of bro-
ken pottery.
The end cells, walled off as hereto-
fore stated, were nearly filled with a
fine chocolate-colored dust, which,
when first uncovered, gave out such
a sickening odor that it was found
necessary to suspend operations until
the next day in order to give it time
to escape. This dust may be the
ashes resulting from burning the
fleshy portions of the individuals liuried iu the central chamber. A
bottle of it was saved for future examination.
A vertical section of the mound and vault, lengthwise of the latter, is
shown in Fig. .56. In this can be seen the end and partition walls of
the vault, the cells, the skeletons, the ends of the logs forming the cover
and the hard central mass of the mound. Fig. 57 shows the plan of
the vault, the positions of the skeletons, and the projecting ends of the
logs on one side. The covering consisted of oak logs, nearly all of which
had been peeled and some of the larger ones somewhat squared by slab-
bing oft" the sides before being put in place. The slabs and bark thus
removed, together with reeds and twigs, had been laid over the logs
Fici. 57.
-Vault iu ^luuml No. 16, Duuleitlj,
Illinois.
THOMAS.) MOUNDS OF PIKE COUNTY. ' 117
to fill the crevices. It was not possible to decide from the indications
what kind of implement had been used in peeling and slabbing the logs.
The larger logs extended a foot or more, irregularly, beyond the side
walls. Over the whole vault had been sjiread layer after layer of mor-
tar-like material evidently containing lime or ashes, a foot or more of
ordinary soil, forming the outer or top layer, completing the mound.
' Xo. 12 was opened some years ago by Dr. Campbell, who found in it
a vault similar in character to the one described.
PIKE COUNTY.
On the spur of the ridge upon which the Welch mounds of Brown
county, hereafter noticed, are situated, and about midway between
them and Chambersbiug, in Pike county, is a group of circular mounds,
possibly the work of another people than those who built the effigies.
They are mainly on the farm of Mr. W. A. Hume, who assisted in
opening eight of them, of which but two are specially noticed here.
The first was 5 feet high and but 25 in diameter, of true conical form.
It was composed of the usual hard ••burial earth" throughout, with
nothing of interest at the 1 lottom ; but near the top, scarcely covered
with earth, was found the skeleton of an adidt, doubtless an Indian
intrusive burial.
The other, situated on the point of a commanding bluff, was also
conical in form. 50 feet in diameter and 8 feet high. The outer layer
consisted of sandy soil, 2 feet thick, filled with slightly decayed
skeletons, probably Indians of intrusive burials. The earth of the
main portion of this mound was a very flue yellowish sand which shov-
eled like ashes and was everywhere, to the depth of from 2 to 4 feet, as
full of human skeletons as could well be stowed away in it, even to two
and three tiers. Among these were a number of bones not together as
skeletons, but mingled in confusion and probably from scaffolds or
other localities. Excepting one, which was rather more than 7 feet
long, these skeletons appeared to be of medium size and many of them
much decaj'ed. Some feet beneath all these was a single skeleton of
ordinary size, much decayed, and with it a bone and skull of some quad-
ruped.
The other mounds of the group are circular, varying in diameter
fi'om 30 to 50 feet and in height from 4 to S feet. In the six opened the
only things found were the bones of intrusive burials near the top and
sides, with a few arrow points and rude, chipped stone implements,
probably scrapers.
From a line of ancient fire beds and kitchen heaps along a rivulet
that runs into McGee creek, near these mounds, some pieces of bones,
a number of rude stone implements and fragments of pottery were
obtained.
118 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
BROWN COUNTY.
THE WELCH GROUr.
This group, of which a plan is given in Fig. 58, is on the farm of Mr.
Edward Welch, 3 miles west of Perry Springs station, Wabash and
St. Louis Railroad, on a.
^ narrow ridge some 200
^ feet above the botti^m
^ lands. It consists of six
5| ,^ mounds (Nos.l to C in the
plan) and a number of
small saucer-shaped ba-
sins surrounded by low,
earthen ridges, doubtless
the sites of ancient dwell-
ings or wigwams. The
latter are indicated on the
plan by small circles.
Mound No. 2, about 100
feet in diameter and 8 feet
high, had a very marked
depression in the top. A
l^it 0 feet square carried
down to the natural sur-
face brought to light three
fire beds at different
depths. Numerous frag-
ments of pottery, stone
chips, pieces of sand-_
stone, which had been
used as tool-sharpeners,
and a flat sandstone
^WmU'/ ueaily 2 feet square, on
^- one side of which were sev-
g ■ eral long, deep grooves,
^^ jjrobably made in sharp-
^^^ ening tools, were also
found.
No. 6 was also opened,
but only disclosed the
^'i m^" **** 'f " fact that it consisted of
an outer layer of soil 1
foot thick and the remainder, soil, clay, stone chips, and fragments of
pottery commingled.
As the land was in wheat at the time of examination, permission to
make further excavations in the mounds was refused.
THOMAS] ANCIENT WOHKS NEAR LA GRANGE. 119
The dwelling sites vary considerably in size, some being as miicli as
70 feet in diameter, and some of them 3 feet deep in the center after fifty
years of cnltivation.
Mound 'So. 4 is oblong in form, the longer diameter 165 feet and the
shorter 90, lieight 1.3 feet; regularly truncated, with flat top, the length
on top about 100 feet.
ANCIENT WORKS NEAR LAGRANGE.
These works are on the top of the bluff facing the Illinois river,
just below the mouth of Crooked creek. The principal area occupied
is the top of a si)ur flanked by a ravine on each side and extending
back from the river with a level plateau. At the back, where the side
bluff's cease to form a sufficient natural defense, an embankment has
been thrown up. This extends a,cross the area fi'om one ravine to the
other, measuring 597 feet in length, leaving a slope of 48 feet to a
ditch 30 feet wide and 8 or 10 feet below the level of the plateau beyond.
Immediately within the wall was evidentlj' the main village, as here
are numerous saucer-shaped depressions or hut rings, and between
these and the margin of the bluff in a nearly straight line are three
mounds, one oblong, the others circular. With or witliout palisades the
place must liave been easily defended in tliis direction.
The only other assailable part of the bliift' is a sloping ridge extend-
ing down toward the river on the left. This is fortified by an earthen
wall, breast high, which follows the windings of the crest and which has
a mound-like enlargement at each turn or change of slope.
The length of the nearly level area from the rear wall to the oblong
mound or embankment is 492 feet; thence to the mound which is
on tlie very edge of the bluff the slope is marked and the distance is
315 feet. There are other mounds outside of the fort on the point of a
si>ur across the ravine to the right.
A considerable collection of stone implements, mostly in fragments,
was made at this place, gathered from the surface. Onhy four mounds
were examined, as the remaining ones had been opened by others, who
found a number of tine stone hatchets, pipes, arrowheads, gorgets, etc.,
mostly at the tops of the mounds. The dwelling sites are from 30 to
50 feet in diameter and fi'om 1 to 3 feet deep.
The four mounds opened yielded only liuman bones and a few fi-ag-
nients of stone implements.
In one, diameter 50 feet, height 15 feet, lay a human skeleton at the
bottom, much decayed.
In the second, diameter 40 feet, lieight 10 feet, were decaying bones,
stone chips, and fragments of pottery.
No. 3, diameter GO feet, height 15 feet, full of bones.
No. 4, diameter .50 feet, height 15 feet, many bones.
As all the human bones found in the last were near the surface, at
the top or sides, they are presumably those of modern Indians, and the
mounds may have been built for other than burial purposes. But those
120 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
upon the blufl' to the right are jirobably all burial moiiuds. They are
mainly of very hard prepared earth, and one of those explored was
certainly a depository of skeletons removed from elsewhere.
Upon the level bottom between the blntt' and a lake or bayou con-
necting with the Illinois river, and about 2 miles south of Lagrange, is
a small group of mounds, very interesting from the fact that here we
see the pyramidal form so common in the south, but so rare in this
northern region.
The dimensions of these mounds are as follows (the numbers are
given merely as means of designatmg them):
No. 1, circular; diameter, 100 feet; height, .■> feet.
No. 2, rectangular ; base, 108 by 117 feet; top. Ill by 30 feet; height,
30 feet; regularly truncated; top level.
No. 3, rectangular; base, 165 by 82 feet; top, 105 by 30 feet; height,
24 feet ; regularly truncated ; top level.
No. 4, circular; diameter, 96 feet; height, 15 feet.
No. 5, circular; diameter, 33 feet; height, 6 feet.
The size, form, appearance, and surroundings of these mounds seem-
ingly indicate that they are the work of southern mound-builders.
The neighboring bluffs are covered with the ordinary circular mounds,
20 to 60 feet in diameter and 4 to 8 feet high. The tops of these had
already been rifled of the intrusive burials of Indian skeletons, stone,
and occasionally iron Implements and other modern articles. Further
exploration of the hard central core of many of them revealed only
decaying human bones and unimportant articles. But those on the
bottom are of a very different tji'e from those on the bluffs, ami prob-
ably are the work of a different people. The bottom on which these
stand is subject to occasional overflows. Many acres of a dry, sloping
terrace 2 miles south of this jioint are strewn with the finest lance and
aiTow heads and other stone implements found in the valley of the Illi-
nois river. Fragments of a better quality of pottery were also abun-
dant, but no entire vessels were found.
ADAMS COUNTY.
Upon the east bank of the Mississippi opposite Canton, Missouri, is
an irregular line of mounds, nearly all of which are circular and vary
in diameter from 30 to 120 feet, and in height Iroml to 10 feet. Two
of these were opened with the following result:
No. 1, about 100 feet in diameter and 10 feet high, was composed ot^
first, a layer of soil 2 feet thick, the remainder of compact earth so hard
as to require the use of the pick. At a depth of 1 foot in the latter, or
3 feet from the top, was a much-decayed skeleton of ordinary size lying
horizontally with the head toward the west, about which were some
fragments of pottery. Nothing else of interest was found.
No. 2, 60 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, was of similar construction,
but nothing was found in it.
THOMAS.]
ANCIENT WORKS — CALHOUN COUNTY.
121
INDIAN GRAVE PRAIKIE.
About 5 miles southeast of the preceding on the western shore of a
small lake is a spot known as "Indian Grave prairie," which in former
times was a ftivorite haunt of the Indians. It is a circular area contain-
ing some 50 acres, rising about 5 feet above the surrounding lands, with
a steep descent all around the margin, and is now a part of the levee.
Mr. E. E. Thorn, who now occupies and cultivates it, says there is
neither trace nor tradition of timber having ever grown upon it, but
that he has found abundant evidence of long-continued occuijancy prior
to its possession by white men.
Excavations made in several oval-topped mounds brought to light
nothing except the fact that they were composed nminly of sand like the
surrounding soil, although decayed human bones are said to have been
found in some of them.
Three or four feet in depth of the bank fronting the lake is, in fact, a
refuse heap mixed with charcoal, ashes, stone chips, and other evidences
of long occuijancy. However, a single bone awl and some pieces of
pottery were the only articles obtained by the Bureau assistant.
A small image of iiottery, found while plowing near one of the mounds
on this area, is in possession of one of the residents.
CALHOUN COUNTY.
This county is a long narrow belt of land lying between the Illinois and
Mississippi rivers immediately above their junction. It consists chiefly of
an elevated ridge from 250 to 300 feet high, flanked on each side by
rich alluvial bottoms bordering the two rivers, its sides being cut by
numerous deep ravines. The ujjland is irregular and broken, some of
it too much so for cultivation, though the soil is rich.
Mounds are comparatively numerous over this area, the larger por-
tion being found on the uplands.
The first group examined was one consisting of four mounds situated
on theNW. ^, Sec. 34,T. 10S.,E.3W. These are placed along the top
of a spur of the ridge, about ii.jO feet above the bottoms; the immediate
position being flanked on the east and west by deep ravines. The fol-
lowing table shows the respective sizes of the tumuli and their courses
and distances from one another, commencing with No. 1 at the north-
west end of the series and measuring from center to center:
No. of
mound.
Bearings.
Distance.
Diameter.
Heigbt.
1
l-to2
2 to 3
3 to 4
4 to 5
5 to 6
6to7
7to8
Feet.
Feet.
55 by 33
15 by 16
40
39 by 29
28 by 20
33 by 22
61 by 34
34 by 28
Feet.
4
1
6
6
4
3i
6
4
S.47°E
S.75°30'E....
S.57°30'E....
S.45°E
S.33°45'E....
S.25°E
S.310E
342
310
103
94-
71
100
120
122
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The coustruction of No. 1, which .stands ou the highest point occu-
pied by the group, proved to be very simple. Passing through the
vegetable mold Fig. 59, e, .some 3 inches thick, a layer of earth d was
reached which formed the mass of the mound, and was similar in char-
acter to, the soil of the surrounding surface of the ridge. Under this
M'as a pile of stones h resting on the original surface,
exdept where excavated, the area covered measuring
13 by 9 feet. Below this at g was an excavation in the
original soil, 7 feet long by 2 feet wide, and a little more
' than a foot deep. In the bottom of this grave was a
single badly decayed skeleton lying at full length on
its back. Over it was earth mixed with stones, which
i filled the grave. There were no indications that bark
'^ R or any other wrai)ping had been used.
i- Mound JSTo. 2 was in fact nothing more than a single
I layer of stones covering an area of about 16 feet in di-
g ameter, placed here doubtless to shield from the wild
I beasts the half dozen bodies or skeletons buried beneath
i them. On top of the stones was a fire bed, showing
■A that a fire had been built immediately after the stones
3 were placed, as it lay on the stones but not on the mold
"l which covered them.
^ Mound No. 4 was found to consist — after passing
« through the vegetable mold (e) — chiefly of yellow clay
6 from the siu-rounding surface. This was interrupted
3 only by two small heai)S of stone, as shown in Fig. 00
0 (plan and section), / indicating the clay layer and g and
1 /i. the stone heaps; »» is an excavation in the original
". surface. In this grave, which was but little more than
5 6 inches deep, was a single skeleton, I'esting on the
right side, head noi-thwest. There were no indications
of wrappings or other covering than earth.
Mound No. 5, whicli stands ou the edge of the ridge,
had been partially opened before. Its construction was
similar to that of No. 1, except that the stone heap was
smaller, and the form and arrangement of the grave be-
neath different. This grave was nearly 6 feet by 5, and
18 inches deep. Slab.s of limestone were set on edge around the sides.
It contained a single skeleton, resting on the left side, accompanied by
a shell needle, and surrounded by a quantity of light ash like sub-
.stance almost filling the grave. The bones were slightly decayed and
the skull was crushed.
The next group examined is situated on the SB. J Sec. 29, T. 10 S.,
E. 2 W., on the main ridge, probably 300 feet higher than the river bot-
toms. This consists of 12 mounds, two of which were excavated with
the following results:
THOMAS.]
MOUNDS OF CALHOUN COUNTY.
123
Mound No. 1, between 3 ami i feet liigli, diameters 31 and 22 feet,
is oval in outline and somewhat flattened. It proved to be a simple
heap of earth covering a single grave or slight excavation, in which
lay a single skeleton at full length on the back.
Mound No. 2 of this group presented the same inetliod of construc-
tion as No. 1.
In Fig. CI is presented the plat of a group on the NE. ^ Sec. 31, T.
10 S., E. 2 W., the laud of Mr. William I. Wilkinson. It consists of
twelve mounds, situated on the top of a ridge some 200 feet above the
river bottoms. They are all of the ordinary conical tj^ie, varying in
diameter from 20 to 50 feet, and in height from 2 to 5 feet, as will be
seen by reference to the following table (measurements from base to
base).
No.
Bearing.
Distasce.
Diameter.
Height.
Feet.
Feet.
33 by 30
Feet.
4
Ito 2
N.SO^-W..
40
30 by 26
H
2 to 3
N.55J°W.
41
30 by 30
3
3 to 4
N.84°W..
62
33 by 31
3J
Ito 5
K.80i<'W.
N.8U° W.
N.620W..
44
32 by 29
V> by 37
28 by 21
S to 6
114
6 to 7
10
4
7 to 8
N.41JOW.
N.340W..
130
50 by 20
40 by 23
8 to 9
66
5
9 to 10
6 to 11
N.343°W.
N.62°W..
.95
55
50 by 32
35 by 24
5i
3
7 to 12
N.410W..
62
20 by 20
2
No.
No,
. 1 13 on west edge of ridge.
I. 2 is 40 feet from edge of ridg
No. 2, 3 feet high, was nothing but a simple heap of earth covering
five skeletons, two of which were bundled, the others stretched at full
length. These lay at difterent depths, fi-om 1 to 3 feet, those at the
latter depth being on the original surface of the ground. There was
no excavation or grave beneath this mound. A Unto shell and two
chipjied implements were found with two of the skeletons.
Mounds Nos. 3, -4, 5, 9, and 11 were of the same type, the only differ-
ence being that some of them contained but one skeleton, -while others
contained two or four.
No. 7, standing near the edge of the ridge, presented some slight
variations from the six mentioned. In this, "which was I feet high, was
found, at the depth of a few inches, a dark sticky mass about 2 feet in
diameter and 1 foot thick, seemingly of burned animal matter, which con-
tained fi-agments of bui-ned human bones, charcoal, and ashes. TJuder
this was a layer of burned earth some 10 or 11 feet in diameter. Lower
down and nearer the margin of the mound was another similar, but
smaller, dark mass also mixed with burned human bones and charcoal.
A single skeleton rested on the original surface, near the southwest
124
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
edge of the tumulus. Two bird-shaped stoue pipes (Xos. 1347<)fi and
134707) were taken from tlie layer of burnt earth and three chipped
imiilements were also found in the same layer.
No. 8, a section of which is shown in Fig. 02, also presents some vari-
ations worthy of notice. In this figure, e is the surface accumulation of
vegetable mold, 3 inches thick ; /' the yellow clay body of the mound,
2 feet thick; /( a mass of burned clay; It a layer about 2 inches thick
of dark, greasy earth; m an excavation in the original soil. The clay
mass /( had been burned to a brick red, and in the center was as hard
as a brick. The grave was about 6 feet long by 2J in width, and con-
Fl«. CO.— Mound No. 4, Sec. 34, T. 10, R. 2, Calhoun oonnty, IlUnoia.
tained the skeleton, probably of a female, lying on its back at full
length. Immediately under the southwest end of the burned clay
mass were the charred remains of three skeletons; and at g fragments
of charred animal and human bones.
A mound on the NE. \ Sec. 15, T. 10 S., E. 2 W., standing on the
brink of a bluff, presented the following features: It measured a little
over 4: feet high and 30 feet in diameter, and was composed entirely of
clay from the surface of the ridge immediately to the west, as was
apparent fi'om an excavation at this ]>oint some 2 feet deep. Contrary
to the rule, this contained no covering of vegetable mold. The north-
ern, eastern, and southern margins were strengthened by flat stones
(see Fig. 03), probably to prevent washing, as the surface of the ridge
sloped rapidly away in these directions.
The important feature of the mound was the number of skeletons
THOMAS.)
MOUND? OF CALHOUN COUNTY.
125
found scattered through it, most of them intrusive and at various depths.
The mode of burial was somewhat different from tlie usual custom in
this region, though rescmbliug that in mouud No. 2 of the first group
mentioned. The first three were in the eastern side at the depth of 12
inches, lying at full length; the fourth at the depth of 9 inches, the
bones of which had been charred before burial ; the fifth at the depth
of 6 inches, bundled, lying on one flat stone and covered by another. At
another point were three skeletons, at the depth of 9 inclies, one of them
at full length, the other two bundled. Four other skeletons, at the depth
of a foot, were lying at full length on one layer of stones and covered by
another. Nine others were scattered through the mouud at various
depths, some between stones and most of tliem bundled.
126
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Underueath the mouiKl were two excavations in the original soil,
the one marked a being but 2 J feet long, 2 feet wide, and 18 inches deep.
In this were the bones of a single skeleton, but in such confusion as to
make it evident they were buried after the desh had been removed.
The other excavation, h, 7 feet longby 2 J wide and 2 J feet deep, contained
a single male skeleton lying at full length, face up and head south. The
bottom of the grave under this skeleton was covered with decayed
vegetable matter to the depth of 2 or 3 inches.
Several relics were found in this tumulus, all with the skeletons.
These were as follows: Two arrow points, a banner stone (13477G); a
broken pot (134772) with the skeleton in grave h; a stone celt (134775),
a shell, a lot of bone beads (134770); a piece of lead ore (134773); and a
grooved stone axe (134771).
The next group examined, consisting of twenty mounds, is in the
northwest quarter of Sec. 2, T. 9 S., E. 2 W., located along the narrow
crest of a ridge rising frcmi 125 to 300 feet above the Illinois river.
The distance from 1 to 20 (at the opposite ends of the line), following
the bend, is above three-sevenths of a mile. The following table gives
the courses and distances of the mounds from one another, measuring
from center to center, and the size of each :
Number.
Direction.
Distance.
Diameters.
Height.
1
Feet.
Feet.
65 by 45
25 by 20
Feet._
5
1 to 2
IJ".21°33'W...
86
li
2 to 3
N.230 39'W...
313
31 by 27
2
■i to 4
N.50 02'E
74
39 by 32
4
4 to 5
11.34° lO'E....
93
55
5
5 to 6
N. 19033'E....
45
17
3
6 to 7
X
30
20 by 17
57 by 19
1
7 to 8
N.UOOS'E--..
149
3J
8 to sta. a
Sta. a to 9
N.2° 03'E
E
512
49
40 by 25
44 by 30
7
Sta. a to lO
N.2° 40'E
143
5
10 to 11
N.2°31'W....
103
38 by 30
6
11 to 12
11.25° 23'W...
58
26 by 16
2
12 to 13
N. 18° 37'W...
72
26 by 21
2
13 to 14
N. 17°22'W...
95
31 by 22
3i
14 to 15
N. 24° 29'W . . .
42
32 by 24
3
15 to 16
N.26°53'W...
93
22 by 20
2
16 to 17
N.22o50'W...
99
50 by 40
7
17 to 18
N.I80 W
86
23 by 14
2
18 to 19
lf.28°W
190
1 24 by 15
21
19 to 20
N.38°08'W...
149
59 by 45
9
2^0. 1 stands on the southern end of the ridge, occupying the full
width of the top, which is here about 125 feet above the river. The
structure, po.sitions of skeletons, etc., are shown in Fig. C4, in whicli
are presented vertical sections both of the length and width.
MOUNDS OF CALHOUN COUNTY.
127
lu these, c is the surface sod, 2 inches thiclv; the remainder,/, down
to the natural ground, consisted of yellow clay taken from the top of
the ridge; g</, the line of the original surface; Xos. 1 to 10 skeletons, h,
a small lire bed, and I; a flat stone resting on it. Skeleton 1, 0 inches
below the sod, lay at full lengthy face up, bead south; 2 and 3, at full
length, faces up, heads northeast, at the depth of 10 inches; 4, on the
original surface of the ridge, stretched out, bead northwest, face toward
the river. The bones in this case were more decayed than those fur-
ther up in the mound ; and near by was the fire bed, h also on the
original surface. This was small, measuring but 2 feet in diameter,
FlQ. 62 Vertical section of Mouml Xo. 8, NE. } Sec. 31, T. 10. P,.2 W., Illinois
and not more than 2 inches thick; it was covered by a flat stone, Jc,
which bore no indications of fire. S'o. 5, a skeleton at the depth of 9
inches, face up, head southwest; 6, at the depth of 15 inches, head
southwest, face down, an unusual position; 7, at a depth of 3 feet,
bones in a heap with the skull on top, the heap resting on the natural
surface. No 8, but 3 inches below the sod, at full length, face up, head
southwest; 9 and 10, at the depth of 10 inches, heads northeast.
Most of the burials in this mound seem to have been intrusive or
made at different periods. A few shell beads with skeleton No. 1 were
the only relics found.
Fig. 63.— Vertical section cjf mouml on SB. J Sec. 15, T. 10, R. 2 W., Illinois
Mounds 2 and 5 were constructed much like No. 1 ; the former con-
taining no skeletons; the latter, which had been partially opened be-
fore, containing several skeletons, three of which remained. These
were intrusive, all at full length, faces up.
Mound G was similar in construction to the preceding. Under the
northern end and resting on the natural surface of the ridge was a
fire bed some G inches thick and 3 feet in diameter, of charcoal, ashes,
and burned human bones. Judging by all the indications Mr. Middle-
ton, the explorer, concluded that the body or skeleton of a medium-
sized person had been placed on the surface of the ridge, face up, head
128
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
eastward, and a fire kiudled over tbe middle portion, cousuming the
larger bones. The skull does not seem to have been affected by heat.
Another fact worthy of notice is that the earth immediately over the
bones showed no indications of fire.
In the southern end of the mound lay another skeleton at full length
on the surface of the ridge, with the head south.
Mound 7 was not thoioughly explored because of a large hickory tree
standing on it. The construction so far as it could be made out was as
follows: 2 inches of sod, then the body of clay as usual: below this,
resting on the surface of the ridge, was a layer of thoroughly burnt
clay stretching nearly across the mound; this was covered with coals
and ashes to the depth of 2 inches. Under this layer of burnt clay
were the charred remains of a skeleton. The indications were that the
body in this case had been buried in the flesh.
Fio. 64— Vertical section nf Monnil No. 1, NW. Sec. 2, T. 9, K. 2 W., IlliDois.
Another group examined is situated on the W. i of Sec. 2 and E. J
of Sec. 3, T. 9 S., R. 2 W. This consists of 5 mounds varying in diam-
eter from .30 to 60 feet and in height from .'i to 0 feet; on the crest of a
ridge as usual.
All except one had been previously explored, ami in one of them a
box-shaped stone grave found.
No. 4, the smallest of the group, the one which had not been dis-
turbed consisted of a top layer of vegetable mold and a body of clay
as usual. Resting on the surface of the ridge near the center was
a pile of flat limestones, which were iirobably brought from the
eastern end of the ridge near by. This iiile covered a space 12 feet
in diameter, being 2i feet high in the center. The spaces were filled
with decayed vegetable material, and the outer stones bore indications
of weathering as though the pile had remained uncovered for some
time after it was built. At the northern base of the heap, partly sur-
rounded by it, was a box-shaped stone grave 5 feet long and 2 feet wide.
It was complete, having stones both at bottom and top, though the latter
had fallen in. In it were two skeletons apparently of young persons,
on their backs, but faces turned towards each other, heads east. They
were surrounded by decayed vegetable or animal matter. Immedi-
GROUP NEAE HAEDIN, CALHOUN COUNTY.
129
ately east of the center of the inoimd aud partially covered by the
stone pile was a decayed skeleton lying at length on its back, head to
the south.
There are a number of grouijs on the western side of the county in
the vicinity of Ilamburg, most of which have been explored; one, how-
ever, appears to have been overlooked. This is located on the NW. ^
Sec. 1, T. 10 S., II. 3 W., on the crest of a ridge some 200 feet or more
above the river level, and consists of six mounds.
The dimensions of these are as follows : No. 1, diameters 01 by 23 feet;
height, 4 feet. No. 2, diameters, .50 by 34: feet; height, 5 feet. No. 3,
diameters, 00 by 37 feet; height, 6 feet. No. 4, diameter, 25 feet; height,
4 feet. No. 5, diameters, 60 by 35 feet; height, C feet. No. C, diame-
ters, 57 by 30 feet ; height, 3 feet.
In No. 4 nothing was observed of interest except a small flre-bed on
the natural surface of the ridge under the center of the mound. There
were no indications of burials.
The construction and contents of No. 5 were as follows: A layer of
vegetable mold 3 inches thick ; then 2 feet of clay surface soil very hard
and difficult to work ; under this, conforming to the shape of the mound
and resting on the surface of the ridge, was a layer of earth about 9
feet in diameter. This covered a mass of burnt clay 5 feet long, 3 feet
wide, and 18 inches thick, which had been burned to a brick red and
was in fragments. At the south end was a small heap of ashes which
had probably been lakcd off the lire beds, and in the same locality
but at the depth of IS inches, was a skeleton resting at fall length
face up, in or under a small fire-bed. Judging ft-om the indications,
clay had been placed over the middle part of the body on which a fire
had been kindled. As the bones were not charred it is probable the
flesh had not been removed before bvu'ial. In the northern part, at the
depth of 3 feet, was another badly decayed skeleton.
Mixed in the tire bed were a number of charred human bones ; p;irts
of two skeletons, apparently intrusive burials, were found in the upper
layer.
Another group situated a short distance north of Hardin on the NE.
i Sec. 27, T. 10 S., K. 2 W., stands on the margin of a bluff, about 200
feet above the Illinois river. Directly in front of the mounds the bluff'
breaks down perpendicularly for about 40 feet.
The dimensions are as follows :
No.
Diameters.
Height.
Feet.
Feet.
1
93 by 100
19
2
47 by 26
3
3
93 by 84
le
4
25 by 21
U
5
21 by 15
2
12 ETH-
130
MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
No. 1, the only oue of tlic group explored, proved to be very inter-
esting. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 65, showing a vertical
section, it is located on the very brink of the precipice.
The upper portion («) to the depth of 14 feet was a single layer com-
posed chiefly of yellow clay obtained from the surrounding surface of
the bluff. Near the center, at the depth of 4 feet, was a horizontal
bed (ft) of hard, gray eaith — apparently muck fro!n the river, 8 inches
thick and covering an area about 20 feet in diameter, and three feet
lower another bed (c) of burnt clay about the same thickness and
extent as the preceding. Although particles of (;harcoal were mixed
thi'ough the latter no ashes were observed on or about it.
At the depth of 14 feet the top of what seems to have been the nucleus
or original mound was reached, over which the heavy mass of clay had
been cast at some subsequent period. Over this lay a thin covering of
Fl(i. 65.— Vertical surtioii of Mouud No. 1. NE. Sec
Illinois.
white, ash-like material (//) not more than 2 inches thick and extending
on all sides to the original base. This rested, for the most part, on a
single layer of stones (mi), the latter lacking several feet of extending
to the outer margin. Examining carefully the stones which formed
this layer, evidences of weathering on the upper side were distinctly
visible, showing that the mound must have remained undisturbed at
this height for a considerable length of time. . The thin stratum of ash-
like material seems to confirm this view as the decayed stems of grass
found near the outer margin show that it was produced by burning a
covering of grass which had probably grown over it. The dark spots
(d and e) indicate two small fire beds resting on the layer of stones.
Kemoving the stones and cutting a trench through the low, broad
original mound or nucleus to the natural surface of the blulf, the con-
struction was found to be as shown in the figure. By z is indicated
an oval basin, 10 by 13 feet, lined throughout with a layer of stones (»;)?
similar to those above. It was filled with the yellow surface soil of the
ridge and covered with the layer of stones g g. The stones below also
bore distinct marks of weathering, and were covered with a thin layer
THOMAS.] ALTAR MOUND. 131
of a white material like ashes mixed with decayed leaves and grass.
Under these stones and resting on the natural surface of the ridge was
a thin layer of decayed vegetable matter (>•). The slopes i i surround-
ing the basin were of yellow clay similar to that of the thick upper
layer of the mound. The dark spots /( and k indicate small fire beds.
Partly under and partly in the bottom layer of decayed vegetable
matter and exactly in the center of the mound was a single skeleton (o)
lying on the back at full length, the feet to the south, but the head was
wanting. Not a tooth or particle of the jaw or skull was to be found,
though careful search was made. As all the other bones were well
preserved and comparatively sound, except that the pelvis and some of
the ribs were broken, it is presumed that the head must have been
removed before burial. This is the second instance observed in which
the head had been thus removed. The first was noticed at Pecan
Point, Arkansas.
Six feet south of the center of the mound was a small deposit of
burned bones lying on the natural surface of the bhrff. Seven feet
west ot the center, lying on the original soil, were the remains of an
infant (s), which had been doubled up until the knees touched the
chin, wrapped in a grass covering, and placed upon its left side.
A seashell (Bnsycon perversicm) from which the columella had been
removed, converting it into a drinking cup, which was at the right
shoulder of the skeleton, and a fragment apparently of another similar
shell, were the only relics found in the mound. The latter was in a
stone box or cist 2^ feet square and 1 foot deep, resting on the natural
surface of the ridge. Not a fragment of bone was found in this box.
Another singular feature observed consisted of three small pits («, v,
x) under the eastern base of the upper layer. These were tlu-ee holes,
from 15 to 18 inches in diameter and 1 foot deep. One of them con-
tained particles of rotten wood. There were several intrusive burials
in the thick upper clay layer which presented nothing of special inter-
est.
It would seem from the facts and figure given that we have in this
tumulus a specimen of the Ohio "altar mound" type, as what we have
called the nucleus or original mound is in fact one of the so-called
"altars" of the type described by Messrs. Squier and Davis.
MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES.
On the line separating these two counties is the celebrated Cahokia
group, which includes the giant structure known as the Cahokia or
Monk's mound.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. William McAdams was engaged by this Bureau
to make an exploration and preliminary survey of this interesting re-
gion, but his work was suddenly cut short at the end of a month by
severe winter weather.
132
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The first mounds visited were those on Wood river where it emerges
fi'om the highlands and enters the bottom. This bottom, wliifh extends
southward from Alton along the Mississippi, is generally known as the
"American bottom." Many small mounds are found on the bluffs in
this vicinity, as shown in the accompanying map. (Fig. 06.) An oval-
shaped one some 5 feet iu height, situated on the sloping bluff betweeu
the forks of the stream, was of a yellowish clay much more compact
and tenacious than the loess of the bluff. At the depth of 5 or (i feet
were the crumbling bones of a human skeleton. The body had evi-
dently been buried extended, with the face upward. With the bones
were some ashes, but none of the bones showed any indications of
having been burned. No relics of stone or other material were found.
V \
Town. 5. Range 9.
y-^
■'I
>;*' \
Madison Ca. ills.
/^
>^ V
/ /
\*^-^<i-
^^^^
y
N. ^J
/
X. \-*. \
J
\ ^
'i o
/Q J
\ ^^
X ■ /
^ \
\ -" o *
r ■ /
■A
"^\ <><^y
x,„, /i /
^\
S \,* * «-«C«oOo^>oP o®*,,/"^
i \
.-'-'-— ^ r \ /
/^'■■•''- ■'" J }>
— \v "f -'"
\ ^
L / 1 1 ( / )
...» ^V_^^ 5
5" 4 ..... ^'''
o' y
A y^ ,
JJ
■ //
\ -/ N
'""^ '''■■■\...M
o\ JT
r \^
*' /
_^ Oo«o d
\ ^/auton
% **
^ ■ .J'--'-^^^- ■"■■
^_^>^^^ N CT1 ON
%
".
— "/""^
^
\
"~""'-~-^ V
Botto'^-
"■""•^OV -
Am^'-ic'^''
'-i
FUi. 06. — Wtiud river luoiiuds, iladisnn county, Illinois
An adjoining mound on the west and of nearly the same size was
opened, but i>reseuted nothing materially different from the first. Sub-
sequently, however, in a small mound on the bluff above the railroad
track, on the west sideofWood river, a human skeleton was discovered,
at the depth of about 2 feet, much decayed; the skull, however, was
preserved.
On this bluff there had been, in times not very remote, numerous
burials without the erection of mounds. Some of the bones were but a
few inches beneath the surface of the ground.
The next excavation of any importance was made in a mound on the
bluff in St. Clair county, near the line between St. Clair and Madison
THOMAS.] CAHOKIA MOUNDS. 133
counties and nearly east of the Great Cahokia mound. This was con-
ical in shape and formed a landmark for some distance around. At
the depth of about 3 feet the earth, which was a yellowish clay, became
dry and very hard and quite different in character from the loess of the
bluff on which the mound stands. At the depth of about 12 feet a
layer of ashes, nearly an inch thick, was disclosed, and a foot below
this another layer of ashes a foot or more in thickness. Excepting some
thin, flat pieces of sandstone there were no relics nor other remains, not
even a portion of bone. Below the ashes the earth showed the effect
of heat for a few inches, but seemed to be tlie undisturbed surface of
the bluff.
Near this mound the projecting point of the bluff has lieen changed
to form a flat circular platform that might, in times past, have served
for some aboriginal purpose, possibly an outlook or signal station, as
it occupies one of the highest points and overlooks the whole plain of
the Cahokia. Numerous excavations in this vicinity revealed the fact
that at one time the top of the bluff had been a burying place, and
from a small elevation in the loess, that might originally have been a
mound of some dimensions — for the place is under cultivation — a toler-
ably well-preserved skull was obtained. There were three entire skel-
etons in the mound, the skulls of two being crushed.
These burials were made by laying the bodies on their sides or backs,
with the limbs straight. The form of the skull seems to be a common
one on the bluff, but, as the explorer thinks, somewhat different from
those found by him in the bottom or low lands. No relics of any kind
were found with these bones.
It is worthy of note that nearly all the relics found at the Cahokia
group of mounds have been taken from the low ground between the
mounds. The remarkable flndof pottery, implements, and shells made
by Mr. McAdams in the winter of ISSl was in the low land a short dis-
tance from the northeast corner of the great mound. The articles were
nearly all taken from a square rod of ground. This has been to some
extent Dr. Patrick's experience in making his tine collection of pottery.
The real burial place of the builders of th e C!ahokia mounds probably
is yet to be discovered.
The bank of Cahokia creek during the occupation of the mounds was
evidently more to the south than its present line along the eastern part
of the grovxp. The old bank is still plainly visible, as shown in PI.
VI. The low land between this old bank and the creek is now cov-
ered with forest trees. All along this bank, which forms the edge of
the plateau on which the mounds stand, are abundant evidences of
occupation in remote times. In digging li or .'^ feet at almost any point
along this bank indications of fireplaces are found, with numerous river
shells, broken pottery, and kitchen refuse. As all the arable ground
about the mound has been in cultivation many years, it is quite possi-
ble that some of the burial places, which are usually quite shallow, have
134 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
been destroyed, as pieces of human bones are very common in the
plowed fields.
The location, forms, and heights of the various mounds of the Cahokia
gi'oup as given in theaunexed diagram (PI. vi) are from Mr. McAdams's
survey and are believed to be strictly correct. The figures on or by
the mounds indicate the height.
The next excavations were made in the mounds at Mitchell, on Long
lake. The principal digging was done in the base of the large mound
through which the railroad tracks run. Bones and sea shells had been
discovered here by some workmen in digging a trench through the base
of the mound between two railroad tracks for the purpose of laying a
water pipe to the lake. This ditch was reopened, then widened out, and
the spot fully explored. There seemed to have been 4 or 5 skeletons of
adults, which lay east and west. A great number of whorls of sea
shells had been buried with them, probably taken out in forming drink-
ing cups or water vessels. These shells are from a few inches to a foot
or more in length and belong mostly to the genus Busycon.
The mound from which these shells were taken was nearly square in
shape, 100 paces on each of its sides, 25 or 30 feet in height, with a fiat,
level summit. It is now, with the exception of a small portion in the
center between two railroad tracks, obliterated, a part only of the base
remainiug.
In removing the western side of the mound a few years ago, to make
a road aci'oss Long lake, many human remains were found and, with
them, implements of stone, bone, and copper. The mound was composed
principally of black dirt or soil, and wherever excavations were made
in the base, at the depth of 3 or 4 feet, the original under soil of the
surrounding praii'ie, a yellowish sandy loam, was reached. This is the
mound fi'om which Mr. Henry R. Howland obtained the copper articles
described and figured in his pajjcr in the bulletin of the Bufl'alo Acad-
emy of Sciences, 1877.
In addition to the maps already given, Mr. McAdams prepared a map
of the western part of Matlison county, including one range of sections
in the northern part of St. Clair county, showing the location and rel-
ative positions of the various groups of mounds named. This map is
shown (on a reduced scale) in PI. vii.
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
STONE GRAVES ON THE MILL TRACT.
These are situated about half a mile north of Prairie du Eocher, on
a long ridge that runs in a westerly direction nearly across the nar-
row bottom of a small creek that flows through the village. This
ridge, which is about 25 feet higher than the bottom land, descends
gradually from the hills to the west, having a steep slope on each side.
The soil is yellow, tenacious clay. The graves were on the rounded top,
THOMAS.]
STONE GRAVES, RANDOLPH COUNTY.
135
some little distance back of the poiut. All were of the usual box shape
and all but one more than C feet long; some of them were so near the
surface as to leave the tops exposed. The position of tlie head of the
skeleton could easily be determined in all but three of them before the
cover was removed, by the form of the grave, as the cists were wider at
one end than the other, and somewhat coffin-shaped. They usually
measured from 2 to 2i feet in width at the head, but only a foot or even
less at the other end, the depth from a foot to 18 inches. In fact, it
seems that in some cases the body must have been placed in position
and the side and end stones fitted to it. In these cases slabs of lime-
stone were first placed in the bottom of the excavation, as the i)ieces
forming the sides and ends rested edgewise on these, usually two pieces
a
CreeK
Koad to Pr>airi^ da RocKer
Fig. 67.— stone graves ou Mill tract, KauUulpb couuty, Illiuuis,
to a side and one at each end. Where the two pieces at the sides
joined, there was a smaller jjiece thrust at right angles between them,
the main projection being outward. The cover consisted of a single
layer of these slabs, in some instances without breaking the joints, in
others overlapping each other. In other cases the pieces forming the
walls and ends appear to have been put into position before the bot-
tom was lined. In some of them a single slab formed one side ; if
more than one slab was used, they either overlapped or another was
added to strengthen the joint. The stones were obtained from the
hillside a few rods farther up the ridge.
The bodies buried in these graves were covered to a depth of 3 or .3
inches with the yellow clay of the ridge; the covering over the graves
consisted of limestone. The respective positions are shown in Fig. G7.
136 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The positions of the V)oclies in the graves were as follows:
Grave No. 1: Skeleton on the back at full length, head to the
south, face uj).
Grave No. 3: Skeleton on the back at full length. A small earthen
pot was buried with it, but was so soft when found that it could not
be moved before it had crumbled to i)ieces.
Grave No. 4: Skeleton at full length on the back, head to the east,
but face turned over toward the south.
Grave No. G: Skeleton Imndled, but the skull in the east side of the
cist with the face up.
Grave No. 7: Skeleton at full length on the liack, head south, but
face turned toward the west.
Graves Nos. 8 and 9: Skeletons at full length on the back, faces up,
heads to the south.
Graves Nos. 11 and 2: Skeletons at full length on the back, heads
east.
With the exception of that in grave No. 0, the bodies appear to
have been buried without removing the flesh.
THE DE FRENNE STONE GRAVES.
These graves are just outside of the limits of the village of Prairie
du Eoch'er, on the steep point of a ridge of dry, yellow claj', which ter-
minates at the junction of the two branches of the creek, about half a
mile below the graves previously mentioned. The ridge at this point
is about 30 feet higher than the road which runs along the side of the
creek.
Although a plau of the cemetery and a section of the ridge was
obtained, as shown in. Fig. 6S, the respective positions of only a part
of the skeletons can be given, as several of the graves had been opened
by other parties. All the cists were built in the same manner as those
heretofore described, and differed from them only in having the head
and foot of the same width, and a few of them also contained more
than one skeleton. Five of them— Nos. 21, 22, 23, 26, and 28— were
graves of infants. The largest of these. No. 21, was only 15 inches
long; the smallest. No. 26, only 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 4
inches deep (inside measurement in all cases). Mrs. IVIorude, an old
Belgian lady, who lives here, informed Mr. Middleton that when they
were grading for the foundation of their house she saw skulls with
the hail- still hanging to them taken from these graves. It is there-
fore more than probable, and, in fact, is generally understood by the
old settlers of this section, who derived the information from their
parents, that these are the graves of the Kaskaskia and other Indians
who resided here when this part of Illinois began to be settled by the
whites.
At the point of the hill the graves were but slightly covered with
earth. In some instances this covering was not more than C inches
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. VII
MAP OF THE WESTERN PART OF MADISON COUNTY ILLINOIS.
tHOMAR.l
STONE GRAVES, RANDOLPH COUNTY.
137
deep, but toward the back part of tlie cemetery it reached a depth of
4 feet. This was probably due in part to washings.
In grave No. 1 the skeleton lay at full length on its back, head west.
The skull was saved in good condition.
(JraveNo. 2: There were two skeletons in this grave, heads west,
both at full length on the back. Both skulls were saved.
Grave No. 4: Skeleton at full length on the back, head west.
Grave No. G: This proved to be the largest grave in the cemetery
measuring 6 feet in length, 5 in width, and IS inches in depth (inside
measurements to be understood in all cases). As seen by reference to
the diagram (Fig. G8), this grave occupies a central position in the
...'^l'!^^*^,. ' ' I '■ .V<W ■"'■'' "■'■'■' '■'■'■'■'-'''' ^E=S;'r^
ct- - ,=T-;^g.
;&[/. X^ '■■■■■" ■'■''■'/••■ililiu*''.");''''-' -jie?;--
^j^^rrnTrrmrwmmmTr
Flu. 68. — The De Freunt? .stone graves, Randolph county, Illinois.
cemetery. It contained five skeletons, four of adults and one of an
infant; one of the larger was that of a female. They all lay at fidl
length on their backs, faces up, and heads north.
Grave No. 7 : This contained two adult skeletons, both at full length,
on their backs, heads east, but faces turned toward each other. Both
skulls were secured in good coiidition. A clay muller was found with
the skeleton on the north side and a stone muller with the other.
Grave No. 9 : The skeleton, apparently of a female, at full length,
face up. With it were four bone implements, one a tube, one an awl or
138 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
perforator, one stoue chisel, one stone drill, a shell ornament, a stone
imiilenient, the fragment of an unusually tine flint knife, some green
paint, red paint, lead ore, and a chipped celt.
Grave No. 10: Skeleton at full length on the back, face up, head east.
Grave No. 14: Skeleton at full length on the right side, head east,
face north. With it were six bone imi)lements, some shell spoons, and
two shell pendants, the last from the sides of the head.
Grave No. 16: Skeleton at fiill length on the back, face up, head
west. With it were two earthen bowls by the head, and a single shell
be^ in the right hand.
Grave No. 18 : Tlie skeletoii in this grave api)eared to be that of a half-
grown person. It was, as usual, at full length on the back, head east,
face north. With it was a single quartz crystal, apparently from the
region of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Graves Nos. 21, 22, 23: The skeletons in these graves all lay on
their backs with heads east. A pot and shell spoon were found by the
right cheek of the one in No. 23. The pot stood upright, with the spoon
in it.
Grave No. 24 : A single skeleton occupied this grave. It was, as
usual, at full length on the back, head northwest. Two pots were by
the head, one on each side, in an upright position.
Grave No. 27 : In this grave there were two skeletons, at full length,
heads northeast. Nine bone implements were found with them.
Grave No. 29: A single skeleton and with it a pot.
Grave No. 31 : A single skeleton and with it a piece of lead ore.
No particulars were ascertained in reference to other graves which
had been opened by other parties, except that all the skeletons were
lying at full length, as those mentioned.
STONE GRAVES ON THK BLUFF.
These are situated on the bluff, just within the Eandolph county line,
at the mouth of the flist large ravine on the road from Glasgow to
Prairie du Rocher. They are probably the graves mentioned by Dr.
Wislizeuus.'
They are located more than 100 feet above the bottom lands, on the
point of a narrow steep spur. The cliffs immediately south of them
are perpendicular. Their respective positions, with sections of the
spur, are shown in Fig. 09.
As all but three of these graves had been opened previous to the
visit of the Bureau agent, and nothing peculiar was observed, a detailed
description is deemed unnecessary. In one of the three which was
undisturbed the skeleton was bundled, in the other two they lay at
full length, heads east, faces up. The skull of the bundled skeleton
was in the east end of the grave.
1 Traus. St. Louis Acad. Sci., Vol. I, p. 66.
tHOMAS.j
STONE GRAVES AT ROCKWOOD.
139
Southeast of Prairie dn Rocher, on the hhxtts, is auother cemetery of
stone graves situated much as the one hist mentioned, and near by is
a fine spring. Tliese had all been examined by i)revious exjdorers.
The arrangement was found to be much like the last, one large grave
with the others arouud it.
^iScviiS
Fm. 09. — Stone graves on liluff", RiUuloIi>h connty, Illinois.
STONE GRAVES .\T liOCKWOoI).
These are situated close to the village of liock wood on the land of Mr.
Reed, on a high bench or terrace that stands about 75 feet above the
bottom lands.
The larger portion of them had been explored; some had been carried
down by a caving of the bank near which they were placed and others
removed to make way for foundations of houses. This must have been
a very extensive cemetery, as the area over which the remaining graves
extend is comparatively large. The surface, which was level originally,
seems to have been rounded up somewhat, as though intended for a
low, broad mound, but so nuich excavating had been done that no posi-
tive conclusion could be reached on this point.
140
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Tlie ,t;ravcs were of the usual box shape, and all those whirh remained,
except one, measured 5 feet or more in length. The small one, which
had not been disturbed, was 2 feet .square and IS inches deep, but in
place of bones were four uninjured earthen pots.
In addition to the works mentioned, the followiiiK' aiiti(iuitics are
found in this county:
MOUNDS.
At Rockwood; at Prairie du Rocher; .'? miles south of Prairie du
Rocher, on the Simjjsou place; on the Mndd place; above Old Lafay-
Fig. 70. — Hut rings near the bank of Big Mary river, Illinois.
etteon the Kaskaskia river; at Chester; 3 miles south of Sparta, along
Big Mary river, and at Evansville.
STONK CRAVES.
At the Bluff ferry; 1 mile south of Rockwood; on the West fork of
Degognia creek, 1 J miles from the bridge near the Brown farm ; 7 miles
west of Sparta; 3 miles southeast of Sparta; on Henderson's place on
Nine-mile creek west of Sparta; on William Cox'.s old place on the
Kaskaskia river below the Mobile and Ohio railroad bridge, and on the
Widow Boyd's jdace, 3 miles south of Baldwin.
THOMAS.) SORRELS MOUND, JACKSON COUNTY. 141
VILLAGE SITES.
Tliree miles southeast of Sparta, on the left bank of Big Mary river,
near the stone graves and nionnds mentioned above, are the hut rings
shown in Fig. 70. These are situated upon a flat topped ridge about
30 feet higher than the creek bottoms. They are low, with the irsual
depression in the center, but the outlines are rather indistinct. Mr.
Gault, of Sparta, who has long resided here, states that when he first
moved to this section the Indians lived in houses or wigwams which,
when decayed, left such remains as these. They hollowed out a shal-
low circular cavity in the surface soil, then, standing poles around the
margin of this basin, brought them togetlier at the top, and having cov-
ered tliem with bark or other material — in other words, having con-
structed wigwams of the usual circular form— covered them in whole
or in part, especially the lower i)ortion, with earth. He also said that
after a camj) was abandoned and the wood rotted away it left these
rings of earth. Another of these camping places is situated 8 miles
west of Sparta.
JACKSON COUNTY.
THE SOKREL8 MOUND.
This is situated 1 mile directly north of Carbondale, on the upper
level bordering a small creek, at the margin or break where the land
descends to the lower level and has been in constant cultivation for 1.5
or 20 years. It is now nearly circular in outline, a little over 150 feet
in diameter, 3 feet high, and composed throughoxit of dark sandy loam,
with a slight admixture of clay, similar to that of the siuTouudiug sur-
face of the ground, without any indications of stratification.
Two skeletons were discovered in the central portion at the depth
of lii feet and about 10 feet apart. Both were closely folded and lying
on the side, one with the head north, the other with the head south-
west. Judging from, the manner in which they were folded it was evi-
dent they were buried after the flesh had been removed, as it would
have been impossible to press the bones so closely together with the
flesh on them, nor could they have assumed this condition in conse-
quence of the decay of the flesh and the pressure of the earth.
Considerable pottery in fragments and varying in quality was found
in and on the mound. Some of the pieces in the mound were so situ-
ated in relation to one another as to indicate that the vessels of which
they had formed parts had been intentionally broken before they were
buried. Most of the pottery found in the mound was very rude and
coarse, made of materials not well pulverized and but slightly burned.
By putting the pieces together one of the vessels proved to be a small
jar with a flat bottom and, although the form gives it a decidedly modern
appearance, it is probably the rudest piece of pottery in the National
Museum. It bears on the outside marks of the grass with which it was
142
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
surroimrted before being burned. The chief interest which attaches to
this rude specimen 'shown in Fig. 71) is its close resemblance in form
and material to an undoubted specimen of Iroquois pottery in the
National Museum and its marked contrast with the pottery usually
found in this part of the immediate valley of the Mississipx^i. One
other vessel of similar character and closely resembling it was obtained
by Mr. Perrine from a mound in Union county, and aiioth<ir similar in
form butof better quality was found
by Dr. Palmer in eastern Arkan-
sas; it is believed that these are
the only ones of this type which
have been found in the immediate
valley of the iMississippi. The two
found in southern Illinois are made
of dark-colored clay, very slightly
mixed with pulverized shells.
On the surface of the mound
were many small pieces of i^ottery
which had probably been turned
up by the plow, some of them
undoubtedly attributable to the
mound-builders. These were of
much better quality than those
found near the skeletons, showing
some attempt at ornamentation;
some bearing traces of the red coloring often observed in southern
mound pottery.
Arrowheads, fragments of flint and greenstone imi>lements, nodules
of red and yellow paint, two bone awls, part of the carapace of a tor-
toise, Unio shells common in the streams of this section, and fragments
of deer's horn, Avere also found.
MOUNDS NEAR AVA.
Fig. 71. — Pot lium Jackson cuuuty, Illinois.
Two of these, small and circular, were discovered on the land of Mr.
Henry Thompson, 5 miles southeast of Ava. One of them, about 3
feet high and 20 feet in diameter, contained two empty box-shaped
stone graves of the usual form, but without cover or bottom. They
measured 3 feet in length and 2.^ in width. In the other mounds nothing
was found except a pile of stones thrown together without order or
arrangement. They jjrobably formed a stone grave which had been
disturbed, as the mound had previously been o])ened.
On the bank of Rattlesnake creek, a short distance from the preced-
ing, another small conical mound, which was thoroughly explored,
revealed nothing except a small piece of charcoal. An ancient grave
close by was excavated with a similar result.
Three small circular mounds on Mr. Dempsey Williamson's place were
THOMAS.] VOGEL GROUP. 143
next examined. These are similar in size and form to those above
mentioned, each being about 25 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. In
one two empty stone graves without covering or bottom were found.
They were about 10 inches below the surface, one of them 2 feet 3
inches long by '2 feet wide and 16 inches deep. In the other was a
single stone grave 2 feet 5 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 15 inches
deep. This, like the others, was empty. In the third nothing was dis-
covered but some flat stones.
That these grav'es formerly contained human bones can not be
doubted, but whether they were removed by explorers of modern
times or not could not be determined. Though of such small size, it
does not follow that they were used as depositories of children only, as
it is not uncommon to find in the stone graves of southern Illinois
adult skeletons crowded into as small a space as indicated by the
measurements above given.
THE VOGEL GROUP.
This group, consisting of eleven mounds, is situated on the farm of
Mr. Henry Vogel, about 3 miles from the following, both groups being
in the Mississippi bottom near Fountain blufl'. The relation of these
mounds to each other is shown in Fig. 72.
The largest of the group, No, 1, is 12 feet high and 190 feet long by
130 wide. A trench 15 feet long and 1 feet wide, through the central
portion, was carried down 12 feet, to the original surface. Considerable
broken pottery and also a number of animal bones, most of them split
and broken, were found between 8 aud 11 feet from the top. At the
depth of 11 feet was a bed of ashes mixed with earth aud charcoal. In
this fragments of pottery and bones were more abundant than elsewhere.
The surrounding land, which is subject to frequent overflows, is com-
posed of a black waxy soil to the depth of 2 feet, and below this of sand.
The mound was built entirely of this stiff waxy soil; at the depth of 12
feet the sand was reached. A wild-cherry tree 6 feet 3 inches in cir-
cumference, stands on the east end. On No. 2, which is 200 feet in cir-
cumference and 4 feet high, there is a walnut stump 9 feet 6 inches
in circumference.
No. 3, about 150 feet southwest of No. 1, is 1 feet high aud 120 feet
long by 75 in width.
No. 4 is 250 feet in circumference and 6 feet high. In this a trench
22 feet long was dug through the center. For most of the length it
was carried down to a depth of 9 feet, or 3 feet below the original sur-
face of the ground. Human bones in considerable numbers were found
at various depths from 6 inches down to 6 feet. Below this no human
bones were observed, but at the depth of 9 feet some animal bones were
obtained. As many as 12 skeletons were unearthed, but only 1 whole
skull was obtained.
144
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
At the depth of 3 feet, and lyiug by a skeleton, were the spool-shaped
copper ornaments shown in Fig. 73. At tlie depth of 5^ feet, imme-
diately under a root about 2 inches in diameter, a small earthen pot
was discovered near a skeleton. At the same depth, near the feet of
Fig. 72. — Viigel group. Jackson county. lUinoie.
another skeleton, were the skull and teeth of some large animal.
At the depth of 6 feet, by the knee of a large skeleton, was a lozenge-
shaped gorget of slatestone 4 inches long and li inches wide in the
middle. Under the head of this skeleton was a whole shell and some
pieces ; also a small curiously- wrought stone which was probably an
ear ornament, as it was at the side of the head. The skull of the skele-
ton, though damaged, was saved.
THOMAS.] THE SCHLIMPERT MOUNDS. 145
Fragnu'iits of potteiy, also a few shells ( Union), were scattered
through the mouiid at various depths. The earth iu this mound was
more sandy than that of those in the field, and was in alternate layers
of blaek soil and sand.
Mound No. 5 is a little north of west from No. 4, the bases of the two
approaching within 10 feet of each other. This is about 180 feet in cir
cumference and something over 5 feet high. On the sonthcrn part
stands a walnut stumi) 10 feet in circumference, and on the north side
an ash 7 feet in circumference. Two trenches were carried down
about a foot below the original surfaceof the ground. At one point, oj
feet below the surface, a skeleton lay immediately beneath roots from
both trees. One of the roots from the walnut, although 12 feet from
the stump, was 4 inches in diameter. At another point, at the depth
of J: feet, were two small Hint implements, and a foot below this some
Fiu. 73. — Spoul-aliaiKid urcameut of cupper.
human teeth, but no bones, though by looking carefidly at the earth
indications of the other parts of the skeleton, which had decayed,
were discovered.
GRO\'P OX SCHLIMPERT's PLACE.
These mounds are situated on Mr. Joseph Schlimpert's land — the W.
J of the NW. ^ of Sec. 22, in Fountain Bluff town.ship — and are located
in reference to each other as shown in theanuexed plat (Fig. 71). The
soil around them is of a black waxy character, from 1 foot to IS inches
in depth, underlaid by sand. They lie near a slough which borders the
farm on the north side, as shown in the plat. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,0, and 7
are mounds. No. 8 a sink or excavation, and No. 0 a platform or terrace.
No. 6, cu'cular iu form, is 00 feet in diameter, a little over 4 feet high,
and has growing on it several trees, the largest a hackberry 7 feet in
circumference. It was excavated to and slightly below the original
surface of the ground, but nothing was found except a f&\\ small sand-
stones. The interesting feature of this mound is its internal structure,
which will be understood by reference to the vertical section shown in
Fig. 75.
In the first place a central core of sand c appears to have been
thrown up 40 feet in diameter at the top (1 to 2), and about 4 feet high.
Around this apparently iu order to secure it, was placed a ring of the
black waxy soil {bh), so as properly to round it off. The V-shaped de-
pression in the top [d) measured 3 feet in diameter at the top and ex-
12 ETII 10
146
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
teiuleil downward about 2 feet. It was tilled with a mass of hard
white sand. Over the whole was a layer of sand about 1 foot thick.
The structure of this mound is suggestive of the so called " altar
mounds" of Ohio. Squier and Davis speak in one place of an altar or
altar-shaped mass of sand found iu a mound.'
CJBa
^%
m
Jit
t
Fia. 74. — Schlimpert mouuds, Jackson county, Tllinois.
No. 7, 60 feet iu diameter and 5 feet high, was composed almost
wliolly of the black waxy soil, with here and there small masses of
sand. Nothing was found in it.
No. 4 was composed entirely of sand except the top layer ; nothing
was found in it.
^ Ancient Monuments, p. 156.
THOMAS.] MOUND WITH A SAND CORE. 147
No. 5, a small mouud, was compo>sed wholly of sand ; No. 2, of the
black waxy soil; No. 1, the largest of the group and somewhat oval in
form — longest diameter, 110 feet; shorte.«t, 100 feet, about 8 feet high —
bore a strong resemblance in its construction to No. 6.
The central portion of the last was filled with black waxy soil mixed
with sand containing particles of wood coal. The diameter of this por-
tion was 44 feet. A few flint implements such as spear heads and
arrow points were obtained from the surface of this mound.
A very interesting feature of this group is the ijlatform or low, flat,
rectangular uiound, marked No. 9 on the plat. This is about 100 feet
long, 50 feet wide, and 2 feet high. It is quite level on top and stands
on the edge of a low bench, so that the eastern side is somewhat higher
than the western. The sides run a little west of north.
A short distance northeast of mound No. 4 is a circular sink (No. 8
on the plat), about 80 feet in diameter and li feet deep, which appears
to be an artificial excavation.
'^\v;
Fig. 75. — Section of mouud oa Scblimpert's place, Jackson county, Tllinoi.s.
Some small mounds on Big Muddy river, in Sec. 22, T. 10 S., K. 3 W.,
were also examined.
No. 1 is about 75 feet in diameter, 4 feet high, and flat on top. At
the depth of 4 feet, on the natural surface of the ground, but at dif-
ferent points, were two skeletons of adults extended, with the heads
west and faces up. Several layers of stone were jilaced over them, in
fact the numnd, to the depth of 3 feet, was composed in great part of
flat stones, some of which would weigii probably 150 pounds. The only
relic found in this mound was a broken flint implement.
No. 2, a quarter of a mile south of No. 1, although only 3 feet high
and of the same diameter as the preceding, was largely occupied by
stone graves.
Grave No. 1, 2 J feet long and 9 inches wide, contained the badly
decayed bones of a child.
Grave No. 2, 3 feet long and 10 inches wide, also contained the bones
of a child; badly decayed.
Grave No. 3, 3J feet long and 1 foot wide, was occupied by the bones
of an adult. There was no stone layer in the bottom of this cist.
Grave No. 4 was 6 feet long and 1 foot wide; No. 5, 4 feet long and 1
foot wide; No. 6, same size as No. 5, and No. 7, 2.J feet long and 1 foot
wide; each contained the bones of a single adult.
148
MOUNU EXPLORATIONS.
ALEXANDKK COUNTY.
WDHKS ON hai.k's ri.ACK.
About half a mile, below tlie littli^ village of Mill Creek, IJiiinn county
(but just acrcss the eouuty line), a long ridge extending southeast ter-
minates in the low ground in the angle at the junetion of Cooper with
Mill creek. On the top of this ridge, at its lower terminus, are two or
three low mounds and many stone graves, some of which had been pre-
viously opened and pottery, bemads, and other articles taken from them.
These appear to be in the midst of, or rather on, an immense refuse
0-'-
Sll#%!..
5%
'''kit
'"%:i
Fig. 76. — MoTmds on Hale's place, Jackson county, Illinois.
heap; in fact, the whole top of the ridge aiipears to be covered to a
depth of from 3 to ti feet with an accumulation of tliiit chips, broken
deer bones, broken ijottery, mussel shells, etc. Charcoal, burned lime-
stone, and other evidences of fire are plentifully scattered throughout
the mass. The locality M'ould jjrobably be better described as a
" kitchen heap," averaging 4 or 5 feet in depth and covering several
acres.
The works and the grounds are shown in the annexed diagram (Fig.
76). The Hue a a running across the ridge marks the boundary line at
THOMAS] WORKS ON HALE's PLACE. 149
this point between Union and Alexander counties ; and Mill creek b b the
boundary line between Alexander and Pulaski counties. The remains
are, therefore, at the point where these three counties meet, but in
Alexander. The Hue e c represents the fence which separates the land
of Mr. Hale on the right (Sec. 5, T. U S., R. 1 W.) from that o\\nied by
Mr. Hileman on the left. The boundary of the refuse heap is desig-
nated by the heavy shadings, the mounds by the Figs. 1, 2, and .3. No.
1 is nearly square and some 0 or 8 feet high; on it Mr. Hileman has
built his dwelling house. No. 3 is a small pile of flint chips. No. 2 is
irregular in outline, as shown in the figure, and about 4 feet high.
Permissiou was granted to make excavations on the east side of the
fence only.
Mound No. 2, as before stated, is about i feet high. Its length was
found to be about 100 feet and average width 40 feet. The direction
of the length is a little west of north. The surface was covered with
loose flat stones thrown out by former explorers who had made a par-
tail examination. A trench about 5 feet wide was carried obliquely
across the middle directly east and west. Scattered through the soil to
the depth of 5 or 0 inches were flint chips, fragments of stone and pot-
tery and bits of bones. Lying lengthwise with the ditch, about 6 feet
from the east end, was an open stone grave or cist, the side stones
reaching to the surface of the mound but still in place. This we called
by way of distinction " Grave No. 1." It was 3.i feet long and 14 inches
wide (inside measurement). The top had been removed. The sides
and ends were of limestone slabs from 1 to 2 feet long by 1 to IJ wide
and from 1 to 2 inches thick. The contents of the grave had been
removed by previous exi)lorers.
Immediately west of this, and 1 foot below the surface, were four
large, I'oughly worked flint implements.
No. 2, immediately east of No. 1, had been partially rifled, but some
bits of a skull and other bones and some small fragments of pottery
were found in it. Below the bottom layer of stone, which was still in
place, was a layer of charcoal and other evidences of fire; the char-
coal stratum rested on a layer of rich black dirt about K* inches thick,
which lay on the yellow clay 2 feet below the surftice. In this were
some TJnh and turtle shells and bits of pottery.
No. 3, immediately west of No. 1, was near the surface, but had been
rifled.
No. 4, by the side of No. 3, but at a lower level, 0 feet long, 1 foot
wide by 7 inches deep at the foot, and 14 inches wide by 12 deep at
the head, had the boxing stones all in place, those of the cover laid on
like shingles, beginning at the foot. This contained a single skeleton,
stretched full length on the back, feet to the east; the head was sup-
ported on deer horns. The skull was secured entire as were also most
of the long bones. Two roughly di-essed flints were found near the
head, and in the same locality a small perforated bone.
l50 kouND Explorations.
No. 5, above and just west of No. 4, and near the surface, measured
but 2 feet and 10 inches in length. It had been disturbed and, besides
the dirt, contained nothing but some small bones.
No. G lay obliquely across the trench; the feet of the skeleton toward
the southeast at the surface of the ground and uncovered. The bones
were much decayed. Length of the grave, (ij feet.
No. 7, just west of No. fi, parallel to it, and less than G inches from it,
was 7 feet long; width, from 12 to 10 inches.
No. 8 lay with head resting below the feet of Nos. G and 7 ; length, 6
feet 9 inches. It was covered with several layers of thin flat stones,
the lowest of which rested directly on the bones; skeleton at full length
lying on the back. The skull was crushed l)y the weight of the stones
tliat lay u]ion it. A few waterworn pebbles were noticed in this grave
and also in No. 7. Signs of lire were observed immediately under the
layer of stones forming the bottom, indicating that a fire had been
kindlc<l here and the stones afterward laid on tlie ashes. Some bits of
charcoal were mixed with the dirt in nearly all the graves.
No. 9, immediately north of the east end of No. 8, formed in part by
the same side stones and covered by the same slabs, was evidently the
grave of an infant, being but 2J feet long by 14 inches wide. The bones
were mostly decayed. Near the head in a triangular cavity between
two stones was a quantity of peculiar pinkish material which contained
bits of lead ore. At the foot were four or live roughly worked flints
and as many smaller ones at the head.
No. 10 was on the north side of No. 9, and very near it, and measured
2^ feet in length ])y 9 in width. A few infant bones were found in it,
but mostly decayed. Under these were two rough flints.
No. 11, near the surface, contained the bones of a child that had not
lost its first teeth.
No. 12, also near the surface, contained an adult skeleton lying on
the back with feet to the south; the skull was broken. A small pot,
with handle on one side, stood near the back of the head.
No. 13 was the grave of an infant, being 2^ feet long and 8 inches
wide. This was under No. 5 and on the same level as No. 14.
No. 14. — This was immediately below No. 8, the sides almost corre-
sponding with the latter, and on the same level as No. 13, that is to
say, 3 feet below the surface. Length, 5 feet 8 inches. Two fragments
of fossil wood, placed near the neck of the skeleton, were the only ob-
jects found.
Below this grave was black soil several Inches thick, and then yellow
clay. The latter lay 4 feet below the surface of the mound. The size
of this grave and the small rounded skull render it probable that this
was the resting place of a woman.
Nos. 15 and 16. — No IG was on the same level as No. 14, but lay with
its foot toward the head of the latter. It contained the remains of an
adult. No. 15 lay in the same direction as and immediately above No.
THOMAS.)
STONE GEAVES ON HALE S PLACE.
151
16. It also contained the well-preserved skeleton of an adult, the wkiill
of which was secured.
No. 20, near the surface was 6 feet long and 10 inches wide at the
head. This grave contained two skeletons the bones of which were
very well i^reserved; they were lying sitle by side, the head of one a
few inches nearer the end than that of the other. A quantity of red
paint had been deposited near the chin of the one nearest the end while
some flat, circular beads, made of mussel shells, placed between their
breasts.
Fm. 77. — Skull from monnd on Halo's place (side view).
From about the foot of grave No. 20, trench No. 1 was carried through
a kitchen lieap consisting of an immense number of Hint chips, showing
charcoal, burned limestone, broken bones of animals, broken pottery,
etc. This was 2^ feet deep here and rested on yellow clay. In a pros-
pect hole sunk just west of the foot of grave No. 20, the clay i)roved
to be only a layer less than a foot thick, resting on a layer of pure char-
coal. There were no flints in either of these layers, but some broken
bones, deer horns, and pottery were found in the charcoal stratum. A
short distance west of this prospect hole, about 18 inches below the sur-
face, the trench cut through some human bones that were not inclosed
152
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in stone cists; tlie femora aiid sliin liones were lying side by side and
some fragments of tlie skull and lower jaw hones with tliein.
Ahout 12 feet west of pit No. 1, in another iirosi)ect pit, tlie flint
layer was from IJ to 2 feet thick and contained fewer bones and i)ot-
tery; at a dei)th of about 3 feet were some pockets of charcoal but no
continuous layer.
A few graves were found immediately south of trench No. 1, from one
of which, that of a child, were obtained some univalve shells that had
been perforated and worn around the neck. This small grave, only 23
Fig, 78. — Sknll from inmiiul on Ilnlc's ]»liice (front
inches long by 0 inches wide, contained some bits of a heavy mineral,
perhaps pulverized lead ore.
Another child's grave contained a single gasteiopod shell at the
chin, another the skeletons of two children; the skull of the lower one
of these two skeletons was jillt'd with ])ure lightcohned sand, the only
sand seen in the mound.
Trench No. 3 was run from near the northeast corner of thi' mound.
Graves 1 and 2 of this trench had been disturbed.
In grave 3 about a foot below the surface, the skeleton was well pre-
served. Here a number of shell beads were obtained which had been
THOMAS.] STONE GRAVES ON HALE's PLACE. 153
worn around the waist. A skull and some other bones were found in
the same grave at the feet of this skeleton.
No. 4 lay directly below No. 3. From this was obtained a nearly
perfect skull. It is small and the front narrow. (See Figs. 77 and 78.)
This grave was one of the lowest tier, as it rested on the natural clay.
No. 5 was also in the bottom layer. Near the head of the skeleton
which this contained were two wooden trinkets in the form of elongate
beads perforated lengthwise. They are about 1 inch long and half an
inch thick and bear cojiper stains, rendering it probable they were
originally covered with a thin plate of this metal. Their position near
the head probably justifies the belief that they were used as ear pend-
ants.
No. 6 was on the same level as No. 5, and close by the side of it.
There were no indications that this grave had been disturbed, yet the
skull was standing upi-ight facing the feet, and
directly in front of it, lying across the skeleton,
were the femora and shin-bones. The lower
jaw had been dislocated, and placed at the left
side of the skull. The other bones were in their
proper position. A long bone needle was stick-
ing up above the jaw, and some flakes of copper
marked with tlutiugs or ridges, like a piece taken
fnmi this mound by Mr. Bankstone, were found
scattered through the dirt. On the bottom of
the grave, to the left of the skull and under the
lower jaw, were the remains of some woven bark
matting stained with copper, and near the elbow
of the riglit arm was an oblong bead of wood
, , .,, ■ I „ ■.,,,, Fig. 79.— Bone plate from
coated with oxide ot copper similar to those mound ou Haies place.
heretofore mentioned.
No. 7 was near the surface of the mound. From it was obtained a
very perfect skull and other bones; one femur is curiously deformed.
No implements or ornaments accompanied the skeleton.
No. 8 was about 1 foot below the surface with top open. This small
grave, which was only 18 inches long and V2 inches wide, contained the
bones of a single skeleton closely packed. The lower jaw, however,
was missing. The skull was marked on both sides with copper stains.
Trench No. 4 was run from near the southeast end of the mound,
revealing two or three disturbed graves. In one of these was a skull
with jaws open; in another the feet were lying in the wrong direction,
the only case of the kind noticed. Near the head stood a small mug in
the shape of some animal. Some thin i)lates of bone or turtle shell,
each about 2 inches long, 1^ inches wide, very thin, a little cup-shaped,
and drilled with four or more holes (see Fig. 79), were found lying
closely packed together in a separate stone grave or box hardly a foot
long. There was nothing else in the box.
154
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Fig. 80.— Ciithnlic modal from inourd nn Ilalc'a jilacc
In a jjrave a little to the west of this trench, near the surface, lay
a skeleton stretched at full length. The skull was small and curiously
flattened at the hack and lying face down.
The northwestern end of this mound is its highest i)oint, but there
were no burials in this portion. From the dirt thrown out of one of
these graves was obtained the Catholic medal shown in Fig. 80.
Subsequently to the exam-
ination of the works on the Ilale
l)lace above referred to, some
further explorations were made
in the large mound, which was
not completely worked over by
the agent who first visited it.
Two additional trenches were
carried through it, running
north and south. These re-
vealed the fact that the south
side was composed of refuse
matter, mostly flint chips, with some fragments of pottery, bones, deer
horns, etc. In this part there were no stone graves.
In a child's grave in the upper tier near the center of the mound was
a small pot placed by the head of the skel-
eton. In the same part of the mound, 3
feet below the surface and immediately
beneath a small walnut tree, was a stone
coflin 7 feet long, of the usual width, which
contained three skeletons. The heads of
two of the skeletons had been separated
from the bodies to which they belonged
and laid side by side at the end of the cof-
fin, and the other bones placed at the
sides near the foot. The head of the third
skeleton lay on the other skulls. (See Fig.
81.) The head of this coffin, like most of
the others in the mound, was toward the
west. The three skulls were saved. One
of them is somewhat broken, but was pre-
served because of a singular protuberance
on the top. In this coffin were some yellow
paint, Unio shells, and two round stones,
all lying near the upper skull.
Several other graves were explored — all in fact which had not been
previously disturbed, but nothing found except skeletons and a few
river shells.
INDIAN DIGGINGS.
Not far from the little town of Mill Creek, and situated on Sees. 35
and 30, T. 13 S., R. 2 W. are the so-called Indian Diggings. These
Fig. 81. — Stone grave on Hale's place.
THOMAS.) WORKS ON linn's PLACE. 155
consist of numerous pits which have been dug at some distant day
along tlie sides and on the tops of narrow ridges in quarrying the flint
or chert found here. They are now partially filled up and covered by
the forest growth no way differing from that about them. Scattered
all over the ground in tlie vicinity of these pits are immense numbers
of flint or chert nodules, nearly all of which are broken; two only were
discovered that were unbroken. Several large flint implements were
also found.
There are several places in this neighborhood where the flint taken
from these pits was manufactured into implements, as largo beds of
flint chips of the same stone occur in which are many unfinished tools
some of them showing good workmanship.
In the same neighborhood as the preceding, on Sec. 30, T. 13 S., li. 1
W., a number of stone graves were found and explored, but ijresented
nothing difl'erent from those already described. However, a discovery
was made here which deserves notice.
In the immediate vicinity, in fact but a few feet from some of the
graves, a stone pavement was discovered about a foot below the sur-
face of the ground. When fully exposed by removal of the earth this
proved to be level, nearly circular, and about 9 feet in diameter. It
was composed of flat pieces of limestone so neatly and closely fitted
together that it was difficult to find a place where the steel prod could
be thrust down between them. These showed the effect of fire, some
of them crumbling into lime when disturbed; mingled with and scat-
tered through the earth which covered them were ashes, charcoal, and
charred fragments of human bones. In this earth was also discovered
a small clay pot. The graves and pavement are not in or near a mound,
but on the highest point of a hill and in a cultivated field.
A number of rude stone implements were found 07i the surface of the
ground. There Is also one point on the farm where these discoveries
were made, where the surface is covered with flint chips to such an
extent that it is difficult to plow it. As the flint diggings are near by,
it is probable that stone implements were manufactured here, many
unfinished and imperfect specimens being scattered over the ground.
UNION COUNTY.
ANCIENT WORKS ON LINN's PLACE.
The first published notice of these interesting works was given by
Mr. T. M. Perrine, of Anna, Illinois, in the Smithsonian Eeport for
1872.'
They are situated in the southwest part of Union county (Sec. 30,
T. 13 S., E. 2 W.), on the bottom land of the Mississippi, a mile or more
fi'om this river. The immediate spot upon which they are located is a
portion of the upper level of the bottom land, which is here some 10 or
12 feet above the swamp land which surrounds it on the west and
1 Pp. 418-420.
156
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
nortliwest. Tliisarea, however, was overflowed in the great rise of 1844,
and also in 1S82, the large numnd hereafter described being the only
part not under water. A creek runs along the east and northeast, sep-
arating the area from the bluff. The soil is a rich deep alluvium, under-
laid by sand, with neither rock nor gravel in i)lace.
Referring to the annexed plat (Fig. SiJ) made by Prof. Hull from a
'=*«sftasas.
%%Sj«
*««£%
'"•-«:?«;«
5r«"^
V4
careful survey taken by him during our visit, we see that a wall, start-
ing on the west side of the creek at the east end of the inclosure, runs
thence southward to the bend, a distance of 400 feet, where it cui'ves
south westward 126 feet. From this point it runs almost directly west
to the corner 1,168 feet; thence north 1,036 feet to the northwest cor-
ner, thence east to the bank of the creek 500 feet, embracing in these
boundaries about 28 acres.
THOMAS.]
WORKS ON LINN S PLACE.
157
The portion of the wall in the liekl, where it is much worn dowu, is
uot more thau 2 feet high, wliile that part north of the fence and in the
woods is from 4 to 5 feet high with indications of a ditcli along the in-
side, though nothing of the Icind is observable in the field. The width
in the field varies from -!0 to 25 feet, but is somewhat
less in the woodland where not so much worn down.
On this part there are a number of oak trees from 1 to
2 feet or more in diameter.
A rough outline figure of the large mound (marked a
in the plat) as seen from the east at a distance of about
300 yards is shown in Fig. 83. The little rise at e is a
low flat mound composed chiefly of fragments of lime-
stone partly calcined, situated a few yards immediately
south of the large mound. The length of the eastern
side of the large mound, from 1 to 2, is 160 feet; the
height at a is 13 feet; at b ll.J feet and at m 12 feet.
These letters, «, &, and m, also mark the places where
pits were sunk during the first examination. The cir-
cumference of the base is 544 feet.
At rt, the highest point, a pit about 4 feet wide and
10 feet long was sunk to the depth of 10 feet; some
pieces of burnt clay, small fragments of human bones
and flakes of flint were found scattered irregularly
through it for the first 5 feet, but below this only sand.
Three other jiits were sunk in the depressed portion
(6). In the first, at the depth of 3 feet, a bed of light,
dry ashes was discovered, nearly a foot thick but only
a few feet in extent horizontally. In this were two
i-ather large fragments of pottery, one inside of the
other, as though they had been so placed originally.
At the depth of 4 feet a pot with ears was found,
mouth upward. It still retained, in part, its original
reddish-brown color.
Below this was a layer of sand similar to that found
in pit a. Near the surface were some small irregular
Xjieces of burnt clay. In the second pit, some 3 feet
northwest of the first, nothing of interest was found until a depth of
4 feet was reached. At this point a considerable quantity of charred
grass and ashes was observed.
In the third of these thi'ee pits a number of rather large irregular
pieces of burned clay, similar to that already mentioned, were found
near the surface. About 3 feet from the surface lay a flat rock of con-
siderable size. A foot below this a layer of burned clay was encoun-
tered, the upper surface of which was as smooth and even as pottery.
This proved to be jiart of an arch, the central portion of which had
been broken and thrown down.
158 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
As the pit sunk by Mr. Perriiie was very near this i)oiut there can
be no doubt that this was a j)ortiou of the arch he speaks of. He also
speaks of a wall of stone. This was uot found, unless the large stone
mentioned formed a part of it.
This arch or dome of clay had evidently been spread over the surface
of the mound when it had reached a height of 5 or 6 feet and over this
dry grass and brush had been spread and burned. A large quantity
of the charred grass and bits of wood-coal were found around the mar-
gin of this arch as far as explored, making it apparent that the fire had
been extinguished probably by throwing dirt upon it before the grass
and brush were entirely consumed. Immediately below the arch we
came upon a thick loose bed of ashes.
In another pit the strata were as foUows: First, a layer of eartli with
particles of charcoal mixed through it, 3 feet 8 inches ; next, a layer of
burnt sand and clay with evidences of straw having been used, 3
inches; then another layer of earth 1 foot 10 inches; then a second
layer of burnt sand and clay 4 inches thick, with indications of straw;
next, a layer of sand 5 inches ; then a third layer of burnt sand and clay
3 inches (similar to the others); a layer of sand, 3 feet; and last a layer
of ashes, 3 inches.
But few things were found during these excavations ; still they are of
some importance in our ettbrts to learn the method and object of build-
ing this mound. They consist of burnt straw, grass, and charcoal found
on the upper side of each layer of burnt clay, the clay itself showing
evidence of having grass mixed with it. Possibly this admixture may
have resulted from tramping the grass into the soft clay while spread-
ing it over the siu'face previous to firing it.
Fragments of burnt, cherty limestone, similar to that composing the
little mound at the south end, marked c in Fig. 83, were found all through
the second trench. Numerous fragments of pottery and several fi"ag-
ments of human bones ; irregular pieces of burnt clay resembling brick ;
a few fragments of river shells [Unio); and some rude flint implements
were also found. Among the ashes at the bottom were some fragments
of bone and pottery ; one of the pieces of bone was found in the concave
side of a large fragment of pottery. At another jjoint in the same layer
were fragments of pottery, bones, and shells.
Firmly imbedded in the middle layer of burnt clay, was a broken
pot and with it were pieces of bone. Three feet from the surface and
above the upper layer of clay, another broken pot was obtained; this
was filled with ashes, firmly packed and mixed with particles of char-
coal. Under the second layer of clay was a small pot filled with sand
with a thin layer of ashes on the top. At one point between the upper
and middle layers of clay was a small bed of ashes mixe d with frag-
ments of pottery, animal bones, and a piece of shell. In a small bed
of ashes under the middle layer of clay were potsherds and some
broken and split bones.
TiiiiMAs.] MOUNDS ON ROUND POND. 159
At a point between the upper and middle layers of flay, with frag-
ments of iiottery, pieces of bone and charcoal, Avas discovered a iiiece
of charred wood.
Mound b, about 450 feet east of a, of the form shown in the plat, is
190 feet long by GC in width, and 5 feet high. Two pits were dug in
this and a few detached pieces of human bones found.
Mound e is 100 feet in diameter and 9 feet high ; d, a little smaller
and 6 feet high; e, about 150 feet in diameter and a little over 4 feet
high; / and g are circular excavations outside of the wall; the for-
mer 120 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep; the latter with the longer
diameter 154 feet ; depth, 7 feet. Excavations made in the bottom of
these indicate that they were artificially lined with a coating of stiff
clay. At s is another sink, ajjparcntly artificial, but now partially
filled with mold of decaying vegetation, leaves, etc.
The "hut rings" or small circular depressions surrounded by slight
earthen rings, indicated in Fig. 82 by little circles, are scattered irregu-
larly over the wooded portion of the inclosiue, the number exceeding
100. They vary in diameter from 20 to 50 feet, and in depth from 1 to
3 feet and are often but a few feet apart.
MOUND ON ItUNNING LAKE.
Thi ' mound, or rather remnant of a mound, is near Running lake in
the southwestern part of Union county. A part of it had been removed
for filling purposes on the line of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, which
runs near it. It appears to have been about 9 feet high, and t!0 feet in
diameter and composed of sand, with the exception of 2 feet of top soil.
At one point, about 2 feet below the surface, the leg bones of a single
individual were found; no other bones were with them; at another and
about the same depth were the bones of two feet and a deer's horn.
Some pots and other implements were obtained from it by parties who
had previously examined it. The jiarts of the skeleton found scattered
through the mound appear to have been separated i^revious to burial.
MOUNDS ON ROUND POND.
These mounds are situated by the side of the public highway near
the Reynolds ])lace 2 miles from the Mississippi river and on the bank
of a little lake known as Round pond. Two of them are so close to-
gether that one appears x>artially to overlap the other as shown in the
accompanying sketch (Fig. 84).
No. 1 is 40 feet in diameter, G feet high, and of the usual conical form.
Two trenches near the middle carried down to the original surface
showed it to be composed entirely of sand except the toj) layer of soil
1^ feet thick, but no bones or remains of any kind were observed.
The top had been nearly covered with graves, but they were empty,
having been rifled of their contents by previous explorers.
160
MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
No. li is only about 25 t'cft in diiinieter iind .'J I'cet lii,i;li, anil, like the
other, is coiriposed entirely of sand, except the toji layer. On the west
side, near the middle, were two empty stoue graves (c c), each 7 feet
long, 18 inelies wide, and abont 1 foot in depth, covered with a thin
layer of soil. In the road where it crosses the connecting portions
of the two mounds were
three stone graves {a a
a). These, like the two
in the monnil, lay east
and westjbut were much
smaller, being only 20
inches long, 10 inches
wide, and 15 inches
deep, and were at the
surface of the ground.
Two were empty, but
in the other was a skel-
eton doubled up, the
skull and trunk lying
on the left side, the
Fig. 84. — Round pond mounds. Union county, Illinois. . i • i
lower jaw touching the
west end of the grave; the truuk was bent double, the backbone touch-
ing the south side. Although confined in this narrow si)ace, this was
the skeleton of an adult.
A few flint specimens were picked up from the surface of the ground
about the mounds.
ANCIKNT GItAVE.S.
These box-shaped stone cists are on a spur of the bluffs which b(juud
the Mississippi bottoms in the NW. I Sec. 16, T. 13 S., E. 2 W. This
spur is about 400 feet high, has steep sides and a narrow top.
Grave No. 1, 2 feet under the surface, lay northeast and southwest;
length, G feet; width, 2 feet; depth, 1 foot; bottom formed of two flat
stones; each side of five similar stones and each end of two; the cover
was in three layers, each formed of two rather thick flat stones. In
the grave were two skeletons, an adult and a child, stretched at full
length, faces up, and heads southwest. Under the skull of the adult
were a bone needle and two stone implements. At the feet was a long-
necked bottle-shaped vase. These remains were covered with very drj',
yellow earth which well-nigh filled the grave.
No. 2, 10 feet north of No. 1 , was of the same size and form, but the
top in this case had fallen in. It was 3 feet under the surface, lay east
and west, and contained one skeleton, at full length upon its back,
head west, bones comparatively sound. Under and near the skull
were a small, circular, shell ornament, bone awl, bone needle, and bone
punch. Two small pieces of thin copper plate were discovered, but
were so corroded and fragile that they fell into minute particles when
THOMAS.]
STONE GRAVES IN UNION COUNTY.
161
handled. This grave was very dry, and nearly full of a loo.se, dry,
yellowish earth.
Pour other stone graves were opened in .section 20, same township
and range. These were ou a stony bench, east of the bottom, about 30
feet high. They were of the same form and size as the others, but
were only about 6 inches under the surface. These graves contained
nothing but rotten bones.
Another ancient cemetery is situated on the brow of a high, abrupt
hill, NW. J Sec. 16, T. 10 S., E. 2 W., at the foot of which is the " Upper
Blufl:' lake." The graves are of stone, similar to those mentioued.
Quite a number had been previously opened by Mr. T. M. Perrine.
Grave No. 1 contained the skeleton of an adult, extended, face up,
head west. The cover to the cofQu, which had not been disturbed,
was 2 feet below the surface.
In this grave were one discoidal stone, one shell, and several pieces
of copper plates. One of the latter, badly corroded, bears the impressed
figure of a bird, similar to that
shown further on in PI. xviii, but
wanting the head; the other,
bearing dancing figures, is fortu-
nately but slightly corroded; it
measures C by C^ inches, and is
showu in Fig. 85. The latter
plate was lying flat on the bottom
rock of the grave at the left of
the skull immediately above the
shoulder.
No. 2, only 2 feet long, was evi-
dently the grave of a child, as
indicated by the skeleton. In it
was an earthen bowl.
No. 3 contained all the bones
FlQ.85.-
-Copper plate bearing dascing figures.
Union county, niiuois.
of a full-sized adult, but they were piled together in a coffin only 2
feet long. Most of them were quite firm, but the .skull was broken.
With them was an earthenware pot with two handles or ears.
No. i was the grave of a child and contained, besides the skeleton,
two earthern vessels, one a small dish, at the head, the other, a bowl,
at the feet. Over this grave stands a black oak 9 feet in circumfer-
ence which has evidently grown there since the grave was made, as
some of the largest roots ran into it. Immediately under the trunk
was another grave which was partially explored through the large hol-
low of the base. From it was obtained a broken dish. Upon one of
the graves had been piled as much as a wagonload of stones. This
was a few feet down the slope of the hill, and contained three skeletons
and one long-necked water vessel.
In the majority of the graves opened at this place the skulls were
12 ETH 11
162 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
broken. Although most of the stone coffins were from 5 to 7 feet long
and the skeletons in them lying at full length, others did not exceed 2
feet in length and 1 in width. In the latter the bones were in a con-
fused heap, showing that the flesh must have been removed before
burial.
In section 20, same township, on land belonging to Mr. Joseph Hind-
man, is another cemetery of stone graves. It is on a bench about 5(»
feet above the creek bottom. Fifteen of these graves were examined.
The bones in most of them were comparatively firm and well preserved.
(irave No. 1, 2 feet 3 inches long and 18 inches wide, contaiucd all
the bones of an adult and a water vessel.
No. 2 contained only a few badly decayed bones.
No. 3, 2i feet long and 15 inches wide, contained all the bones of an
adult, rather firm but the skull broken.
No. 4, 2 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 15 inches deep, contained the
bones of an adult.
No. 5, GJ feet long and 15 inches wide, contained a single, extended
skeleton, head west, face up.
No. 7, 2 feet 4 inches long, 2 feet wide, and 15 inches deep, was filled
with bones, apparently of three adults, as there were three skulls; they
were piled in without order.
In grave No. 9, 5^ feet long and only 15 inches wide, were two ex-
tended skeletons, quite firm, the skulls of which were secured.
Nos. 6, 8, and 10 contained only badly decayed bones.
No. 12, 5i feet long, 18 inches wide, contained one skeleton, extended,
head west. Bones firm, but skull broken ; by the latter stood a small
water jar.
No. 13 was of the same length as No. 12, but only 1 foot wide (inside
measurement in all cases) ; skeleton extended and bones badly decayed.
No. 14, length 4i feet, contained the skeleton of a child, extended ;
near the skull a small water jar and a bowl.
No. 15, 6 feet long, 16 inches wide, contained a single skeleton,
extended, head west, face up.
The graves here were not so deep in the ground as those in section
16, the tops of some of them being only 6 inches below the surface and
the deepest only 18 inches.
In the cemetery situated on the NW. + Sec. 16, T. 13 S., R. 2 W.
is a circular stone grave south of the black oak tree. This grave, about
5 feet in diameter, was formed by standing on end short slabs of stone
around the circle. The sides of the grave were slightly flaring. There
are some reasons for believing that this pertains to an earlier period
than the other graves, though nothing positive on this point could be
ascertained.
The graves on the Ilindman place are only about half a mile from the
Linn mounds, those on the Ilileman farm about 2 miles from them, and
THOMAS] MOUNDS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY. 1G3
those oil the liill 3 miles. It is possible, therelore, that the people who
lived at the Linn farm and built the mounds and other works there
buried their dead at one or more of those places.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
It was ascertained by the Bureau a,i;eiit tliat some of the supposed
mounds on the bluff or ridge opposite Viiiceiiiies, in which skeletons
have been found are natural hillocks but used as burying grounds by
the aborigines.
hrown's mill mounds.
These are on Embarrass river 6 miles west of Vinceniies, on the farm
of Dr. r. E. Austin. There are but two in the giouj), one 4 and the
other 6 feet high. Excavations to the base revealed nothing but sand,
though stone implements and fragments of pottery have been plowed
up here, some of which were obtained.
MOUNDS NEAR RUSSELLVlLLE.
These are situated near the bank of the Wabash about a mile south-
east of the town on the farm of Mr. William Wise. One had been
opened a short time before the Bureau investigation and a skeleton
iound at the depth of 2 feet; a flat rock was lying over it, but no
relics of any kind with it. Two others formerly stood near it, but have
been removed. According to local information several skeletons were
found at the bottom and with them two iron tomahawks, some pipes,
some shells and glass beads, and parts of three pairs of beaded buck-
skin moccasins.
Another mound on the Lawrenceville road, about .3 miles southeast
of Eussellville, had also been opened and several skeletons found about
2 feet below the surface, with heads outward and feet toward the center.
No articles of any kind were with them.
Near the town of Eussellville formerly stood several mounds, but
they were excavated in repairing the road. In these were found arrow-
heads, a silver breast ornament, two iron tomahawks, a crescent shaped
earring, two stone turtles, two copper kettles, a brass ring, and several
skeletons, all at the bottom of the mound.
MISSOURL
CLARK COUNTY.
Between Fox river and Sugar creek a sharp dividing ridge, about
100 feet high, extends for a distance of nearly 2 miles, in a northwest-
erly direction, from where these streams debouch to the open bottoms
of the Mississippi.
At an abrupt turn to the east, near the middle, there is a bold point
much higher, capped by an ancient mound which is surmounted by a
164
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
station of the U. S. Coast Survey. This is one of a line of circular
mounds scattered irregularly along the crest of this ridge, as shown in
the accompanying diagram (Fig. 86). These range in size ft-om 15 to
50 feet in diameter at the
base and from 2 to 6 feet
high. The entire ridge is
now covered with scatter-
ing large red and white
oaks and dense thickets.
The following circular
mounds, numbering fiom
the south end of the line,
were opened :
No. 1,30 feet base, 3 feet
high, in which were found
only fragments of rude pot-
tery.
No. 2, very small; noth-
ing found in it.
No. 3, diameter 35 feet,
height 5 feet. In the cen-
tral part of this was a box-
shaped stone coffin, or cist,
2 feet wide and 7 feet long.
This was covered by stono
slabs, as usual, and thea
with enough rougher ones
to form a heap over it.
Over this was hard earth
which filled the interstices
as though it had been a
mortar when placed there.
Over all was a foot or more
of yellowish earth similar
to that forming the ridge.
In the coffin was the skel-
eton of an adult, lying hori-
zontally on the back, but
too much decayed for re-
moval. No stone imple-
ments or other articles of
any kind were with it.
No. 4, a trifle smaller than No. 3, was opened by running a trench
from the eastern side. For a distance of 15 or 10 feet only ordinary
earth was encountered, with which the whole mound to the depth of 2
feet appeared to be covered; then a layer of rough stones, charcoal,
THOMAS.] MOUNDS IN CLAEK COUNTY. 165
and ashes, with boues intermixed. In fact, the indications were that
one or more bodies (or the boues) had been burned iu a fire upon the
natural surface of the earth near the center; the coals and brands then
covered with rou};ii stones thrown on without system to the depth of
3 feet over a space 10 or 12 feet in diameter, and these covered with
hard, light-colored earth. Only fragments of charred human bones
and rude pottery and stone chips were found commingled with the
charcoal and ashes of the fire.
Several of the next (and larger) mounds had been previously opened
by other parties.
Nos. IG, 23, 25, and 26 were excavated, but nothing of interest was
obtained from them. All except the last (No. 20) had a hard core in
the center at the base, but this (No. 20) was composed wholly of ordi-
nary earth similar to that about it, and was easily spaded to the bot-
tom.
ANCIENT WORKS ON J. N. BOULWARE'S PLACE.
These are in Clark county, but near the line between it and Lewis
county, and on the land of Mr. John N. Boulware, 10 miles north ot
Canton. Ordinary circular mounds are found scattered along the blutts
and terraces of the Mississippi for 7 miles southward from those here-
tofore mentioned near Fox liver, to the group on Mr. Boulware's place.
This group is on a bench or terrace, from 20 to 40 feet above the open
bottoms of the Mississippi, and extending less than half a mile there-
from to the bluffs, which rise nearly 100 feet higher. Of these, fifty-one
are in a woods pasture from which the undergrowth has been removed,
affording a fine opportunity for exploration. A diagram of this group
is given in PI. viii.
No. 4 was opened, and in it, near the top, were found the much
decayed fragments of a human skeleton and some broken pottery encir-
cled by a row of flat stones, set up edgewise and covered by others
lying flat above them. Beneath these was a layer of very hard, light-
colored earth, scattered through which were fragments of charred
human bones, pottery, charcoal, and stone chips.
No. 5 was examined, but nothing was found except a core of hard
earth having the appearance of dried mortar, in which were patches of
soft charcoal, fragments of pottery, and flakes of stone.
The road runs near No. 50, and has cut away the eastern portion. A
trench through the remainder brought to light the femora of an ordi-
nary sized skeleton, but no trace of the other portions could be found.
With this were some rude stone scrapers, fragments of pottery, char-
coal, and ashes.
No. 46 is aljout 00 feet in diameter and 6 feet high, conical and unu-
sually symmetrical. A trench 6 feet wide was carried entirely across
it. Tlie exterior layer, scarcely a foot thick, consisted of ordinary
top soil; the remainder was unmistakably composed of dried mor-
tar, iu which fragments of charred human bones, small rounded pieces
166
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
of pottery, stone scrapers, aud fleshers were commingled with cliarcoal
and ashes.
As all the uionnds o])ened here presented this somewhat .singular
feature, a very careful examination was made of this mortar-like sub-
stance. It was found that there was a dift'erence between different por-
tions in the same mound, sufficiently marked to trace the separate
masses. This would indicate that the mounds had been built by suc-
cessive deposits of mortar thus mixed with charred bones, etc., not in
strata, but in masses.
All the facts seem to indicate that the builders of these mounds
burned their dead, and that possibly each family mixed together the
charred remains, ashes, etc., forming one of these masses, 1 or 2 bush-
els in amount, and then deposited it with others to form the central
part of the mound.
The following is a list of the mounds of this group, showing the size
and form of each :
No.
Diameter.
Shape.
Height.
Eeniarka.
Feet.
Ft. In.
1
33
Circular ..
3 0
2
30
...do
3 0
3
42
....do
3 6
4
45
...do
4 n
Dug; human skeleton, fragments of pottery, etc.
5
54
..-.do
2 0
Dug; hard earth like dried mortar.
6
46
....do
5 0
Dug: ver}- hard light-colored earth; uo rem.ains.
7
45
...do
4 0
Dug; no remains in the h.ard earth.
8
35
....do
2 6
9
30
....do
2 0
10
30
....do
2 6
U
00
....do
0 0
Dug; fragments of human bones and round piece
tery in a matrix of dried monar.
s of pot-
12
25
....do
2 0
13
20
....do
1 6
14
20
. . . .do
1 6
15
2n by 15
Oblonj; ..
1 G
16
75 by 20
Wall-
shaped . .
2 0
17
35
Circular . .
3 0
18
15
-••'io
1 0
19
15
....do
1 6
20
54
....do
5 0
21
20
....do
2 0
22
60
...do
5 0
23
66
...do
6 0
24
- 35
...do
3 0
25
50
.. do
0 0
20
50
...do
5 0
Dug; only fragments of cluircoal, ashes, small
pieces of bones and pottery.
rounded
27
15
...do
2 0
28
30
...do
2 0
29
20
...do
1 ti
30
20
...do
1 0
'SALT KETTLE POTTERY.
167
No.
Diameter.
Shape.
Height.
Kern arks.
Feet.
Ft. In.
31
20
Cireiiliir ..
1 6
32
20
...do
1 6
33
20
...do
2 0
34
21
...dc,
1 6
35
15
...do
1 6
36
23
...do
1 G
37
23
...do
1 C
38
22
..do
2 0
39
20
...do
2 0
JO
15 by 11
Ubloug
2 0
41
25
Circular ..
2 0
42
25
...do
2 0
43
45
..do
5 0
44
40
...do
4 0
Dug; diird iiiortiir in aiipcarance.
45
20
...do
2 0
40
CO
...do
6 (I
Dug; see descriptioD .
47
40
...do
4 0
Dug; fuuDil only fraiiintnts of human Imnes, and pottery.
48
30
...do
3 6
49
50
...do
5 0
50
00
..do
5 0
Dug; found human bonea.
51
45
-do
4 0
52
do
Tliese four mounds are on the Mississippi bottoms, culti-
vated over for fifty years and nuich flattened but aaid
to have resembled No. 51 in size and form.
53
54
55
. do
...do
...do
Excavation, 75 liy 100 feet, 5 feet d<'ep; nearly full of water.
LEWIS COUNTY.
The only work examined in this county was a mound 2 miles north
of Canton on the point of a bluff facing the Mississippi bottom. It is
oblong, the longer diameter being 4(5 feet and the shorter 32 feet;
height, (! feet. A trench thiough the middle resulted in bringing to
light decayed human bones commingled with charcoal, ashes, a few frag-
ments of rude pottery, and stone chips. These M'ere upon the natural
surface near the center, covered, first with nearly 3 feet of hard earth,
over this earth similar to the surrounding soil. Aii oak tree 3 feet in
diameter was growing on the northern slope.
The character of this mound and its contents connect it with those of
Clarke county.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
' SALT-KETTLE rOTTERY.
This is found near the Clifton Springs, 4 miles south of Kirkwood
and about 10 miles southwest of St. Louis.
Following a country road between the low rounded bluffs of a wind-
ing valley, we cross the brook twice within a distance of 400 yards, and
upon the point of a terrace, between these crossings, we fiud numerous
1G8
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
fr.agments of pottery fully an iucli thick, beiiig tlie lieaviest ancient
pottery yet discovered in this country. As may be seen by the form of
specimen.s collected, the vessels were of unusually large size. No entire
vessels, however, have been found, but the fragments show that tliey
were low and shallow, like a salt pan or kettle, ami destitute of ears or
bandies.
As its popular name, "Salt-kettle pottery," indicates, it is generally
supposed to have been used in making salt.
A careful examina-
tion of the pottery was
made and the channel
of the ])rook enlarged
and deepened above
and below, and a large
drain made through
the lowland beyond it,
without discovering a
fragment of the pot-
tery or of the charcoal
or ashes of any ancient
fires. As no indica-
tions of a change in
the location of these
springs or of the qual-
ity of their waters,
which are as near sul-
phur as salt, were
found, it is very doubt-
ful whether the pot-
tery was ever used for
salt-making purposes
here or elsewhere, as
it was too heavy to carry without canoes, which could not have been
used at this locality, or horses and wagons, which the pottery makers
did not possess. Besides this, no traces of salt are observed on the
fragments seen, and according to Prof. Collett, none has ever beeu
found on them by chemical analysis. It is stated that at various local-
ities in this valley, including one not remote from this point, crj^its or
rude stone cofiQns containing human skeletons, weapons, and orna-
ments of considerable interest have been found, but none were ob-
served by the Bureau agent.
CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY.
THE BKN PROFFER MOUNDS.
These are situated partly on the end of a high ridge, at the point
where Bird creek unites with Whitewater river, and partly on the
river bottom, as shown in Fig. 87.
Flo. 87. — The Ben Profler mound, ('a\^(' Girarde.in oniinty, Missouri.
GUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. VIU
:
\
—_'"'"■"""■"%„
c
t
^'
-ij
-*
^
/ (
N.^^
''"' '-'i.-mv-'V
J
■^_
'/It*
"'''''.■
■iiA„
T.,-'"''!^
■C"
;.
''V
-)■'' (>
J.-... ::.:,
\
/
,„./■ y
ll '"I
J ,^
'""'-.
■ v.-.
o:
/ (
^ c
0
73
3
o
6
i I
X
/ /' '
« 7*
"a
'i>
Jl
V
* >
N
\^
J '■
/»s -S
JO
^^
\\
^v
/ i
'1ll>"
ff
o
c'
V
/ /' 33
J : o
3*
o
0
0 y
?i
■
\
/*
<}
33
■J
1!
iV'
~ 3:
0
u
- (
•y
36
1
31
20
1 1?
0
»/
31
%
90
0
■n
a.
1
Sli
*»/
0 1
-*!
G
■1
~^~V^S^~-.^^.v^..-,v,x,^
nee
*<1R
r-
■^-'^j'^Tr^
-.^.
^
.■'«*-
^'o
-»,,*'
■^^
^^m
~N
.^.
1
\
rffl
W
Exravniion.
pi
.,|
v^^
v-~, .-6
c
^Vujj^
•^
-»"%
> i
i
*.„/
C.^
u
-^^
.v^"
o
p
■i.f/
^
:0
0
ANCIENT WORKS ON BOULWARE'S PLACE, CLARKE COUNTY, MISSOURL
THE BEN PROFFER MOUNDS.
169
No. 1, tlie largest, occupies a commaudiug positiou overlooking the
valleys of both streams. Though not large, being only about 35 feet
in diameter and 5 feet high, it is quite a conspicuous object, and lias
some local notoriety. It is rounded with steep slopes that contrast
strongly with the low flat outline of the small mounds of the valley
below (at a a). A number of chert stones were observed embedded in
its surface. No. 2 is forty paces from No. 1 in an open field ; it is 30
feet in diameter by 2 in height. There are two piles of stone on it, but
these were probably placed there recently to get them out of the way of
the plow. Flint chips are scattered around it in considerable numbers.
Fig. 88. — The Wittiii{^ mounds, Capo Girardeau county. Missouri.
Nos. 3 and 4 are quite small and near to No. 1. The mounds in the bot-
tom at a a are circular, qirite small, low, and flattened on top. They
are probably the sites or foundations of former dwellings or wigwams.
THE WITTING MOUNDS.
These compose a small group on the farm of Mr. August Witting, 5
miles west of Jackson, and seem to differ somewhat from the ordinary
type. Their position is also peculiar, as they are near the top of the
divide between Cane and Bird creeks and on the north slope of the hill,
the only instance of this kind noticed. Their relative positions are
shown in Fig. 88. Some two years ago a trench was dug through No.
170 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
1, but no specimens or remains, except some broken stones, were found.
A few sandstones ilnd chert fragments are still lying in the trench.
The following measurements, though made in haste and without
strict accuracy, are probably of sufficient value to be recorded here:
No. 1: 40 feet in iliameter, 4J feet high.
No. 2 : 55 feet nortliwest of No. 1 ; 35 feet iliameter, 2^ feet high.
No. 3: 85 feet north of No. 1, and same distance from No. 2; .30 feet diair.fti-r, 2
feet high.
No. 4: 55 feet north and a little west of No. 3; 25 feet diameter, 2 feet high.
No. 5: 55 feet northeast of No. 4; 35 feet diameter, 2^ feet high.
No. 6: 80 paces southwest of No. 1 ; 20 feet diameter, li feet high.
No. 7: 70 paces west of No. G: 20 feet diameter, 2 feet high.
BOLLINGEK COt'NTV.
This county lies west of fJape Girardeau county, and like the latter
is nearly all high land, but the southern end extends a short distance
into the swamps. In the southeast corner is one of the inclosed " set-
tlements," which is here named after the owner of the land.
THE PETER BESS .SETTLEMENT.
This is situated 5 miles west of Lakeville, on the western bank of
the Castor river, near where the line of the Cape Girardeau and State-
Line railway crosses that stream. The " settlement," as these groups
are locally named, is a small one, the embankment inclosing only about
12 acres. With the exception of a small .strip on the east side, it has
been under cultivation for forty years, so that the rings or residence
sites have long since been obliterated. The wall extends entirely
around the inclosure, excepting a small space at the northeast corner,
where it is open toward the stream. A plat of it is given in Fig. 89,
on which 1, 2, 3, etc., indicate mounds, a a embankments, and c c places
where human bones were exposed.
From the direction of the current of the river it seems f(uite possible
that the wall once entirely surrounded the area, but that the northeast
corner has been washed away. In the strip of woods on the eastern
side the wall is a little over 3 feet high. In the field it is considerably
worn down by the plow, but the line of it can still be easily traced.
The land inside of it is fully 2 feet higher than that outside, and is so
much richer that the owner says it yields 7.5 bushels of corn per acre
in favorable seasons, while that outside yields but 50. Frequent traces
of burned earth and ashes are seen in the fields, and great quantities
of broken jwttery are scattered about. Where the land slopes a little,
in the northeast and southeast corner (at c c), fragments of human
bones have been washed out in considerable numbers. The large
mound, No. 1, is situated a little north of the center of the inclosure.
It is 150 feet across and about 10 feet high, nearly circular, but has
been worn so much by forty years' tillage that its original outline can
not be satisfactorily determined. An old log house and some out-
THE PETER BESS
171
buildings occupy tbe nearly level top. In digging post holes some
bones and pottery were found, but no excavations have been made in
it deeper than 2 or 3 feet.
Mound No. li, near the east wall, is circular in outline, 75 feet across,
and 6 feet high. It has never been explored.
Nos. 3 and G are quite small. A few stones have been plowed up on
No. 3. In the same held, some little distance south of the inclosure,
are two small mounds, Nos. 4 and 5. Mr. Bess stated that a few years
Field.
Field,.
4
J
Fio. 89.— The Peter Bess settlement, Bollinger county, Missouri.
ago, while plowing over No. 4, his plow struck something and on dig-
ging down he found two stone coffins, each ctmtaiuing a skeleton. In
one of them he found a gourd-shaped vessel, ornamented with red
stripes and filled with lead ore so pure that he afterwards made bullets
from a part of it. An examination of this mound confirmed Mr. Bess's
statement, as the disturbed remains of the stone cists were found.
These were of the box-shaped type. Portions of a skeleton, including
a well-preserved lower jaw aud a few bits of painted pottery, were
also discovered here.
172 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
STODDARD COUNTY.
Although this county lies whollj' within what is known as the " swamp
region," the central portion of it consists of a high clay ridge or table-
land which may be considered a spur ftom the Ozarks. This table-
land is separated from the blufl's of Cape Girardeau and Bollinger
counties to the north by a strip of lowland known as the Mingo swamp.
During high water a portion of the overflow from the Castor reaches
the Whitewater through tliis swamp.
The county is bordered on the east by the Whitewater or Little river,
which flows through an extensive tract of low, sandy swamp, which in
places is as much as 20 miles wide. It is known to the people of
Stoddard and Dunklin counties as the "East swamp," and the Bureau
agent heard no other name for it. Mr. Potter, in his report,' refers to
it as "West swamp" and "West lake" in his description of New
Madrid and Sikeston ridge. This is confusing, since the name of " West
swamj)" is given to a similar tract along the St. Francis, which forms
the western boundary of the county.
A little south of Dexter city the clay hills come to an end, and the
divide between the East and the West swamps consists only of a low,
sandy ridge. Under the local names of the " Rich woods " and the
'•West prairie" this extends in a southerly direction to the state line.
Through Dunklin county it is crossed by sloughs that impede travel
during wet weather. The swamps in this county consist of parallel
sloughs of no great depth, with low, sandy ridges between them, which
are for the most part above overflow. They are crossed at intervals
by lower places that are covered during high water, thus converting
the higher portions into islands. A good many farms have been
cleared up on these ridges, so that the swamps support a scattered pop-
ulation. The sloughs are filled with a heavy growth of cypress {Taxo-
dium (lisfichum) and Tui)elo gum {N^yssa tmiflora). On the ridges the
timber is principally different species of oak and hickory and sweet
gum (TAqukJamher styraeijiua).
Earthworks of different kinds are very numerous throughout this
county. Two settlements were examined during the preliminary visit,
one near Lakeville, in the northern part, and the other in the extreme
south, on the county line.
Groups of small mounds are to be found along most of the little
streams among the hills. Several were observed on the low ridges in
the East swamp, south of the railroad.
What is said to be the most extensive system of mounds in south-
east Missouri is found 7 miles south of Dexter city, on that portion of
the sandy divide between the swamps, which is known as the "Rich
woods." There seems to have been, as is shown further on, no wall or
ditch here, and there are few circular depressions or lodge sites.
' CoDtributiouB to the Archaeology of Missouri (1880) pp. 5-8.
173
THE LAKEVILLE SETTLEMENT.
This settlement or group of works, which is shown in Fig. 90, is
located 2 miles south we st of the village of Lakeville, on a narrow but
rather high east-aud-west ridge, between two cypress swamps. It
consists of an inclosing wall, and includes mounds and hut rings. The
inclosure is oblong, but when complete was probably rectangular; it
extends, however, at each end into fields which have been cultivated so
long that the traces of it are lost here. The central portion (that shown
in the figure), extending east and west about 360 yards, is still covered
by heavy timber and a thick growth of underbrush and briers. Here
the walls and other works are uninjured.
1lrili>iIlliiM'<i)lMl|ii>itii Ml l!ll:l'i>|ir|i|il(|lli|iiitiiil:>>>)ii;IIIMllltl)' 11)11 1^1" l[iinl I iiiiin|i|:nllll''l|
itiiHiiiiiiiiiiiii itiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiNiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiniiiniMiiiMiiiiiinliiniiiiiiiiH II lUHii'iii>"' "•'■'<■■' I
1 o ^o o o o
! 1'
^iiriin*
o
U Q
' o»,°o°o
°o
%#2
O 0 °
° OO
a.
iitiltiti|iH'[i:Miiiiiiii:iiiiiii!ii|Hlii;iiiliiii
illlUlllilinililMllil^lllMllllllillillllllMIMUIMIIIl
iiiiiirilHUiiiiii
nimiiitilM
UjlllilMIIIi|llllM0lUlllll|Mtil|ll|l|lli11l|llltllliltrlllllllllllllllll|illll|||llMlll|llll<lMMIIi|lilllllt<l>lli|iiiilNiriililiiillll:ili.llllll'
^W:i,«i,lY., .,.„„. .^.^iUffei;
Fig. 90 The Lakeville settlement, Stoddard county, Missouri.
A wall extends along each flank of tlie ridge facing the swamp that
borders the latter on either side. They are 200 paces apart and run
nearly parallel to each other in an east-and-west direction. Slight
enlargements at irregular intervals are seen, and there are a few short
breaks, but these may have been made by rainwater which had accu-
mulated on the inside. Whether these two lines were once connected
by cr(jss-end walls, can not now be determined, but it seems quite
pi-obable that such was the case. These walls, measured on the out-
side, average about 3 feet in height, varying but little in this respect;
but the inside has been so filled up by the garbage and debris of the
village or otherwise that this portion is now within 1 foot of the top
of the wall.
174
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Nearly the whole si)ace between the walls is occupied by the hut-
rings or circular dei)ression8.
They are of the usual size, 20 to
50 feet across, aud 1 to 3 feet deep.
In all that were excavated, beds
of ashes, contaiiiiu^ broken pot-
tery, burned clay, bits of bone,
mussel and turtle shells, etc, were
found at the depth of from (!
inches to 1 foot. In one of these,
near the southwest corner of the
wooded portion, the sandstone
pipe shown in Fig. 91 was discov-
ered. ¥lG. 91.— SluiR' pijn, LiikiA'iUi; fjutllelm-lit.
SKTTLKMF.NT AT TIIK COUNTY LINE.
This settlement, shown in Fig. 92, on which a a denote the county
line between Stoddard and Dunklin counties, is situated in an oak
opening on West prairie, 500 yards east of the Dexter and Maiden
road. It borders on East swamp and is surrounded on the other three
sides by a ditch {b b)
that averages 10 feet
wide and 3 feet deep.
The dirt seems to have
been thrown out about
equally on each side, but
there is nothing that can
be called a wall or an em-
bankment. The inclos-
ure is 330 yards long by
220 in width, and con-
tains about 15 acres.
Nearly the whole of this
space is occupied by cir-
cular depressions or hut-
rings of the usual size
and appearance, contain-
ing the usual amount of
ashes, broken pottery,
Fig. 92. — County line settlement, Stoddard county, Missouri. boUeS etc. There are
no mounds in the inclosure, but just outside, near the northwest cor-
ner, is a low, circiUar one about i feet high and 100 or more feet in
diameter.
THE KICH WOODS MOUNDS.
175
RICH WOODS MOUNDS.
These inouiids, shown in Fig. 93, arc locatetl 7 miles south of Dexter
city on the road k-adiiig' from that phife to Maiden, and are doubtless
the ones referred to in the Summary of Correspondenee, Smithsonian
re-
0.
as
Q.
^
Report, 1879,
ported by Mr.
Smith.
The low sandy ridge,
known as the Rich
Woods, is here between
1 and 2 miles wide. The
surface, which is quite
level, stands generally
about 15 feet above the
ordinary water line of
the swamp and is com-
posed chiefly of sand.
The swamp bordering it
on the east is known
here as East swamj).
The margin of the gen-
eral level, which breaks
abru])tly down, as is
usual with the banks of
Western rivers, is some-
what irregular, as shown
in the figure, the inden-
tations being numerous,
yet the general course is
almost directly north
and south. The mounds
are principally located
along or near the mar-
gin, the distance be-
tween the extreme
northern one of the
group and the most
southern being about
1,600 yards, or a little less than 1 mile, and the greatest width of the
belt occupied, about 500 yards.
All of the mounds except No. 1 stand on the upper or general level.
Nos. 1, 2, and 3, near the central part of the group, are large, varying
in height from 20 to 26 feet, obscurely pentangular in outline and flat-
tened on top. No. 3 forms, with 4, what may be called a composite
mound. This appears to be the case also with 15 and 16 and with 23,
176 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
24, and 25, ■wliicli will be described further on. No. (> is oval in shape,
the diameter 200 by 110 and the height nearly 8 feet. There are some
indieatious that it was formerly connected at its northern extremity
with the double mound 3 and 4 by a graded way, though there are hut
rings there now. Between this and No. 1 the ground suddenly descends
to the lower level, as is seen by the abrupt bend in tlie hachured line
marking the margin, which here makes a sudden turn to the west.
No. 7, which lies directly west of No. 2, is tfie longest tumulus of the
gi'oup, irregularly oblong in form, the diameters being 340 and 200 feet
and height 15 feet, the top flat. Tlie south end is irregularly pointed,
but this condition may have resulted wholly or in j)art from washing, as
the surface has been in cultivation for several years and was for some
years the location of a schoolhoiise. At the north end is an apron 6 feet
high, extending northward about 00 feet. This is irregularly rounded
at the extremity. It is possible, and, in fact, probable, that this was
a regular oblong mound, with a rectangular apron, as are many mounds
in eastern Arkansas. The top is perfectly level. No. 8, west of 7, is
circular, flat on top, and about 7 feet high.
No. 9, immediately north of 7, is peculiar in form, being a regular
crescent, as shown in the plat, the distance between the tips of the
horns about 75 feet, height 0 feet. Nos. 10, 11, 12, and 14 are circular
mounds, ranging from 8 to 12 feet high. Nos. 13, 17, 18, 19, 31, 32, 33,
20,28,29,30,20,27,34 are small, circular mounds, varying from 1 to 4 feet
in height. The shape of 22 is peculiar. It appears as if a broad ditch
had been dug from the east side to the center. A large oak stump in
the middle of this supjiosed ditch shows that it is certainly not a recent
excavation. Possibly the mound was for some reason thrown up in
this form. The figure is too small to bring out the evident difference
between this and the crescent.
No. 21, near the road, is of the ordinary conical form, 45 feet in
diameter and 5 feet high.
No. 15, about 230 paces northeast of 14, is a large, oblong, flat- topped
mound, the length east and west 170 feet and width 110 feet, height
nearly 11 feet. There is a graded way running east from this and curv-
ing south to mound 16, which is circular and 6 feet high.
Mounds 23 and 24 are oval in outline and of considerable size, the
former measuring 223 by 180 feet and 8 feet high, the latter 213 by 112
feet and 9 feet high. The line between their approximate ends is some-
what higher than the surface of the surrounding area, and may be the
remains of a connecting graded way.
No. 3, the taUest of the entire group, is fully 25 feet high. It is con-
ical in form and very steei), except on the side toward the ramp. This
elevated way or ramp, commencing on the side some distance below the
summit, descends regularly eastward to No. 4, which appears to be a
landing or halting place rather than a true mound, and is, in fact, but
THOMAS.]
THE RICH WOODS MOUNDS.
177
an eulaifienieiit of tlie ramp or way at this point, with a Hat or level
top. This rami> sciMiis to have extended to No. T), and, as before stated,
to No. C, forming here a grand phitform. The hnt ring'.s which are so
scattered around and over this immediate area are prol)ably the
remains of a snbseqnent occupancy to that by the builders of the
uKjunds. Mound (! presents more the ajipearance of an elongated plat-
%.
''^'>^"'imif^0'%.
JV.
A
Fig. 94. — Pl.-in nf Mounds Xos. 'S. 4. 5, anil 6. Kicli 'Woiiils mounds.
form than a true mound. A plan of these four mounds and the graded
way, prepared from a careful survey, is given in Fig. 04, and a section
of 3, 4, and 5 in Fig. !».5.
As the surface of the area occupied is comparatively level it was
thought best to make the survey of the group dependent upon one
base and one auxiliary line. These in the reduction of the plat have
been omitted. The base runs north and south, east of the group along
the margin of tlie swamp, and makes three bends, on account of the
changes in the direction of the margin of the upland and the obstruc-
12 ETH 12
178
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
tioiis wliic-li would have to be encomitc^red in
tln^ attenijit to run a single stiaiglit line. The
auxilian' line runs westward from station 40 on
the chief base. The stations on these lines are
numbered from 3.T to .58, respectively, No. .30 be-
ing taken as the starting point, 3.5 simply in-
^ dicating an after northern extension to connect
I with mound 18. The positions of the mounds
I nearest the.se bases are indicated by lines run-
"1 ning at right angles therefrom. The other
^ mounds more distant are located by courses
I and distances fi'om those determined by means
^ of the base lines.
I Measurements are in all cases to the center
'% of the mcmnd, hut ring, or other work, unless
I otherwise expressly mentioned. The various
" measurements made are shown in the following
>5 tables.
I Table i contains the measurements of the
S chief base line; ii, those of the auxiliary line;
° III, the positions of the moiu)ds by the ott'sets
I from the base line; iv, the positions of the
^ mounds by otisets from the auxiliary line; v,
g the positions of the mounds as determineil by
I lines from one to the other; vi, the courses and
distances locating the hut rings; vii, the j)osi-
tions of the excavations; viii, the sizes of the
mounds; IX, the diameter of the hut rings; and
X, the sizes of the excavations. In order to
make a plat of the group, start from the center
of Mound 17 and run a line 57 feet N. 88° WW E.
This will locate Station 30, from which all the
other stations and mounds can be determined.
Table I. -BASE LIXE.
Station.
Bearing.
Distance.
Ketnarks.
36
Fait.
Northern end of line offset for mound 17.
Oftset for mound l.i.
Offset for mound 16.
Bend in line.
Otfset for mound 12.
Bend in line.
Offset for mound 11.
Offset for liutring 59.
Offset for mound 5.
36 to 37 .
37 to 38 .
38 to 39 .
39 to 40 .
40 to 41 .
41 to 42 .
42 to 43 .
43 to 44 .
S.1°22'E....
S. 1°22' E
S.1°22'E ....
S.4°00' E
S.4°00' E
S.23°49'E....
S.23o49'E....
S.23°49'E....
373
137
349
414
86
59
83
91
THE RICH WOODS MOUNDS.
Table 1.— BASE LINE— Continued.
179
station.
Bearing.
Distance.
Remarks.
Feet.
4-1 to 43 .
S.230 49'E....
204
Oftset for moun<l G.
45 to 46 .
S.230 49'E....
416
Beginning of auxiliary line.
46 to 47 .
S.23°49'E....
71
Offset for mound 1 .
47 to 48 .
S.23°49'E....
24
Bend in line.
48 to 49 .
S.0O45'W....
280
Offset for numiid 21 .
49 to 50 .
S. 0° 45' W . . . .
238
Offset for mound 22.
50 to 51 .
S. 0° 45' W . . . .
336
Ort'set for mound 27.
51 to 52 .
S. 0<= 45' W . . . .
130
Offset for mound 28.
52 to 53 .
S.U0 45'W....
477
Offset for mound 29.
53 to 54 .
S. 0° 45' W . . . .
35
Southern end of line.
Table II.— AUXILIARY LINE.
46 to 55 .
S.840 49' W...
263
Offset for mound 20.
55 to 56 .
S.840 49' W...
302
Offset for mound 2.
56 to 57 .
S.84°49' W..
581
Offset for mound 7,
57 to 58 .
W
434
Offset for mound 8.
•
Table III.— OFFSETS TO itOUNDS ALONG THE BASE LINE.
36 to 17 .
S.880 38' W...
57
To station on mound.
37 to 15 .
8.88° 38' W...
105
To station on eastern end <
f mound.
38 to 16 .
S.SSOSS'W...
40
To station on mound.
40 to 12 r
S.86°00' W...
197
Do.
42 to 11 .
S.86°00' W...
101
Do.
43 to 59 .
S.88O00' W...
57
To station in liut-riny.
44 to 5 ..
S.86O00' W...
75
To station on mound.
45 to 6 . .
S.86'=00' W...
66
To station on niirtliern one
of mound.
47 to 1 . .
S.86°00' W...
84
To station on mound .
49 to 21 .
S.60O11' W...
84
Do.
50 to 22 .
S.66=ll'-W...
131
Do.
51 to 27 .
S.06°ll' W...
140
Do.
52 to 28 .
S.66°11'W. ..
99
Do.
53 to 29 .
S.660 11' W...
11 i
Do.
Table IV.— OFFSETS TO MOUNDS ALONG THE AUXILIARY LINE.
55 to 20 .
S.5° 11' E
125
To station on mound.
$6 to 2 ..
N.5°11'"W ...
79
Do.
57 to 7 . .
N.5°ll'-W...
46
Do.
58 to 8 . .
S
61
Table V.— BEARINGS AND DISTANCES FROM MOUND TO MOUND.
7 to 9 . . .
N.3O00'W ...
416
To station on mound.
9 to 10 . .
N.28°35' E...
227
Do.
12 to 13 .
N. 56'^ 29' W . .
147
Do.
12 to 14 .
N.560 29'W ..
343
Do.
29 to 30 .
S.54°30' W...
338
Do.
27 to 23 .
N. 66° 00' W . .
307
Do.
180 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Table V.— BEARINGS AND DISTANCES FROM MOUND TO MOUND-Continned.
Station.
Bearing.
Distance.
Remarks.
Feet.
23 to 24 .
S.49°50' W ..
253
To statiou ou muiiud.
24 to 26 .
S.54°29' W...
226
Do.
24 to 25 .
S.4o.';5' W....
190
Do.
15 to 32 .
N.22°15' W ..
214
Do.
15 to 31 .
N. 75° 45' W . .
312
Do.
15 to 33 .
S. 70°15' W...
510
Do.
15 to 18 .
N. 140 15'W ..
95
Do.
5 to 4.
S. 39° 40' W . . .
135J
Do.
4to 3 .
S.84°00' W...
152i
Do.
24 to 34 .
S.88O00'W...
150
Do.
Table VI.-
-BEARINGS AND DISTANCES FROM THE MOUNDS AND HUT RINGS TO
THE HUT RINGS.
11 to 60 .
S.22°30' W...
44
To station in hut-ring.
60 to 61 .
S.0°45' W....
27J
Do.
60 to 62 .
S. 19° 15' E. . . .
S9
Do.
60 to 63 .
S. 40° 00' E . . .
60
Do.
62 to 64 .
S.52°00'W...
41
Do.
62 to 65 .
S.25°00' W...
61
Do.
62 to 66 ■
S. 19°30'E....
35
Do.
5 to 67 .
S.17oi6'W...
60
Do.
5 to 68 .
S.0°44'E
83J
Do.
5 to 69.
S.l°28' W....
115
Do.
5 to 70 .
S.2°16'E
143
Do.
4 to 71.
N. 80° 19' W . .
30
Do.
TABLE vn.— BEARINGS AND DISTANCES OF THE EXCAVATIONS FROM THE MOUNDS
29 too..
30 to 6 . .
S. 86J° W
S. 69J° W
140
120
To station in excavation.
Do.
Table Vm.— SIZES OP THE MOUNDS.
No.
Diameter.
Height.
Remarks.
Feet.
1
150
20
2
150 by 140
20
3
185
26
Slopes steep.
4
150 by 140
84
266 by 109
5
6
Extends north and south.
74
7
339 by 200
15
iflas apron about 6 feet high at northern end
^ extending fiO feet from base northward.
8
134 by 114
H
Crescent-shaped.
9
10
6
10
130 by 125
11
44 by 48
5
12
60 by 65
8
THE RICH WOODS MOUNDS.
Table Viri.— SIZES OF THE MOUNDS— Continuod.
181
No.
Diameter.
Height.
Remarks.
Feet.
13
50 by 40
1
14
124 by 96
5
15
109 by 171
lOJ
Extends east and west.
16
75
6
17
100 by 69
4
Extends northwest and soiitlieaat.
18
60 by 65
3
Circular.
19
60
Estimated.
20
40 by 35
3
Circular.
21
45
5
Do.
22
H
8
23
181 by 223
Extend.s east and west.
24
213 by 112
9
Extends north and .south.
25
65 by 60
5
Circular.
26
78
3i
Do.
27
40
4
Do.
28
50
4 ■
Do.
29
64 by 40
3
Do.
30
60 by 56
34
Do.
31
100 by 110
3
Do.
32
70 by 65
H
Do.
33
100
3
Do.
34
.60
2i
Do.
Table IX.- DIAMETER OF THE HUT RINGS.
No.
Diameter.
No.
Diameter.
No.
Diameter.
60
22 by 29
64
27
68
28
61
28
65
24
69
24
62
29
V 66
21
70
25
63
29
67
27
71
34
Table X.— SIZES OF THE EXCAVATIONS.
Excavations. Diameter.
Depth.
Remarks.
70 by 35
55
4
3J
Extends northeast and siuithwest.
Circular.
b
The first examination of this interesting' group on behalf of the Bu-
reau was made by Mr. Earle during his visit to this part of tlie state.
Subsequently I visited them in company with Mr. Earle and Dr. Robert
AJlyn, president of the Southern Illinois jS'ormal University. I found
Mr. Earle's description and the plat he furnished quite correct, though
the latter has been replaced by the more accurate survey made by Mr.
Middleton; but descriptions and plats, though critically correct, fail
to convey a true conception of this magniticent group.
Exploring No. 1 (Fig. 9.']), which by a careful remeasureinent was
ascertained to be 150 feet in diameter at the base and 20 feet high, we
182 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
found it to consist of au external layer of surface soil, varying in depth
from 2 to .'5 feet, and an inner core of hard clay. This inner core, which
evidently constituted the original mound, consisted of dry compact
clay so hard that an ax was used to cut it. It was almost as dry as
powder and of an ash-gray color, having here and there as we de-
scended the appearance of being slightly mixed with ashes. At the
depth of 5 feet a broken pot-shaped Jar, of ware similar to that usual
to this I'egiim, was discovered. At this point a few ashes and some
slight indications of fire were noticed. The same dry hard clay con-
tinued to the bottom of the pit (which was carried down to the depth
of 17 feet), except one thin layer of sand about 6 inches thick at the
depth of 10 feet. Other pits dug in the sides and near the base re-
vealed ample evidence of fire, indicating that after the cential core was
completed a quantity of brush and leaves had been burned over it, the
coals and ashes sliding down, as it is quite steep, so that near the base
a layer of charcoal several inches thick was formed. A thin layer of
surface soil must have been thrown over it while burning, as consider-
able quantities of charred leaves were found mixed with the charcoal.
In one of the pits some human bones were discovered before reaching
the clay, doubtless an intrusive burial.
This mound, as will be seen by reference to the plat, is outside of the
hachured line which represents the edge or break of the general level,
and is some 6 feet lower and on the same level as the road and not more
than C or 7 feet above the usual water level of the swamp.
Pits were sunk in No. 22 to the original surface without finding any-
thing of interest save some fragments of pottery. The height of this
mound was found to be a little over 5 feet, and the composition, after
passing through the surface soil, a uniform mixture of yellow clay and
sand. On this mound is au oak stump 2 feet in diameter.
Xo. 21 was examined with similar results, except that in it were found
some small pieces of burned clay, flint chips, and traces of charcoal.
No. 26 and a small tumulus west of it were found to consist wholly of
sandy clay. A few fragments of human bones, small pieces of pottery,
and some flint chips were discovered in them.
An opening was made in the large mound No. 15 in a depression near
tiie center where the height is between 9 and 10 feet. The pit was
carried down to the original surface of the ground through yellow sandy
clay. Nothing of interest was obtained.
No. 32, a low mound but little more than 3 feet high, was, like most of
the others, built of a mixture of sand and clay. It contained human
bones and fragments of pottery, which were scattered irregularly through
it. The ground was damp and soft, and most of the bones were soft,
falling to pieces when any attempt was made to lift them up. We were
unable to trace out a single complete skeleton or to find a whole vessel.
Nos. 20, 30, and ,31 were also explored, but nothing of special interest
was observed in them, the construction being the same and of similar
material as those already referred to.
THOMAS.] MOUND NO. 6. lod
No. 0 -sviis subsequently partially explored. A trench was carried
down only to tlie dei)t]i of."< feet. Xotliinj^- was found in it at a greater
depth from the surface than 3i feet. Near the foot of the niou7id and
2 feet below the surface was a skeletou with the bones ratlier tirin;
probably an intrusive burial, as they are not uncommon in this partic-
ular locality. This was extended, head south; near it was a Unto shell.
About li feet west of this skeleton and lying piuallel with it was
another of smaller size, probably of a female; bones firm, but the skull
broken when found. Near the skull was a bottle-shaped water vessel.
Other vessels were found at different points and at the depth of only 1
or 2 feet.
About 2 feet down on the top and side of the mound were lunijis
of burnt clay, which appear to be fragments of plastering with which
the walls of a dwelling or other house had been coated. As further
evidence of this is the following fact, given in the words of the last ex-
plorer: ''In the top of the mound, in a small circular depression, I dug
down about 2 feet, when I came to a sort of platform of burnt clay. It
seemed to be made of irregularly shaped pieces, one side being smooth
and the other rough. And what was peculiar, the smooth side was
down. I did not dig enough to ascertain the extent of the platform."
It is easy enough to account for the smooth side being down if we
suppose it to have been (as we shall hereafter see there is reason for
believing) plastering from the walls of a house, for when the l)uilding
was burned it would not be unlikely that the stiff and thick coat of
plastering should fall over in a sheet and that i)ieces of it should roll
down the side of the mound.
Numerous othcn' objects were discovered in this mound, as pieces of
Unio shells, some of which had holes bored through them, and were ap-
pareutly unfinished beads ; many fragments of pottery scattered promis-
cuously through the outer layer, and quite a number of animal bones,
from the skull of a deer down to the delicate boues of very small birds.
Permis.sion could not be obtained to make further exploitation in this
interesting and important group, nor to complete the excavation of the
mounds partially examined.
■ SCOTT AND MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES.
In 1879 and 1880 the people in the neighborhood of Charleston, Mis-
sissippi county, discovered that the pottery, in which the inounds of
this region seem to have been unusually lich, had a considerable com-
mercial value. A regular mining fever at once broke out and spread
so rapidly that in some instances as many as twenty-five or thirty men,
women, and children could be seen digging for pottery in one field at the
same time.
The specimens obtained were taken to Charleston and sold to the
merchants, who in turn sold them to various museums, scientific insti-
tutions, and relic hunters. It is said that this trade brought to town
several thousand dollars.
184
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Some 10 or 12 miles southwest of the battlefield of Belmont is one of
the jK'culiar saiul lidgcs of this swauijty region, called I'in Hook ridge.
Thi.s extends 5 or 6 miles north and sonth, and is less than a mile in
width; both of its tapering ends hook round in a westerly direetiou, as
shown in Fig. !)(>. There is abundant evidence here thiit the entire
ridge was long iuhabited by a somewhat agricultural peojile, with sta-
tionary houses, who constructed numerous and high mounds, which are
now the only i)lace of refuge for the present inhabitants and their stock
from the frequent overflows of the Mississippi. About one-halt Of the
ridge is under cultivatiou ; the I'emaiiider is covered by a nati\e forest
of oak, ash, gum, and other trees, which are as large upon these mounds
and residence circles as elsewhere.
baker's mound.
This (No. 2 on the diagram) is situated nearly a mile southwest of
Beckwith's Fort (marked No. 1, in Fig. 90), and herealter more fully
^:Wm life, t> ^ al C> *
1 1. ,, '- ■""■■■
Sy^li
Flo. Ofi. — Pin Hook Ilid^xe mounds, Mississippi rounty. Missouri.
described; it is circuhir in form, about 50 lectin diameter and 4 feet
high. The peculiar feature of this mound is the mode of its construc-
tion, which is shown in Fig. 07. The lower stratum, marked No. 2,
consists of bluish swamj) muck mixed with ashes, which, as a matter of
course, when deposited was soft and pliable as dough, though now so
hard as to require the use of a pick to i)enetrate it. Instead of the top's
being leveled as usual, it was depressed in the middle, so as to form a
saucer-shaped basin, the rim on the south side being higher than on
the opposite side, as the mound stands on a natural slope. This was
filled with sandy loam (No. 1) and rounded over, completing the mouiul.
Near the ui)per part of this sandy layer Mr. Baker, who had pre-
viously opened it, found two skeletons, placed horizontally, with heads
BAKERS MOUND.
185
uoitli, below which was ii hiycr of decayed skeletons, and with them a
numl>er of vessels of pottery of forms usnal to this region. Several of
these vessels which
were discovered in
this first excavation
were fractured; yet
Mr. Baker obtained
thirty un i nj ured
specimens. Further
excavation in the
hard bottom layer re-
vealed the parts of
several skeletons, a
number of broken
vessels, and also one small pot or cu]) with scalloped rim, and one bot-
tle-shaped water vessel, which were obtained whole. A few rude stone
scrapers were also found.
Z Clay
Yui. 97. — I5aki-i's incniDd. Mississippi coiiuty, Missouri.
(JlIM TKEE MOUND.
This is situated nearly to the east of the preceding, is circular in
form, GO feet in diameter, and 8 feet high. It is No. 3, of Fig. 90, and
stands on the crest of a low
ridge fronting upon a cypress
swamp. It was found to con-
sist of five or six distinct lay-
ers, as follows, counting from
the bottom upwards: Layer
No. 1, 30 inches of clear white
sand, probably the natural
crest of the ridge. No. 2, 10
inches of dark colored, hard
clay, through which were scat-
tered fire-beds, charcoal,
ashes, stone chiijs, fragments
of pottery, and split animal
bones. No. 3, 12 inches of yel-
low sand, containing but few
relics of any kind. No. 4, 8
inches of hard gray mortar, doubtless made of blue muck and ashes
mixed and covered with kitchen refuse similar to that found in No. 2.
No. 5, 18 inches of loose gray sand, containing few relics; but all the
central portion of this layer had been previously examined by others
who found it and the top layer (No. 0) literally filled with decayed
human bones and a number of wliole and broken vessels of clay.
Fig. 98 — Beckwith's fort, Mississippi county, Missouri.
1S6 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
IlKCKWrril's KOKT.
TTiilf 11 mile iioitli of the last, niciitioiicfl inouiid, and uixiii tlie liigbest
point of tlic bank IVonLin};' I'in llonU hayoii, is a rcniarlcahle cartht'ii
inclosure (marked 1, in Pig. !••;), to wlilcli I lie, name Beukwitli's fort is
given, after tliat of tlie owner. An cnlarj^ed view of this work is
given in Fig. '.tS.
As will be seen by reference to this figure, the inelosuic is nearly a
semicirele in form, with the open base facing tlie swamj) or bayou.
The length of this oi)en base from point to point of the w:ill (?»; to m)
is 1,()U feet, and the circumference along the wall from m around to «,
2,7(M) feet. The location was wisely chosen, as it is the only ])oint within
anareaof many miles square wlu;re the natural surface of the ground
was not coviu'cd by the great tlood of 18S:.'. The bank facing the
swaiiip is here ipiite steep and fully .'!() feet high.
Mounds Nos. 1, 5, and (5, and some small burial mounds not shown
in the (igure, are so lu^arly in a line as to form a strong breastwork
along this front, exce|)t about liOO feet opposite mound No. 2, where
there is no embankment, mound, nor the marks of aneient dwellings;
thus, as is usual in this kind of fort, leaving an o])en court adjoining
one side of the gieat. llattoi)ped mound.
The height and width of the wall vary at different points, in some
])laces being as low as 2 feet, whiles at others it is frilly S feet high; in
some places it is not more than l") feet wide, while at others it is ;3(t or
more.
I'unning close along tlie outside of the wall is a <litch varying in
widtii IVoin 20 to 40 feet, and in depth from 4 to S feet, except where
tilled up by Hoods and frosts, es])ecially the former, some of which may
hav(* brok(!n through the walls to the great interior excavation. The
area within the inclosure is almost entirely occupied by eartJiworks of
one kind oi' another, those marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 0 being mounds,
those marked a, b, and c being excavations, and the numerous small
circles scattered over it the little sauc(U'-sliaped depressions siipjiosed
to be house sites or hut rings.
Mound No. 1 is situated in tlie extreme northern corner, where the
wall ends on the bank next the swamp or bayou. It is 120 feet long
from northwest to southeast, 100 feet broad, and about 10 feet higli at
the liighcst point. The central portion of the top had been lowered,
either originally or subsequently, by a circular depression about 1.5 feet
in diameter and 2 feet deep. Permission to excavate could not be
obtained.
Mound No. 2, or the so-called Temi)le mound, is situated almost
directly south of No. 1 and near the central portion of the area. Its
northern base comes directly to the margin of the great excavation a,
while but a short distance away, a little to the northeast, is the small
crescent excavation h. The dimensions, as nearly as could be ascer-
tained, are as Ibllows: Length on to[) (northeast and southwest), 105
THOMAS.) JJECKWITH's FORT. 187
feet; width, 105 feet; height, about 25 feet. Near each eud, on the flat
toj), is a simcei -.sliapcd depression 3 to 4 feet deep, reaching to a heavy
dei)()sit (in eacii) (if charcoal, ashes, bones, etc., resting uj)on a hiyer of
earth .'5 or 4 inches thick, burned as hard as brick. Permission
could not he obtained to make furtlier excavations in this mound.
^Mound No. '■> is circuhir, 75 feet in diameter and S feet liigh, liaving
a saucer-shaped depression on the top, ami below tliis a iire-bed, char-
coal, ashes, etc., as usual.
No. 4 is almost circular at the base, but square on the top, which is
flat, each side measuring .'!0 feet. It is 15 feet high, the sides very
steep and each bearing with the cardinal i)oints. It was doul)tless
originally a regularly truncated pyramidal mound, the washings hav-
ing rounded the base.
No. 5 is au oval uiouud with sloping sides, 10 feet high and 90 feet
across the top, which is flat. It was composed, in jjart at least, of
black swiimj) mnd and l)lue <'Iiiy and had in it several tirc-bcds, beds
of clay burned brick red, stone chijjs, Cnio shells, and fragments of
pottery.
No. (» is 75 by 100 feet a* base, 8 feet high, and now surmounted by
the log house of the colored num who cultivates this portion of the
extensive Beckwith plantation.
Between 5 and (> is a long low mound not marked on the diagram,
the surface of which was strewn with fragments of human bones, pot-
tery, and stone chips.
Excavation a is somewhat pear-shaped, the large end l)eing near the
northeast corner and the curved side running along the northern wall
for fully 1,000 feet. The width at the widest part is 320 feet and the
greatest depth 10 feet, but the depth decreases with the width toward
the southwest point. The most of it is now a bushy swamp, though the
larger end is an o\)eu pond never dry.
Excavation h is small, the length along the convex side not exceed-
ing 200 feet, narrow and crescent shaped. It lies just beyond the eastern
end of the large excavation, one of its horns touching the latter.
Excavation c is in the southwestern part of the area, and now a rect-
angular swam]), 300 feet long by 100 wide, 8 feet deep at the greatest
depth, and seldom dry.
IIOCSE SITKS Ol! HIT KINGS.
These almost literally cover the remainder of the area, the only open
space of any considerable size being the 200 feet square just east of the
large mound (No. 2, Fig. 98). They are not confined to the natural
level of the inclosure, as some are found on the level tojis of the mounds.
They are circular in lorm, varying from .'!0 to 50 feet in diameter,
measuring to the tops of their rims, which arc raised slightly above the
natural level. The depth of the depression at tlic center is from 2 to
3 feet. Near the center, somewliat covered with earth, are usually found
188
MOl'ND KXPLORATIONS.
the baked earth, eharcoal, aud aslies of ancient fires, and around these
and Ijeneatli tlie rims .sj)lit bones and fiesh-water sliells. Often mingled
witli this refuse material are inde stone implements and fragmeuts of
pottery.
Tlie similarity in the size, form, and general appearance of these de-
pressions and earthen rings to those of the earth lodges of the aban-
doned Maiidan towns along the Missouri river, leaves no doubt that they
mark the dwelling sites of the people who formerly occupied this lo-
cality.
Upon the top of the great mound, fully 35 feet above the bed of the
adjacent excavation, stands a white oak tree 4 feet in diameter; also
Fig. 99.— Image ve.ssel t'rum liLck\\itli s ranch.
Fig. 100.— Buwl from Uetkwitb's I'ort.
the stumjis of several others, little if any smaller. On the wall back
of the excavation is another white oak 10 feet 9 inches in circumference,
4 feet from the ground, also a sassafras 30 inches in diameter at breast
height, and othertrees of similar dimensions. The annual growth-rings
of several white oak and ash stumps on No. 0 and other mounds near
the house, were counted and ranged in number from 3.50 to 500 each.
The following is a list of the whole or nearly whole clay vessels obtained
from various openings made in the mounds and elsewhere on Pin Hook
I'idge :
1 image vessel (Fig. 100.)
1 water Tessel with liuuiiiii lioad.
1 water vessel with eagle head.
3 water vessels with hooileil heads.
1 flat opeu laui)!.
1 double headed vessel.
1 pot (already mentioned.)
1 bowl with Up (Fig. 102.)
Eleven others of various fonus.
beckwith's ranch.
HKCKWrm's RANCH.
180
Although tlie. aucieut works at this place are less tliaii 2 miles from
the inelosure and other works just described, they are differently
Fiu. 101.— Water vcssol from Bcrkwitli'8 raitrli, Mississipi>i county, "MiHsoori.
occupied and appear to have been differently constructed. The area
of the site is least subject to overflow of any in this region except the
"Fort," but there is no trace of wall or ditch, nor is there a pyramidal
Fir. 102.— Water vessel from Betkwith's fort, Mi.fsissippi coiintv. Mi.iaouri.
mound in the group, the only works here being low, tlattish, circular
mounds and long oval ones, resembling so closely the low, natural swells
190 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
(if tlie level area as to require a iiraetical iiivestij;iiti()ii to ileterniine
whether they are natural or artificial. They appear to belouj;' to two
classes, those used for dwelliug sites and those used for burial pur-
poses, the former lieiiig' the higher and the color of the surface layer
darker than that of tlie other class. This darker color of the surface
layer is probably due to the fact that immediately below it are found
fire-beds with burnt earth, charcoal, aslics, and the bones of animals,
(mostly split). There are seldom any human skeletons or entire vessels
of pottery in the mounds of this class though the earth is tilled with
fragments of broken vessels. In these tunuili, wliicli are so close
Fig. 10:i. — Gourd-shapert vessel from Ifeckwith & ranch, Missja.sipj)i <-ounty. Missouri.
together as sometimes to form an almost continuous ridge, are often
found two or three, and sometimes even four, fire-beds in succession, at
different depths, ranging from 1 to 4 feet down to the natural surface.
The skeletons, among which were a luimber of clay vessels, were of
medium size, lying at full length horizontally upon the back or side,
without any apparent regularity as to direction, except so far as was
necessary to avoid overlapping, which was seldom done in the same
layer. The vessels were invariably placed by the side of or over the
skull, which was often found indented or crushed. Many, and in places
a majority or all, of the skeletons of a layer were without an accompany-
THOMAS.). POTTERY FROM BECKWITIl's RANCH. 191
ing entire vessel, but sekloiii without the fragments of a broken one
where the entire one was wanting.
As a rule, but one vessel was found to a skeleton, though occasionally
two and even three were observed; but when this was the case they
were of different forms and evidently intended for different purposes.
Thus, if a long-necked water cooler was found on one side of the skull,
the vessel on the other side, if any, would be a cup or basin or other
food dish, and if a third were present it would be an effigy or orna-
mented vessel placed at the crown or above it. No fire-beds, charcoal,
or split bones of animals were found among the skeletons.
'^ ij'y
Fig. 104. — Owl image vessel from Eeckwith's raneb.
The mounds of this class were often so low as to Ije scarcely apparbnt.
Indeed, it is evident that the jieople who once occupied this locality
buried their dead about 2 feet deep in the natural earth, and that the
elevation of portions of their cemetery is the result of subsequent
burials on the same site, as in such cases we found two or three layers
of skeletons.
At this place some 45 or 50 whole vessels were found of which the
following were obtained for the Bureau, the owner of the place. Col.
Beckwith, who assisted in the work, retaining the rest:
1 water vessel, female image (Fig. 99).
1 long-uecked water vessel with three legs (Fig. 101).
1 water vessel, female image.
i92
MOUNI) KXPl.ORATIONS.
1 goiird-Hliaped voHsel with animal head (I'if;. HW).
1 owl image (Fig. 104).
1 fisli-shapod l>(>wl (Fig. 10r>. » and lij.
1 vessel with animal head.
1 vesuel with human head.
1 bowl with human head.
Fl<i. 1U5. — Fisb-sliaix-d vosst'l fniiii Ili-tkwitirs raiicli. o. view: h. plan
1 .shell-shaped bowl.
1 pottery ornament.
1 pottery ornament.
Seventeen other vessel.s, besides 5 pottery mnllers and some stone iiniilonienta.
MEYERS Morxns.
These, 2 in iiuiiib»^i'. are .situated ou the county road from Cairo, Illi-
nois, by way of Bird's Point, to Charleston, about midway between the
THOMAS. I
THE MEYERS MOUNDS.
193
two jioiuts. Tliey are im tlie highest ground in that immediate section
ami fronting a cypress sw'amp. One is doubk- or terraced, and the
other much h)\ver and oval in outline. The latter is 73 feet long, 50
feet broad, and 10 feet high, sides straight, but the ends rounded and
flat on top, where Mr. John ^Meyers, the ow7ier. has placed his dwelling
house. The large one (Fig. 106) consists of a higher portion or mahi
part, which is pyramidal in
form, .W feet square on the level
top, and 25 feet high, and a
level terrace 63 feet long, 50
feet broad, and 15 feet high,
extending northward.
A regular ancient cemetery
which had been worked over by
jn-evious explorers, was found
about 100 yards east of the
main works. The area around
the large mound, to the extent
of several acres, except a small
spot on the north side near the
swamp, was formerly thickly
covered over with small circu-
lar depressions or house sites, but these are now mostly obliterated by
cultivation.
Several low mounds in the vicinity had been so thuroughly upturned
as to be now barely traceable. As a. matter of course nothing was
found in these but the fragments left by others; but in excavations
made in other parts of the farm several vessels and images of pottery
of the character and designs common in this section were obtained.
No indications of a surrounding wall were observed.
PLAN
5 EC T 10 M
FHi. 106. — Meyera' mound, .Scott county, Missouri.
BUTLER (lOUNTY.
Along the railroad from St. Louis to Iron mountain few mounds were
observed, but from there to Toplar blurt' they are nuuu'rous on the low
valley lauds, almost always circular in form, from 30 to .50 feet in diam
eter, and from 3 to 4 feet high. So far as they have been opened, little
else has been found in them than decaying human bones, often com-
mingled with charcoal and ashes, and occasionally fragments of pot-
tery.
Four ot this class found on the bottoms of Big Black river, about 2
miles above Poplar blutt', were exidored. They, like many others of
similar appearance, are on land subject to overflow at ordinary high
water. All are circular and some of them very flat, those excavated
being the highest and situated in the midst of a dense growth of
swamp oak, ash, elm, and other timber growing on the mounds the
same as elsewhere.
12 ETH 13
194
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Moniid No. 1 measured but Ho feet iu diameter and 4 feet in lieigbt.
Nothing was found in it except a hard, central, or inner core of lijilit-
colored clay which, when thrown out, ai>i)eared like dry usortar nuxcd
with charcoal, ashe.s, and stone chips. No traces of hones or iiulica-
tions of burial were ob.served.
No. 2,30 feet in diameter, 4 feet hijih; resembled No. 1 in internal
arrangement and contents.
No. 3, 40 feet in diameter and 4 feet high; gave the same results as
1 and 2.
No. 4, similar in size, differed from the others only in the fact that
at the bottom, in the center, was found a busliel or more of charcoal
and ashes.
In Fig. 107 is presented a group of this character near ITarviell,
which is given as a type of the groups of this class of mouiids which
•.>A,:>„A„„
Fig. 107 Mound group near Harviell. Butler county. Missouri.
literally dot all the land iu this region except the cypress swamps.
They are uniformly circular, seldom exceeding 50 feet in diameter, or
4 feet in height.
The seven of this group marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, and 7 and quite a
number of other groups were excavated, the uniform result being to
And the main portion composed of very hard clay with charcoal and
ashes mixed in greater or less ([uantities and frequently, but not always,
fragments of very rude pottery and rude stone .scrapers or skinners.
roWEIi's FORT.
This is an ancient inclosure, connected with other works on the farm
of Mr. Power, on alow ridge which runs between Little Black river
POWER S FORT.
195
and Cypress swamp, near the Eii)ley county line. A plat of the group
is given in Fig. 108, from which it will be seen that it consists of a quad-
rangular (nearly square) inclosure with embankments or walls on three
sides, and an outside ditch along the entire length of the walls, an
excavation at each western corner outside, aiul four mounds on the
interior area. The western wall, which runs exactly north and south,
is 750 feet long and, as it is still covered by the original forest growth,
-^>.
2!'i
• ,1;
ll!
u;
■if
"i
I
1],
"• -«£=
^»l#^^-
Fig. lOS.- -Power's fort. Butler cimiity. Mis.souri.
is quite distinct. The ditch, which runs along the outside is also very
distinct, being from 3 to 5 feet deep and about twice as wide. The
nortli«rn and southern walls and ditches in the cultivated area are
almost obliterated: still they can be traced throughout from where they
connect at tlie corners with the western wall, to the undisturbed
extremities near the swamp. The northern line measures 762 feet and
the southern 744.
19fi
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The excavation coimecting with the ditch near tlie southwest corner
(«) is about 150 feet h>ug, 100 feet wide and l."> feet deep at the lowest
jtoint. The excavation at tlie northwest corner {!>) is somewliat longer,
rather narrower, and not quite so deej), but both always contain water.
The four inonnds in the inclosnre are located as indicated at 1. 2, 3
and 4, 'So. 1, which is the largest, being nearly 150 feet long, north and
! south, 120 feet broad at base, and 20 feet high. The
length and width have evidently been increased and
the height lowered by the continued cultivation of
fifty years. A thorough examination of this was
made and the construction found to be somewhat
jieculiar, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 100,
which shows a vertical section through the length.
The bottom layer (1) is a circular platform about
100 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, formed of yel-
low sand similar to the original surface beneath and
around it.
The next layer, marked 2, is only 0 inches thick
and consists of dark blue, adhesive day, or muck,
from the swamp; which has become very hard. It
was strewn with burnt earth, charcoal, ashes, frag-
ments of split bones and pottery, stone chips and
Vnio shells. The next layer (3) is 8 feet thick at the
central point of what apjjears to have been the orig-
inal mound, of which it was the top stratum. But
it is not uniform, and, although showing no distinct
strata, was not all formed at one time, as in it there
were, at dift'erent depths, at least three distinct fire-
beds of burnt earth and heavy accumulations of
ashes, charcoal, and charred animal bones.
In this layer, a little south of the center, were
found the charred fragments of long poles and small
logs, all lying horizontally, and also a post (a), prob-
ably of locust wood, 0 inches in diameter and .5 feet
long, still erect, but the upper end shortened by fire
and the lower end haggled off by some rude imple-
ment.
The layer marked 4 is an addition to the original
jdan. At this stage the occupants or builders, for
some reason, made an addition to the original mound, extending it
northward some 40 feet, apparently in this wise: the lower layer was
built on the north end itrecisely as in the original mound and of the
same height; then the layer corresponding to No. 2 of the original
mound, which is No. 4 in the figure, was built up of bluish clay irregu-
larly mixed with fire-beds, ashes, charcoal, yellow sand, and (calcined
bones to the height of No. 3 and somewhat overtopping it. Having
t
&
<£
THOMAS,] POWERS FORT. 197
thus obtiiined the desired form, layer Xo. 5, (! feet thick, chiefly of dark
swainij-muck, was heaped over the original mound and addition. But
this layer was probably formed by additions made to it from time to
time, as it presents considerable variety in the appearance of the ma-
terial and also contains large masses of yellow sand, charcoal, ashes,
fragments of pottery, and charred bones, among which were found the
head of a deer and of an elk, with portions of the charred horns still
attached. Jfauy rude stone knives, scrapers, and perforators, a few
rude lance-heads and fragments of a better class of pottery were scat-
tered through it. Northwest of the center, in this layer, were some
charred timbers lying horizontally and one post (b) standing erect, re-
sembling the timber post found in No. 3.
The external layer, 4 feet thick, and of a heterogeneous character,
was apparently formed of various sized masses of bluish clay, yellow
sand, and charcoal combined.
Mound No. 2 is much smaller than No. 1, not exceeding 100 feet in
diameter and 6 feet in height, and is flat on top. It consisted of four
layers, the first or upper stratum of sandy soil, 2 feet thick, mixed with
fiagmcnts of pottery; the second, about the same thickness, chiefly
yellow sand, with patches of blue clay, charcoal, ashes, fragments of
pottery, and human bones mostly unbroken but soft as pulp; the third,
6 inches thick, was made up of blue clay and fragments of pottery;
and the fourth, 18 inches thick, of yellow sand, well filled with decayed
human bones, though some of them were ]dump and soft. Scattered
among them were charcoal and ashes.
Mound No. 3, also flat on top, 80 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, was
without regular layers; but the base was found to be composed chiefly
of yellow sand, containing fire-beds, patches of bones, charcoal, ashes,
fragments of pottery, etc.
Mound No. 4 resembled No. 3 in form, size, composition, and contents.
Fragments of pottery, stone chips, lance-heads, scrapers, and perfor-
ators were scattered over the area of the inclosure, and at one point
there was an almost solid deposit of them.
Mound No. 5, standing outside the inclosure in a grove of large oak
timber and dense underbrnsh, is 40 feet in diameter and 8 feet high,
circular and symmetrical in form. An opening 6 feet in diameter and 3
feet deep had been made in the top so long ago that oak saplings have
since grown np in it. Further excavation revealed nothing but the
fact that it was composed of four jiarallel, horizontal' strata, the flrst
or top one of yellow sand 1 foot thick, the second, 1 foot of dark muck,
the third, 4 feet of yellow sand, and the bottom, 1 foot of dark muck.
'As a general rule tbronfjtoiit this part of the Report "horizontal" wheu applied
to strata is to be understood in the stri(jt sense of the term and as implying that the
stratum does not conform to the curve or contour of the mound.
I'Jb MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
ARKANSAS.
Although explorations were made in other parts of this state, much
the linger portion of the iincient works referred to :ire in the north-
eastern part, or, iu other words, the lands bordering the Mississii)pi and
lower Arkansas and the area drained by the White and St. Francis
rivers. This area, if extended southward so as to include Desha and
Chicot counties, is known as the Mississippi alluvial region of Arkansas.
With the exception of (Jrowley's ridge, which breaks its monotonous
uniformity, it consists chiefly of broad bottom lands interrupted in
jtlaces byswamjjs, sloughs and wet prairies, thiough whicii, or separat-
ing which, are generally low, broad swells or ridges (as they are called,
though of but few feet in height) of rich sandy loam heavily timbered.
( "rowley's ridge, whicli runs through (ireen. Craighead, Poinsett, and
St. Francis counties, forming the divide between the waters of White
and St. Francis rivers, terminates in I'iullijis county just below the city
of Helena. The top, throughout its entire exteut in Arkansas, is com-
posed for the most part of siliceous clay and marl of (|naternary date,
usually resting on a bed of waterworn gravel. JSumerous springs of
good cool water flow from beneath this gravel bed along the eastern foot
of the ridge near ITelena. Most of the bottom lands are overflowed
during high water.
CLAY COrNTY.
This, the extreme uortheastera county of the state, is comparatively
level and is drained by the St. Francis river on the east. Cache river
in the center, and F.lack river on the west. These rivers are bordered
by low, flat, bottom lands heavily timbered and subject to overflow.
Between Black and Cache rivers is a low ridge, which extends south-
westward through several counties. Between the Cache and St. Fran-
cis rivers is a still more pronnnent and wider elevation, which is the
beginning of Crowley's ridge.
The only group of mounds examined in this county is situated, in the
immediate \icinitv of Corning, the county seat, on a sandy ridge that
rises some -!0 feet above the cypress swamj) flanking it on the east.
A few of these were measured and opened with the following results:
No. 1, oblong, measured 90 feet in length by 65 in width at the base
and 11 feet high. About 20 feet of the north end had been removed by
the townspeoijle. The only things of interest observed were fire beds
of swamp muck, charcoal, ashes, stone chips, and a few charred bones.
An examination of the remaining portion revealed nothing additional
except the indicaticms of long-continued occupancy and the fact that it
had been built up by successive layers.
No. '2, oblong, 40 by 35 feet at base and 5 feet high, was explored
with sinnlar results.
No. 3 measured 100 by 80 feet at base, but the lieight could not be
determined, as it had been partially removed for grading the railroad
THOMAS.]
EFFECT OF AN EARTHQUAKE.
199
trai-k. From the iiiniiber of decayed huuiau bones and fragments of
pottery found iu the remaining- jjortion, it i(< supposed to be the prin-
cipal burial place of the mound-builders who occupied the village
located here.
The small circular mounds were composed chiefly of sandy soil simi-
lar to that of the surrounding surface, but the fire beds, burned clay,
stone chips, and bones discovered in them render it evident that they
had been used as dwelling sites and that the custom of burying in the
floor of the cabin had 1)ceii followed here to some extent.
GREENK COINTY.
^# ^'*\ "|l"."l'l IWIII" ■
^B!i»^^
Fie.
no. — Effect of earthquake of 1811 on mound,
Greene countv, Arkansas.
The topographical features of this county are very similar to those
of Clay county, its eastern bimndary being the St. Francis river, which
through this and the two counties south is a continuous lake-like
swamp, being the section known as the " Sunken lands of the St. Fran-
cis." The western portion consists of the flat Cache river lands,
partly black sandy levels and
partly wet post-oak flats. Be-
tween the lowlands of the two ex-
tremes and occupying a large por-
tion of the area, is Crowley's
ridge," with its sandy lauds.
On the plantation of Mr. Rob-
ert Law, 9 miles east of Para-
gould, fronting the cypress bor-
ders of the St. Francis lake, is
a group of interesting mounds.
They are chiefly iu a forest of oak,
ash, gum, and other heavy timber.
The spot they occupy is in the " Sunken land region," or that section
so terribly shaken by the great earthcpiake of 1811.
At this particular locality the sand ridge and cypress swamp seem
still to retain their original relative elevations, but the ridge is so cut
up with trenches, narrow ridges, sinkholes, and "blow-outs" of flue
sand as to render the original size and even number of these mounds
very uncertain. There are some indications of a surrounding wall,
though not sufticient to justify the positive statement that there ever
was (uie.
The largest mound, which is flat on top, measured 120 feet long by
72 feet broad on top, 192 by 145 at the base and 25 feet high. Several
medium-sized trees are still standing on it, and there is evidence of
larger ones having been overturned, possibly during the earthquake,
or by some previous or subsequent severe windstorm. Be this as it
may, the effects of the eartluiuake are still visible in this artificial
structure, after a lapse of eiglity years, iu two very distinct and
pecidiar fissures, as shown in Fig. 110. These are from -1 to 6 feet deep
200 ■ MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and fully as wide, j)artially disclosing the character of the mouml, per-
mission to explore it being refused by the owner.
THE ISABCOCK MOUNDS.
The small group bearing this name consists of but two mounds, sit-
uated in Sec. 3(i, T. 16 N., R. 2 E., of the fifth principal meridian, in the
southeast corner of the county on a low ridge between Cache river and
a cypress swamp.
Mound 1 is of the ordinary round or conical form, 65 feet in diameter
and 7 feet high, composed chiefly of earth shuilar to the surrounding
soil. About halfway down from the top was found a thin layer of
burnt clay reaching from 2 feet east of the middle to the western
margin, which did not conform horizontally to the curve of the mound,
but to the level of the ground on which the mound stands. A few
inches above this layer were two small deposits of burnt claj'. It is
doubtful whether they were burnt where they were found, there being
no coals or ashes about them and the earth in contact with them show-
ing no indications of heat. They were scircely more than a foot S(piare
and 3 inches thick.
Two skeletons found were probably intrusive burials, as they were
placed only ll2 and 16 inches below the surface. The most interesting
thibg observed in -this simple, ordinary mound was the size of some of
the supposed "load masses." jSTear the bottom, in the central part,
the clayey portion increased and the mottled appeaiance, supposed by
mound explorers to be due to the deposits of individual loads, became
quite distinct and some of these masses were apparently too heavy
loads for even two persons, as they were .5 feet across the face and from
a foot to 20 inches thick.
The other mound had already been opened.
CRAIGHEAD COUNTY.
The topographical features of this county are much the same as
those of Greene, the only important difference being that its area em-
braces a larger proportion of the lowlands of the St. Francis valley.
According to Col. Norris, who visited the northeast part of the county,
the entire region along this part of the St. Francis lake is so cut up
with sink holes, "blow-outs," sand hillocks, aud trenches (trending
northeast and southwest), the effect of earthquakes, that the ancient
works are scarcely traceable except in certain favored localities. One
of these he found at Carpenter's landing on the St. Francis lake, 12
miles east of Brooklyn. Even this sandy ridge is much marred by the
eflects of the earthquake but there are irnmistakable evidences that
this locality was occupied in former times by a large mound-builder's
village and cemetery. A long line of circular and oblong mounds —
some nearly square and flat on top — is still traceable in what is now a
swamp back of the ridge.
THE WEBB GROUP.
201
Several of these, mncb shattered by the earthquake, were exainiued
aud others uuiiijured were opened. All were formed of irregular layers
of swamp muck ou which were fire-beds, charcoal, ashes, fragmeuts of
pottery, and charred animal bones, as is usual in this region.
In a conical mound ou the ridge, at the depth of 3 feet from the top,
was the skeleton of a child not more than 3 feet long, aud by the side
of the skull a dark scalloprimnied basin, and close to it another vessel,
light colored. At the bottom, on tlie natural surface of the ground, Mas
a fire-bed. The main body of the mound was composed of gray loam,
such as that of the soil around it, but the top was covered with a layer
of soft, yellow sand, -'0 inches thick at the center, aud thinning out
each way.
A small circular mound, l!.") feet in diameter and 7 feet high, found on
Cane island in St. Francis lake, was explored. This had a rather mod-
FlG. 111.— Webb firoiip, Craigbi^ail county. Arkansas.
ern appearance and had evideutly been built up at iutervals. Passing
through a top stratum of gray, sandy soil, something over a foot thick,
the exjjlorer reached a layer of charcoal and ashes about 6 inches thick,
covering an area of about*! feet in diameter, in which were the charred
fragments of animal bones. Next below this was a layer, 2 feet thick,
of sand so loose as to shovel like ashes. This lay ou a fire-bed of similar
size, and at least a foot in depth of charcoal, in which were decayed
firebrands. This was, in tact, a coalpit in which were several bushels
of excellent charcoal, but little ashes and no bones. About a foot or
so below this was another similar charcoal bed. Not a particle of clay,
mud, or a piece of stone or pottery was seen in any i^art of the mound.
The grou]i shown in Fig. Ill is situated in the southern part of the
county, on Sec. 16, T. 13 Is., E. 5 E., ou the land of Mr. Jasper Webb,
about 10 miles southeast of Jouesboro.
202 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
No. 1, tlie largest of tlie group, is .S.') feet long by 75 Itroad on the
flat top and 1.'! feet liigli: but being oecupied as a graveyard eould not
be explored.
No. 2, eonical in form, measured about IM feet iu diameter at the
base and very nearly 20 feet liigli. It was examined but revealed noth-
ing of interest.
No. 3, eonical in form, (i5 feet in diameter and 7i feet liigli, contained
four skeletons, but so far decayed that they could only be partially traced.
One was near the center at a depth of 5 feet, another on the west side
'3 feet below the surface. Two feet and a half below the latter was a
broken pot with some badly decayed shells in it. Pottery was discov-
ered at all deiiths from 0 inches to (»i feet below the surface and in all
conditions from unbroken vessels to those in fragments. All the whole
vessels were sitting right side up and in most cases near the surface;
those lower down were generally in fragments. Some jiarts of the
mound appeared to be entirely barren of sjiecimens while in other jiarts
several were found near together. In one place on the south side, in a
space of 3 feet square by 2 feet deep, were five pots. Thirty-four speci-
mens of the Bureau collection are from this mound.
Mound No. 4 was but partially explored, the work being stopped by
water rising in the trenches. In this were two skeletons and a number
of clay vessels. With one of the skeletons were six pots.
None of the specimens found in this mound were buried more than
2 feet deep and some of them were within (J inches of the surface. This
tumulus is situated close to a shmgh and is surrounded by water in
times of great freshets.
There are a few places near these mounds elevated about a foot above
the surrounding land. One near mound No. 1 was examined and at
the depth of a foot charcoal and fragments of very firm pottery were
discovered; but further examination was stopped by the water which
rose in the trenches.
Mound No. 5 (not shown in the tigure), circular-, rounded on top, 40
feet in diameter and 2i feet high, was composed entirely of sand and
unstratifled. Although it stands on low, wet ground, graves had been
dug in the natural soil, or excavations made before it was built, as re-
mains and specimens were found at the depth of ii feet below the sur-
face of the mound.
Compaiatively few human bones were discovered and these so badly
decayed th it none of them could be saved, but the number of pottery
vessels was unusually large, over forty being found in the mound.
Usually these vessels were in groups or nests; that is to say, from two
to four would be found together, though occasionally one would be by
itself; and as a general thing the mouths were up. The ware is through-
out of very inferior quality, usually thin and Imperfectly burned. It
consists of cooking pots, some with ears and some without, and some
showing evidences of usage; long-necked water bottles, gourd-shaped
THOMAS.]
MOUNDS AT TYRONZA STATION.
203
water vessels; bowls, one large with a flariug rim; dipper or skillet
shaped vessel with short handles; two clay pipes, etc.
A limestone celt, lance head, and arrow point were the only stone
implements discovered iu it. Some coals and ashes, rough, burned
stones, and lumps of burned clay were observed.
I'liINSETT COl'NTY.
The topography of this county is throughout similar in every re.spect
to that of Craighead county which lies iiiiuiediatcly north of it. It
has the same dividing ridge, the same low Hat belt and the same bound-
ing streams.
TYl!l)N7.A STATIOX.
This is a mere siding about 1 mile east of the i)oint where the Kan-
sas City, Springfield, and Memphis railroad crosses the Tyronza river,
constructed as a ineans of access to a large and valuable gravel bed
underlying the sandy ridge, which is something less than a mile wide
at this point and between 3 and 4 miles long. Although the summit of
this ridge is from 10 to 15 feet above the swamj) around it, only the
tops of the larger and higher ancient mounds upon it remain above
the water during the heavy <>\ crUows of the Mississippi river. Fig.
112 shows the relative jiositions of tlie mounds and their relation to
the railroad.
Th(^ following list gives the numbers, the shape, diameter at the
base, and the height of each of the mounds shown in the figure and
remarks in regard to the contents of those exjjlored.
Shape.
Diameter. Height.
Reujarks.
Feet.
Circular - - - . V20
do 1011
....do 70
...do
...do
Obloilf; UlOh.v
Circular ....
....do
Feet.
10
....do
11
....do
12
....do
13
...do
14
.. -do
15
....do
16
....do
. . . .do
IJU
100
6
40
3
7.5
5
80
S
100
li
liO
3*
BO
3
90
4
40
2
50
3
100
4
m
7
120
« 1
Fhittoppt'd. Loii^ occupied by a bouse.
Used as a cemetery by the wliites.
Jinin's and t'raiinicnts of pottery.
An<;ient lire-bed, asbes. and bones.
Found notliin<;.
Two tiers of lirebeds and ashets.
Opened tborouglily, tindini; the burneil 4lay and plaster
for the tloor and walls of n (Iwt^Uing 12 by V.i feet.
Fig. U3 sbows vertical section.
Cut away by the railroad men ; dotted with redtir''beda,
black partb above tbeni filled with human bones and
pottery.
Charred remains of a dwelling seemingly about 12 feet
square.
Partly cut away by railroad men
asbes. and i)ntterv.
Kuins of dwelling; Fig. 114 shows a vertii
Fire-bed and clay burned to a brick red.
I>o.
Uo.
Tut lie woods ciintaiued three tiers of fire-beds and in the
upper, 2 feet from the surface, one skeleton ami pot.
Contained two lire-beds, ashes, and bones.
Fire-beds, charcoal,
al section.
204
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Three other siiuihvr mound.s were seen in the woods but not excavated.
Fig. 115 is a representation of the face of the cut made by the rail-
road in the gravel pit; or, in other words, a vertical section of tlie ridge
to the depth of from o to 6 feet below the normal surface; also of the
mounds ou the line of the section. The length of the section show n in
^'>Sm
^'k- f \ '^*«^
VJ
•#
the figure is 1,100 feet. The heights, distances, and iu fact all the fig-
ures given are from actual careful measurements.
It will be seen from this, that not only were the mounds occupied as
dwelling sites, but that the entire ridge, so tar as the cut for the rail-
road extends, and to the depth of from 2 to 3 feet, has, scatteied
through it, burnt clay beds which in Arkansas are sure marks of house
sites. The short, heavy, black, horizontal dashes mark the locations of
MOUNDS AT TVRONZA STATION.
205
flre-beds or indicatious of fire, as beds of aslies, charcoal, etc.; the
cross-hatched, or shaded, short, liorizoiital daslies represent the burnt
day beds, some of whicli formed the hard floors of dwellings and some
the fragments of plastered walls which have fallen over when the dwell-
ing was bnrned, as appears to have been the case in most instances.
The positions and relations of these beds, as shown in the fignre, make
it evident that upon the site of one bnrned dwelling another was usually
constructed, not infrequently a third, and sometimes even a fourth,
the remains of each being underlaid and usually overlaid in part by very
dark, adhesive clay or muck from the adjacent excavations whicli are
found in the swamp as well as upon the ridge, and contain water and
occasionally tish.
Fig. 113. — Section oI'Mouud No. 8, Tn roiiza station, T*oin.-;ett t'onuty, Arkansas.
The peculiar black color of these beds is chiefly in consequence of the
large proportion of charcoal with which they are mixed, some of it
doubtless the flue particles of burned grass and reed matting with
which the caliins appear to have Ijeen thatched. In and immediately
beneath these are found the deposits of human skeletons, pottery and
other relics.
In mound A (Fig. 115), and at the second red clay bed from the top
was found a water vessel which is neatly ornamented with red figures,
and in the next bed below an image vessel.
On the bottom hearth t)f mound B was a layer of what had the
appearance of hand-molded brick, well burned, and as red and hard
as modern brick. These bricks, as a matter of course, were irregular
in form and proportion, but seemed to have been intentionally formed
..l...iajl|HllHJ]MHI4IIJ,UiyimiUllH».Jl|l|H„[.illMI |.WWJ)|I^UflJ^|jj4)|HlTtr^
Fl(i. 114. — Si^ction of Mound K(i. 1'.!, Tyronza stati<in, I'oinst^tt county, Arkansas.
before burning. Upon this floor, commingled with the burned plaster,
w'hich had formed the walls of the dwelling and which still showed the
casts of cane, brush, and grass, were found balls or rounded masses of
burned clay, containing the remarkably clear and distinct casts of small
ears of maize (Fig. 116). This is judged from the casts to be the variety
known in the South as the "gourd seed corn," which has the outer end
of the grain very thin. Of these A is the original clay with the grain
impressions in it; B is a cast of another i)iece showing the reverse of
the impressions.
Mound No. 8 is circular, 80 feet in diameter at the base, o feet high,
and quite flat on top. It contained two beds of burned claj-, indicating
two successive dwellings.
206
MOUND KXPLORATIONS.
In No. 12, a vertical si-ctioii of wliicli iw shown in Fig. Ill, were
found the ruins of a dwelling, the ])lnn of whirh, so far as it could be
made out, is jiivcn in Fig. 117. Tliere seems to have been three rooms
(rt, l>;uu\ (I), each as iieailysciuarc as the builders were eai)ab]eof niakiuf;
it, the tioor consisting of a layer of clay, burned
wlieii formed. The floor of room a was in ])ieees,
soinew hat as iei>resented in the figuie.
The Moor of room l> was snioitth chiy, hardened and
partially burned. The sizes of these rooms were as
follows: «, II feet f> inches front by 12 feet 2 inches
back; /;, II feet 7 inches front by 11 feet !) inclu-s
back; '/. 12 feet .'i inches front, the part remaining, G
feet back, but showing indications of about (J feet
more, making the depth about 12 feet.
The black dots along the lines of the walls indii^ate
2 the ui»right ]iosts which supi)orted the roof and to
i which the reed lathing for holding the jilastering
i was attached. KeiuaiTis of a sutbcient number of
i. these ])osts were found to show how far apart they
J were placed, which api)ears to have been a little less
\ than 2 feet.
- From the burned Iragments of the walls found it
3 would seem that the cane lathing was worked in be-
\ tween fiie i)osts, as shown in Fig. 118, and was held
? in i)osition l)y interwoven twigs until the i)laster was
i applied, both inside and out. The semicircular tig-
■i ures (c V <■) are supi)osed to reiueseut fireplaces. The
" l)ack room (<h may or nniy not ha\-e l>een square.
As will be seen further on, the floor of another
dwelling, sonu^what sinnlar in form to the one here
shown, was discovered at another point (see Fig. 13(J).
In digging away the gravel bank uumerons skele-
tons wer(> discovered, usually in a deposit of swamp
mud, charcoal, and ashes, either immediately beneath
or just above the layer of the hearth and burned plas-
tering of the ancient dwellings. All the indications
go to confirm the theory that the dead were interred
in a deposit of day, swamj) mud, or charcoal and
ashes, or a. ndxture of them, either in or immediately beneath tlie dwell-
ings, which were flien burned over them. Frequently several skeletons
of. different sizes were found in these places as tliongh mend)ers of a
family; but wiiether they were all interred at one tinu' t)r were buried
there one sit a. time, as they died, is not clear, as the evidence seems to
l)oint to botli methods, and perhaps both were practiced. But there
cau be no doubt that it was a custom among the mound-builders of
this section to si>read a layer of fresh eartli upon the charred remains
It'
THOMAS]
mound-builders' dwellings.
207
of one dwelling, often wiiilr yet smouldering, to the depth of 1, 2, or 3
feet, and subseciuently use it iis the site of another dv.clliin;, and some-
times even a third, tliiis
increasing the height of
the mound; each lay-
er becoming the burial
jdace of some, at least,
of the occupants of the
dwellings destroyed.
In this way many, if not
most of the smaller and
medium-sized tumuli of
this region, then as now
subject to overflow,
have been built up. A
great majoi'ity of the
mounds of this charac-
ter in this region are
now and always were
subject to overflow; but
no instance is known
where the large, flat-
topiied mound of a
group is not now above
all ordinary floods. Al-
though the latter also
contain tire l)cds, these
are not so common as
in the smaller ones,
from which we may ]ici-
haps justly conclude
that the people realiz
ing their situation,
built up more rapidly
one 1 ar ge cen tral
mound above the floods as a site for several dwellings or a large com-
nuuial hf)use, as well as a refuge for the villagers in times of floods.
r Iiidiilll I
Mir. I. Kit .MOUNDS.
This group, whicli is shown in Fig. ll!t, is situated in Sec. Ut, T. 10
N., E. 6 E. on hind owned by ^Ir. ^^'il]iam Davis on the west side of the
St. Francis river.
The large mound, No. 1 (luoliably in ]>art a natural formation) and
part of the surrounding lands are under cultivation; the rest of the
groirp is yet in the forest, which consists of oak, pecan, cottonwood,
hackberry, haw, gum, and hickory trees and scattering stalks of cane.
208 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Tlie bottom land is a black, sticky soil, very rich, iirodiicing fine crops
of cotton, corn, and tobacco. Mounds 1, 2, and .3 remain uncovered
during overflows, the re.st being submerged to the depth of 3 or 4 feet
or more. Quantities of potsherds, broken stone irai)lenients, burned
clay, bones, and arrowheads are plowed up every season and are
scattered over the surface of the large mound and fields.
Mound No. 1, if in fact it be throughout an artificial structure, is long,
flat-toi)p('d. though not level, and irregular in form, the greatest length
being about flOO feet and the greatest width about 225 feet. The height
varies from i feet at
the northern en<l to 12
at the southern (see
vertical section, Fig.
120).
At »h( Fig. 11!») there
is a considerable de-
pression, as though it
had not been filled up
at this point or had
been washed out, this
portion being raised
only 2 feet. On the
surface at c and d are
two small m o ir n d s
about 3 feet high and
20 feet in diameter,
composed of hard
clay. The soil is
sandy and quite
Fig. 117. — Clay floor of a three room house. I'ich
Although designated a mound, this may be in part a natural forma-
tion, possibly the remnant of a former ridge which has been swept away
by the overflows; but that the height has been artificially increased at
the southern end can not be doubted, though permission to dig here
was not granted, as this dwelling and other houses were located here.
Jfo. 2, near the north end of No. 1, is about 110 feet in diameter and
18 feet high ; conical and symmetrical. The surface layer proved to be
a sandy soil and quite different from that of the woodland in which it
stands, which is black and sticky. Several large trees are growing on
the sides and near the top.
No. .3 is 60 yards from No. 2, oval and fiat on top; diameter nortli
and south, 105 feet, east and west 75 feet, and lu'ight 12 feet.
No. 4 is about 50 yards east of No. 3, 25 feet in diameter, 3 feet high,
and circular. In this little mound was a mingled mass of human bones
in every conceivable position, covering an area of about 10 feet in
diameter. All the skulls were soft and in pieces. Among the bones
THOMAS. ]
THE MILLER MOUNDS.
209
were several whole earthen vessels aud numerous frag-mcnts of pottery
This is the ouly one of the group examined in wliich neither charcoal
nor ashes were found.
No. 5 is 40 yards southwest of No. '.i, diameter 'JO feet, height 2 feet.
No. 6 is 70 yards west of No. 3, diameter 40 feet, height 3 feet. About
2 inch(^s of the top consisted of vegetable soil. Under this was a
layer of burnt clay extending across the mound, but not reaching the
"^"^■"■-.ll/l
OJi!iJlii!'-:-ii^ ^■■^■A/ ■■■'.■■A :\W
Fig. 118.— Miide of latliinii honsea by Moimd-buihUTs.
margins. This was not in a compact layer, but consisted of broken
fragments bearing the imprint of grass and twigs and in some jilaces
the casts of split cane. In most cases the smooth side was down. The
layer conformed to the surface of the ground and not to the curve of the
mound, and in the central portion was
slightly depi'essed. Below this, as far as
the excavation extended (water stopping
the work) was dark muck. Immediately
below the burnt clay were four small ash
beds on the same level. On and immedi-
ately below the large layer of burnt clay
were several wliole earthern vessels, two
water bottles, two pots, and three bowls,
and in the clay bed a large number of frag-
ments of pottery.
No. 7, 100 yards west of No. 2, stands on
low, wet ground with water all around it;
diameter 00 feet, height 5 feet. After ])ass-
ing through a toj) layer of vegetable mold
some 2 or 3 inches thick an unusually heavy
layer of burnt clay, some 15 feet in diame-
ter, was reached, which, in the center,
measured 18 inches thick, but thinning out
toward the margin, where it consisted of
scattering fragments. The middle portion
of the underside curved slightly upward, where it pressed upon a layer
of ashes immediately below it. This layer of clay had the appearance
of having been made by laying down irregularly shaped chunks of burnt
12 ETH U
Fig. 119,— The Miller mounds, Poin.
actt county, Arkausaa.
210
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
clay, some of tlieni very bard, and filling in between them witb smaller
pieces. Although not solid, it seems that it was intended it should be
as compact and smooth on top as it could be made with such material-
Under this was a layer of ashes some 2 or 3 inches thick; below
this, dark muck or sticky clay. Other small ash beds were also found-
Eight pots were found in the large burnt clay layer, two of them at
the bottom of the layer by the side of an adult skeleton which lay in a
horizontal i^osition.
No. 8, 35 yards south of No. 7, measured only 20 feet in diameter and
2 feet in height. This, like the preceding, was comi)osed chiefly of the
=_(J
Fig. 120. — Vt^rtical section of mound No. 1, Miller j;roup, Poinsett county, Arkansas.
black, sticky soil or muck of the swamp areas around the group. A
trench across it revealed nothing except a layer of burnt clay, about G
inches tliick, occupying about two-thirds of the area of the mound
No. 9 is only about 15 feet southwest of No. 8, diameter 30 feet,
height, 4 feet; circular, and flat on top; a large pecan tree stands on
the northeast slope. The top
layer, 6 inches thick, consisted
of loose, sandy soil, followed by
a layer of burnt clay, quite hard,
9 inches tliick; the rest of the
mound to the original surface of
the ground consisted of black
muck.
Fig. 121 is a plat of this mound
showing the relative positions
of the articles found in it: 1, a
chipped celt at the depth ' of 6
inches; 2, a folded skeleton,
head east, at the depth of 6
inches, and by the side of it a
pot; 3, another skeleton at the
depth of 9 inches, and by its side
a bowl; 4, a clay disk at the
depth of 6 inches; 5 and 6, two folded skeletons, depth 2i feet, heads
west; 7 and 8, two folded skeletons, depth 18 inches, heads east, with
a bowl by the side of one and a jug by the other; 9 and 10, folded skele-
tons with jug and pot; 11, a pottery disk at the depth of 2 feet; 12, stone
disk at 18 inches; 13, 14, and 15, folded skeletons, heads southeast,
depth 2^ feet, by them a three-legged jug, a bowl and pot; 16 and 17, a
jug and bowl at the dei)th of 3i feet, no skeletons with them ; IS, a single
bowl, very small, depth 1 foot. A bone punch was also found here.
. 121. — Mound No. 9, Miller group. Poinsett
county, Arkansas.
1 Measurements of depth are always to the upper side of the article mentioued as it lies in the mound.
THOMAS] MOUND NO. 11, MILLEK'S GROUP. 211
Some of the clay vessels were quite soft at the time they were foniid,
but the larger number were strong, well made, and of comparatively
good material. Fragments of pottery, broken stone, clay, ashes and
charcoal were found at various depths. The bones of the .skeletons
were soft and fell to pieces as soon as they were uncovered.
Fo. 10, a small, circular mound, 3 feet high, was made up of several
irregular layers as follows: First a top layer of soil 3 inches thick; be-
low this a layer of burnt clay similar to that of the other mounds,
about 5 inches thick ; next, a foot of soil similar to that of the surround-
ing surface; and the remainder, to the original surface of the ground,
a mixture of ashes, burnt clay, and soil. At the center of tliis was a
couvsiderable bed of ashes occupying its entire thickness, in which lay
a single skeleton and with it four pots, two of them under the head of
the skeleton.
No. 11, 20 feet west of No. 10 ; diameter 35 feet, height 3i feet ; circular.
A broad trench was cut through it, carrying away the larger portion
to the original earth. In Fig. 122 the positions of the articles found
are marked. After passing through a
very thiu layer of surface soil a bed of
hard-burned earth 4 inches thick was
reached which covered the greater por-
tion of the mound; the remainder con-
sisted of black muck from the bott<>m
lands around ; at the depth of 5i feet,
or 2 feet below the original surface of
the ground, was a layer of ashes and
charcoal. Quantities of broken mussel
shells, charcoal, potsherds and chunks of
burned clay were found at various fk,. i22.-piaii 7f mounirNo. ii, MiUor
depths. groui).
At 1 lay a very soft folded skeleton, head north, 2 feet below the
surface; by the head a single earthen pot. Pots 2 and 3, and a bowl
(4), were all immediately under the usual layer of burned earth. Nos.
5 and 6 — clay pipes — were discovered at the depth of 2^ feet; 8, a pot,
at the depth of 2 feet; a clay pipe (not shown in the figure) at the
depth of IS inches.
Several pieces of burned clay bearing the impressions of split canes
were secured. These probably were pieces of plastering from the walls
of a dwelling which stood here and was destroyed by fire. The layer
of burned earth or clay mentioned was quite hard. It was full of the
impressions of grass and twigs, and looked as though grass and clay
had been mixed together. Some small trees, varying from G inches to
a foot in diameter, stood on the top and sides of the mound.
No. 12, 25 feet southwest of No. 11, diameter 25 feet, height, 3 feet;
circular; was composed of black, sticky nuick, except a layer of burned
clay 9 inches thick which covered the top.
212
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Fig. 123.— Plan <if Mounil Nci. 12. Miller firoup.
Fig. 12.'5 shows t\w positions of tlie following articles found in it.
Nos. 1 and li, pots at the depth of 9 inches, or immediately under the
bed of burned clay; 3, clay disk, depth, 9 inches; 4, a folded skeleton,
head north, depth, 1 foot, with a pot on each side of it; 5, a pot, depth,
2 feet; 0, a soft skeleton and
a pot, depth, 2 feet; 7, a
broken bowl at the depth of
I'i feet; 8, a bowl at a depth
of '2 feet; 9, 10, 11, three
skeletons, heads in different
directions, at the depth of 2
feet; 12, a clay pii>e immedi-
ately under the top layer of
burned clay.
^lost of the pottery in this
mound was very soft, hence
it was only with great care
that the A'essels could be
taken out whole. The bones
were so wet and soft that
they went to pieces when
handled . Several small,
hardwood trees, such as backberry, hickory, jtecan and walnut, grew
on the mound, but none exceeded 0 or 8 inches in diameter. Soft mus-
sel shells, chunks of burned clay, charcoal, burned stones, ashes and
fi'agmeuts of charred cane were found at various depths.
rHOHNTON (iROLP.
This group is situated in T. 11 IS., K. 6 E., on the east bank of Little
river, about 3 miles above its junction with the St, Francis.
The bottom land on which the mounds stand, although under culti-
vation, is low and subject to overflow. The plan of the group is given
in Fig. 121.
Fragments of ^lottery, broken stone implements, mussel shells, stone
chips, broken bones, and chunks of burned clay are scattered over a
I)ortion of the ground. A clay pipe was the only whole article that re-
warded a careful search of the surface.
Owing to continued rains aud abundance of water but two mounds
of the above group were examined and very little of interest found in
them.
The lollowing list gives the respective sizes aud forms of the mounds
of this group :
No. 1. Seventy-live feet long north and south, 65 feet wide, and 2
feet high.
No. 2. Ninety feet long north and south an 40 feet east and west.
No. 3. Thirty feet in diameter and 2 feet high.
THOMAS. 1
TAYLOR SHANTY GROUP.
213
No. 4, 25 feet across the widest point and 2 feet liigli.
No. 5, apparently double, 75 feet long north and south, 35 feet across
at the widest point, and 3 feet high.
No. 6, 50 feet long east and west, 30 feet wide, and 2 feet high.
No. 7, which is but 20 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, was opened
and found to consist throughout of sandy soil like that in the field
around it. It was full of ashes, charcoal, burned clay, broken mussel
shells, fragments of pottery, and stone chips. A soft, folded skeleton,
with head north, was found on the northern side at the depth of 18
inches; under it was a discoidal
stone. A few large fragments
of pottery, very soft, were at the
center near the surface. The
clay pipe heretofore mentioned
was found on the surface of this
mound.
No. 8, diameter 35 feet and
height 2 feet, is situated in -.i
depression, and at the time of
examination was surrounded by
water.
In No. 9, which is 25 feet in
diameter and 3 feet high, was a
folded skeleton at the depth of 1
foot, with head south ; no relics
of any kind with it.
THK TAYLOR SHANTY GROUP.
This group, shown in Fig. 125,
is situated in the southern part
of T. 11 N., R. 6 E., on the right
bank of the St. Francis river,
about 3 miles below where the
Kansas City, Fort Scott and
IMemphis railroad crosses this
stream. This part of the county
lies within the bounds of what
are known as the " Sunken lands
of the St. Francis river;" hence
the present condition is proba-
bly ([uite different from what it was previous to 1811, though it must
have abounded in swamps and sloughs as far back as the time of De
Soto's visit. The laud on which the mounds stand is subject to over-
flow, and in 1882, 1883, and 1884 was inundated to the depth of 10 or
12 feet, only the tops of the highest mounds remaining uncovered.
Mound No. 1, shown on a larger scale in Fig. 12C, is at this time but
-Plat of Thornton group, Poinsett county,
Arkan.s.iw.
214 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
a remnant of what it was, tlie overflow and wash of the St. Francis
river having worn away a considerable portion of it. The length at
present is 150 feet, greatest width 75, and height C feet, the top flat.
On this were two small mounds shown at a and h, each about 2(5 feet
in diameter and 2 feet high. Trenches 20 feet wide were dug through
Fm. 125.— Plat of Taylor Shanty group, Poinsett comity, Arkansas.
these small mounds to the depth of 5 feet. In that (c d) ruuuiug
through the little mouud «, seven skeletons of adults were found, all
extended and lying ou their backs, and with each (save two) were two
earthen vessels lying near the skulls, in most cases a bowl aud jai-.
With one of the exceptional cases was one vessel ; with the other, three.
At one poiut two skeletons were lying close together side by side, but
THOMAS.]
MOUND NO. 1.
215
with the feet of one to the head of the other. Shells and animal bones
were observed ; of the latter those of the deer were the most common.
Burnt clay and ashes were scattered through the earth, but not in beds.
In the trench (e f) running through mound h were also several skele-
tons, all lying horizontally, at full length, each with one or more earthen
vessels close by it; with one
there were four, two at the
knees and two at the head. In
one of the pots found in this
trench were a number of small
animal bones. At the deptli of
2 feet was a bed of burnt clay
and immediately beneath it a
bed of charcoal and ashes, in
which was found a single clay
pipe.
Mound No. 2 lies a few feet
north of No. 1, and is somewhat
oval in outline; north and south
diameter, 41 feet; east and west
diameter, 58 feet; and height,
5 feet. It was covered with a
dense growth of cane, and a
large tree had grown on the top
near the center, but, having
fallen, its trunk lay buried in
tlie top of the mound and was covered with vegetable mold to the depth
of 2 inches.
The construction of this mound as shown in Fig. 127, which repre-
sents an east and west cross section, is as follows, commencing at the
top: First, a top layer of soil, a, 3 inches thick; next, a layer of burnt
clay, ft, 15 inches thick in the central portion and thinning out to the
margins, smooth on top, but rough beneath, with the usual indications
Fig. 126. — Mound No. 1, Taylor Sbanty group.
Fig. 127. — Section of luounu No. 2, Taylor Shanty group.
of admixture with straw and twigs. Immediately under this was a
continuous layer of ashes and charcoal (c), equal in extent to the layer
of burnt clay above it and about 2 inches thick. The remains of partly
burned cane were found mixed through it; also fragments of pottery
and burned stones. Under this were layers of burnt clay, e and /, 8
inches thick, placed as shown in the figure, with a thin layer of ashes
216 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
between their oveilappiii}^ edges. Tliere were uo indications of grass
or twigs in tlie clay of these layers, as in that of the uit))er one, b.
Beneath these was another horizontal and continuous layer of fine coal
and ashes, </, about 2 inches thick. Tiiis had the appearance of burnt
cane, as Iragments of cane partially l)urned were found in it. Under
this was still another layer of burnt clay (/;) ecjual in extent to those
above it and, like them, horizontal. Its upper side was coni]>aratively
smooth and flat. lu the central i)ortion it was rather more thsin a foot
thick, but thinning out toward the margins. This had been cut at m
in a north and south direction for the purjiose of burying a single indi-
vidual, whose skeleton was found immediately below at 2. This layer
appears to have been solid, and contained no indications of grass or
weeds. Near the northern edge, at d, were a small bed of gray ashes,
quite a quantity of coals, fragments of pottery and stones, and among
them human bones slightly discolored by the ashes, but not burned.
This dex)osit was some 4 or 5 inches thick, covering an area about 6
feet in diameter and lying chiefly in the layer g. Immediately under
this burnt clay was a layer {/) of gray, waxy soil about 1 foot thick,
horizontal,' exteiuling over the area of the mound, and of nearly uni-
form thickness throughout. On the south side of the mound in this
layer, at «, was a small bed of ashes. Next and last, resting on the
original surface of the ground, was another layer of burnt chiy (o)
some 7 inches thick in the center. This, to all appearances, had been
burned where it lay; nevertheless it was in fragments, and indications
of grass and twigs to a very limited extent were observed in it. It is
possible, therefore, that it may have been plastering from a house.
Skeletons and fragments thereof were fimnd as follows: Bones (3) in
the ash heap at </; skeleton lying at full length (1) in the layer of earth
»■; M'ith this was a red-striped earthen bowl close to the head. No. 2
was in the same layer as No. 1, but judging by the indications was
buried subsequent to it, as the latter lay immediately under the undis-
turbed portion of the clay layer (/(), while 2 was under the opening which
had evidently been made in the clay layer for its reception. This
burial had taken place previous to the deposit of the layer of ashes, g,
as this had not beeh disturbed. By the side of the latter, near the
head, stood a water bottle and a bowl containing shell beads. Three
skeletons (4, 5, and 6) lay at the bottom, on the original surface of the
ground. By No. 4 Avas an earthen canteen ; by 5, a red and white striped
water bottle; and by G, a bowl.
A wide mouthed water bottle and some human bones were discovered
near the surface of the mound at 7, but these appear to have been
brought up from some deejier position by the roots of the tree men-
tioned when it fell. A spoon-shaped clay vessel was buried in the ashes
at d, and scattered through tiie dirt of the mound were fragments of
* Horizuutal, when used iu this connectimi. implit-a that the hed or stratum does not correspond with
the curve or vertical contour of tlic mound, but is level, or horizontal.
MOUND NO. 4.
217
pottery, fresb-water shells, aiul animal bones, chiefly of the deer and
raccoon.
Mound 3 is a small circular tumulus, standing near No. 2 on the west,
14 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. Being nearly covered by water
it was not explored.
Mound i is about <!(> feet from the margin of No. 2; diameter 66 feet,
height nearly (i feet. The construction was as follows, commeucing
at the bottom and going up : The line a a in Fig.
128 indicates the original surface of ground; h, a
layer of burnt clay, which lay chiefly on the right
side, extending only a short distance to the left of
the center, averaging about 5 inches in thickness.
The impressions of grass and weeds were very
abundant in it. The toj) was much smoother than
the underside. The soil immediately beneath
showed, to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, the eft'ect of
heat, from which it would seem that the clay was 3
burnt on the spot where it lay. -5
00
•Overlapping the northern end of this layer was a i
bed of ashes and coals (<•) a little beyond the cen- |
ter of the mound. This covered an area about 6 §
feet in diameter and was about 10 inches thick ^
where deepest. Over tliis was a nearly horizontal |
layer {d) of clean surface soil, stretching entirely ^
across the mound. On this lay a thin stratum (e) f.
of burnt cane, but little more than an inch thick, §
ou which, or rather in which, not far from the cen- o
ter, were the remains of a few fires, marked by the -
ash bed (/'). Over the layer of burnt cane {e) was 3
a thick layer of surface soil, marked </, including ^
aud covering the bed of ashes (/). Over this was |
a second layer of black, loose soil {h), 13 inches
thick, in which at /, lay a small bed of burnt clay,
occupying an area about 5 feet in diameter, cov-
ered by a layer of ashes extending somewhat be-
yond its margins. Next above was anotlier layer of
burnt clay (/), 15 inches thick in the central portion,
but thinning out to the margins, as shown in the
figure, and covering an area of 3() by 27 feet. This
was composed of chunks of burnt clay that ap-
peared to have been placed on top of the mound, and the crevices tilled
up with smaller fragments.
Three skeletons were found in tiiis mound; first (1), that of a person
under medium size in the layer of soil ((/), immediately on the stratum of
burnt cane. It lay at full length face uii, head east; the bones were
very soft and the skull was nuich flattened, but not crushed. Near the
head stood two clay vessels, a water bottle, and a bowl. Under the skull
218
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and part of tlie neck was a kind of pillow of burnt clay 13 inches long,
10 wide, and 3 thick. Although showing the form, the moisture had so
affected it that it cruinbh-d on exposure. The corners were rounded and
the form was api)roi>riate to the use to which it was applied.
The second skeleton (2) was in the bottom of the mound ou the origi-
nal surface of the gionnd and partly covered by the ash bed c, though
not charred. It lay extended, face up and head southeast, resting on a
clay pillow similar to that already described. Near the right shoulder
was a. jvater bottle and close to it a bowl. The bottle stood erect and
was about two-thirds full of water, which had probably soaked in during
an overflow.
The third skeleton (3) was in the southern part of the mound in the
ash bed (/), and, though resting on the layer of burnt cane, the bones
were not charred. It lay horizontally, the head resting on a clay pil-
low, as the others, and near it stood a water bottle and bowl ; with these
was .also a chii)ped celt.
Mound 5 s.tands 25 feet north of 4, measuring from base to base, and
is similar in size and form to 3. On it is a black walnut stump, IG feet
in circumference. No. 6, 35 feet east of No. 2, is circular; diameter 26
feet, height 3 feet. No. 7, 45 feet west of 4, is somewhat oval ; diameter
52 and 01 feet, height 6 feet. Although neither of these three was
explored, burnt clay was observed near the surface of each.
No. 8 is 127 feet north of 7; diameter 50 feet; height about 3 feet.
Two feet below the surface was a water bottle in the form of a tish, and
near it a bowl. Nothing else was observed, except a few ftesh water
shells, fragments of pottery, and a few coals.
The positions and sizes of the remaining mounds of the group, which
were not excavated, are given in the following table:
No.
0
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Position.
Form.
Diameter.
Height.
100 feet northwest of No 8
Feet.
55
30
83 by 30
75 by 25
35
150 by 112
87 by 44
Part only.
10
30
Feet.
4
2
2i
3i
3
0
5
3
1
34
200 feet northwest of No 9
do
93 feet northeast of No. 9 . ., _
90 feet north of No. 11
(Double) oblong ..
25 feet south of No. 13
Nearly square
75 feet south of No. 13
125 feet south of No 15
80 feet east of No. 15
.do
15 feet west of No. 16
. do
Other mounds which presented little of interest may be briefly men-
tioned as follows:
One in Sec. 9, T. 12 N., E. 2 E., conical, GO feet in diameter and 2ifeet
high, except the southeast quarter, which was raised a foot higher.
Under the latter portion at the depth of 3 feet, was a single skeleton
lying at full length, face up, head east. Fragments of pottery, shells,
ashes, coals, bones, stones and burned earth were scattered through it.
THOMAS.] PECAN POINT, MISSISSIPPI COUNTY. 219
One on See. 35, T. 12 N., R. 2 E., conical, 3.5 feet in diameter and 4
feet liigb, was situated on low wet land. Two folded skeletons occm'red
at the depth of 2 feet, and the usual amount of fragments of pottery,
shells, coals, etc.
One in SVV. i Sec. 26, T. 12 N., R. 2 E., 75 feet in diameter, U feet high,
circular and nearly flat on top. Near the center, at a depth of 2.J feet,
lay a bed of ashes covering an area about 5 feet in diameter. A lit-
tle to the north of this bed, at the same depth, were four folded skele-
tons, without order as to direction, and a little north of them another
fire bed, to the right of which at the depth of 3 feet, was another skele-
ton, lying at full length, head west. Shells, stones, bones, fragments
of pottery, etc., were scattered through it.
One near the preceding, 25 feet in diameter and nearly 3 feet high,
composed of dark brown loam, similar to the soil around it, contained
only the usual mixture of shells, coals, ashes, etc. This and the one
.preceding it are subject to overflow, and like many of the others, prob-
ably most of the low circular ones were house sites.
A conical and unusually steep mound on the SW. ^ Sec. .32, T. 11 N.,
R. -4 E., which had been partially explored, was examined. It was com-
posed of the sandy soil of the bottom land on which it stands, and
covered with a layer of dark vegetable mold, about 9 inches thick. Two
large poplars (tulip trees), each about 3 feet in diameter, stand on the
northern slope. A folded skeleton, accompanied by three clay jjots,
was found near the apex at a depth of 1 foot under an old stump, and
another at the deptli of 9 inches, accompanied by three pots. Burned
human bones occurred at three x>oints, two at a depth of 2 feet and
one at the depth of 5 feet. Fragments of pottery, stones, and mussel
shells were scattered through the earth. In the center, at the base, was
a hard layer of sand, several feet in extent aiul 2 feet deep. Under it
lay five folded skeletons, all i)laced in the same direction.
A third mound in the same locality, about 200 yards from the last
and similar in form ,and size, was i^artially explored. A badly decayed
skeleton, with head west and accompanied by a small water jug, was
discovered at a depth of 18 inches, and another at a depth of 2 feet, by
which stood a pot and bowl. Another pot and another bowl were also
found.
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY. " ' '
This county, wliich is bounded on the east by the Mississippi river
and on the west by the Tyronza and Little rivers, is low and flat
throughout, and the northern, middle, and western portions much cut
up by lakes, bayous, and cypress swamps.
PECAN POINT.
This is one of the most elevated points which the Mississippi, in its
many bemls and windings, has left as a part of its west bank along
220
MOUND KXl'LORATIONS.
tliis portion of its course; yet it is but ii iilf^li hank. Nearly a mile
northwest ol' tiie prc^scnt landing' at tiiis ))lac(', is an oblonj^, oval-topiied
mound, 150 I'eet long, north and soutli, by .SO broad at the base and 15
feet hi{;h- Tliis is on the southern bank of a bayou where tlie river
probably ran when it was built. As it is covered with modern graves
of nejiro((s and whites no excavations were alloweil to be made in it.
The i)eoi)l(M)f the neighborhood state that in digging graves tliey bi'ing
up the remains of as many jieople as th(\y bury.
lint tJKi ciii(^f jioint of inter(!st at tliis ]dace, is tlie old cemeteiy fir
burying ground of the ancient mound-builders, which lies immediately
<'ast of tlu^ mound mainly along the slough.
A i)lat of tiie htcality is gi\('n in Fig. llii); m indicating th<^ mound,
and tlu^ space <; surrounded by the dotted line, the cemetery.
Although 7nany individuals are buried in mounds, and, in this sec-
tion, in th(i dwelling sites, yet it is evident from the indications of long
Burial Place 1
N
Cultivated Field
I'otnt
Fl(i. 120. — Pint of Pecan jxiint works, Minnisaippi county. Ark:iusii.s.
occupancy and a nunuMoiis population, in many localitie.s, that a large
l)ortion ol' (lie dead must have been buried elsewhere. Occasionally
these burying grounds can be found. In the present case the cemetery
furiiisluis th(^ chie.l' eviileiu'.e that there was formerly an extensive vil-
lage here. It is po.ssible the moumls and other works nuiy have been
swejitawayby the Mississijipi changing its bed; jwssibly they never
existetl.
The usual nmde of burial here was horizontal — at full length upon
the backer side, in a bark coflin jilaced from 1 to 3 feet below the .sur-
face. There are, however, <!X<'eptions to this mode, as some are placed
with the face down, some with the legs drawn up, or, in other words,
folded, some in a sitting or squatting posture; bnt this last is usually
where a grouj) of various sizes, as of a family, are found huddled to-
gether around somt^ rare and highly pri/.ed object. There is no uni-
formity as to the direction in which they were jilaced, either in regard
to tiie points of the compass or their relation to one another. It was
THOMAS.]
FULL FACE VESSELS.
221
under circumstances of this kind tbat the, vessels representing the
human head, one of which, shown in Fig. 130, was found here.
Usually in the graves of the horizontal skeletons there was found
with ea(.'h a pot, bowl, or jug near the head, at the feet, or by the hips;
often two and sometimes all three with one skeleton, but it was seldom
that two vessels of the same kind or intended for the same use were
with one skeleton. The human headed vessels were not together, but
adjacent to each other, and, although the large one (shown in Fig. 130)
was encircled by skeletons, none was nearer than 2 or 3 feet of it. In
some places there were as many as three or four tiers of burials, the
lower tiers being considerably deeper than the average mentioned.
Flo. lao.— Imago veasel, Pecan point, Mississippi county, Arkansas.
Scattered through this cemetery were fire-beds, ashes, charcoal,
burned stones, and mussel shells from G inches to 2 feet below the sur-
face. The fire beds were layers of burned earth from (i inches to a
foot thick and usually about 10 feet in diameter, with ashes and char-
coal on and under them. Skeletons without accompanying relics were
sometimes found near these fire beds.
Figures of some of the interesting and rare forms of clay vessels
obtained at this place have been published.
In the central portion of this county, back of Osceola, there is a
group of mounds on Frenchman's bayou, G miles west of Golden Lake
post-ofBce.
These are all of the simple, ordinary, conical type, the highest not
222 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
exceeding 8 feet elevation. The plow and previouH explorers bad cut
them to pieces and all the valuable specimens had been removed. A
large number of pieces of clay, burnt to a brick-like substance, were (ob-
served together with ashes, animal bones and mussel shells, indicating
that most of them were house sites.
JACKSON MOl'NDS.
These are situated on the farm of Mr. B. F. Jackson, on the Little
river cut off, about 16 miles northwest of Osceola.
No. 1, oval in form, i feet high, and the longest diameter 60 feet, was
partially occupied by the graves of three white persons, but permission
to dig so as not to disturb these was obtained. Three pits were carried
to the original surface. The first passed through ti top layer of black
surface soil 2i feet thick, then a layer of burnt clay 10 inches thick, and
below this a layer of charcf)al and ashes 6 inches deep. Here, associ-
ated with the charcoal and ashes, was a skeleton, with jjots at each side
of the head.
In the second pit the results were much the same, except that in this,
below the skeleton a hard floor of well-burnt clay was encountered,
which was covered with 2 feet of ashes, in which were some specimens
of pottery, but no skeleton or bones.
In the third the layers passed through were as the first, but no skel-
eton was found.
The other mound (there were but two mouiids in the group) was some-
what higher than No. 1, but so occupied by modern graves that no ex-
amination of it could be made.
About -30 yards from this, immediately under the surface of the
ground, commences a level floor of hard clay, which, so far as examined,
was burned to a brick red, and varied from «• inches to nearly 2 feet
in thickness. This layer extended more or less continuously over an
area almost or quite 300 feet square. As a part of it is covered by a
dwelling and outbuildings, and permission to examine only certain
portions was given, it was not i)0ssible to determine the extent of the
spaces thus continuously covered. Breaking through this at the points
where digging was allowed, the Bureau explorer discovered, in each
case at the depth of from 1 to 3 feet, skeletons and jiottery. In one
place two skeletons of adults were found a few feet apart, and close
by one of a child. With each adult skeleton were five pots, and with
the child one pot and two toy vessels; all were more or less embedded
in ashes, but the bones were not charred.
Several separate house sites were found in which ashes and broken
pottery occurred. One of the vessels found here is represented in Fig.
131. This was beneath the clay floor.
Mr. It. B. Evans visited this county on his archeological tour in 1881,
in behalf of the Chicago Times. He describes a mound on the land of
a Mr. Sherman, at the head of Young's lake, midway between Osceola
THOMAS.]
THE JACK80N AND SHERMAN MOUNDS.
223
ami Pitmau's landiug. The special reasous for calliiif;- attention to it
here are because of the reference made by Mr. Evans to the supposed
brick discovered in it, and the peculiar form of the mound, shown in
Fig. 132, copied from the Times of April 9, 1881, which, as will be seen
elsewhere, is almost identical with one observed by Col. Norris in
Phillips county, Arkansas (see Fig. 145).
riG. 131.— Vessel from Jackson mounils, Mississippi couuty. Arkansas.
The dimensions given areas follows: Altitude of the first terrace
11 feet, width 12tt feet, length 158 feet; altitude of second terrace 3 feet
7 inches, width CO feet, length 93 feet; altitude of third terrace 6 feet,
width 63 feet, length 78 feet.
Fig. 132 The Sherman nioiinfl, Mississippi county, Arkansas.
Digging into the top he found, near the surface, fragments of burned
clay, which increased in amount a little farther down, where they formed
a layer apparently over the upper terrace. These lumps of burned
clay, which he supposed to be brick, are evidently the fi-agments of
plaster from the walls of a dwelling, as they were, in some cases, marked
with the fluting elsewhere mentioned as occurring in the mounds of
Arkansas.
224
MOUND EXPLORATIUNS.
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY.
The surface of this county is broken and hilly, and is crossed from
the northwest to the southeast by White river. The Oil Trough bot-
tom in the southwest part, where the mounds mentioned are situated,
is a rich alluvial tract lying along the west side of White river.
Fl(!. 133.— Engraved shell {Biisi/con perversum) from inuuud, IiuU-pendence couuty, Arkans.l8.
The only works reported in this county are two mounds near Akron
and 9 miles northwest of Jacksonport.
THOMAS] ARKANSAS. 225
Tlie first of these is about 300 feet in diameter, 7 feet high and cir-
cular in outline. It is covered over with the graves of the townspeople
to its very skirts, and hence could not be disturbed. It was ascer-
tained, however, that in digging the graves numerous articles had been
found, among them a very fine specimen of 7i/rs7/t'oHjjeri'ers!MM, engraved,
which was obtained from Mr. M. A. Mull, of Jacksonport, for the Na-
tional Museum, and is shown in Fig. 133. A figure or image of some
kind made of cliiy was taken out at the same time and sold to Messrs.
Dodd, lirown & Co., of St. Louis, Mo.; also a number of shell beads
which were obtained by the Bureau.
The second mound is much smaller, being only about 4 feet high and
50 feet in diameter. One foot below the surface a 6-inch stratum of
bui-nt clay was encountered, then 5 inches of ashes and charcoal. The
base was composed of clay and sand. Only a few broken vessels and
some fragments of pottery were obtained.
JACKSON COUNTY.
On the farm of Mr. Rindman, a mile and a half north of Jacksonport,
on a narrow strip of land bordering a slough, are evidences of an ancient
settlement. These consist of three small mounds and patches of burned
clay, or " brick-like substance," as the explorer terms it, immediately
under the surface of the surrounding soil.
An examination of this burnt clay showed it ..
to be in patches, forming a layer from 6 to 10
inches thick, much of it bearing the inijjres-
sions of grass, roots, and cane; occasionally ^
mud-daubers' nests, burnt as hard as a brick,
were found still sticking to it, from which it fio. 134.— stone spool from mound,
is evident that it had formed the plastering •^"'='^'"" '^''™'^' ^'^''^'^^■
of dwellings.
The mounds varied from 15 to 25 feet in diameter, and from 18 to 36
inches in height. In one, at the bottom, was a hard burnt clay floor,
very smooth, covered with ashes; in another, some broken ])ots with
ashes, and in the third only ashes.
One mile east of Jacksonport, on the banks of White river, there
stood, until last year, a mound, but it was carried away by the flood,
which also washed off the top soil from the land for a considerable
space around it, revealing fragments of pottery, bones, stone imple-
ments, and much burnt clay scattered about in patches.
In a mound, 5 feet high and about 30 feet in diameter, 6 miles south
of Newjiort, on the farm of Mr. G. E. Stevens, two skeletons were found
lying in opposite directions, face down, and with them two small stone
spools, one of which is shown in Fig. 134, marked with copper stains;
also a shell pin, and a clay pipe.
12 ETH 15
226
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
CUtTTKNDKN ("OT'NTV.
The topnjTrapliical feiiture.s of this county ai'c similar to those of
Mississippi county, wiiich Joins it on the north. Tlie works in it which
were examined are situated 1 mile from Oldliam (formerly Bradley's
landing), uear the Mississijipi river, on land belonging to the Bradley
•,! /
i
9
o
if
a
''i .
1
1
■■' iC
)
1
in
.
\
O
fa
tSi-
estate. A view of part of the group is given in Fig. 135. Unfortu-
nately the explorer's reiiort on these interesting works is very brief.
The land is not now subject to overflow, but an examination of the
portion outside of the fluid shows that a stream formerly ran here and
that then it was probably subject to occasional inundation, as, where it
THOMAS.] ARKANSAS. 227
has not been disturbed by tlu' plow, tlic strata of sand and vegetable
remains are quite distinct. Tlie IMississipjii is one-fourtli of a mile dis-
tant; tlds land seems therefore to have been made since the river ran
by the field. The old river bed is probably the former channel of the
Wa]>panoke creek which now runs some distance back of the field in
which the mounds are situated. Many of the trees on this land are
5 feet in diameter and 80 feet high. The human and other remains
found in this field are from 3 to 5 feet deep. The mounds occupy the
highest point and the greater the distance from them the deeper are
the remains, as would be the case with deposits made by overflows.
The mounds had already been worked over, so attention was turned
to the house sites scattered over the area, around them. A number of
these had also been previously exaudned, but several remained undis-
turbed. As an almost universal rule, after removing a foot or two of
toj) soil, a layer of burnt clay in a broken or fragmentary condition
would be found, sometimes with impressions of grass or twigs, which
easily crumbled but was often hard and stamped apparently with an
imi)h'mcnt made of split reeds of comparatively large size. This layer
was in places a foot thick and frequently burned to a brick red or even
to clinkers.
Below this, at a depth of 3 to 5 feet from the surface, were more or
less ashes, and often 0 inches of charred grass, immediately covering
skeletons. The latter were found lying in all directions, some with the
face up, others with it down, and others on the side. With these were
vessels of clay, in some cases one, sometimes more.
From the excavations made here about seventy whole vessels and
numerous fragments were obtained; also rubbing stones, hammer
stones, celts, cupped stones, horn and bone implements, etc.
ST. FRANCIS COUNTY.
The surface of this county is (|uite level, with the exception of Crow-
ley's ridge, which runs through the western ])ortion north and south.
Piast of the ridge is the broad region of alluvial lands of the White
and Mississippi rivers.
About 4 miles southeast of Forest i-ity, and near Crow creek, some
singular remains were discovered, called by the people of the neighbor-
hood the "Old Brick House," or "Fort," from the quantity of brick-
like material or burnt clay found there. These appear to be house sites.
There are three of them, rectangidar in form, the larger one 30 feet
long by 10 feet wide, consisting of a floor of burned clay 8 inches thick.
The outer edges consisted of broken fragments forming ridges and pre-
senting the appearance of being the remnants of a clay wall which had
fallen down during the destruction of a building by fire. The area
occupied is about 2 leet higher than the surrounding level. Immedi-
ately below the clay floor was a layer of ashes 6 inches thick, and below
228 MOUND EXPLURATIONS.
this black loam. Some largo trees are growing on tliesc sites, one a
poplar (tulip tree^'3 feet in diameter and 100 feet high.
The other stinares have been more or less obliterated ])y a roadway
made thnmgh them. Some years ago a large oak on one of them was
blown down, revealing the bones of a skeleton, some pottery, and a pipe.
Near by is a mound 10 feet high, oblong in shape and flat on top, the
width of the ujiper surface 'M feet. It consisted of tliiee strata, the
first or top layer of soil about 10 inches thick ; next a layer of yellow
clay 1 foot thick, and tlie remainder, to the bottom, white clay. No
relics or evidences of its having been used for burial purposes were
observed.
tUOOK'.S MOUND.
This is situated on the farm of Capt. W. J. (Jrook, 10 miles southeast
of Forest city and near the bank of Tunic creek. It is oval in form,
408 feet long, 1.50 feet wide, and 1.5 feet high, flat on top.
Thorough examination was not allowed by the owner, as it is the
only retreat for his farm stock in time of high water. Three small pits
revealed the fact that the first or top layer of loam was ahcnit 1 foot
thick ; next below this a layer of ashes of variable depth ; the remainder,
to the base, consisted of clay. It had been very deeply plowed and a
skeleton or two and some pots taken out.
I.AKK AXDEKSON MOUNDS.
This group of mounds is on the bank of Lake Ander.sou or Mud lake,
some 2 miles northeast of Forest city. The largest one is oblong in
form, flat on top, with unusually steep sides; height, V2 feet; width on
top, 30 feet. Permission to excavate it was refu ■ ed because of the own-
er's wish to utilize it in times of freshets. Two small circular mounds
on the immediate bank of the hike were composed of loam, clay, ashes,
and burnt, brick like material, mingled in a confused mass by the tramp-
ing of cattle in times of liigh water.
A short distance from these were patches of Ijurut clay, slightly
raised above the natural surface of the ground. But thej- had been so
badly cut up by the passage of vehicles, the public road crossing di-
rectly over them, that nothing satisfactory could be ascertained in
reference to their original form or condition.
REMAIN.S ON THE IIOBERT ANDERSON 1 AlOI.
These are on the bank of the St. Francis river, 2 miles northeast of
those last mentioned.
At this place, on the immediate bank of the St. Francis river, is a
projecting point, which was formerly much larger, but has been cut
away by the river until but a few feet of the projecting portion remain.
During this process of wearing away, many skeletons, much pottery,
and numerous stone implements have been washed out. The point now
'In the South the name *' poplar " in universally applied to the tulip tree — Tjiriodendron tulipi/era.
THOMAS.]
ARKANSAS.
229
])resents the appearance sliowii in Fig. 1.%, tlie squares indicating the
remains of houses. In tliis, 1 is tlie St. Francis river; 2, 2, parts of the
floors of two rooms or houses, the rest having been washed away; 3, a
coniph'te square or house floor. These squares are composed, as usual,
of a hiyer of brick-like substance, with the impressions of grass and
twigs in it. The edges are all higher and have a thicker layer of this
material than the inner areas. The surface soil has been washed away,
leaving these hard floors naked. Tliis layer of burnt clay, except at
the edges, is usually about S inches thick. Immediately beneath it is
a layer of charcoal and ashes, of about the same thickness, and beneath
this black loam. No. 4 in the flgnre indicates the public road, and 5, a
small clear space between the square and the river.
Two small circular mounds near by were partially examined. Per-
mission for fiu'ther work in them cimld not be obtained. In one were
Pio. 13fi.— HonsB site, Sf. Fn
■(unity. .\rknn8.is.
found burnt clay and ashes commingled, the body of the mound below
this consisting of sand. The other contained no buint clay or ashes, the
to]) layer, ."> feet thick, being black loam, the remainder yellow clay.
ARKANSAS COITJV'TY.
One of the most remarkable mounds in this state is that called ''the
Menard hill" (a, Fig. 137, which is a plat of the group), on the farm of
Mr. ]Sr. Menard, 7 miles west of Arkansas post. Its peculiarity con-
sists in its unusual steepness, being, according to Dr. Palmer's measure-
ment, 50 feet high and only 150 feet in diameter at the base. It is
flanked by two wings, indicated at h and r. The larger of these wings
is 150 feet long, CO feet wide, and 20 feet high; the smaller is 75 feet
long and 7 feet high.
A slight examination of the main mound, carried down oidy to the
depth of 10 feet, showed that it was comixised of a mixture of sandy
230
MOUND EXPI,OUATIONS.
loam, decayed vegetable! matter and clay, but there can be scarcely a
doubt tliat the central core is hard clay which has ]u-eserv(Hl its form.
An opiMiing was made in tlie lai's'cr wing near the toji. After jiass-
ing thi'ough a foj) layer of sandy loam 0 inches thick, a layta' of buint
clay oC the sanu^ thic^kness was reached. Immediately below this was a
layer of l)urnt matting 3 inclu^s thick, .s<;attered through which were
grains of patched corn. In an <)|)ciiing ])revionsly made on the o]>])ii-
.v\\\\ i|if////;;'^.
W
'#^'
^'^''wmmBm
Jft.-.|P^i^
0%.
%»*■-
Fkj. l:i7.— Plan of Meiijinl miniiiils, Arkansas rnnnty, Arkansas.
site side of the same wing a thick layer of burnt clay was encountered
and a number uf broken pots were found.
The small liattoiiped mounds <1 <l <i, none of which are nu)re than '^
feet high, are jirobably house sites. They consisted of a top layer of
.Soil, next a layer ol' burnt clay, and below tiiis ashes, in which were
skeletons and pottery. It was in these house sites that Dr. Taliuer
THOMAS.) • AH KANSAS. 231
iiinde the, largtt fiiKl of ])oltciv incxions to his coniicctioii witli the.
IiiucMii of Ethnology.
As Dr. Palmer's report of his previous work has not been ]nil)lishe(l,
I copy from it his remarks in rej;ard to this group:
I found (hat thi« imomikI (the Menard Iiill) liad liei'ii jireviously iln^ into, and I
learned that a metal croHs was found l feet below the surface. A field of 20 acres
surroiinds rt, in whicli ari' nnnicrons nMnuins of ancient dwellinfjs. In tliese, ashes
wc^re ilis<^ov('T(Ml under .1 liiycr of liunit clay, which I jn'csnme formed the roofing of
the dwellings. Closi^ to (under} tlie ashes a skeleton was nsually found with from
one to three jiieces of jiottery liy the side of tln^ skull.
The most iuiportaut ri^sult of tlie exploration was (indinf; the, nnnains of a larf^e
house. Ahout 2 i'rrt nniUfP the surfa(•<^ was a thick layer fd' linrut day, which prob-
aldy formeil tin: roof. In tiaclnj; out the <ircunifereme a liard clay lloor was found
beneath, and between the two several iuidies of ashes, hut no skeletons. There were
a }?reat many pieces of l)rokeu dislu^s so situatcil as to lead one to believe they were
on to]) of tli(^ house at (he time it was burned. When restored most of thesi: ves-
sels jiroved to lie lirisin-sliapeil howls.
hKK COirNTY.
Tin; to|>ogra))hi(al features of litis county are very siiiiirar to those of
St. Franeis county, wliicli joins it on tiie nortli.
(;1!I';ki:'s moiinii.
This is a very regular, olilong tiiinctited or ll;it-toii])e<l nioinul, situ-
ated uiton tlie ](oint of a second or iippei- teitttct! of the L'Anguilh'-
river 2 miles above its couthience with tlie St. Francis. It is I'ectaugu
lar, measuring on the top 87 feet in length and .51 feet in width and is.'io
feet high; the sloite of the sides is very stee]), being iibout 4.5°.
A shaft sunk in it near one end some years ago revealed, as is statetl
by the parties who made the. exploration, the stump of a small tree and
a stake, 4 or 5 feet long iietir the bottom, the former growing in the
natural soil. Layers of swaniit Jiuid and fire beds were found iitirn^gu-
lar distances thrrjugh the whole depth.
Permis.sion to make fiirtln^r (exploration was not obtained.
an(:ij:nt ijwki.mni; srrss ant) cemktkuies.
A careful examination was made of the bluffs and valleys both of the
L'Angiulle and St. Francis rivers al)ove their contluence for a distance
of fully 20 miles, from which it wa.s found that scarcely a terrace or
hillock was without evidences of ancient occupancy, such as brick-red
tire-beds, charcoal, a.shes, etc., indicating camps or dwellings.
For more than fifty years the Priest and Forest farms, where these
evidences ajtpear in greatest abundance, have been noted for the
amount of ancient pottery of superior quality frequently unearthed in
cultivating the land tind recently by relic hunters. Qiiiti! anumberof
whole vessels of this pottery were obtained by the Bureau.
232 MOUND EXI'I-ORATIONS.
Tlierc is usmilly snilicinit simcc lictwecii tlic hliiffs and the ii'rcjfular
line <>(' liilloclvs, wliicli slope oft Ironi thcni to tiie lower hottoiiis, for ii
loadwiiy. The upper or highest portion of each hilloek seems to have
heen occupied as a dwclliui;' place until the acenmnlation of dark earth,
lire-beds, anil refuse material has reached a depth of from '2 to 10 feet,
which gradually thins out with the slope in all directions. Shafts and
trenches in thesis disclosed the fact that Un\ material is in irregular
layers or patches, in which are intermingled (tharcoal, charred bones of
animals, as well as many split bones not charred, also the never absent
stone ehi])s, rude scrapers, and other imi)lemeiits. Occasionally one or
nu)re human skeletons are tound, always beneath a tire-])ed and
usually aecompani(Hl by pottery. These are generally in low, oblong-
mounds, where the peculiar color of the earth indicates their presence,
and tlui ul)l)(^rmost ones are at a slight distance below the surface.
There are oft«'n two or three tiers of skeletons, apiiarently dei)osited
without any other system than simjjly to avoid overlai)ping and so as
to arrange them parallel with each other and at full length.
The crania, which are not crushed, vary greatly, both in size and
form, but arc usually of the brachycephalic type. Occasionally one is
found which shows very distinctly the etfeets of artiticial compression
of the front.
Many of the skeletons observetl had only fragments of i)ottery by the
side of the cranium; some had a vessel, usually a water bottle; others
a cup, bowl, or other oi)en-mouthed vess(d, ami, ])erhaps, in addition, a
human or animal ettigy.
Col. Norris, who made the explorations in this locality, says that he
" rarely fouiul more than three vessels with one skeleton, and one of
them was always a water bottle. They were usually, but not always,
found in the proper positiou to contain water, food, or other presents
for the dead. I found a number of the bottles closed with stoppers
made of clay, some of the latter in the form of mullers, and others
simply rounded off and made to tit; but uo relic of any kind iu these
bottles; while, on the contrary, ixdishing stones, shells, bones of birds,
and red paint were frequently found in cups, basins, and other open-
mouthed vessels. Although so similar in general form and tinish, there
are often such marked peculiarities in the tinish, color, or ornamentation
of vessels of neighboring villages but a mile or two apart as to enable
a close observer to readily distinguish them. For instance, the Forest
and Priest farms extend less than '2 miles each, yet any person, by close
observation could soon learn to distinguish the pottery found at one
extremity from that obtained at the other."
At one point the skull of a skeleton was found crushed beneath ten
platters, seven of which were placed edgewise above it on one side and
three, slightly differing iu form, on the other. Most of them, however,
fell to pieces on being removed.
THOMAS. 1
ARKANl^AS.
233
MONROF, COUNTY.
'So explorations were made in tliis county, but two large stone pipes
were obtained, shown in Figs. 138, 13!t, 140, and 141, wliicharerepoited
to have been found in the upper part of a large truncated mound near
Clarendon.
Tlie former (Figs. 138-140) is of quartzite, smoothed and partially pol-
ished, 8 inches high to the top of the head, 7 inches long and 3 inches
thick. It represcTits a kneeling, naked individual; Fig. 138 is a side
view; Fig. 139 a front view, and Fig. 140 a view of the top of the head
showing the carving. The latter (Fig. 141) is of a species of white
FiQ. 138.— Image pijii-. i\i
■tiimty, Arkansas.
marble, polislied, 4 inches high, 4i long and 2^ thick, a squatting figure
with pipe bowl in the lap. There is no doubt as to their authenticity
and that they were obtained as reported.
PHILLIPS rOTTNTY.
Several miles of the lower portion of the St. Francis river valley are
included in this county. In portions of this stretch, especially opi)osite
Phillips bayou, the river, in cutting into the high bottom, is constantly
unearthing ancient pottery and Lumau bones, many of tlie latter being
234
MOUND EXI'LOKATIONS.
in such a state of preservation as to indicate that tbey, as well as many
found on the west side above the bayou, pertain to a comparatively
modern period. It is even stated by some of the oldest settlers of the
locality tliat when first oc<-ui)ied by the whites it was not an unusual
thins to plow up fragments of bark boxes or coffins, together \^■ith
bones and pottery.
OLD TOWN WORKS.
■ These fire situated on a snndy ridge between the Mississippi river
and Old Town lake, at the point Avhere they make their nearest ap-
proiic.h to each other and near the
ancient outlet of the latter, which is
now closed by the levee. They con-
sist of earthen walls or embank-
ments, mounds, and the saucer-
shai)ed depressions sui)posed to be
house sites, as shown in Fig. 142.
The works to the left, marked «, con-
sist of an inclosing wall surrounding
a space somewhat in the forip of a
quadrant of a circle; a large, trun-
cated, pyramidal mound with ter-
race (No. 3 in the figure) and other
smaller conical or oval mounds and
numerous saucer-shaped house sites.
Those at the right must have been
very extensive, but have been to a
large extent removed for the pur-
pose of forming the levee.
The preservation of the wall
around the western works is largely
due to the fact that it has, in part,
been utilized as a portion of the
levee.
No. 1, at the right and forming a
part of the group marked b, is the
remnant of a wall which extended fi-om the old bank of the river 400
feet diagonally toward the head of the former outlet of the lake and
terminated in a small rectangular inclosure 15 by 30 feet.
Whether this wall and inclosure are wholly the work of aborigines
or partly of the whites is a question the Bureau assistant was unable
to decide, but thought the latter view j)Ossible, judging from the size
and rectangular form of the work. According to local tradition they
were built by Moscosa and the remnant of De Soto's army while pre-
paring their brigantines for the descent of the Mississippi river.
Much of mound No. 2 has been removed for levee purposes, but
traces of the edges still remaining prove it to have been 000 feet long
I'll,
Ilk.
THOIMAS.]
ARKANSAS.
235
and about 200 broad at its greatest widtli and oval in form. Its height,
however, was only some 8 or 10 feet. It appeared from information
obtained that it eontained from one to three tiers of skeletons and that
several hundred vessels of clay have at different times been taken
from it. From the excav.ations made by the Bureau assistant in the
remnants it was ascertained that it was bnilt of the surrounding soil,
with the usual admixture of tirebeds, charcoal and ashes. Several
skeletons were unearthed and some vessels obtained, one of which is
shown in Fig. 14.'). These skeletons were uniforndy buried at full length
upon their backs or sides without legard to the cardinal iH)iiits and a
numberof them inbark coffins, which were unmistakably of cypress and
in noway differing from others found neai' the surface and supposed to
he intrusive Imrials of modern Indians. In one of these was a water bot-
tle close bv the side of the skull.
Fig. 140 Image pipe, Monroe
county, Arkansas.
Fic. 141. — Tlu.age pipe, Muuroi- cuiiniy, Ark.uisas.
Mound No. 3, in the large inclosure (o), is a truncated jiyramid, nearly
square, !>C feet long by 80 in width at the base; the first or lower plat-
form is 4 feet high, and forms a terrace 30 feet wide on two connecting
sides of the mound proper; tliis rises 8 feet above this terrace, and is
50 by CO feet at its base and 20 by 30 feet on the tlat top. It is shown
in Fig. 144 restored {a the elevation and h the ground plan). Excava-
tions were made, but nothing of interest was revealed.
There was, as usual, a space fronting this mound destitute of the
circular house sites. Excavations in the house sites revealed the usual
fire-bed, charcoal, and fragments of pottery.
BARNEY MOUND.
This singular and interesting earthwork is shown in Fig. 145, a
the ground plan and h the elevation. As will be seen, it consists
of an oval platform constricted near the middle so as to appear like two
conjoined, une(pial circles, the larger of which is surmounted by an oval
236
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
truncated mound. The platform averages througliout about 15 feet
high, the diameter of the smaller end being about 200 feet and of the
larger .338 feet. The mound rises about 20 feet above the platform or
terrace and is flat on top, its larger diameter here being 108 feet.
The whole is entirely surround-
ed, as shown in tlie figure, by
a ditch varying in depth from 10
to 15 feet and in Midth from 50
to 75 feet.
Excavations made at points
on the summit and sides, both
of the mound proper and jilat-
form, brought to light ])atches
or beds of clay burnt to a brick
red.
ROGER'S MOUNDS
This is the name given to a
group a nnle distant from the
Barney mound, just descril)ed.
The mounds are all of the ordi-
nary conical or oval form, except
the largest one of the group,
which is flat on top and sur-
mounted near one end by an-
other small hemispherical
mound, as shown in Fig. 146.
This is oval in outline, the
longer diameter (at the base)
247 feet, and the shorter nearly
200 feet ; height of the platform
or terrace 20 feet, the longer
diameter on the toj) 150 feet, and
the shorter !»0. The little mound
on the top is about 50 feet in
diameter, 5feet liigh,and round-
ed ott" in the ordinary form. On
the terrace are the ruins of a
modern house and barn overgrown by brush and small trees. A very
heavy tire-bed was found iuimediately below the surface of the upper
mound ; others were also found at various points on the terrace and on
the sides of the main mound.
Near the surface of another luound, the next in size, was a bed
of clay burned to a brick red, and so hard that it could not be cut
with a spade, but had to be undermined and taken out in blocks like
irregular bricks. A j)ortion of this was removed and an excavation
ARKANSAS.
237
made thronsh charcoal, aslics, and Hakes of iiioitar bmned to a hriglit
brick red, but retaining tlie casts of the stems of grass and cane. Two
feet below this was another tire-bed.
UESHA COUNTY.
This county, which lies along the Mississippi and includes the mouths
of Arkansas and White rivers, is embraced in the Mississippi alluvial
region of the state.
Fig. 147 represents a mound situated on a level bottom 1 mile north
of Arkansas city. It is 1(18 feet long, 72 feet wide on top, and 12 feet
high. There is a slope of about 35 feet at the east end, produced by a
Fio. 143 Pottery vessel from Old Towu works.
slide which carried down some of the upper level. During the over-
flow of 1SS2, which was of unusual height, the top of this mound was
never less than .5 feet above the water. It has, on this account, been
utilized as a biu'ying ground by the citizens of Arkansas City, where
they bring their dead in boats in times of overflow.
A conical mound at Walnut lake station, 40 feet in diameter and 8
feet high, was composed wholly of sandy loam. Fig. 148 represents
an ancient fort on what is known as the " Turner Place." It is near
the Arkansas river, which formerly ran within 400 yards of this forti-
fication. Although evidently constrncteil by whites its history is
unknown to the people of that section, who have the usual tradition of
its being the work of De Soto and his army. It was probably built
238
MOUND ICXPLORATIONS.
by the rrencli to protect a tiiuling- i)Ost. As cdntirmiitory of this
theory there is a ridge near by on wliich are found the indications of
houses such as were built by the whites.
1
to
m
oujx
L-tf/Z
L
Fig. 144 Mmmd No. 3, Old Towu works.
Trees a foot through were cut from it twenty-two years ago; but Dr.
Pahner was informed by Mr. Bezzell, who lives near by, tliat thirty-six
years ago the trees now growiTig on the new-made lauds aloug the river
some of which are 3 feet in diameter, were small saplings.
&i
Fig. 145. — Ground plan and elevation of tbc Barney mound, Phillips county, Arkansas.
The fort is square, measuring 150 yards ft-om side to side. On the
we.st side extends a graded or covered pathway a distance of 250 yards,
ending near the former bank of the' river. The height of the wall of the
fort is at present -1 feet. In one corner, as shown in the figure, is a hole
6 feet deep sujjposed to be the site of the magazine.
THOMAS.] ARKANSAS. 239
The articles picked up liere froiii time to time iind found iu the pro-
cess of cultivatiug the soil belong both to the days of the first settle-
ment of the county and to very modern times. They are thimbles,
])il>cs, biokcn dishes, parts of pistols and guns, pieces of silver coin,
probably used as gun-sights, a Chinese coin, a toy pistol of stone, arti-
cles of Indian (U-igin, stone bullet molds, etc. The remains of an old
forge were uncovered here a few years ago.
THE WYENN MOUNDS.
This is a group of mounds situated on the bank of Wound lake, 16
miles from the present mouth of the Arkansas river. The large one is
18 feet high, oval in form, flat on top, and 130 feet long, exclusive of
the apron-like appendage at one end, which is 140 feet long, CO feet
wide, and 3 feet high. As this is used as a graveyard it could not be
explored nor was permission granted to examine the others which are
small and of the usual conical form.
Fig. 146. — Ko^jcr's raouiul, Phillipg comity. Arkansas.
CHOCTAW MOUND.
This is a small circular mound, 10 feet high and 40 feet in diameter,
situated at the junction of Choctaw bayou and Walnut lake. It was
found by excavation to consist of a top layer of sandy loam 1 foot thick
and the remainder, to the base, of hard tough clay. No charcoal, ashes,
or other evidences of occupancy or use, save a few fragments of iiottery,
were discovered in it.
Near this point there are evidences of two ancient trails running in
different directions.
DREW COUNTY.
THE TAYLOU MOUNDS.
This interesting group is located on the land of Dr. J. M. Taylor, 4
miles west of Winchester railroad station. A view showing the larger
portion of the group is given in Fig. 149. It consists of several com-
paratively large mounds, of the usual conical form, several small
mounds, and numerous slight elevations which are supposed to be
bouse sites. Th^re is one large mound, with flat top and terrace, not
shown in the figure, which is 30 feet high. The others range from 5 to
14 feet in height.
Along the left margin of the field, not shown in the tigure, is a row
of what are believed to be artifical ponds made by removing the dirt
for the mounds.
240
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The mounds and bouse sites had been o]H'ned and rifled of their
treasures previous to tlie visit of tlie Bureau a<;ent ; liut lie was for-
tunate in obtaining from the owner of the property, Dr. Taylor, several
fine specimens of pottery taken out of them. Some of these have been
figured by Mr. Holmes.
V;- K> ')'■
THE TILLER MOUND.
This mound, of the ordinary conical form, !) feet high and rather less
than 50 feet in diameter, is situated on the farm of Mr. J. T. Tiller, 2J
miles southwest of Winchester station. It was found, by the thorough
excavation made, to be composed of sandy soil similar to that of
the surrounding ground, with a single, heavy layer of human bones,
pottery, etc., closely packed in a confused mass. This layer was struck
AKKANSAS.
241
at the dei)th of 1 foot from the surface of the inoiuid and jdoved to be
something over 2 feet thick in the center but thinner toward the mar-
gins.
The skeletons lay in every direction and without any noticeal)le order;
in many cases the bones of one body lay across those of another. It
was diiiftcult, in fact impossible in some cases, to trace the difterent
skeletons. Fifty-eifiht skulls were observed and suHicient bones to cor-
respond therewith. The pots and other vessels of clay were scattered
irregularly through the deposit, but always near to and apparently
associated with some cranium. Xear one head were four pots, close by
another two pots and a pipe, and one or more by others. Several mus-
sel shells were obtained, generally near the heads, and two turtle shells
Fig. 1J8.— (IM Freiicli Fort Deslia, Arkansas.
were discovered inside of a pot, but no burnt clay, charcoal, or ashes
were found in or about the mound. Twenty-three whole vessels, a num-
ber of pipes, shells, animal bones, etc., were obtained here.
LINCOLN COUNTY.
A mound on the farm of Mr. Felix Smith, and another on the farm
of Mr. J. I). Adams, both in E. 7 "W., were examined and f(mnd to be
composed of a top layer of loam and the rest of hard, stiff clay. No
burnt clay, charcoal, ashes, fragments of pottery, or bones were ob-
served in either. One was 7 feet high and 90 feet in diameter, the other
20 feet high and !)0 feet in diameter.
Another grouj) of small, conical mounds is situated near Heckatoo, in
which biu'ut clay or brick-like material was observed, usually about 18
12 ETII 10
242
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
inclies imdci' the soil. Broken pottery iiud some rude stoue iuipleineuts
were also foiiud ; but a thorough examiuation was not allowed, as the
field was covered with cotton.
.TEFFKRSON COUNTY.
A uiouiul on land belonging to the estate of Mr. Suuggs, 1 mile south
(if Garrettson's lauding,
was explored. This was
composed wholly of sand
except the thin layer of
surface soil. No speci-
men of any kind nor any
indications of life or use
were discovered in it, yet
its form and appearance
were such as to show
clearly that it was artifi-
cial. Height, 10 feet;
diameter, 40 feet.
A group of three fine
conical mounds, some-
thing over a mile north
of Linwood station, was
visited, but as they were
covered with graves jjer-
mission to excavate them
could not be obtained.
Tlie average height is
about 15 feet, the three
being very nearly of the
same size and form.
A short distance from
these, on the Houson
farm, are two other tu-
nuili of similar form, one
25 and the other 30 feet
high, but being also cov-
ered with graves, dig-
ging was prohibited.
Excavations for the
graves do not appear to have brought to light any pottery, bones, or
burnt clay.
THE CLAYTON MOUNDS.
This group, situated on the lands of Hon. Towell Clayton, in Sec. 36
T. C S., K. 7 W., and 1« miles southeast of Pine Bluft', cousistsof four
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL, IX
^iV^* ,>-' '-?'
«?"
mp'f
H'- 1/
lo- ^'■^-'■^'»*'%
THE DE SOTO MOUND, JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
THE KNAPP MOUNDS, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
THOMAS.] ARKANSAS. 243
mounds. The most interestiiifi: of these is obloug in shape, rectangu-
lar, 125 feet long exclusive of the terrace or apron-like extension, 65
feet broad, and 30 feet high, and resembles the following, shown in
Plate IX. It is used by the neighborhood as a burying ground, and
hence could not be disturbed.
THU 1>K SOTO MOUND.
The mound, which is shown in PI. ix, is on the laud of Mr. II. G.
De Priest, 13 miles southeast of Pine Blufi'and 2i miles northwest of
the Clayton mound, which it resembles in form but exceeds in magni-
tude. It is 60 feet high at the west end, but somewhat less at the end
to which the terrace is attached; the top, which is flat, as represented
in the figure, is 144 feet long by lit) in width (exclusive of the terrace) ;
back of the mound (from the house) is a large excavation, now a pond,
ft'oni which the earth was taken for its construction. A part of the top
is planted in forest trees; the rest is in cultivation.
It is known in this locality as the "De Soto mound" from (uirrent
tradition that this distinguished explorer camped here for some time.
PULASKr COUNTY.
THE KNAPP MOUNDS.
These works form, without doubt, the most interesting group in the
state, and, in fat't, one of the most important in the United States. A
plat of the group and surrounding wall is given in PI. x, and a sketch
in PI. IX. They are situate<l on the tarm of Mr. (xilbert Knapp and
directly on the east bank of JNIound lake, a crescent-shaped bayou,»16
miles southeast of Little Rock.
As seen by reference to the plat, the area inclosed by the wall is
oblong, or somewhat oval, the length north and south about 170 rods,
and width east and west, 80 to 85 rods, containing 85 acres. The wall
appears to have formed the defense on three sides, the lake being
relied on for protection on the fourth.
The lake is 3 miles long and about one-fourth of a mile wide. The
field, in which the group is situated, is from 2 to 6 or 8 feet above
average water level, and has been under cultivation for more than thirty
years. The surrounding earthen wall reaches 5 or 6 feet in height
where best preserved, but where most reduced by cultivation is about
obliterated. It is a little over a mile in length and starts at the very
margin of the lake on the south, circles around the field, and comes
to the lake again on the north side. It is broken in three places, as
shown on the plan. In two places deep trenches, probably of artificial
origin, pass through the wall. They contain water for the gxeater part
of the year. The other opening is not complete and may have been
cut for a roadway by the whites. The curve of the northern half of
the wall is very even, but near the middle portion there is a slight re-
244 MOUNl) EXPLORATIONS.
verse cnrvc some linndreds of" feet in leiifrth and tlie soutliern sefjmeiit
is (luite uneven.
In 1844, tli(^ periled of the greatest overflow known in this section,
these mounds were clear of the water, and it is said that many people
came here for safety, bringing their household eft'ects and stock with
them.
The largest mound {a, IM. x.) is 48 feet high, 'JSU feet long from
north to south, and 150 feet wide. The nearly level summit is about 50
feet wide by !K) long. The whole surface is densely covered by forest
trees and undergrowth. The slopes are even and rather steep, about
35 or 40 degrees. It stands in front, a little to the right, in Plate ix.
Permission was given tiy the owner to sink a shaft into tliis mound.
After descending 10 feet the clay became so hard that the work was
abandoned. The first 2 feet v>nssed through consisted of vegetable
mold, in which were some aniiiuvl bones and fragments of jiottery ; then
8 feet of sandy loam mixed witli clay, the i)roportion of clay increasing
until at this depth it became wholly clay, exceedingly hard and tough.
A tunnel was carried in the side for 10 feet with a like result. No
brick-like substance was ft>und in it anywhere.
Mound b, the second in size, is oblong and slightly rectangular in
outline. The slopes are gentle, save where interfered with by the plow,
which has encroached upon the base at the sides and ends. The base
measures about 175 by 200 feet, and the height is 38 feet. A shaft 8
feet square and 10 feet deep was sunk in the top, showing the first 2
feet to be a black, waxy clay or muck, and the rest of the distance
a yellow, greasy clay. Nothing was observed except two fine quartz
crystals 2 feet beneath the surface and some fragments of pottery.
The top is about 80 by 100 feet in extent, and has been used as a
garden for a number of years. Fifty feet from the base is a shallow
depression about 200 feet long and 150 in width which is now over-
grown with trees and underbrush. This contains water during a part
of the year and may have been excavated by the ancient inhabitants
to contain a water supply.
Mounds c, d, and e lie to the southeast of the large one. The largest
of these (c) is 12 feet high, about 100 feet long and 90 feet broad at the
base. A shaft 11 feet deep was made in the center of it. For the first
4 feet it passed through sandy loam, with here and there a piece of
pottery and an animal bone; at the depth of 5 feet, in yellow sand
which continued for 3 feet, was a broken pot; at a depth of 7 feet the
sand became very wet and continued so to the bottom. Nothing else
was found.
Mound d is 5 feet high, about 100 feet long, and 75 feet wide at the
base. In four i)laces were patches of burnt clay, doubtless the remains
of former dwellings; in five other places were deixisits of ashes and
human bones, but no burnt clay. These were generally li or 2 feet
below the point reached by the plow in cultivating the soil. In these
ARKANSAS.
245
pl.ices a few stone implements were obtained, one of which is shown
in Fig. loO; also a small ('atliolic medal of copper. Ten other mounds,
in most cases A'ery much reduced by the i)low, -were observed. The cir-
cular mounds range from 2 to 10 feet in height, and from 25 to 100 feet
in diameter, and the oblong ones ai-e from 40 to 350 feet in length. All
bear evidence of having been used as residence sites, as pottery, stone
tools and the refuse of chipijed stonework are found associated with
them.
THinAUI.T MOI'NDS.
On the farm of Mr. J. K. Thibault, 8 miles southeast of Little Rock,
are a number of small mounds averagiug only about a foot and a half
in height and IS feet in diameter. These belong to the class "house
n
KJ
, Yui. i^v. — .^uiiii iiiijikMuent from Kiiapp group.
sites," as examination showed that, under a top layer of soil 1 foot thick,
a layer of burnt (day was always to be found ; immediately beneath this
a layer of ashes with which human remains and ])otterj' were iisually
associated.
They had been partially rifled of their contents by the owner of the
ground, who, however, kindly donated most of the specimens to the
Bureau, some of which arc represented in Mr. Holmes's papers.
SALINE COUNTY.
On the farm of Mr. J. D. f'hidester, 3 miles southeast of Benton, is a
space of about 10 acres covered with house sites in which are the usual
layers of burnt clay, ashes, human bones, etc. They however had
abeady been explored.
246
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
IIlHiHES MOrNI>.
This work, a sketch of which is j;iveii in Fig. 1.51, is situated on the
farm of Mr. George Hughes, .'5 miles southwest of Benton and within
100 yards of Saline river, though the bank was formerly within .50 feet
of it. Some low mounds, probably house sites, formerly surrounded it,
but they have been removed. In these were skeletons, ])ottery and
stone implements under ashes and burnt clay.
The large work yet remaining consists of two parts, the mound
proper, which is somewhat circular and a wing or extension on one side.
The former is 25 feet high, tlat on top, 124 feet in diameter at the base
and 31: on the top. The wing, which runs northeast, is about 120 feet
long, 80 teet broad at the point where it joins the mound and 54 at the
northeast end, the height varying from 10 to 12 feet.
THOMAS.) ARKANSAS. 247
A shaft, 10 feet deep, in tlie center of the mound reached the hard
core without bringing to light any relics, clay, ashes or bones. At
several places on the top and sides of the wing, layers of burnt clay were
found at the depth of 2 feet from the surface and, under each, a layer
of ashes and charcoal. At four poiiits charcoal and ashes occurred,
but without the layer of burnt day. No human remains or indica-
tions of them were observed.
CLARK COUNTY.
WORKS ON SAUNK BAYOI'.
According to tradition, when this section was first visited by the
white settlers, the Indians were discovered hei-e making salt. They were
driven away by the whites, who, for many years, made salt here, and
during the war the Confederate government utilized the saline waters
for the same piu'pose.
There are numerous salt wells and remains of evaporators and also
several round mounds of small size. Those explored were very similar
to one another; in each was a top layer of soil, then a layer of burnt
clay, and beneath this, ashes. One, about 3 feet high, consisted of a
top layer of loam 2 feet thick, then 4 inches of burnt clay, and beneath
this 5 or 6 inches of ashes. In the last were parts of a skeleton and a
bowl.
The strata in another mound, about 4 feet high, were as follows: Top
layer, 2 feet of black soil; next, 5 inches of burnt clay, and below this,
8 or 9 inches of ashes, resting on a hard clay floor IJ inches thick and
5 feet in diameter. Specimens of this floor were obtained.
THK TRIUGS MOUNl>.
This is a small mound on the farm of Mr. W. A. Triggs, 4 miles north-
west of Arkadelphia, on the bank of Caddo creek. It was partially
washed away by the overflow of the creek, bringing to light two layers
of burnt clay, ashes, and human bones, together with pottery and stone
implements. The Bureau agent was fortunate enough to find it in this
condition, and before the things had been carried away. Among the
specimens of pottery found here are the foUowiug :
Fig. 152, an ornamented water-bottle, one of the finest specimens of the kind ever
ohtained.
Fig. 153, a flat-bottomed, jar of unusual shape, partly broken.
Another mound on the same farm was examined. This was 9 feet
high with a wing on one side 6 feet high, and another on the opposite
side 4 feet high. Three excavations in the main portion showed it to be
composed entirely of loam, without a trace of fire, burial or relics of any
kind. Two feet under the surface of the wings were traces of ashes
and burnt clay.
Two others opened were composed entirely of ashes and yellow clayj
no relics.
248
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
OITACHITA COUNTY.
The only explorations made in this county were of some groups near
Camaen.
About 3 miles north of Camden, in Sec. 9, T. 13 S., K. 17 W., on the
Piles plantation, is a grou]) consisting of one large and two small
mounds. It formerly contained another, which has been dug away to
aid in filling a railroad embankment. The plantation on which they
are situated has been in cultivation for thirty years or more. The soil
is a reddish, sandy loam, not very productive, and subject to occasional
:.
V
Fir.. 152.
-An ornamented water bottle, Clark county,
Arkansas.
Fm. 153.— Flat-bottomed jar, Clark
county, Arkansas.
overtlows. Broken bones, small pieces of pottery, broken stone imple-
ments, and mussel shells lie scattered over the surface. A few pitted
stones, a number of arrowheads, a pestle or two, and a stone celt were
also found on the surface.
A plat of the group and its immediate surroundings is shown in Fig.
154. As will be .seen by this, the largest of the three mounds stands
on the bank of a small slough. It is oblong, and nearly flat on top, 12
feet high, length on the top, east and west, 70 feet, and width GO feet.
Abutting against it on the ea.st end is a long, apron-like extension run-
ning out for 175 feet, 100 feet wide, and 4 feet high. Both mound and
terrace aic composed of sandy loam, but the latter is much harder and
ARKANSAS.
249
firmer than the former. As the mound is used at the present time for a
burying phiee, permission was granted to sink only a single shaft in it,
which revealed nothing worthy ot notice.
Monnd No. 2, situated about 200 yards south of the large mound (No.
1), is circular in form, 2 feet high, and 25 feet in diameter. A thorough
Fig. 154. — Mound group near Canulen, Arkansas.
excavation showed that the upper portion to the depth of 14 inches con-
sisted of sand similar to that of the surrounding surface, and the remain-
der to the depth of 9 inches, of rich black loam. In the latter were three
much decayed skeletons, the head of one toward the east, that of an-
other north, and that of the third west. No relics of any kind were
250 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
observed, tbougli some fragments of ))ottery were picked up from the
surface, which liad probably beeu turned out by the plow.
No. 3, about the same size as No. 2, though carefully explored, re-
vealed nothing wortliy of notice.
Another conical mound near this group, 35 feet in diameter and 3J
feet high, was also examined. It was eomposed of loose, black loain,
through which were scattered fragments of pottery and mussel shells.
In the south side, at a depth of 2i feet, was a fire bed ab(mt 10 feet in
diameter and 6 inches thick. This was covered with ashes, charcoal,
fragments of pottery, and nuissel shells. In the south side, at the
depth of 3 feet, was a single skeleton, by which lay a broken clay pipe.
An oak tree, 3 feet in diameter, stands on this mound.
About 150 feet east of the last mound is a small cii'cular tumulus
with a flat top. This was composed throughout of very hard, dry, yel-
low clay, but contained no indications of burial, no evidences of fire, nor
relic of any kiud. This is somewhat remarkable, as the form and ma-
terial render it more than probable, judging by what has been ascer-
tained in regard to the mounds of this state, that it was built for a
house site, and hence, according to the rule, shcmld liave contained fire-
beds and ashes. Possibly it was the site of a baracao or storehouse, or
was built for a house site, but not used.
LOUISIANA.
The explorations in this state were confined to Washita, Catahoula,
and Tensas parishes.
THE PARGOID GROUP.
This group, located in Washita ])arish, consists of two mounds situ-
ated on a point of land between Washita river and Chauvin bayou.
The laiger one, about 28 feet high and flat on top, has had the sides
cut away to obtain material for repairing the road that runs by its base.
From this (as permission to explore it was refused) it was ascertamed
that it consists of several strata ; first, a top layer, 2 feet thick, of black
sandy soil, next 15 inches of yellow sand and black loam intermixed;
then 18 inches of black sandy loam; next 2 feet of yellow sand, and
below this, yellow sand and black loam intermixed. In the last were
some pieces of pottery. The layers on the opposite side diftered some-
what from the order and thickness given, though the material was the
same.
The smaller mound is conical in form and only 6 feet high.
Evidences of house sites were found in the siu-rounding area, such as
beds of burnt clay and ashes.
TROYVILLK MOUNDS, CATAHOULA PARISH.
This interesting group, a plat of which is given in Fig. 155, is located
at the junction of the Tensas, Washita, and Little rivers, where the
three unite to form Black river, and consists, as shown in the plat, of
THOMAS. 1
LOUISIANA.
251
six moiiuds, au inclosing wall or embankment, and artificial jionds and
canals.
The wall wliicli incloses the area on the south and west is very
nearly or quite 1 mile in length, and at the points where least disturbed
from 7 to 8 feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. The inclosed area contains
about 100 acres.
The large mound (1), which is near tlie center of the inclosure and about
I
I
300 yards from Black river, was originally about 250 feet long, 160
feet wide at base, and probably <iO feet high, though persons who saw it
before it was disturbed say it was 75 feet high, with a nearly sharp
summit. At i^resent it is so gashed and mutilated, having been used
during the war as a place for rifle i)its, that its original form can
scarcely be made out. It is now iH feet high, 270 feet long, and ISO
feet wide. The top can be seen back of the house in Fig. 156. From the
252
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
gashes in tlio side, one of wliit-h is L'5 feet deep, it could be seen that it
was comi)()sed chiefly of red and yellowish clay. In one of these cuta
was exposed a layer of charred cane 1 foot thick extending back into
the mound.
Fig. 1.5G shows mound 6. This is 1.5 feet high, 90 feet long, and 75
feet wide. Two excavations made in it proved it to be conii)osed of a
very hard, greasy
clay.
Mound Xo. 5 is
200 feet long, 90
feet wide, and 8
feet high, and cov-
ered with modern
graves. In dig-
ging these, skele-
tons and pottery
are frequently
thrown out.
M(nin(l No. 4 is
nearly destroyed,
but according to
local information
was originally UO
feet high.
Mounds U and 3
are also nearly
destroyed. Num-
bers 8, 8, 8, 8 indi-
cate four artificial
ponds \\hich were,
and to a certain
extent are still,
connected with
each other and
with the bayou on
the southwest by
canals which are
still from 10 to 12
feet wide and 5 feet
deep.
As the bayou connects with the river 3 miles below, it is apparent
that canoes could reach the inclosure by this route.
Two conical mounds, one 12 and the other 7 feet high, are situated on
the plantation of ^Nlrs. Brisco, in Tensas parish, i miles southeast of St.
Joseph ; but as they are occupied, one as a graveyard and the other
as a rainwater cistern, they could not be excavated.
THOMAS.)
MISSISSIPPI. 253
MISSISSIPPI.
COAHOMA COUNTY.
Col. P. W. Norris, who visited this sectiou of the state, thinks that
at some forinor period the Mississi^jpi river ran 6 or 8 miles soutliward
from Friars point, and then returned to wliero the present channel cuts
across the bend westward toward Old Town. Along the eastern bank of
the old channel, on the plantation of the Carson brothers, G miles
south of Friars point, is an interesting group of mounds and earth-
works. The illustrations are by Mr. Holmes, who subsequently visited
the group.
The general plan of these works is shown in PI. xi. In the north-
west is an inclosure surrounded by an earthen wall and a ditch. Nos.
a to/ are mounds. There are also several excavations. The area em-
braced in the plat is about 1 mile east and west and something over half
a mile north and south.
The inclosure fronts west for a distance of 738 feet on a cypress
swamp, i^robably an open bayou or one channel of the Mississippi
when these works were constructed. It is in the form of a x)arallelo-
gram, the wall on three sides measuring 1,173 feet long, and embrac-
ing an area of about 5 acres. This wall is from 15 to 30 feet wide at
the base, and from 3 to 5 feet high. A ditch is distinctly traceable
along the whole length of the outside, but it is not exhibited on the
plate.
Within this area, a little northwest of the center, is a circular mound
(«), 192 feet in diameter at the base, 15 feet high, and 66 feet across the
nearly flat top. There appears to have been originally a platform some
5 or 6 feet high, on which the mound proper was built. Several exca-
vations made in the top and on the sides showed that it was composed
of earth from the bottom land, probably obtained from the excavation
near the southeast corner of the inclosure. A number of flre-beds of
burnt clay were found near the summit and at different elevations
throughout the mouud. Charcoal, ashes, and fragments of pottery
and stone were also discovered, but no bones. It is i^robable, there-
fore, that these spots mark the sites of houses.
Some slight elevations noticed within the inclosure were not ex-
plored but are shown on the plate.
Just outside of the southwest comer is an artificial excavation
about 100 feet in diameter, but now partially filled and converted into a
bog.
Mound 6, shown in detail in PI. xii, is double. There are at the bot-
tom indications of anoval platform, probably 10 feet high, with a length
of 240 feet at the base. On this, two truncated cones, which occupy the
entire length, but not the entire width of the jilatform, rise jointly for
18 feet, and above the union rise separately 8 feet higher. The entire
254 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
hei},'lit of the mound fioiu the natural stirface of the land is tliciefore
36 feet. The tones are level on top, the one being 42 feet in diameter
at this point and the other 48. On this mound, near the top of the
northern cone, stands a thrifty black oak, 5 feet in diameter.
Little excavating was done in this mound and nothing of interest
found, except the ever present fire-beds of burnt clay, stone chips, and
fragments of pottery.
Mound <• is oval and rounded on top, 210 feet long, 150 broad at the
base, and 16 feet high. This mound and several smaller ones near
it are so nearly masses of flre-beds, burnt clay, fragments of stone and
pottery, together with more or less charcoal and ashes, as to indicate
clearly that they are the sites of ancient dwellings thus elevated by
accumulation of material during long continued occupancj\
Mound (1, PI. XIII, the finest of the group, is roughly pentangular and
very symmetrical, level on the top, 25 feet high (including the platform),
310 feet in diameter at the base, and 210 feet across the top. Besides
the broad, sloping platform, 5 feet high, on which the mound rests, there
is near by, almost adjoining, a small mound which, as in many other
groups, forms a kind of appendage to the large one. This is about 100
feet long, 75 feet wide, and 8 feet high, rounded on top.
Not only are beds of hard burned clay (the fragments of which show
the casts of cane and grass running through it) abundant upon the
surface and sides of the mound, but are also found in the wells and
cisterns and in other excavations made in digging cellars and for the
foundations of buildings. It is evident from this that it was u.sed as a
dwelling place or as a location for a temple or some other public build-
ing.
Mound e is double and similar in almost every respect to h. The
platform is 5 feet high and 120 by 80 feet on top. Near the toi> of
one cone is a red oak tree, 4 feet in diameter, and near the top of the
other a black oak, 6 feet in diameter. In the depression between the
two cones a partially decayed skeleton was found in digging a grave
for a person now interred there. This skeleton was under a bed of
burnt clay, and other similar beds are found near the surface of the
sides and summit.
Mound /is oval, rounded on top, 150 feet long by 75 feet wide and
between 5 and 6 feet high, differing but little from several others not
shown on the plat. A thorough examination of this mound revealed
the fact that from base to summit it was composed of burnt clay, mud,
or alluvial earth in irregular layers formed of lumps or little masses
burned to a brick red or actually melted into slag. Much of the top of
this mound is a deposit resembling mud or clay plastering, from which
the sustaining canes and timbers had been burned out, leaving their
casts. It seems evident, therefore, that mud-walled and perhaps par-
titioned dwellings, stood here which were destroyed by fii-e.
THOMAS.] MISSISSIPPI. 265
EXCAVATIONS.
The places from which a part at least of the dirt was takeu that was
used to form the mounds are shown by the uneveuuess of the surface
of the ground immediately around them. But there are several excava-
tious which must have furnished a large portion of the material for this
purpose. They are still so deep as to form swamps, bogs, or open
ponds, some of the last being well stocked with tish.
During all the excavations made and digging done by the present
proprietors, who have made all the improvements there are on the
l)lantation, but few skeletons have been unearthed and no whole vessels
of pottery found. Still, it is possible that more extensive explorations
of the small mounds may reveal these, but the owner will not allow them
to be disturbed.
The solid material of which the mounds are composed, together with
their numerous tire beds or patches of burnt clay, are so well calculated
to withstand the erosion of the elements in a region but little subject
to frosts, that the lapse of time has had but little eft'ect upon their appear-
ance. Still, the rounding off of the parts not protected by tire-beds,
the boggy character of the excavations, and the considerable accumula-
tion of soil upon the works suggest that the town of the mound-builders
located here was upon the bank of the Mississippi when this I'iver flowed
in its ancient channel, but was abandoned when it changed its bed.
The more recent works at Old Town, built apparently by people hav-
ing the same customs, seem to favor this supposition.
THE DICKERSON MOUNDS.
On the Dickerson farm, 4 miles east of Friars jioijit, is another interest-
ing group of mounds. These are situated on the dry, gravelly bank of
the Sunflower river. There is no inclosure, but several fields of the farm
are literally strewn with stone chips and fragments of ancient pottery,
and upon long oval hillocks are found numerous fragments of human
bones.
The Sunflower is here scarcely a creek during low water and its
gravelly banks are high above the floods; yet the mounds are mostly
oblong or oval and flat on top, like those found on the bottoms subject
to overflows. They are built as usual of the material from adjacent
ground, which, being gravel instead of clay or mud, rendered the out-
lines of the beds of burned clay distributed through them more distinct
than usual. Most of them seem to have been the sites of dwellings, the
same as those upon the bottoms; yet on the intermediate areas are
saucer-shaped depressions, indicating that the earth lodge so common
farther north had been in use here.
Of the numerous mounds explored only one was found to be a true
cemetery of the ancient inhabitants. This was, as usual, one of the
least conspicuous of the group. The first tier of skeletons was barely
25fi
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
covered and the vessels, which are usually a little higher than the skele-
tons, were broken into fragments, only one whole one being found in
this tier. The next tier was about 2 feet below the first and the bones
more decayed. Eelatively fewer vessels were found and these so badly
broken that but two bowls were obtained entire. The third tier was
2 feet below the second, or 5 feet from the top, and slightly below the
original surface of the ground.
As less than a hundred skeletons were found here, there are doubt-
less other burying places in this group, but there are so many modern
burials in these mounds that it was impossible to sink a pit without
disturbing the skeletons of whites and negroes.
Fig. 158. — Clarksdale works, Coahoma county, Mississippi.
At Clarksdale on the Sunflower river, is a group consisting of
an inclosure and six mounds. The plan of these works is presented in
Fig. 158. At B is a semicircular inclosure fronting the river, the sur-
rounding earthen wall partially obliterated by the plow, though suffi-
cient remains to trace satisfactorily the line. The length following the
curve, as ascertained by pacing, is 2,001 feet; the height where least
disturbed is from 3 to 5 feet. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 are mounds; No.
6 a wash-out, revealing a cemetery; No. 8, house sites, and in the south-
west corner at the end of the wall an excavation.
The largest and most interesting of the mounds is No. 1 (Fig. 159),
situated within the inclosure and directly on the bank of the river, so
that the slope of the west side of the mound is continuous with the
slope of the bank. It is rectangular in form, consisting first of a plat-
MISSISSIPPI.
257
form 5 feet higb, which forms the base, projecting as a uarrow terrace
on all the sides except that next the river.
Above this rises the mound proper, 20 feet high, 153 feet long at the
base, and nearly 100 feet wide. The top is flat and level and on it now
stands the village church, but formerly there stood on it a little conical
nionnd 5 feet high and 25 feet in diameter, consisting as is stated
almost wholly of burnt clay,
charcoal, ashes, and fragments
of pottery, beneath wh ich were
found a fine scallop-edged,
double-eared pot and a skele-
ton. Every observable por-
tion of this mound bears evi-
dence that the mode of con-
struction and doubtless the
use made of it were the same
as of those at Carson's plan-
tation, though this group is
ajiparently less ancient.
The other four mounds (2,
3, 4, and 6) are small, and of
the ordinary conical form ; No.
7 is but slightly elevated, and
scarcely deserves to be called
a mound.
Ko. 4, though the smallest
of the group, jjroved to be in
some respects the most inter-
esting. It is circular, 20 feet
in diameter, and 3 feet high,
and little more than a heap of
ashes. A trench through it
showed that it consisted of
ashes, charcoal, and charred
animal bones, also abundant
stone chips and fragments of
pottery, but no entire vessels.
There was still sufficient
strength in the ashes to
roughen the hands, aifect the color of the boots, and be detected by
the sense of smell ; but this, though less frequent, is not unusual in the
heavy fire beds of this region.
Human bones having been found in grading a roadway through the
low, gravelly banks of a washout at No. (J (Fig. 158), trenches were cut
in both banks. Human bones, so hard as to be cut with diiScailty by
the spade, were found throughout the 50 feet in length of the trench,
12 KTH 17
258 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
both above and below the road {(t, a, u), but the heaviest deposit was
above the road on the north side, where they formed nearly a solid layer
of skeletons searcely a foot below the surfaee. So many entire skele-
tons were traceable that it is evident it was not a depcisitof bones ti-om
scaffolds, but a burial of bodies en masse with little regard to regu-
larity. No weapons, charcoal, ashes, or pottery were found with them,
and, although tradition gives us no inHnination in regard to them, it is
probable that the burials were c,omi)aratively modern.
Mound 7, close to the bni-ial jdace mentioned, was also a depository
of the dead, differing from the former more in character and contents
than in apparent age. The main i)ortion of this low, dark colored
mound or slightly elevated si)a<'e was covered by a residence and
small garden, but along a few feet of its vacant northern edge some ex-
cavations were made. Tlie skeletons were nearly 3 feet below the
surface in a single tier, lying liorizontally, but without uniformity as to
direction. Except the better preservation of the skeletons, the mode
of buwal and accompaniments and everything found in this mound were
in all respects similar to the (Md Town burials. But the pottery, of
which only two entire vessels were obtained, like that from Dickersou's
mound, is lighter colored and thinner than usual.
A coarse clay pipe, donated by Mr. John Clarke, the owner of this
]noperty, was found in an extensive line of house sites marked by
patches of buint clay at No. S (Fig. 158). In the excavations made
among these house sites a small stone mortar, a rude celt, and two very
tine ones, also many fragments of pottery, a number of fleshers and
scrapers were obtained.
The largest excavation at this place is situated at the southwest cor-
ner of the inclosure. From this, in all probability, was obtained the
material for building the large mound (No. 1).
During the researches made through i)ortions of the counties of
Coahoma, Bolivar, and Sunflower, for a distance of some 30 miles
south of Clarksdale, a large number of ancient dwelling sites were
found, having the ai)pearance, before being disturbed, of low, flatfish
mounds. ]\lany were opened and uniforndy found to be mere liea])Sor
patches of l)urnt clay, ashes, and the dirt accumulated during occu-
pancy, covered by a thin layer of top soil.
.SUNFLOWER COUNTY.
Not far from the shoals of Sunflower river, and in tlie midst of a cane-
brake, a mouml of considerable size was discovered. The dimensions,
as nearly as could be determined, are as follows: Length, 125 feet;
greatest width, about KM) feet; and height to the summit of its cone,
25 feet. The apex is near the eastern end, and is surmounted by a
white oak 6 feet in diameter.
Along the stee]i side of the eastern end was the outcro])ping of a
bed of burnt clay in small masses or lumx)S, and below it some very
s
o
MISSISSIPPI.
259
light colored fragincDts of pottery. Almost the first spadeful of earth
revealed deeaying fragments of human bones. Tracing these horizon-
tally mider the roots of the oak and under the clay bed, a skull was
reached, resting on a broken platter-shajied vessel, and by the side of
it a pot with a scalloped edge, a broken water bottle with female head
on the top of the neck, a pottery tube, and a dipper in the form of a
shell shown in Fig. 100. The portion of the platter which had been
broken out to allow room for the neck of the bottle was wanting.
Another excavation was made in the top of the terrace near the
middle of the nionml. After cutting through a layer of brick-red chiudvS
of burnt clay some 4 or "> inches thick, a layer of dark colored earth
something over a foot in dejith was reached. Immediately beneath this
Flii. itjO. — Vusse'l iu form of it abell, Siiuliowur eoiiuL^v, Miusissippi.
was a medium-sized human skeleton lying horizontally on its right side.
Near the skull were a broken water vessel and fragments of other ves-
sels.
WASHINGTON (U)ITNTY.
THIC AVONDAI.K JIOUNDS.
This group, which is shown in Fig. 1(51, is located ou the plantation of
Mrs. P. J. Sterling, 1^ miles east of Stoneville and t) miles from Gran-
ville. The land on which they are built is a rich, level bottom, subject
to overdows.
The mounds, as shown in the tigure, are arranged somewhat in a
semicircle. The largest, which is used as a graveyard by the whites, is
30 feet high, tlat on top, and oval in form, nearly 200 feet long and about
175 broad. To the west of it is a depression of about 3 acres, from
which it is probable the material was taken to build this mound. The
second is 15 feet high and is covered with graves of colored i>eople.
Numerous fragments of pottery and lumps of burnt clay, containing
impressions of cane and grass, were tound near the surface of the small
mounds.
260
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Cutting- ii trench through No. 4 (the one at the extreme left of the
figure), tliere wasri'achcd first, a layer of sandy loam ISinches thick, then
2 feet of burnt clay, next a layer of charcoal aiul aslies 18 inches thick,
and thence to the base hard clay. No human boues or evidences of
burial were observed.
YAZOO COUNTY.
THE CJIAMPLIN MorNl>S.
This group, consisting of four mounds, is situated about the center of
the county, 2 miles north of Yazoo City and 2 miles east of Yazoo river.
The mounds stand on low, swampy land, about half a mile from the
bills, and during the flood of 1882 were surrounded by water. One of
MISSISSIPPI.
261
theui is an irregular oval of comparatively large size, the other three
are conical anil smaller.
The large nionnd is of the form shown in Figs. 162 and 163, the first
giving tlie contour of the base, the other a vertical section through the
middle, lengthwise. The dimensions were found by careful measure-
ments to he as follows: Length at base, from north to south, 106 feet;
width of base at a a (Fig. 162), .W feet; at h />, m feet; at d d, .38 feet;
height at a (Fig. 163), 14 feet; at h, S feet, and at d, 11 feet. It was
explored thoroughly down to the
original surface, and found to k
be composed throughout of dark
earth, similar to the surrounding
soil of this swamp region, yet
there ai'e no excavations or de-
pressions immediately around it
from whi<'h the earth for building
it could have been taken.
In the southern portion, at the
depth of .3 feet 6 inches, were
three adult skeletons about on
the same level (No. 1, Fig. 163),
all extended at full length. One
lay with face up and head north;
about the neck and wrists were a
number of shell beads. Another
lay also with face up, but head to
the west; ch)se by the head was
a nicely polished celt. The other
lay on the left side, with the head
north; by the head was a polished
celt and immediately in front of
the face a small water bottle.
At 2, an adult skeleton lay ex-
tended on the left side, with head
south. The earth immediately
around it was burned hard, the
bones also .showing signs of fire.
Mixed with this burned earth
was a considerable quantity of charcoal and ashes.
At 3, same depth as 2, was the skeleton of a very young
relics were found with this or 2.
At the bottom of the mound, at the point marked 4, were the remains
of six skeletons. These had doubtless been buried after the llesh wag
removed, as the bones of each had been taken apart and placed in a
heap, the parts of one skeleton forming one heap. Among the rib
Flii
]6'J. — Outline of mound Xo. 1, Champliii ;irniip
Yazoo county, ilississipiti.
child. No
262
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
bones of one were a. few beads made of niiiinte shells. Nothing was
fonnd with cither of the otlier live.
Immediately under the surface of the moujid at 5 was a single pol-
ished celt. At 0, 3 feet from the top, lay an iulult skeleton extended <jn
the back, head east; no lelics weic fonnd with it. At 7, on the same
level, was another adult skeleton lying in the same position as the last
mentioned ; on the breast was a polished celt. At
8 were the Ixmes (»f another, separated and placed
in aheap, asthose previously lueiitioned, with a num-
ber of shell beads scattered among them. These
were at the depth of 18 inches. At fl lay the skel-
g etoM of an adult, at the depth of 3 feet, extemled on
I tl I e back, head west; nothing with it.
■^ No. 10 indicates the position of an adult skeleton
>;. at a dei>tli of -t feet 6 inches. This was also ex-
g tended on the back, witli the head east. The earth
g about it was unusually hard, making it impossible
^ togcttheboues out iu good condition, yet the skull
d. is sufticient to show the form, which indicates
I frontal pressure and backwai'd elongation to an
~ unusual extent.
I No. 11, three adult skeletons extended, with faces
3 up and heads east. These were lying side by side
■^ at the bottom of the mound on the natural surface of
5 the ground, and immediately over them a covering
I of bark, apparently of the red oak. Tliis consisted
tS of a single layer of wide pieces. Nothing else was
S found with them.
s In the northern end of the mound, immediately
s under the .surface at the highest point, 12, was a
f small, red clay vessel (Fig. 161). The earth of this
"^ nortlu-rn ])ortiou, to the depth of 3 feet, contained
1 the remains of several skeletons (13), both of adults
2 and children, which were so far decayed that their
respective positions could not be determined; nor in
fact was it possible to ascertain the exact number
of them. Scattered among the bones were several
celts, different lots of beads, and one small pot.
No. 14 indicates the position of two adult skele-
tons, at a depth of -1 feet, one extended on the right side, head north,
the bones of the other separated and placed in a iiile. Around the
neck of the former were a number of shell beads.
No. 15 was the skeleton of an adult, at a depth of 9 feet, extended
on the right side, head east; nothing with it.
Nos. 17 and IS, two skeletons of adults found at a d('i)th of U) feet;
bones separated and placed in piles. No relics with them.
m .'
THu.MAS.)
MISSISSIPPI.
263
None ot'tlio burials in this inouiid were in inclosiires or coffins of any
kind, except the two instances where bark coverinj;' was used, as already
mentioned.
All the skeletons referred to as having no relics buried with them
had the heads compressed in the manner described. The others, those
with ornaments or imi)lemeuts accompanying them, had heads ot the
usual type. Although this fact seems to indicate that individuals of
two different tribes were buried here, it seems evident that they be-
longed to the same era, as there were no indications that the mound
had been disturbed after it was completed.
Mound No. 2 stands l,3(t(> feet cast of the large one and is a regular
cone, 58 feet in diameter and 13 feet high. The main body was com-
posed of dark swamp soil like that of the
surrounding land, but at the bottom was
a central, conical core of yellow clay, 12
feet in diameter and 3 feet high. The
nearest point where the clay of which it
is comjiosed could have been obtained
is half a mile away. About 3 feet be-
neath the apex were a few human teeth
and slight traces of other bones, with
which were associated a few beads made
of deer horn. Immediately below the
surface, on one side, an ornamented watei
bottle was discovered. On the toj) of the
central day core lay a small lied of coals
and ashes some 2 or 3 feet in diameter,
which contaiiu'd a number of burned
mussel shells.
Mound No. 3, about 700 feet from No. 2, is oval in outline, rounded
on top, 35 feet long nortli and south, 27 feet wide, and 3 feet high. This
was not explored.
No. 4, which is 275 feet due soutli of No. .'>, is sindlai' in form and
size to the latter. It was explored and found to be composed through-
out of dark, swamp soil. Nothing was discovered except a few coals.
Fici
Hii — Image vessel from Cliamplin
mound, Miaaissippi.
ADAMS COUNTY.
The only mounds examined in this county arc those forming the
noted Selsertown group. Dr. Palmer made a hasty visit to them in 1884;
subsequently, in 1887, Mr. Middleton made a careful survey of them.
The description and figures here given are from Mr. Middleton's report.
These works, a general plan of which is shown in PI. xiv, 1, consist at
present of a large, circular, flat topped mound, and three others of
auialler dimensions, standing upon an elevated platform, a little over
20 feet liigh and 5 or G acres in extent. They are situated in the hill
country of the northern part of the ccmnty and some (i or 7 miles from
the Mississippi bottom.
2(14 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The topographical features of this section are similar to those of other
counties horilering on this portion of the river, consisting of the bot-
toms along the Mississippi and the uplands which extend back from
tliese and form the general surface of the state. The western border
of these uplands, where they join the bottoms, terminates in somewhat
abrupt descents to which the term "bluft's'" has been applied. In Adams
county the bottoms are from 1 to 3 miles wide north of Natchez, which
is the only jjortiou of the county it is necessary to refer to. About a mile
above Natchez the Mississipi>i river, bending eastward, strikes the foot
of the bluft's, hugs them for a short distance below, and again recedes.
The general level of the uplands, some 200 or 2.50 feet above the
bottoms, is broken by the valleys of numerous creeks and their
branches, through which the water of the upper area tinds its way to
the Mississipjji. Among the smaller streams of this immediate section
is one known locally as Dunbare creek, which runs westward to the
Mississippi. The ccnintry about the headwaters of this creek, where
the little streams which form its branches have cut ravines, is some-
what rough and broken up into ridges, spurs, and knolls. It is here that
the works mentioned are situated, about a mile northwest of the site
of the old village of Selsertown, 7, miles a little west of north from
Washington, and 2 miles northwest of the railroad station (Stanton).
As will beobserved byreference to PI. xiv, 1, the platform, or oblong-
elevation on which the mounds stand, is located on a rather narrow
ridge which, starting from the higher level on the east, slopes down-
ward gradually but irregularly toward the west, fading out in an
expansion on the lower level of the creek valley a little southwest of
the i)latform. On the north is the valley of a small creek lunning
westward; on the south is aiu)ther luxrrow valley or ravine in which is
a small branch of Dunbare creek, running southwest. This ridge, as
will be seen by reference to the ligure, is quite irregular as to its sur-
face, course, and form. Coming westward from the eastern extremity
the line of highest elevation bends southward by //, terminating appar-
ently in a spur, which was not followed out.
Following the line of the load, the descent — i to A-, from the upper
level h to the lower level g, of the ridge — is about 40 feet and somewhat
abrupt. From I- to the platform, the top of the ridge, with the excep-
tion of the rise at /, is nearly level lengthwise — that is to say, along
the line of the road. The rise at / is an elongate oval knoll, fiom 12
to 15 feet high, and of the comparative size shown in the figure. As it
is beyond all question a natural formation, no special measurement of
it was made.
At the point occupied by the platform there is a sudden bend and ex-
pansion of the ridge, though the crest is near the south margin, the line
running inside (north) of, but near, the southern edge of the platform.
Altliough the term "platform" has been used here to indicate this
somewhat remarkable elevation on which the mounds are placed, Mr.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XIV
\
^^^^iiii"'V&;i^|!^
,^,,^^#f^\ i \'N I
#
^%^
iM®>- " ■^s
SELSERTOWN MOUND GROUP, ADAMS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.
\ |l"l' /' AX.ilij. W;l!»'«inll',!iillllllii;i»llilil««n \ I II
1
WW»f 4,
"' ,»*^
1!f|f#'
SccUon on h^u? ti t>
PLATFORM AND MOUNDS OF THE SELSERTOWN GROUP.
A
THOMAS.] MISSISSIPPI. 265
Middleton and Dr. Palmer express the opinion very confidently that
it is chiefly a natnial formation. This is based upon the following
facts: The sudden bend and enlargement of the ridge at this point;
the fact that natural knolls, or mound like elevations, are not uncom-
mon on the ridges of this section, as for example, the one near by at
/; and the evidence obtained by excavating, which, so far as it was
carried, sustains this view. They think it quite probable that the orig-
inal form was artificially modified, so as to make the top more uniforndy
level and the margins more abrupt than they were formed by nature.
At the eastern end of this platform, descending northward, is an old
washout or gully. The surface contour, running east and west, across
the platform, the mounds, and this gully from I to m is shown in the
section at A, and that running north and south from p to q at B; a
section of the ridge at *• to « is shown at C.
The shape and piesent condition of the platform and the mounds on
it are shown in PI. Xiv, 2. The extreme length from base to base varies
but slightly from 700 feet; the greatest width, which is near the west
end, is about .^30 feet; width at the east end, 330 feet. The extreme
length of the surface area is about 590 feet; the width near the west
end, 400 feet. The height varies from 21 to 45 feet, the northern and
northwestern portion standing higher above the base or general slope of
the ridge than the southern and eastern. The surface is comijaratively
level, though there are some depressions in the central portion, from
which it is probable dirt was taken to be used in building the nuiunds.
Although the base has a somewhat regular outline, the margin of the
upper surface is so cut and gashed by sharp gulleys and indentations
as to give scarcely any indications of its original form.
The surface has been under cultivation for many years, but the slopes
of the sides are covered with thick growths of cane, locust, sedge, and
briars. The soil, which is sinnlar to that of the surrounding area, con-
sists of loam and red clay, mixed somewhat with sand, which, though
apparently adhesive, wears away rapidly under the action of water
where the surface is abraded and the vegetation removed. The two
chief gullies, the one at the northwest corner and the other near the
southeast corner, which have evidently been formed by washing, are
probably largely due to the fact that they are the lines of drainage and
are the points long used as the places of ascent and descent for per-
sons, teams, and stock.
There are at present four mounds on this elevated area, though,
according to Squier and Davis', there were formerly eleven. Of the
four which remain, one is placed, as these authors state, about the
middle of each end, that is, at the east and west margins. The
other two are placed near the middle of the north and south sides. Of
the other seven, no satisfactory traces were found by Mr. Middleton,
but Dr. Palmer, who visited them three years before, thought he saw
'Anc. Mon., j>. 118.
266 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
indications of other stiuctuies at points around the marjjin, but was
inclined to the opinion tliat tliese were, house sites, as fragments of pot-
tery aud pieces of burnt clay, often with fluted impressions made by
s])lit reeds, were found in abuudance at sui'li i)oints. But neither
found any traces of a central mound, anil the disposition of those
which remain would indicate that this central space was left unoccujned.
The wearing of the mound seems also to forbid the idea of a central
tumulus, as it was here the surface water seemed to collect.
The surfiice of the platform is strewn with fragments of pottery. On
and about the smaller mounds down the northein slope, es])ecially in
the gullies or washouts, jjrobably brought down li"om the top, are num-
erous fragments of burnt clay. This burnt clay is not in the form of
bricks, nor at any point arranged in or used to form a wall. That on
the slopes and in the gullies on the north side has certainly been
brought down from the ui)pcr surface. It is mostly of a brickred color
and bears impressions of the split cane stamp, of which mention has here-
tofore been made. These have probably been taken for the impressions
of fingers, an error which would have been easily corrected by observ-
ing that the curvature is outward instead of inward, as would have been
the case if made by the fingers. Running through it, on what was the
inner side, are the im])ressions of twigs and giass stems. It is in every
respect similar to that observed in Arkansas, and is evidently the clay
which formed the plastering of the houses, as mentioned by the French
explorers, which, at the destruction of the houses by fire, was liurned
to the condition in which it is now found.
The largest of the four mounds, the one to which writers have gener-
ally referred, is that marked e at the western end of the platform. It
is nearly circular in form, truncated l)ut somewhat rounded ou top, the
slopes tolerably steep. The diameter at the base is 1-15 feet; the diiim-
eter of the top averages 7lJ feet (the upper surface being somewhat oval) ;
height, 31 feet. It has been ijartially exjdored, but the result is not
known with certainty. The last examination was made on behalf of
Dr. Joseph Jones, of New Orleans, but it does not appear that he was
at any time present while the excavation was going on. The depth
reached was only 15 or 10 feet. This mound has, ar some former time,
been under cultivation, but owing, perhaps, to its steepness has been
abandoned to briars and locust trees.
The next largest mound is the one marked/, at the eastern extremity
of the platform. It is somewhat irregular in form but approaches in
outline a semi-oval, the base resting on the margin of the platform,
with whicli tlie eastern side of the mound forms a continuous slope. It
is possible that cultivation of its surface and wearing away at the east-
ern end has somewhat changed the original form. The top is flat but
irregular, the height varying from 5 to 8 feet. The diameter of the
base east and west is 110 feet; the greatest diameter north and south,
near the east margin, is about 3 feet less.
THOMAS] . MISSISSIPPI. 267
The Dther two mounds (g and /(), situated near the iiiiddle of the
north an<l south margins are circular, quite small, the one marked fi
measuring but 38 feet in diameter and 2 feet high ; the other, marked li,
22 feet in diameter and 1 i feet high. Both have been under cultiva-
tion, which has brought to light a layer of burnt clay near the top of
each, showing them to be of the same type as the h)w domiciliary
mounds of Arkansas.
UNION (BOUNTY.
The grtmp of mounds here figured ( Fig. 1(!5) is located in tln^ southern
part of [Jiuou County, Mississippi, on the SE. ^ of Sec. 12, and XE. .{
of Sec, 13, T. 8 S., R. 2 E.
There are fourteen mounds belonging to the group, twelve of which
are together, the other two (not shown) being one east and the other
west, aboiithalf a mile from the large mound, which is the most prom-
inent of the group.
The general level of the tield is about .50 feet above the creek bot-
toms to the north and south, which are overflowed at every hard rain.
Before the soil had been cultivated an embankment could be traced
around the twelve central mounds which was about 2 feet high and 10
feet across at the base, with a ditch on the outside entirely around.
The ditch was mostly and in some places entirely filled up. At pres-
ent no trace of it remains and the embankment can be seen only for a
few rods on the west and noi'th sides, where it has not been plowed
over. It was cut through in several places and showed no trace of
wood. This, however, is not positive evidence that no palisades ex-
isted, for it may have Iteen washed down farthei' than the posts would
have been sunk, the area being uuich worn by drains. The earth form-
ing it is the same as the surrounding soil, and was probably thrown
inward from the ditch.
Before the land was cleared timber as large as can be found in the
country grew up to the ditch on the outside while inside that limit noth-
ing grew but brush and small trees. The largest one on the embank-
ment, cul3 in 1842, showed l)y its growth-rings that it was 52 years old.
This would give a period of not more tlian a century in Avhich timber
has been growing on the motinds.
Dense can ebrakes still exist within a few miles, which no doubt
abounded in game, and in the creeks near at hand large fishes are
caught in considerable numbers. The soil in this field, though now
about worn out by careless tillage, was formerly very fertile.
A pond of 5 or 0 acres begins at the western line of the embankment.
The earth put into thelarger mound was jirobably taken from this point,
as all the different sorts of earth used in the mounds are to be found in
the tield or adjacent swamps.
The line of the wall is shown as it was traced out by Mr, Parks, the
first permanent .settler of the country, ami nmy not be con-ect, espe-
268
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
cially on the soutberu line. Tlie, southeast corner should be at least
100 feet farther .south, or else the line should change its direction at
.some point as it does on the northern side. As laid down here it runs
over mounds 8 and 10. From tlie cont^iur of the ground it is probable
that the bearing should be a little more to the soutli from both the
Fig. 165. — Mound group in Union comity, Mississippi.
southea.st and the southwest corners, and tliat the change in dirpction
should take place south of mound 10.
Beginning at the northwest corner its sides measure from station to
station as numbered 792, 957, 1,930, 1,505, and 1,937 feet.
THOMAS. I
MISSISSIPPI.
269
lu the space iuclosed by mounds 3, 4, and 1) is a cemetery, as shown
by the bones and numerous ft-agments of pottery plowed up. Some
arrow-points, beads, and a number of pitted stones were found scattered
about on the surface. The arrow-points are all small and chipped from
water-worn pebbles of jasper, which occur in considerable quantities.
With one skeleton exluinied here were found an inm jiipe, «ome silver
ornaments, copper beads, wrought nails, and a piece of glass.
The large mound is a flat-topped quadrilateral, with the longer axis
nearly north and south. At the bottom, the sides, beginning with the
southeast, measure 153, 210, 177 and 234 feet; on the top 87, 124, 94
and 119 feet. From these measurements it mil be seen that the slope
of the sides is not uniform
and that they are quite dif- -XV**
licult to ascend. On the
northeast side is a graded
M'ay, 20 feet wide at the toj)
and running out4.5 feet from
the base. This figure (20
feet) iirobably represents its
original width on top along
the whole length, though it
is now nuich worn down.
The height of the mound is
27 feet.
The numbers of tlie small
mounds refer, for the first
eight, to the order in which
they were opened. In every
case the dirt was removed
down to the original soil
and far enough outwardly
to make it certain that the
limit of the mound was reached. Trenches, varying in width from 6
to 10 feet, were carried to tlie center, then run to the edge in another
direction and space cleared out about the center sufficient to show that
nothing of interest remained. "Surface" refers to the original soil
beneath the mound, and "center" to the line directly down from the
highest point. All the mounds except the first have been plowed over
until they are probably 3 to 5 feet lower than when built.
Mound 1, located nearly west of the large mound, was the most
prominent of the smaller ones. The first trench in this was made from
the soutnh side. (See Figs. 166, showing plan of trenches, and 167,
and 168 showing sections of south trench.)
Sixteen feet from the center, resting on the surface, was a mass of
loose, cloddy dirt measuring 3J by 2 feet and extending 3J feet up. It
was such a condition as would result from a small coffin's decaying and
Fig. 166. — Plan of mound Xo. 1, group in Union county.
Hississippi.
270
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
letting the earth above it fall in, though careful seaicli failed to show
any traces of wood. On the bottom were found a sknll, lying face
upward, some bones of the arm and neck, and the head of a femur, all
Fig. 167 Sectiuns along oouth trt^ncli, mouud Nu. 1, Vuinn county, Miasiasiiipi,
SO badly decayed as to crumble almost at a touch. The teeth showed
that it had been a person not over middle age. A'ery flue i>article.s of
galenite were adhering to tlie skull and to the earth in contact with it.
. •^M'^U'-'-cT'O^^, Vuu.''■■:".l4■
y-
' .^
V^
't/A
f'le.
Fig. 168. — Sectiou altmg south trench, uiouud Xo. 1, Union county, Mississippi.
A number of shell beads, some the entire shells of a small marine species
others cut from a large shell and drillefl, lay with the skull. The frontal
bone was saved; it showed no depression at the root of the nose, and
THllMAS.J
MISSISSIPPI.
'271
one orbit was lower than the other, probably the result of an injury.
The small size of the burial place, the ])ositiou of the bones and the
galenite sticking to the skull go to show that only the skeleton had
been buried.
Lying west of these bones, in the hard dirt, was a scapula belonging
to a larger person than the last, along with other bones too badly de-
cayed and broken to tell what tliey were; also a few shell beads. At
10 feet from the center and 4 feet from the surface was a small pile of
ashes with the dirt slightly burnt below, showing that a fire had been
made when the mound had reached that stage and afterwards covered
up before the place bad been disturbed. Three feet above the surface
at the center, in hard dirt, was a badly decayed skull of an old person,
and one cervical vertebra. Lying on the original surface at the center
were some fragments of thick, red pottery and ai small amount of
charcoal. Six inches above the bottom a thin seam of red clay was
continuous for 3 or 4 feet around the center.
Fig. 1H9.— Section along the northeast trench, mound No. 1. Union county.
The next trench was run in from the northeast (see Figs. 169 and 170).
Twenty-one feet from the center there was a depression of 6 inches where
soil had been removed down to underlying red clay which was so hard
as to be difficult to loosen with a pick. In this clay two holes, marked
(a, Fig. 170, and h, Fig. KiD), had been dug 6 feet apart, one north of the
other. Each was a foot across and 3 feet deep, rounded at the bottom,
and filled with a shiny gray ooze. In the one to the south was found a
piece of skull bone, in the northern one nothing but the soft mud or
slime. Fourteen feet from the center were two similar holes, one 14
inches across and 3 feet deep, the other 3 feet south of it of thesame depth
and 18 inches across. One is sliown at c. Fig. 109. No traces of bones
were found in these. They were iilled with the same gray dirt as the
272
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
first two, though it was not quite so wet. The dirt for 2 or 3 feet above
all these holes was much looser than that at the sides, as if something
had been placed over them which afterward gave way. Eleven feet
from the center the surface rose to its natui'al place, making a stei) of
11 inches, showing that the depression was not carried on a level.
On the south side of this trench, 5 feet from the surface, were three
graves, 11, 7, and 4 feet, respectively, from the center. Each was filled
with loose dark dirt and surrounded by a mass of very hard clay, which
showed no marks of burning, but seems rather to have been packed
wet and allowed to dry before being covered over. In the first, which
was 2 feet long and 18 inches across, no signs of bones apjjcared; in
the second were the bones of the right forearm and the lower extrem-
ities, which were in their proper position and lay with the feet toward
the southwest. Under the head of the right femur was a piece of rib,
Fig. 170. — Section along the northeast trench, mound No. 1, Union county.
and under the middle of it the right half of a lower jaw, with the wis
dom tooth just through the bone. The femur measured 17 inches and
the tibia was not flattened. A few drilled shell beads, some large,
others small, were found with the bones of the ai'm.
In the last grave were traces of wood, probably the remains of bark
wrapping, which fell to dust on being touched. This grave lay toward
the southeast, intersecting the second one at about 4 feet from the edge
of the trench. Each was 2 feet across.
The peculiar arrangement of the dirt in this mound led the explorer
to run another trench from between the north and northwest. (Figs.
171 and 172.) Eighteen feet from the center, 2 feet from the surface, were
some small fragments of bones and a few human teeth. Fifteen feet
from the center, on the same level, were fragments of a skull and teeth,
all too decayed for handling. A foot above these were the bones of
THOMAS.]
MISSISSIPPI.
273
the arm and leg of another person broken np and laid in a pile.
Twelve feet from tlie center, 4 feet from the surface, were fragments of
a very thin skull with particles of galenite adhering to them. Eight
feet from the center was a hole sunk afoot into the original soil and
filled with loose black dirt and ashes, in which were traces of unbnrnt
wood. From this hole a layer of unmixed ashes from 1 to (J inches in
thickness reached 6 feet to the south and west, sometimes on the sur-
face and again several inches al)ove it. Five feet from the center, 8J
feet from the surface, was the outer whorl of a conch shell.
A trench was next run in from the west. Eighteen feet from the cen-
ter was a layer of ashes, 6 feet in diameter, IS inches from the surface
at its middle point and curved upward toward every side, or, in other
words, dished. Lying on this was the lower part of the skeleton of a
medium-sized man, with the feet toward the north. No bones of the
Fig. 171. — Section along tlie north trencb, nionml No. 1, Union county.
pelvis or parts above were found, although the leg bones were well pre-
served. Three feet above the surface the skeleton of a large, strougiy-
built man lay extended at full length with the face up, the head
toward the east and about six feet from the center. The skull was ob-
tained almost entire. Under it were thirteen water-worn quartz peb-
bles. The femur measured 18J inches. There was no clay or hard dirt
packed around the frame nor any evidence that a lirt^ had been made
where it lay, although the leg bones had fine charcoal sticking to them.
The humerus was perforated near the elbow.
The arrangement of the dirt in this mound indicates that the origi-
nal mound was much smaller than it is now and that the skeleton em-
bedded in the ashes was at the center. Afterward the mound was added
to on the eastern side. A glance at the sections figured makes this
l)laiu.
12 ETH 18
274
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The leiiticulai' masses show that the dirt had been carried in
baskets or skins and tlirowii iu without any attenii)t at stratification in
the older part of the luouud. Tliese masses were from 12 to LS inches
across and from 4 to G inches tliick. The lower side, as they lay in tlie
mound, Avas always darker in color than the upper side. Occasionally
a little charcoal or a fragment of bone or pottery occurred iu the
mound.
Nothing was found iu mound 2 except a small piece of pottery of
very neat design that had probably been dum])ed in with the dirt.
This mound was made up of soil lying close at hand and tlie dirt was
in layers of regular thickness, as though it had been spread wheu
dejiosited. On the southeast edge Avas a layer of mingled dirt and
charcoal, Oi feet across, from 2 to 4 inches in thickness; a large amount
of broken pottery was found scattered through it, but no ashes. This
lay partly a foot below the top of the ground and partly on the surface.
FiQ. 172.— Sectum along the north treneli, mound No. 1, Union county.
At a distance of 75 feet west of the center of mound 3 was a fire-
place, on the original surface, covered with a foot of dirt that had
washed down from the mound. The mingled ashes, charcoal, and dirt
measured 5 feet across and 15 inches thick at the middle, running out
to a thin edge and packed ^•ery hard. Along with pieces of pottery and
animal bones was a piece of iron that had apparently been a brace for a
saddle bow. This was 8 inches under the top of the ashes and below
most of the pottery found.
Sixty feet from the center appeared a layer of gray clay, from 1 to 3
inches thick. It was continuous under as much of the monnd as was
removed. In the trench on the west side was found one blade of a pair
of scissors. Three feet above the surface at the center was an ash bed
6 inches thick iji the middle, 0 feet in diameter, curving upward or dish-
shaped and ruuuiug to an edge on every side. It rested directly upon
THOMAS.) MISSISSIPPI. 275
dirt that had been dumped like that in the first mound, and was in very
thin layers as though many successive deposits had been made and
spread out. Within an inch of the bottom was a small piece of green-
isli glass, apparently broken from a glass bottle. Resting upon the
ashes, though of less extent, was a mass 12 inches thick of charcoal,
dirt, ashes, and broken jyottery, in which lay an inm knife and a
thin silver plate stamjied with the Spanish coat of arms. Fig. 173.
At the top was a thin layer of charcoal where a fire had been extin-
guished; this was at a lower point than had ever been reached by the
plow. Tliere was a want of conformity between this mass and the sur-
rounding dirt, which shows it may have been of later origin; that the
mound had been opened aftei' its completion and afterward restored to
its former shape; but the bed of ashes was undoubtedly as old as the
mound itself, so that, although the iron knife and silver plate offer no
positive proof as to age, the piece of glass is strong evidence that the
mound was constructed after its Imihlcrs liad dealings with the whites.
It maybe remarked here that this group is located in the area occupied
by the Chickasaws.
At about 40 feet from the center the dirt began
to show the same arrangement of dumping as was
seen in mound 1.
Mound 4 was made throughout of a heavy gray
clay, such as forms the ground to the north of it.
The embankment ran, according to local belief,
directly over tliis mound; it was, therefore, closely
examined for any signs of palisades, bnt without
success; nor is there now the slightest indication
here of either wall or ditch. A small amount
of mingled dirt and charcoal appeared at what
seemed to be the center of the mound, but this was
evidently thrown in at the time it was built tt) help F'h- ns-siucr piiitc, with
/.I* Spauisli coat of arms;
1 ' mound. Uniou county.
Mound 5, not shown in the figure, is outside the
indosure to the east. A wide trench through it exposed thu'teen skulls
with a few fragments of other bones. They were all within 10 feet of
the center and arranged in three layers, the first on the surface, the
second nearly 2 feet above, and the third at about the same distance
above that. The skulls belonged to persons of different ages, from the
child whose first teeth were beginiung to a])pear, to the aged individ-
ual whose teeth were worn to the gums. With the oldest was a burnt
clay pipe, the only relic found in the mound. The bones were put in
without regaid to position; a skull and a rib, for examiile, or a femur
and a jawbone lying together. The mound was of the same dirt as the
surrounding soil, except a deposit of gray clay a foot thick and 3 feet
across at the center, about half of it lying behjw the original surface.
Only one skull found here was in a condition to be preserved; all, how-
ever, were of one shape and that very like the modern Indian skull.
276 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mound 6, like mound 4, was on the su]>i)osed line of embankment.
No trace of wood in the mound or of a ditcli outside could be seen. It
was formed of dirt gatliered elose around. Probably ludunds 4 and G
were at a break in the embankment forming a passagewiiy through it.
Mound 7 showed at 55 feet east of the center a layer of gray clay,
nowhere more than an inch in tliickness, which ran 18 feet, then gave
way for 9 feet to a layer of black soil, after which it reai)i)eared and was
found under all the remaining ])art excavated. The dirt showed the
sanu' marks of dumjiiug as in nu)uuds 1 and 3, and is of different colors,
though all from around the mound. More charcoal and burnt dirt was
found in tins than in any other mound opened, but it seems to have been
thrown in simply because it was convenient, being scattered here and
there in small ])atclies.
Thirty-five feet from the center and 3 feet from the surface in mingled
ashes, dirt, and charcoal, with a few decayed bones, were a number of
fragments of i)ottery, i)ieces of one vessel \vhi<h was broken before
being covered. The whole was inclosed in very hard clay. It does not
seem to have been a grave, but rather a place used for cooking.
Twenty-one feet from the center and 5 feet from the surface was a
tibia lying east and west; 5 feet west of it was a skull. Both were too
soft to be removed. No bones were found between them, but both
belonged to one individual whose body had been ])]aced in a bed of gray
sand and surrounded by ashes, chairoal, swamp mud, and burnt clay.
It seems to have been an intrusive burial. Two feet southwest of the
skull was a decayed femur; no other bones were with it.
All the dirt about the center of this mound was ^•ery wet and heavy,
and was brought from the swamp to the northeast. The arrangement
and material of the mound show that dirt had been carried in from
different places at the same time. Occasionally a layer of one material
could be traced 3 or 4 feet, and then be lost in some other.
Mound S was built partly on the slope of the ravine to the west. A
layer of gray clay, averaging 4 inches in thickness, had been spread on
the surface and the mound built u]>on it. The bottom of the mound on
the western side sloped upward toward the center, following the inclina-
tion of the surface. Twenty-four feet from the center began a deposit
of sticky mud from the creek bottom, which measured 2 feet in thick-
ness at the center. The remainder of the mound was composed of about
equal parts of this bottom mud and the soil near by, dumped in without
any order or regularity. At the center, near the top of the mound, was
a deposit of yellow sand ■'{ feet across in very thin curved layers, about
4 inches thick at the middle and curving to an edge at the sides.
Under this was a hole a foot across and the same in dei)th, having a
bottom of hard blue claj' and tilled with ashes, black dirt, and charcoal.
Near the center were some shreds of a coarse woven cloth. Six feet
north of the center, in the original soil, was a hole 18 inches across and
14 in<ihes deep, the sides burnt hard as brick, filled with charcoal and
MISSISSIPPI.
277
dirt. Seven feet northeast of the center was a similar but smaller hole.
The gray layer at the bottom was undisturbed over both these spots,
showing that the mound was built after this part of the field had been
occupied.
.. The swamp mud ran out at 30 feet north and northeast of the center.
Twenty-two feet from the center, toward the noi-th, a deposit of gray
clay, varying from a few inches to 4 feet in thickness, began and reached
nearly to the edge of the mound. The dumped dirt ended at 60 feet
from the center.
The field being in cultivation, none of the other mounds could be
opened, except one, and there was nothing about that to indicate that
it would repay investigation.
If the large mound be considered a place of residence, the most prob-
able theory, it is not plain what use was made of the smaller ones. It
is evident that those within the inclosure, with the e.xception of the
first one opened, were not intended or used for burial purposes.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
The courses and distances of the line of wall, as traced and located
by the old settlers, are as follows, comiueucing at station 1, the north-
west corner :
From
station.
Bearing.
Distance.
lto2 ..
2to3 ..
3 to 4 . .
4 to 5 . .
B to 1 . .
8.830 E
S.740 E
S. 70 45' W - . .
N. 770 45' W .
N.loE
Feet.
792
957
1,930
1,505
1,937
The smaller mounds were located by bearings from the center of the
/arge mound, but the distances to all except 11 and 12 were measured
from the .south corner; for 11 and 12 the measurements were from the
north corner. Mounds 5 and 13 are not shown on the plat.
Mound
No.
Bearing.
Distance.
Diameter.
Height.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
N.880W ....
S.IOJOE
S. 34JOB
S.53JOE
S.80°E
S.580W
s.eejoE
S.230E
S. 23 JOE
S.9JOB
N.24JOW...
JJ.2J0E
N.70OW....
Feet.
352
165
1056
891
i mile.
792
330
l.l.W
693
990
891
561
J mile.
Feet.
64
100
120
54
.M
28
120
120
150
100
120
90
Plowed
level.
Feet.
14
4
6
2
4
3
7
6
7
8
4
3
278
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Pond, N. 75° W. Dirt for the large mound was probably taken from
the (!xcavation which begins at the wall.
The passageway or ramp that extends from the top of the large mound
to the ground is at the middle of the northeast side, beginning 79 feet
from the east corner, and on the line of the base of the mound is 4(J feet
wide. It is 20 feet wide at the top of the mound, and extends outward
45 feet from the base of the mound, with the corners at the bottom so
rounded that they are 20 feet within tlie lines of the sides.
Figs. 107 (A and F) and 108 show the sides and end of the south
trench •, Fig. 167 A, the left or west side of the trench, and F, the north
end; Fig. 168, the right or east side. In these 1 is surface soil; 2, gray
clay; 3, red clay; 4, red soil in lumps or masses; ^f, position of skull; b,
position of pottery, and h, grave going a foot into the wall.
Figs. 100 and 170 show the sides of tlie northeast trench, same mound ;
Fig. 10!), side toward northwest; and Fig. 170, side toward southeast.
The numbers indicate the strata as follows: No. 1, red, top soil mixed
with clay; 2, yellow, bluish, and gray clays and dark soil mingled in con-
fusion; .'^, gray clay from the swamj); 4, red soil in lens-shaped masses;
5, dark soil in lens-shaped masses, a indicates a grave sunk in the
original soil to the depth of 3 feet, filled with shining gray mud and
containing part of a human skull; /* and <• similar pits. H, O, L, three
graves 5 feet above the original surface extending southward.
Figs. 171 and 172 represent the sections of the northwest trench, same
mound; Fig. 171, east side; Fig. 172, west side. The numbers indicate
the layers as follows: 1, top soil; 2, gray clay; 3, red clay; 4, red soil
in lumps or small masses; 5, black soil in lum])S or small nmsses.
TENNESSEE.
LAUDERDALE COUNTY.
On the farm of Mr. Marley, 8 miles northwest of Ripley, are a number
of small mounds, most of which had been dug over thoroughly. Ouly
one small one remained undisturbed.
In this was found an old walled
iireiilace. circular in form, 3 feet high
and about 1 foot thick, the inside
half full of ashes. Back of this (out-
side) was a semicircular wall, also
of burnt clay, 3 feet high and about
1 foot thick. The annexed figure
(174) gives an idea of the form and
relation of these walls. The com-
plete circle A represents the wall
around the fireplace, and B the semi-
circular outer wall, which was on the
north side and originally may have been higher, as it reached the sur-
face of the ground. The little circles C C! are two very smooth circular
appendages or lumps of burnt clay on the wall. Close to this tireidace
were two broken dishes mixed with the burnt clay.
Fig. 174. — Fireplace ill nionud. Lauderdale, Teiiu.
TENNESSEE.
279
OBION COUNTY.
REF.LFOOT I.AKIC MOIXDS.
Around Reelfoot lake are several groups of nionnds, mostly of small
size. About half a mile southwest of Idlewilde four low uiouuds, not
exceeding 2 feet in height, were examined. Below the top soil was a
layer several inches thick of ashes and charcoal, in which were inussel
shells, bones of birds, fishes, and quadrupeds; also, stone implements
and fragments of pottery, but no burnt clay.
At the crossing, on the northwest boi
der, another group of somewhat laigei
mounds was visited, but only one could
be opened; it was composed entirely ol
clay and contained no relics.
A small group on Grassy island was
also examined. One of these, circular in
form and 8 feet high, was thoroughly ex
plored, yielding a rich return for the laboi
spent upon it. It consisted chiefly ot
dark vegetable mold without any indica
tious of layers. Fifteen skeletons were
unearthed; eight of them were una(
compauied by anything except ashes and
cliarcoal. By the others, vessels and im
plements were discovered as follows
By one, a stone spade and two pots ; bj
another, two pots; by another, a drinking
vessel in the form of a kneeling female,
shown in Fig. 175, and two pots, one in-
side of the other; by the fourth, three pots; and by three others, one
pot each. Another vessel was found embedded in a mass of ashes 2^
feet thick, in which were also bird, flsh, and quadruped bones, more or
less charred. Several stone implements were also found scattered
through the mound.
Another mound of this group, 0 feet high, was excavated and found
to consist entirely of sandy loam. Nothing was discovered in it.
Two other mounds on the opposite shore of the lake, conical in form
and about 7 feet higli, yielded a similar result.
Flo. 175.— Image vessel from mound,
Obion county, Tennessee.
KENTUCKY.
While nearly all of southeastern Missouri below Cairo is level and
subject to overflow during great floods, the bottoms on the Kentucky
side opposite are usually narrow and the river skirted or directly
flanked by bluffs, mainly of yellow clay, rising from 100 to 400 feet
above it. These are cut by many creeks and rivulets, thus forming
280
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
numerous headlands, easily rendered defensible, a number of which are
occai)icd by ancient earthworks. Of tlie five of these visited the most
interestiiij^ is in llicliman county, about 3 miles west of Oakton, and
known locally as O'Byam's Fort.
Fig. 176. — O'Bvam'a fort, Hickman countv, Kentucky.
This work, illustrated in Fig. 176, is, as is usual in this region, upon
the best position for defense in that immediate section, being located on
the extreme point of a bluff some 50 feet high and almost vertical at
its southern end. It consists of an inclosing wall and ditch, mounds,
excavations, and hut rings.
The length of the wall and ditch from <i around to b, following the
THOMAS.] KENTUCKY. 281
irregular curve, is very nearly 600 paces, or about 1,800 feet. There is
no wall along the steep blutt" facing east and south. Of these outlines the
southern end is so steep as to render ascent impracticable; the eastern
slope is almost equally so; the northern line was well defended by em-
bankment and ditch, and for the remainder of the circuit the embank-
ment follows the edge of the high bottom, including in the line the iso-
lated hillock c. Mound 3, in the extreme southeast corner, is in a fine
position for observation and to prevent any attempted ascent at this
corner, the most accessible point on the unwalled line of the bluffs.
Tlie best, if not tlie only, ford of O'Byam's creek in this vicinity is a
rock or gravel bar where the road crosses at the lower end of the
bluff.
In the plan of these works (Fig. 17C), 1, 2, and 3 are mounds within
the inclosure and 4 a mound outside; r, a natural mound or little hil-
lock ; d, a cemetery, and e eee c excavations. The small circles, which
continue northward
beyond the wall, are
small saucer- shaped
depression s marki n g
the sites of ancient
dwellings.
Mound No. 1, as
shown upon the plan
ofthe works, extends
fully halfway across
a narrow portion of f,,,. ivt.-MoiuuI No. i, o'Byam's lurt.
the bluff", and is a.
true flat-topped or truncated mound (Fig. 177) in all respects similar in
appearance to and possibly of the same age and built by the same peo-
ple as those across the Mississippi, which are now the oidy refuge of
white men and their stock during floods. But as this and the other
mounds on this side of the river are on high places, beyond the reach
of the greatest flood, the object in view in building them could not have
been to escape inundation.
It is very nearly a true circle 78 feet in diameter on the top and so
steep on all sides that, althougli 23 feet high, it has a base of only 125
feet and lias been covered and surrounded by a heavy growth of oak,
ash, and other timber. It stands on the margin of the ui3i)er level.
A number of white persons have been buried on the summit, so that
entensive explorations could not be made; nevertheless enough was
ascertained to jirove it to be composed chiefly of yellow clay, but in
successive layers and containing flre-beds of clay burnt to a brick-red
color. These flrebeds differed from those usually seen, in that, while
some were made of irregularly shaped little masses, api)ioximately the
size of an ordinary brick, and well burned before being laid down, each
mass leaving an impression in the earth when removed, others were red
282 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
upon the top only, tlie color gradually diminishing toward the under
side as thoiigli burned by long-continued fires. The masses were proba-
bly the broken i>lastering of upright walls, wliile the other layers
were parts of the hard clay floor. Charcoal, ashes, and the charred
bones of animals were found with these flre-beds.
UlT UlNCiS.
With the exception of a small open court south of No. 1 the entire
area of that jjortion of the inclosure or fort upon the bhiff, much of
the bottom, and also of the adjacent bluft's on the north and east, are
literally covered by these small, circular depressions surrounded by
earthen rings, indicating a considerable population.
Pits were dug in many of these, but only the usual fire-lieds,
charcoal, ashes, fragments of pottery, broken animal bones, and rude
stone implements were found.
EXCAVATIONS.
The excavations for the mounds in this place are within the inclo-
sure and on the side of the bluff, those near mound No. 1 being as
clearly defined and as unmistakable as though but of recent date.
CEMKTEUY.
Mound No. 2 is said to have been once used for burial purposes,
but the skeletons and accompanying relics have been removed to
make place for graves of modern times. At d, near mound 3, was
f(mnd a small elevation, less than 30 feet square, which had not been
disturbed, and proved to be a true ancient cemetery. There was but
one tier of skeletons in it, at the depth of 2 feet from the surface. Only
11 were found, lying in all directions and without any apparent sys-
tem, except that they were not doubled upon each other. All
seemed to be skeletons of adults. Some vessels were with them, but
never more than one with a skeleton. Among the specimens discov-
ered here was a clay rubber or muller.
Mound No. 2 is oblong, 80 by 50 feet and 5 feet high. No. 3, nearly
round, 50 by 40 feet and 4 feet high, was opened, but nothing was found
in it. No. 4, circular, GO feet in diameter and 5 feet high, was bj)ened
and found to be com])osed of yellow clay and soil mixed; no relics or
specimens in it.
On what axe known as McOard's bluffs, 3 miles below O'Byam's Fort,
is another grouji of low mounds, fire-beds, fragments of stone imple-
ments, broken pottery, and other evidences of an ancient village, but
there is no inclosing wall.
PECULIAK CONICAL MOUNDS.
Here and there among the ancient works of this region are certain
conical mounds, sometimes in groups or irregular lines and on the high
THOMAS.] ALABAMA. 283
ridges, Avhich differ so materially from those .already mentioned as to
lead to the belief that tliey are the work of a different people. Tliey
range in size from 30 to 80 feet in diameter and from 4 to 10 feet in
height, but are all trne circular mounds and more than usually sym-
nu'trioal in form. By excavations made in them it was ascertained
thaf they are composed almost entirely of tine, soft, molding sand, un-
stiatifled and without any intermixture of clay or other material; nor
were there any fire-beds, ashes, charcoal, or vestiges of art, or indica-
tions of burial iii them, save here and there an occasional rude stoue
scraper.
While the material of the other mounds of this region is evidently
from the earth immediately about them, tliese circular mounds are
formed of a very fine molding sand from some unknown source.
A few mounds were observed in Ballard county about 5 miles above
Cairo, but no special cxamiuatioii of them was made.
ALABAMA.
LAUDERDALE COUNTY.
This, the extreme northwestern county of the state, is bounded along
its entire southern margin by the Tennessee river. The works described
are situated on or near the north bank of this river.
STAFFORD MOT'Nn.
This is an elongate oval mound, located a little over a mile south
of Floreuce on the farm of Mr. S. C. Stafford, some 35 or 40 yards from
the river bank. It is 8 feet high, flat on top, the length on toi>, north
and south, 85 feet, and at the base about 125 feet; width about half
the length.
A trench 10 feet wide and 15 feet long was dug in the northern end,
the remainder of the upper portion having been much disturbed. When
the trench had been extended southward the distance of 15 feet a layer
of burnt clay was encountered at the depth of 2 feet, the 2-foot layer
above it consisting of sandy soil. Immediately under the clay was a
layer of ashes. Immediately under this was the much-decayed skele-
ton of a half-grown person lying on its side. At the back of the head
was a wide-necked, bottle-shaped water vessel, tipped sidewise; by the
side of it lay a stone disk wliich had apparently been tised as a cover
to the vessel. At each side of the head stood a small x)ot. Here
the clay layer was between 4 and 5 inches thick and below this was a
layer of ashes and charcoal 3 inches thick. The charcoal in this layer
was burned from small sticks and brush. A few inches from the head
of the skeleton mentioned was a piece of charred wood firmly fixed in
the earth, apparently the remains of a post. A few inches from the
skeleton at the outer edge of the burnt clay, on the east side, were
284 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
piecesof pottery somewhat resembling tile. The soil being removed,
it was found that the clay bed and layer of ashes gave out toward the
northwest, at the end of 7i feet in this direction. About 4 feet south
of the skeleton mentioned was a hearth of burnt clay, on which was a
thick layer of ashes. This hearth was in the form of au irregular
square, 2i feet in diameter axid 2 inches thick ; near by were a few
fresh- water shells. A few inches over 7 feet south of the skeleton and
at the same depth the mucb-tlecayed skeleton of a child, face down
and head northward, with a jiot at each side of the head. Here M^as
another corner of the clay bed. By working westward along the edge
for the distance of a little over 7 feet another skeleton was found nearly
turned to dust; by it was only one i>ot, and near it another fireplace
like the one before described. All the corners of what appeared to
have been the floor of a house were worked out; then the middle of
the square, which contained nothing but the top soil, the clay bed, and
ash layer were removed to the sandy loam of the base. When the
trench had been extended southward to a point about 32 feet from the
south end a layer of burnt cane 2^ feet below the surface of the mound,
but little more than an inch thick, was discovered, covering an area
about G feet in diameter. The canes were in very small pieces. Near
the middle of the mound, at the depth of 8 feet and apparently on the
original surface of the ground, was a burnt-clay hearth or fireplace,
about 2i feet in diameter, circular in form, and covered with a layer
of ashes. Two cylindrical pieces of charcoal about 3 inches in diameter
were found in the earth just outside of the fireplace on the west side,
probably the remains of posts. Twenty feet from the south end, at the
depth of O.J feet, was a layer of ashes, charred grass, and sticks, about
2 inches thick and covering a circular space about C feet in diameter.
Scattered through the earth of the mound were fragments of pottery,
animal bones, flint chips, and a few stone imi)lements. The mound is
overflowed by the greater freshets of the Tennessee river.
DOUGLASS MOUNDS.
Near lock No. 10 of the Mussel Shoals canal survey, about 12 miles
east of Florence, are two mounds on the Douglass farm. They are
about half a mile from the river on an elevated hill overlooking the
valley. The two are about 50 feet apart, each 30 or 35 feet in diameter,
3 feet high, and composed throughout of red clay, which extends some-
what below the original surface of the ground. Here and there just
below the surface of one were rude flint hoes, arrow points, and lance
heads; near the surface of the other were four large rude stone imple-
ments. No skeletons, burnt clay, ashes, or charcoal Avere found in
either.
The country immediately about the Mussel Shoals was occupied by
Cherokees when the first whites settled here. This area has long been
THOMAS.] ALABAMA. 285
noted for the iminber of worked and partially worked flint implements
which have been found scattered over it. As the stone from which
they are manufactured is found at this place, this will doubtless
account for their abundance here.
MADISON COUNTY.
Near Whitesburg, on the north bank of tlie Tennessee river, is a long,
narrow sliell heap, between 400 and aOO yards in length and about '.] or
4 feet high ; at present it is only a few yards in width, but was probal)ly
wider in former times, as a portion on the river side appears to have
been carried away by the freshets.
The residents of the place say that many skeletons, stone implements,
and pottery vessels have been washed out of it. Three badly decayed
skeletons were found at one point about IS inches below the surface;
near l)y were ashes and some broken stones, as though marking the
site of a temporary lireplace or camp tire. A thick layer of shells cov-
ered these skeletons. Another skeleton was discovered at the depth
of 3 feet, aud near it ashes and broken stones, as in the other case; a
third lay only G or S inches below the surface; a fourth near the river
had been partly washed away; a broken pot stood by the side of it.
Numerous pieces of pottery, arrowheads, stone implements, and a
copper bead were scattered among the mussel shells. Not only has
this bank been disturbed bj' floods, but at one time large buildings
stood on it, which were carried away by high water.
The fact that a i)ortion of the shells forming this heap bear the marks
of fire suggested the thought that they had been heated by the Indians
to compel them to open. A great number of sjdit, water-worn stones
were scattered through the l»ank to the dcjith of 3 feet, sometimes
loosely and without order, but tiequeutly in such relation as to indicate
an intentional arrangement; in this case they were accompanied by
ashes, as though marking the places where fires had been built for
cooking i)urposes.
MARSHALL COUNTY.
About 1 mile west of Giintersville is a cave known as Hampton cave.
Its floor is covered to the depth of 4 feet with fragments of human
bones, ejirth, ashes, and broken stones. This fragmentary condition of
the deposits is chiefly due to the fact that they have been repeatedly
turned over by treasure-hunters. , Much of this deposit has been hauled
away in sacks for fertilizing the land. The number of dead deposited
here must have been very great, for, nothwithstanding so much has
been removed, there is yet a depth of 4 feet, chiefly of broken human
lioiies. A tine specimen of the copper, spool-shaped ornament sup-
posed to have been worn in the ear was obtained here by Mr. James
P. Whitman, who kindly presented it to the bureau.
286 MOUND KXI'LOKATIONS.
BLOUNT COUNTY.
A cave in this comity coiitainiTijiliiimaii rciuaiiis is worthy of notice.
The remains in this case were deposited in troughs, or canoe-shaped
coffins, differing in this resi)ect from any that have been mentioned.
Tliis, wliich is known as Cramp's cave, is 15 miles south of Blountville.
In the back part is a large ci-evi(;e, where it is stated tlie bodies were
deposited in the coffins. The pUice is certainly well adapted for secur-
ity from wild animals, as a few stones would suffice to close this room
or crevice; moreover, it is much the driest portion of the cave. Per-
sons who saw the remains at the time they were found state that they
were in a good state of ])reservation ; that the troughs were covered
with matting made of bark or cane and Ixmnd around with withes or
bark. Among the things found with them were wooden bowls' and
trays. Portions of one or two of these troughs were forwarded to and
received by the Smithsoniau Institution. Although the place had been
thoroughly worked over the Bureau agent succeeded, after careful
search, in finding part of a^ wooden bowl and some pieces of a trough.
The troughs or cofiins were evidently sections of hollow trees or had
been hollowed out.
SUMTEE COUNTY.
CEDAR HUMMOCK GROUP.
In Sec. 5, T. 17 N., II. 1 E., of Stephen's meridian, in what is known
locally as "Cedar hummock," with a creek on the west and a slough on
the east, is a grouxi of seven mounds. Tlie hummock land on which
they stand is about 10 feet above low water. The mounds are circular,
from 35 to 50 feet in diameter and from 3 to 4 feet high. The brown
sand of which they are chiefly composed has been taken from the soil
immediately around them, leaving depressions which are yet distinct.
In one of the three smaller mounds, at the depth of 2 feet, a small
quantity of ashes was found, and with tliem fragments of animal bones;
with these exceptions, nothing but the brown sand was observed in the
smaller mounds.
In one of the four larger, at the de pth of one foot, was a single skeleton,
and by the thigh a stone implement; in another, at the depth of 3 feet,
was a single skeleton resting on a thin layer of charcoal and ashes, and
by it a few pieces of broken pottery; the third presented precisely the
same particulars as the second; in the fourth, at the depth of 1! feet,
lay a single skeleton.
These skeletons were invariably in the center of the mound, lying at
full length, but the heads in different directions, one toward the south-
west, another toward the northeast, and two toward the northwest.
ELMORE COUNTY.
Six miles north of Montgomery is Jackson lake, in which there is an
island surmounted, on one side, by a mound of considerable size. This
THOMAS.] ALABAMA. 287
island is subject to overflow, but tlie top of tlie mound stands at all
times high above tlie water. The length of the upper surface along
the lake side is 130 feet; on this side the height, measuring down the
steep slope, is 50 feet, while on the opposite side it is but lli feet
perpendicular. Clro^^■ing on the ui)per surface are some large trees,
among which are two jioplars (tulip), one 3i and the other 4J feet in
diameter, and a j)ine 3 feet in diameter.
A X'it 8 feet square sunk in tiie center through sandy soil, reached,
at the depth of 5 feet, a quantity of ashes, near which were four i-.kulls ;
two on each side. The larger bones of the four skeletons appear to
have been laid across each other very irregularly. With these remains
were some shell beads, shell pins, and a piece of copper. Some frag-
ments of pottery were scattered through the earth covering tlie bodies.
MOUNDS AND II(»USIC ItlSMAINS NEAli COOSA lUVEli.
On tlie west banlc of tlm Coosa river, about a mile above wheie it is
joined by tlie Tallapoosa, are numerous evidences of a former aborigi-
nal village. These consist of fire beds marking the location of houses
or wigwams, human remains, animal bones, fragments of pottery, etc.
Many of these remains have been brouglit to light by the falling away
of the bank occasioned by the encroachment of the river.
The adjoining field not being jilowed to the river bank leaves a strip
of land undisturbed, in which the indications of dwellings, consisting
chiefly of clay or fire-beds, usually about 5 feet across, and ashes, are
most apparent.
The first one of these examined was about a foot below the surface.
Here, in tlie earth and ashes, wore numerous pieces of pottery, mostly
parts of a very flat dish of unusual form, many mussel shells, animal
bones, piece of a gun barrel, a glass bead, iron nails, knife blade, pieces
of brass, and copper ornaments. It is evident, therefore, that this is the
site of a comparatively modern Indian village.
The second was some 30 feet from the first and IS inches below the
surface. This, being at the bank, was partly washed away, only a i)art
of a fire-bed and of a skeleton being left. On the one arm bone that
remained was a brass bracelet made of drawn wire. This skeleton lay
near the ashes, as usual.
A third and fourth were also examined with similar results, charred
cobs and corn, pieces of pottery, animal bones, brass bracelets, etc.,
being found. There are no mounds here.
I'ARKEU MOUNDS.
These are situated on the bank of the Coosa rivei', near its junction
with the Tallapoosa.
One of them, about 50 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, which had
been plowed over for years, contained two skeletons, which lay at the
de2>th of less than a foot below the surface and about 5 feet apart, one
288 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
with the head soutli and the otlier with the head west. On the hreast
of the smaller, which was that of a child, lay a small shell gorget; with
the other were several bone iinijlemeiits. The mound throughout was
eomposed of sand mixed Mith ashes.
The other mound, some 400 yards southwest of the first, is about 00
feet in diameter and 8 feet high. The first two feet from the top were
chiefly sand, the remainder, to the bottom, clay. No ashes, coals, ves-
tiges of art, or bones were found in it.
l>I,n I'OHT .lACKSoN WoItKS.
These are also near the Jiun-tion of the Coosa and Tallajjoosa rivers
jiud mark the site of one of the oldest Creek towns of which we have
any account. It is also the site of a victory gained by Gen. .Tackson
over these Indians. It was here that the old French fort, Toulouse,
stood. After its abandonment and decay. Fort Jackson was built on
tlie same spot. The banks of both rivers are caving in rapidly, so that
now the space between them does not exceed 300 yards; in fact, most
of the site of the fort has been washed away. The mound still remains
and also sonu> of the old house sites, supposed to be the -.lork of the
Creek Indians.
The earth to the north, .south, and east of the mound was found upon
examination to be full of flre-beds or remains of houses, and the same was
probably true of the western area, which has been washed away.
At the west end the mound is 125 feet across and nearly or quite 45
feet high; the east side is lower, and has a long slope extending about
95 feet to the base. It has been examined at various times by curiosity-
hunters, and several articles of European manufacture obtained. As
the owner was absent during the visit of the Bureau agent, permission
to make further exploration in it was refused.
To the southeast and north is a tield of three acres, which has been
cultivated for many years and is thickly strewn over with fragments of
pottery, charcoal, pieces of human bones, mussel shells, and fragments
of burnt clay, evidently turned up from the tire beds or house remains
which lie below the surface. A few, however, were discovered which
lay below the reach of the plow. One of these was found undis-
turbed at the depth of 3 feet below the surface. Ilere was a much de-
cayed skeleton lying at full length with the head toward the west; and
by it stood a large earthen pot, in which were a few shell beads, and
a mussel shell. A quantity of ashes also lay near the head. At
another point, 2 feet below the surface, probably marking the site of
another house, there was a layer of ashes 1 foot thick, in and near which
were fragments of pottery, animal bones (deer and fish), and mussel
shells. Another of these remains, at the depth of 3 feet, was marked
by a similar pile of ashes, by which lay a skeleton with the head toward
the east. Xear it was a brass kettle containing glass beads, brass
buckles, brass rings made from wire, and bell buttons. Another, one
Tii.iMAs.l ALARAMA. 289
foot below the surl'ace, yielded arrowheads, celts, stone disks, pottery
disks, sinootliiiig' stones, fragments of elay pipes, long shell beads, and
small glass beads. Among the ruiiiiS of another, 18 inehes below the
snrfaee, was a single skeleton with the head west ; near it, on one side,
a pile of ashes, and on the other two large pots, one over the other, and
in the lower one some animal bones, fragments of a turtle shell, mussel
shells, and shell beads ; here were also found two shell gorgets, four
shell pins, some shell and glass beads mixed together, charred berries,
shell siMxins, charred seeds, lumps of blue coloring material, two celts,
part of a brass plate, a bone punch, etc. At aiiother point the remains
presented the following series : After removing 10 inches of soil, a layer
of burnt clay 5 inches tlnck was reached, then a clay hearth. This
hearth was on a thick layer of ashes. The burnt-clay layers in these
remains varied from 5 to 10 inches in thickness. In some they were
entirely wanting, ashes only being present.
CLAllKE COITNTY.
Four and a half miles east of Gainestown, on the north bank of the
Alabama river, in Sec. 2, T. 5 K., E. 4 E. of Stephen's Meridian, is
French's hmding, the supposed site of old Fort Mauvilla. Not a ves-
tige of the old fort now remains and the mound that once stood here
has been carried into the river, and the so-called "burying ground"
has nearly all disapjieared, a strip only about 20 feet wide remaining.
At one place a foot below the surface in the break of the bank, where
the wearing away is going on, were three skeletons in compact bundles,
which nurst have been buried after the flesh had rotted off or been re-
moved from the bones. At another point, about 30 feet distant from
those mentioned, were two other similar deposits at the same depth
and arranged in the same way. Fragments of pottery occurred here
and there in the soil.
BABBOUE COUNTY.
The following and some of the previous notices are given simply be-
cause they may possibly aid in locating some of the old Indian villages.
At the St. Francis bend of the (Jhattahoochee river, li miles northeast
of Eufaula, is an elevated bank of sandy soil on which it is said an old
Creek town was once located. Although paitially washed away by the
river, there are sufficient remains of fire-beds, fragments of pottery,
human bones, and stone implements to confirm the tradition.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Nine miles southwest of the city of Montgomery and situated on the
bank of the Alabama river is a grouj) of five mounds. One of these,
8 feet high and 50 feet in diameter, was composed entirely of clay, in
which, at the depth of 2 feet, lay a single skeleton; no vestiges of
12 ETH 19
290 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
art with it. Another, fousidciably smaller, was comiiosed wholly of
brown sand, scattered throngh which were some fragments of pottery
and broken animal bones. The third, about CO feet in diameter and
nearly 10 feet high, was covered to the depth of a foot with brown sand.
The remainder was sharp, yellow, river sand; nothing was fonnd in it.
The fourth, which is slightly larger than the third, was covered ^nth a
layer of brown sand 18 inches thick, the remainder of clay to the base.
In the clay, at the depth of 2 feet, lay a single skeleton. Nothing else
was discovered.
TALLADEGA COUNTY.
Four miles southeast of Talladega is Cragdale, on the bank of Talla-
dega creek, the site of a former Creek settlement. Dr. W. Taylor
says that when lie came to this place with his father, he being then
but a boy, many of the Indian houses were still standing. He also
says that it was a custom of these Indians to bury in the corners of
their houses, not more than IS inches or 2 feet below the floor; that he
had freqxiently examined these dei)osits and found with the bones shell
beads, carved shell ornaments, pottery, and sometimes as many as
three skeletons in a place, and occasionally as many as three corners
thus occupied. He also says the Creeks frequently used mussel-sheUs
for spoons.
JEFFEKSON OOUNTY.
Near Jonesboro is a small group of mounds on the plantation of Mr.
K D. Talley, Sec. 8, T. 19 S., E. 4 W., of the Iluntsville meridian. The
valley of the small creek that flows along the northern and eastern
sides of the fleld in which the group is located is quite wide at this
point, the round, knob like hills which form its boundary standing at
quite a distance from the mounds.
The surface of the fleld immediately around the mounds is compara-
tively flat, pitching in a steep bank to the water, a few feet north of
mound No. 1. (Fig. 178.) Northeast of this mound the surface has the
appearance of having been dug or more probably washed out by the
creek. East of mound 3 is what might be called the first bottom land,
about 4 feet lower than the surface of the field. This point is above the
overflow of the small creek, while farther down the valley the land is
frequently inundated and had been under water a short time previous
to examination.
A plat of the group is given in Fig. 178. No. 1, is an oblong mound,
measuring 30 feet east and west, and about 4 feet high at the highest
point. A few small pine and hackberry trees have grown on the sides
since it was built. It is made of the same red, sandy soil as that found
in the fleld in which it stands. Only a few coals and a shovelfirl of
ashes were found in it, which had probably been thrown there at the
time it was built ;ind may have been scraped up from the surface of
the fleld with the rest of the material for the mound, but in hunting the
THOMAS. 1
ALABAMA.
291
field over for any specimen that iniglit have been washed out or plowed
iTp no ash beds were seen, nor did any of the tenants of the land remem-
ber plowing' throuoh sucli beds.
Flo. 178. — Plut of Tally mutiudu, Jelierson county, Alabama.
PLAN.
Sbction cm LiAiz aurb.
Fig. 179.— M(juncl No. 2, Tally group (plan and acction).
No. 2 (shown in Fig. 179) has the appearance of an oval platform
with a small mound on one end of it. The longer diameter of the base
292 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
of the platform is about 140 feet, the greatest width 100 feet, and the
height 5 feet. Tlie licight of the upper mound, wliich is on the smaller
end of the platform, is 7 feet, the diameter of the tiatteued top 30 feet.
Its western slope is continuous with that of the platform. The figure
shows the ground plan and the section through a h. Tlie upper mound
has been considerably torn up by treasure hunters, but scattered over
the toi> was a large quantity of burnt clay, much of which bore the
impression of a stamp made apparently of split cane. A trench length-
wise through the platform showed that the top layer consisted of
4 feet of red, sandy soil, evidently taken frtmi the surface of the sur-
rounding field; the remainder, to the original surface of the ground, of
pure river sand. The upper mound was composed of sandy soil down
to the platform, and hence it is reasonable to conclude that it was
built at the same time the upper layer was ])laced on the platform. No
bones, ashes, charcoal, or vestiges of art were observed in any part.
No. 3 is a circular mound, about llO'feet in diameter at the base and
60 feet across the top, which is fiat ; height, 8 feet. A trench across it
through the center showed that it was constructed of sandy soil from
the surrounding field. In the central portion, about half way down,
was a layer of clear river sand 3 iijches thick and about 5 feet in
i
diameter. Nothing else was found iii it.
GEORGIA.
The ancient works of this state, so far as known and examined, have
been so thoroughly and ably described by Col. C. C. Jones, in his
"Antiquities of the Southern Indians" and in his other works, that it is
unnecessary to allude to any except such as received special attention
by the Biu'eau of Ethnology.
BARTOW COUNTY.
ETOWAH GROUP.
This deservedly celebrated group, situated close to the north bank of
Etowah river, on the farm of Mr. G. II. TumUn, 3 miles southeast of
Cartersville, has been repeatedly described and figured; in ftict, as I
shall attempt hereafter to show, there is good reason for believing that
it includes one of the mounds specially mentioned by the chroniclers of
De Soto's expedition.
As the group, its several works, and the relics which have been
found in and about the mounds are of great archeological interest, and
possibly furnish the key to some troublesome historical questions and
archeological puzzles, I will give in this connection some of the descrip-
tions by other writers, that the reader may have all the facts before
him and thus be enabled to draw his own conclusions in reference to the
questions which are suggested by these remains.
TH0MA8.] GEORGIA. 293
The first published notice of these works (unless they are referred to
by the chroniclers of I)e Soto's expedition) is that by Bev. Elias Cor
uelius,' and is as follows:
I have but oue more article of curiosity to mention under this division. It is one
ot those artificial mounds wliicli occur so frequently in tlie western country. I have
seen many of them and read of more, hut never of one of such dimension as that
which I am now to describe.
It is situated in the interior of the Cherokee Nation, on the north side of the
Etowee, vulgarly called the Hightower river, one of the branches of the Koosee. It
stands ujiou a strip of alluvial lauil called river bottom. I vi.sited it in company with
eight Indian chiefs. Tlie first object which excited attention was an excavation
alxmt 20 feet wide and in some parts 10 feet deep. Its course is nearly that of a
semicircle, the extremities extending towards the river, which forms a small elbow.
I had not time to examine it minutely. An Indian said it extended each way to the
river, and had several nnexcavated parts, which served for passages to the area
which it incloses. To my surprise I found no enbankment on either side of it. But
I did not long doubt to what place the earth had been removed; for I had scarcely
l)roceeded 200 yards when, through the thick forest trees, a stupenduous pile met
the eye, who.se dimensions were in full proportion to the intrenchment. I had at the
time no means of taking an accurate admeasurement. To supply my deficiency 1
cut a long vine, which was preserved until I had an oi)iiortunity of ascertaining its
exact length. In this manner I found the distance from the margin of the summit
to the base to he 111 feet. And, judging from the degree of its declivity, the per-
pendicular height can not be less than 7.5 feet. The circumference of the base,
including the feet of three parapets, measured 1,114 feet. One of these parapets
extends from the base to the summit, and can he ascended, though with difficulty,
on horseback. The other two, after rising 30 or 40 feet, terminate in a kind of
triangular platform. Its top Is level and, at the time I visited it, was so completely
covered with weeds, bushes, and trees of most luxuriant growth that I could not
examine it as well as I wished. Its diameter, I judged, must be 150 feet. On its
sides and summit are many large trees of the same description and of equal dimen-
sions with those around it. One beech tree near the top measured 10 feet 9 inches in
circumference. The earth on one side of the tree was 31 feet lower than on the
opposite side. This fact will give a good idea of the degree of the mound's declivity.
An oak, which was lying down on one of the parapets, measured at the distance of
G feet from the butt, without the bark, 12 feet 4 inches in circumference. At a short
distance to the southeast is another mound, in ascending which I took 30 steps. Its
top is encircled by a breastwork 3 feet high, intersected through the middle with
another elevation of a similar kind. A little farther is another mound, which I had
not time to examine.
On these great works of art the Indians gazed with as much curiosity as any white
man. I inquired of the oldest chief if the natives had any tradition respecting them,
to which he answered in the negative. I then requested each to say what he sup-
posed was their origin. Neither could tell, though all agreed in saying, "they were
never put up by our people." It seems probable they were erected by another race
who once inhabited the country. That such a race existed is now generally admitted.
Who they were and what were the causes of their degeneracy or of their exteruiina-
tion no circumstances.have yet explained. But this is no reason why we should not,
as in a hundred other instances, infer that existence of the cause from its effect,
without any previous knowledge of its history.
In regard to the objects which these mounds were designed to answer, it is ob-
vious they were not always the same. Some were intended as receptacles for the
dead. These are small and are distinguished by containing human bones. Some
' Billiman's American Journal of Science and Art, Ist Ser., Vol. I (1818), pp. 322-324.
294
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
may have been designed as sites forpnldic hnildings, wliether of a civil or lelifjions
kind, and others no doubt were constructed lor the purposes of war. Of this last
description is the Etowee mound. In proof of its suitableness for such a i)uriio8e I
need only mention that ihi: Cherokees, in their late wars with the Creeks, secured
itssmuimit by pi<kets and o(cni)ied it as a place of protection for hundreds of their
women and children. Gladly would 1 have spent a day in examing it more minutely,
but my roiijpanions,
unable to a]>preeiate
my motives, grew im-
patient, and I was
obliged to withdraw
and leave a more per-
fect observation and
descrijition to some
one else.
This account is
particularly valu-
able, as it relates
to the couditiou
and appearance of
these works before
they were dis-
turbed by the
plow. We also
find in this ac-
count some items
of interest which
had disappeared
before the works
were visited and
described by the
more modern ob-
servers.
The description
byCol.G.O.Jcmes'
is the best we tiud
hitherto pub-
lished. I there-
fore give it here in
full, together with
a reproduction of
his illustration
Fig. 180.— Plat of Etowah group, copy of Jones's plat No. 1. (Fig. ISO) :
Viewed as a whole, this group is the most remarkable within the confines of this
state. These mounds are situated in the midst of a beautiful and fertile valley.
They occujiy a central jxisition in an area of some 50 acres, bounded on the south and
east by the Etowah river, and on the north ami west by a large ditch or artificial
■Antiquities of tlie Southern Indians, p. 136.
M 1/ iWf P
"( i. ,1
1). I
uV /li
'4 'l7f''v .
fM
5^
1 '
f
K u|i! ,«'i^
THOMAS.) GEORGIA. 295
canal, which at its lower end communicates directly with the river. This moat (G
G, PI. I), at present, varies in dei)th from 5 to 2.5 feet, and in width from 20 to 75 feet.
No parapets or earth walls ai)pear iipou its edges. Along its line are two reservoirs
(D D) of about an acre each, jio.ssessing an average depth of not less than 20 feet,
and its upper end expands into an artificial pond ( P) elliptical in form and somewhat
dee])er than the excavations mentioned.
Within the inclosure formed by this moat and the river are seven mounds. Three
of them are preeminent in size, the one designated in the accompanying plan (PI. i)
by the letter A far surpassing the others both in its proportions and in the degree
of interest which attaches to it.
To the eye of the observer, as it rests for the first time upon its towering form, it
seems a monument of the past ages, venerable iu its antiquity, .solemn, silent, and
yet not voiceless — a remarkable exhibition of the power and industry of a former
race. With its erection, the moilern hunter tribes, so far as our information extends,
had naught to do. Composed of earth, simple, yet impressive in form, it seems cal-
ctilated for an almost endless duration. The soil, gravel, and smaller stones taken
from the moat and the reservoirs were expended in the construction of these tumuli.
The surface of the ground, for a considerable distance around the northern bases,
was then removed and placed upon their summits. Viewed from the north, the val-
ley dips toward the mounds so that they appear to lift themselves from out a basin.
The central tumulus rises about fi5 feet above the level of the valley. It is en-
tirely artificial, consisting wholly of the earth taken from the moat and the excava-
tions, in connection with the soil collected around its base. It has received no
assistance whatever from any natural hill or elevation.
In general outline it may be regarded as (inadrangular, if we disregard a slight
angle to the south. That taken into account, its form is pentagonal, with summit
admeasurements as follows: Length of the northern side, 150 feet; length of eastern
side, 160 feet; Length of southeastern side, 100 feet; length of southern side, 90 feet,
and length of western side, 100 feet. Measured east and west, its longest apex dia-
meter is 225 feet; measured north and south it falls a little short, being about 220
feet. On its summit this tumulus is nearly level. Shorn of the luxuriant vegetation
and tall forest trees, which at one time crowneil it on every side, the outlines of this
mound stand iu bold relief. Its angles are still sharply defined. The established
approach to the top is from the east. Its ascent was accomplished through the in-
tervention of terraces rising one above the other — inclined planes leading from the
one to the other. These terraces are 65 feet in width, and extend from the mound
toward the southeast. Near the eastern angle, a pathway leads to the top; but it
does not appear to have been intended for very general use. May it not have been
designed for the priesthood alone, while assembled upon the broad terraces the wor-
shipers gave solemn heed to the religious ceremonies performed upon the eastern
summit of this ancient temple?
East of this large central mound — and so near that their ilanks meet and mingle —
stands a smaller mound, about 35 feet high, originally quadrangular, now nearly
circular in form, and with a summit diameter of 100 feet. From its western slo])e is
an easy and immediate communication with the terraces of the central tumulus.
This mound is designated in the accompanying plate by the letter B. Two hundred
and fifty feet in a westerly direction from this mound, and distant some 60 feet in a
southerly direction from it, is the third (C) and the last of this immediate group.
Pentagonal iu form, it possesses an altitude of 23 feet. It is uniformly level at the
top, and its apex diameters, measured at right angles, were, respectively, 92 and
68 feet.
East of this group, ami within the inclosure, is a chain of four sepulchral mounds,
(F F F F), ovoidal iu shape. Little individual interest attaches to them. Nothing,
aside from their location iu the vicinity of these larger tumuli and their being within
the area formed by the canal and the river, distinguishes them from numerous earth
296
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
mounds scattered here and tliom tlir(iiif;li tin' length and l)readtli of tlieEtowali and
Oostenaiila valleys.
The artificial elevation E, lying northwest of the central gronp, iKremarkal>le for
its juperficial area, and is completely surrounded by the moat which at that jjoint
divides with a view to its inclosure. The slope of the sides of these tumuli is just
such as wonld he assumed by gradual accretions of earth successively deposited in
small ijuantities from above.
The summits of these mounds, and the circumjacent valley for miles, have been
completely denuded of the original growth which overspread them in rich ])rofusion.
The consequence is, these remarkable remains can be readily and carefully noted.
Without comiiieuting- at jireseut upon this clesciii)tion, I give Col.
Charles Whittlesey's account as found in the Smithsonian Report for
1881,' together with his illustration No. 1. (See Fig. 181.)
Fig. 181.— Plat of Etowah group, copy of AVhittlesev'.s fiffiin- No. 1.
THE GKEAT MOUND ON THE ETOWAH RIVER, GEORGIA.
Not having seen a detailed description of this mound I made a visit to it in behalf
of the Wesrern Reserve Historical Society, in May, 1871. It stands upon the north
bank of the Etowah, about 2 miles below where it is crossed by the Chattanooga and
Atl.anta railway, near Cartersville. Its form, size, and elevaticm are singular and
imposing. It occupies the easterly point or angle of a large and luxuriant river
bottom, a part of which is subject to inundations. The soil is a deep, rich, black
loam covering several hundred acres, which has been cultivated in corn and cotton
since the Cherokees left it, about forty years since.
I was compelled, by bad weather, to make the survey in haste. The bearings were
taken with a prismatic compass, the distances measured by pacing, and the elevalSons
obtained with a pocket level. They are, therefore, subject to the corrections of future
surveyors. Its base covers a space of about 3 acres, and stands .at a level of 23 feet
above low water in the river. In great floods the water approaches near the mound
on the west, but lias not been known to reach it. The body of the mound has an
irregular figure, as shown in the plan. It is longest on the meridian, its diameter in
' Pp. 624-027.
THOMAS.) GEORGIA. 297
that ilirection being about 270 feet. Ou the top is a nearly level area of about an
acre, the average height of which is 50 feet above the base. A broad ramj) or graded
way (1) vrinds upward from the plain, around the south face of the mound, to the area
ou the top.
Like some of the pyramids of Kgypt it has two smaller ones as tenders: one on
the south, C ; another to the southeast, B; each about 100 feet distant, their bases
nearly square, and of nearly equal dimensions. If they were not in the shadow of
the great mound they would attract attention for their size and regularity. The
ground at 15 is 3 feet higher than at C. All of them are truncated. The mound C
is not a perfectly regular figure, but approaches a square with one side broken into
three lines. Its height above base is 18 feet. The bearing of its western side is
north 10 degrees west, and the length on the ground 47 paces, having been somewhat
spread out by plowing around the foot. Ou the east is a ramp, with a slope of 1 to
2 degrees, which allows of ready ascent by persons on foot.
The slopes of all the mounils are very steep and quite perfect, in some places stOl
standing at an angle of 45 degrees. B is a regular truucated pyramid, with a square
base about 106 feet on a side, two of the laces bearing 5 degrees west of the merid-
ian. Its elevation is 22 feet. There is no ramp or place of ascent which is less steep
than the general slopes. Towards the southeast corner of the surface of B is a
sunken place, as though a vault had fallen in.
The iiroprietor has managed to cultivate the summitsof all the mounds, regarding
the group in the light of a contiuual injury by the loss of several acres of ground.
Most of the material of the mounds is the rich black mold of the bottom land, with
occasional lumps of red clay. The soil on their sides and summits produces corn,
cotton, grass, vines, and bushes in full luxuriance. The perimeter of the base of the
great mound is 534 paces. As the ground had lieeu recently plowed and was soaked
with a deluge of rain, a ])ace will represent little more than 2 feet. I give the cir-
cumference provisionally at 370 yards. The area ou the top is like the base, oblong
north and south, but its figure is uiore regular. Its perimeter is 231 paces.
From the center of the pyramid C a line on the magnetic meri<liau passes a few
feet to the west of the center of the platform on the summit of A. Its sides are
nowhere washed or gullied by rains. Prior to the clearing of the land, large trees
flourished on the top and on the slopes. I estimate its mass to contain 117,000 cubic
yards, which is about four-fifths of the Prussian earth-monument ou the field of
Waterloo.
At the base the ramp is 50 feet broad, growing narrower as you ascend. It curves
to the right, aud reaches the area on the top near its southwest corner. Twenty-
five years since, before it was injured by cultivatiira, visitors could easily ride to
the summit on horseback along the ramp. From this spot the view of the rich valley
of the Etowah towards the west, aud of the picturesque hills which liorder it ou
either side, is one of surpassing beauty.
About 300 yards to the north rises the second terrace of the valley, composed of
red clay aud gra^•el. Near the foot of it are the remains of a ditch, inclosing this
group of mounds in an arc of a circle, at a distance of about 200 yards. The western
eud rests on the river, below the mounds, into which the high waters back up a con-
siderable distance.
It has been principally filled up by cultivation. The owner of the premises says
there was originally an embankment along the edge of the ditch on the side of the
pyramids, but other old settlers say there was none. If the last statement is cor-
rect, a part of the earth composing the mounds can be accounted for by the ditch.
Its leugth is about one-fourth of a mile, aud it does not extend to the river, above
the mounds. Near the upper cud are two oblong, irregular pits, 12 to 15 feet deep,
from which a part of the earth of the mounds may have been takeu. The diameter
of the pits varies from 150 to 200 feet, and the lireadth from 60 to 70. The ditch is
reputed to have been 30 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Two hundred yards to the
298 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
nortbeaet of A are the remains of four low iiiouimIh within the ditch near the large
pits. Fivo huudrud yards to the northwest, on the edge of thi^ second terrace, is a
mound which is yet 8 feet high, although it has been industriously plowed over
more than thirty years.
The place clioseu by the mound-builders in this case for the location
of their village is, as usual, one adapted to easy cultivation and withal
one of real beauty.
The river, which reaches the base of the hills above and below, here
makes a bend to the south, while tlie line of hills curves toward the
north, leaving a broad, fertile bottom some 3 miles long east and west
and a mile or more in breadth. The mounds are visible from the hills
throughout the entire circuit, rendering it easy to give notice of the
approach of an enemy from any <piarter on this side of the river.
There is little doubt, therefore, that while one object in view in
selecting this locality was to obtain land close at hand suitable for cul-
tivation, another was, as intimated by Rev. Elias Cornelius, security
and means of defense against the attacks of enemies. The general plan
of the works, from an examination anil survey made in person, assisted
by Mr. Kogan, in 188.5, is given in Fig. 182. It will be seen from this
figure that the works at present consist of a broad, surrounding ditch,
flanked at two points by large excavations, six included and one out-
side mound, though it is apparent from the descriptions of previous
visitors heretotore given and what is hereafter stated that these are not
all the works which formed parts of this extensive village.
The ditch, starting at n, on the east, 310 feet from the river and 1,140
feet from the nearest ])oiiit of the large mound, runs northwest, gradu-
ally curving westward and southward so as to form an almost complete
semicircle, and striking the river below at p, about 870 feet from the
nearest point of the large mound. The distance from m to p direct is
about 775 yards, and the length of the ditch from h to p, following the
curve, about 1,060 yards. The greatest width of the area, that is, from
the river to the margin of the large excavation r, is about iBO yards,
the area inclosed being about 56 acres. Whether the ditch ever
reached the river on the east can not be determined from present iudi-
cations. There is still a sliglit depression, or swale, south of the termi-
nation, shown at m, but this does not reach the bank. Nevertheless,
the plan of the works seems to require connection with the river at this
point, and that this was the case may be assumed. It is probable that
there was here a bridge or arrangement for crossing the ditch, and also
that it was quite narrow here to prevent the too rapid influx of water
from the river. A crossing point tippears to have been at «-, where the
ditch enters the large reservoir or basin. The dotted lines in the plat
(Fig. 182) along the break at i indicate the portion filled up by the pres-
ent and preceding owners in order to make a crossing for a road at
this point. As it approaches the large excavation r, it suddenly ex-
pands and increases in depth, being at the cross section 1-2, 95 feet wide
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XVI
1/ I i ifl illlli il I' I
\ «v
»f"„;,
667
>P""
2S3 ^J
(V«f\mi*?
/
\
■'■■"'?^nm^l^j^f^^jgSKKf?ftf^''■
.^i^'^
40 60
PLAN OF THE LARGE MOUND ETOWAH GROUP.
THOMAS.]
GEORGIA.
299
and 14 feet deep. At the point of counection with the excavation, «', it
suddenly Jiarrows to 12 or 11 feet, and the dejjth is not more than half
of what it is a few feet above. It is evident that a dam was thrown
across at this point, as some of the stones used were still in place when
I examined it, and quite a number had fallen down into the large exca-
■00 CM wo
•OO ?00 800
Fig. 182.— Plat of the Etowah (,'roiiii (oiigiual).
vation. It is probable that this was connected with a fish-trap of some
kind, and that advantage was also taken of the near approach of the
sides to throw a wooden bridge across the ditch.
The large excavation (r) embraces an area of about 3 acres; it is not
uniform in depth ; in fact, a considerable portion of the central area is
300 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
but slightly excavated aud but little lower tliau the original surround-
ing surface; the remainder is about the same depth as the expanded
l)ortion of the ditch immediately above. The portion of the ditch ex-
tending from this basin to the outlet of the other, marked /, has never
been plowed over and has suft'ered but little change fiom its original
condition ; here it is about 40 feet wide and 15 feet deep. The excava-
tion / is correctly represented in the figure; it is over li acres in extent
and is 17 feet deep at the deepest point, the eastern side, where the
bank or margin is almost perpendicular, a fact which seems to forbid
the idea of great antiquity. The remainder of the ditch to the river
has been plowed over and hence its sides are much worn down; never-
theless the depth is some 8 or 10 feet, and the width at x y 68 feet.
The distance from .s- to }> 'S 1,070 feet. Its entrance to the river has
been closed by the present owner to keep out the backwater. There
are no indications at any point that there ever was an embaukmejit on
either side, the material taken out having doubtless been used in build-
ing the mounds. East and north of the large mound is a considerable
depression from which, in all probability, additional material was ob-
FiG. 183.— Large mound of the Etowab group.
tained. The outer margin of this depression is indicated by the shaded
line. As the small mounds d, e, and / are in this depression, it is prob-
able they were built subsequent to the construction of the larger ones.
The larf/e mound, a. — This is truly a grand and remarkable structure,
being exceeded in size in the United States, judging by the cubical
contents, only by the great Cahokia mound. All the descriptions of it
which I have seen fail to note the important fact that the broad road-
way wliich ascends it on the south side does not reach the top, falling
short in this respect by 20 feet perpendicular and about 30 feet slant
height. This fact is apparent from the views of it given in our Fig.
183 and PI. xv, the latter from a photograph.
A careful survey of it was made in 1884 by Mr. Victor Mindelefi' for
the purpose of prei)aring a model for the Exposition at New Orleans.
A plat drawn to an exact scale, with heights, measurements, etc., is
given in PI. xvi. From this it will be seen that the highest point, c,
is C6i feet, assuming the northwest corner, which is Mr. Mindeleff's
zero, as the base, liut from personal inspection aud what has been
discovered in regard to the other two mounds near it, I am satisfied the
THciMAs.i GEORGIA. 301
original surface of the groiiiul wtis somewhat higher than that around
it to the north and east as it now appears. The level at the southwest,
which is 3 feet higher than the northwest corner, is probably very near
that of the original surfiice of the ground. Assuming this as the base,
and taking the average of the heights of the top, the true elevation is
found to be 61 feet. The length of the slope a little north of the south-
west corner, which is very steep, forming an angle of 45 degrees, is 86
feet; this gives within a few inches the same result as the preceding
calculation. The slope here is considerably steeper than at any other
point and indicates that the body of the mound is largely composed of
clay, a question which could easily be determined by digging; but per-
mission to do this has not as yet been obtained. The longest diameter,
including the roadway {a to h, PI. xvi), is 380 feet; the diameter at
right angles to this (from c to (1) is 330 feet, and the area of the base a
little less than 3 acres. The lengths of the sides of the top, which is
somewhat quadrilateral, are as follows: From A: (northwest corner) to I
(southwest corner), 180 feet; from I to m, 170 feet; from m to «, 176
feet; and from n to k, 164 feet; the offset at j; from the line connecting
on aTul n is about 1.5 feet. The area of the top is, therefore, about seven-
tenths of an acre. The length of the roadway along the slope from c
to h, Fig. 183), is 205 feet, the width varying from 37 to 56 feet; the
height at its upper terminus (h, Fig. 183) above the base is a few inches
over 40 feet. There is at the upper terminus a level space which formed
the uppermost of the terraces into which this roadway was originally
divided, of ^\hich some indications yet remain.
From these dimensions it is easy to calculate with ai^proximate cer-
tainty the cubical contents of the mound, which we find to be, including
the roadway, about 4,300,000 cubic feet, or 159,200 cubic yards. It
therefore exceeds slightly in volume the entire wall of Fort Ancient, in
Ohio,' and exceeds Col. Whittlesey's calculation by about 42,000 cubic
yards.
The ramp, or straight, steep roadway on the east, terminating at d
(Fig. 183), is not very apparent at present, though it is evident that
the slope here has been lengthened intentionally, and that an addition
has been made to this side for some definite purpose; but it must have
been too steep for any other jiurpose than descent. Possibly it was an
earlier roadway than that on the south, which was abandoned and
partially removed when the latter was built.
Mound c. — Although this mound is described by Col. Whittlesey as
somewhat square, with aroadwayou the east side, Ifind theoutline to be
more rounded and but slight indications of the eastward extension.
The circumference of the base is 375 feet, and the average diameter of
the nearly flat top exactly 60 feet; the height, measured from the sur-
rounding surface of the ground, is about 18 feet, but the true height
" Science, toI. 8, 1886, p. 540.
302
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
above the original siuface was found, when it was excavated, to he
only 15 feet.
In excavating this mound Mr. Eogan, who did this part of the work,
ran a trench G feet wide in from the south side, going through the hard
clay slope until he struck the inner circle, whence he continued widen-
ing until he had gone over the entire area within the surrounding slope,
carrying the excavation down at all points to the original surface.
Continuing the excavation in this way until a complete exploration of
the mound had been made, the construction was found to be as rejire-
sented in Fig. 1 84, which shows a vertical section. The entire surround-
ing slope was of hard, tough, red clay, which could not have been
obtained nearer than half a mile; the cylindrical core, GO feet in diam-
eter, and extending down to the original surface of the ground, was
composed of three horizontal layers, the bottom layer. No. 1, 10 feet
thick, of rich, dark, and rather loose loam; the next, No. 2, 4 feet
thick, beaten (or trami)ed) clay, so tough and hard that it was diffi-
cult to penetrate it even with a pick; and the uppermost. No. 3, of sand
and siu-face soil, between 1 and 2 feet thick.
Fio. 184.— Vertical sectioc of mound c, Etowah group.
Nothing was found in the layer of clay. No. 2, except a rude clay
pipe, some small shell beads, a piece of mica, and a chunkee stone.
The burials were all in the lower layer (No. 1), of dark, rich loam, and
chieily in stone cists or coffins of the usual box shape, formed of stone
slabs, and distributed horizontally, as shown in Fig. 185, which is apian
of this lower bed.
Grave a, a stone sepulcher, 2i feet wide, 8 feet long, and 2 feet deep,
was formed by placing steatite slabs on edge at the sides and ends, and
others across the top. The bottom consisted simply of earth hardened
by fire. It contained the remains of a single skeleton, lying on its
back, with the head east. The frame was heavy and about 7 feet long.
The head rested on a thin copper plate ornamented with im[)ressed
figures; but the skull was crushed and the plate injured by fallen
slabs, lender the copper were the remains of a skin of some kind, and
under this coarse matting, apparently of split cane. The skin and
matting were both so rotten that they C(nild be secured only in frag-
ments. At the left of the feet were two clay vessels, one a water bottle
and the other a very small vase. On the right of the feet were some
GEORGIA.
303
mussel and sea shells and immediately under the feet two conch shells
{Busyeon perversum) partially tilled with small shell beads. Around
each ankle was a strand of similar beads. The bones and most of the
shells were so far decomposed that they could not be saved.
Grave h, a stone sepulcher, 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and l.J feet deep,
differed from a only in size and the fact that the bottom was covered
with stone slabs. The skeleton was extended on the back, head east.
On the forehead was a thin plate of copper, the only article found.
Grave c, also a stone sepulcher, 3.J feet long, li feet wide, and li feet
deep, the bottom being formed of burnt earth. Although extending
east and west, as shown in Fig. 185. the bones had probably been dis-
connected and interred without regard to order, the head being found
in the northeast corner with face to the wall, and the remaining por-
tions of the skeleton in a promiscuous heap. Tet there was no indica-
tion of disturbanceafter bur-
ial, as the coftin was intact.
Placed in the heap of bones
was a thin plate of copper
that had been formed by
uniting and riveting to-
gether smaller sections.
(See PI. XVIII.) Some of the
bones found in this grave w |
were saved.
Grave d^ a small sepulcher
only 1| feet square by 1 foot
deep, contained the remains
of an infant ; also a few small
shell beads. The slabs form-
ing the sides and bottom of
this grave bore very distinct
marks of fire.
Grave e consisted simply of a headstone and footstone, with the
skeleton of a very small child between them; head east. On the wrists
were some very small shell beads. The earth on the north and south
sides had been hardened in order to form the walls, a strong indication
that the mound had been built up to this height and a pit dug in it.
Grave/, also a stone sepulcher, was (5 feet long, 3 feet wide, and
IJ feet deep, with a stone bottom. Skeleton with the head north.
There were several pieces of copper about the head, which, together
with the skeleton, were wrapped in a skin. The head rested on a large
couch shell {Busyeon iH-rvcrsum)^ and this on the remains of a coarse
mat. Shell beads were found around the neck and also around each
wrist and ankle. On the right was a small cup and on the breast an
engraved shell. The copper had preserved a portion of the hair, which
was saved ; portions of the skin and matting were also secured. Im-
Fkj. 185. — rian of burials in mound c, Etowaii jiroup.
304
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
mediately under It was anotber stone grave or eoftin, .'J feet long, li feet
wide and deep, extending north and south. Tln^ liead of the skeleton
was towiird the north, but the feet were doubled back under the frame
in order to get it in the allotted space. Tlie only things fouml with
this skeleton were some beads around the neck.
At<7the remains of a child
were found without any
stones about them. Some
shell beads were around the
neck and wrist, and an en-
graved shell on the breast.
Grave h was a stone cist
li feet square and 1 foot
deep, stone slabs on the
four sides and top, but the
bottom consisted simply of
earth hardened by fire. This
contained only a trace of
bones and presented indi-
cations of at least partial
cremation, as all around the
slabs, outside and inside,
was a solid mass of charcoal,
and the earth was burned
to the depth of a foot.
Grave i, a stone cist 4J
feet long, li feet wide and
deep; bottom of earth ; con-
tained the remains of a
skelet(m restingon theback,
headnorth, andfeetdoubled
back so as to come within
the cofiflu. On the breast
was a thin plate of copper,
5 inches square, with a hole
through the center. Beads
were found around the
wrists, and rather more than
a quart about the neck.
Atj were the remains of
a small child, without stone surroundings; under the head was a piece
of copper, aud about the neck aud wrists a number of shell beads.
These graves were not on the same level, the top of some being but 2
feet below the clay bed (No. 2), while others were from 2 to 3 feet lower.
All the articles alluded to as obtained in this mouud were forwarded at
once to the Bureau of Ethnology, and are now in the National Museum.
Fig. 18(j — Figured copper plate from mound <
Etowah group.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XVII
^'-^^ 4^^
e->
FIGURED COPPER PLATE FROM MOUND c, ETOWAH GROUP IHUMAN FIGURE).
THOMAS. I
GEORGIA.
305
Examiuing them somewhat carefully siuce their reception, 1 And there
are really more copper plates anioiij;' them than at first supposed.
Those which were not too much broken to determine the exact form and
size are as follows :
(1) A human figure with wings, represented in PI. xvii. This is 17
inches long and 9 inches wide. A portion of the lower part, as shown
by the figure, is wanting, probably some 3 or 4 inches. There is a break
across the middle, but not sufldcient to interfere with tracing out the
design. A crown piece of the head ornament is also wanting. This
plate was found in grave a.
(2) Also a human figure, found in the same grave; is shown in Fig.
186. Length, 16 inches; width, 7^ inches.
(3) Figure of a bird (PL xviii). This is imperfect, as part of tlie head
and of theouter margin of the wings are
wanting. Length, 13i inches; width,
7A inches. This plate shows indubita-
ble evidence of having been formed of
smaller pieces welded together, as the
overlapiiing j)ortions can be easily
traced. It has also undergone repairs ;
a fracture, commencing on the left and
running irregularly halfway across the
body, has been mended by i)lacing a
strip of copper along it on the back
and riveting it to the main jjlate; a
small piece has also been riveted to
the head, anil the head to the body;
several other pieces are attached in
the same way. The rivets are small
and the work neatly done. This was
found in grave c.
(4) An ornament or badge of some
kind found in grave h is shown in Fig. 187. The two crescent-shaped
pieces are entirely plain except some slightly impressed lines on the
portion connecting them with the central stem. This central stem
throughout its entire length and to the width of six-tenths of an inch is
raised, and cross strips placed at various points along the under side,
for the purpose of inserting a strip of bone, a part of which yet remains
in it and is seen in the figure where the oblique strips meet. The most
inijjortant and interesting fact presented by this specimen is the evi-
dence it furnishes that the workman who formed it maile use of me-
tallic tools, as the cutting in this case could not possibly have been
done with anything except a metallic implement. A single glance at
it is sufdcient to satisfy any one of the truth of this assertion. Length
of the stem, 9 inches; width across the crescents, 7i inches.
12 KTH 20
Fl«. 18
-Copper bailjio from mound c,
Etowah ^roTip.
308
MOUNU EXPLORATIONS.
Fig. 188.— Copper ornament or badge from
monnd c, Etowali group.
(5) I'aitofan oriiiiiuent similtir to No. 4. These plates, especially
No. 4, appear to be enlarged patterns of that seen behind the head in
PI. XVII.
(6) An ornament or badge, shown in Fig. 188, found under the head
of the skeleton in grave a. It is imper-
fect, a narrow strip across the middle
and a portion of the tip being Inissing.
As shown in the figure, it measures
around the outer border 19 inches, and
across the broad end 3.J inches. The
six holes at the larger end, in which the
remains of strings can be detected, indi-
cate that it was, when in use, attached
to some portion of the dress or fastened
on a staff.
(7) A fragment from the larger end of
a piece similar to the preceding. At-
tached to this is a piece of cloth.
In addition to the foregoing there are
a number of small fragments, probably
broken from these plates or parts of others; but so far I have been un-
able to tit them to their proper places.
An examination of the supposed skin shows beyond question that it
is animal matter and prob-
ably part of a tanned deer
hide. The matting appears
to be made of split canes.
The shell represented in
Fig. 189 is the one obtained
in grave g. The one shown
in Fig. 190 is that found in
gi-ave/.
In one of the low mounds
was subsequently found the
bust shown, in Fig. 191.
It has been carved from a
coarse marble, and shows
(ionsiderable art. The face
had been split off, but with-
out injury. The length of
the fragment shown in the
figure is 11 inches.
I shall not attemjit, at
present, to speculate upon
these singular specimens of art further than to call attention to one or
two facts which appear to bear upon their age and distribution.
We notice the fact, which is apparent to every one who inspects the
Fig. 189. --Engraved shell, mound c, Etowah group.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XVIII
FIGURED COPPER PLATE FROM MOUND C, ETOWAH GROUP 'BIRD FIGURE).
GEORGIA.
307
flgnres, that in all their leading features the desigus are suggestive
of Mexican or Central American work; yet a close inspection brings
to light one or two features which are anomalies in Mexican or Central
American designs; as, for example, in PI. xvii and Fig. 186, where the
wings are represented as rising fi-om the back of the shoulders.
Although we can find numerous figures of winged individuals in
Mexican designs (they are unknown in Central American), they always
carry with them the idea that the individual is partly or completely
clothed in the skin of the bird. This is partly carried out in the cop-
l)er plate, as is seen by the bird bill over the head; the eye being that
Fm. 190.— Eugravcil sli.
iiuinl f, P^towali group.
of ihe bird a-nd not of the man. But when the wings are observed it
is at once seen that the artist had in mind the angel figure with wings
rising from the back of the shoulders — an idea wholly foreign to Mexi-
can art.
Another fact worthy of note in regard to the two chief plates repre-
senting human figures is that there is a combination of Central Ameri-
can and Mexican designs; the graceful limbs and the ornaments of the
arms, legs, waist, and the headdress are Central American, while the
rest, with the exception possibly of what is carried in the right hand,
is Mexican.
308
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
That tliesc i>late.s are not wholly the work of the Indians found in-
habiting the .southern sections of the United States, or of their direct
ancestors, is admitted. That they were not made Ijy an abcniginal
artisan of Central America or Mexico of ante-(Jolumbian times, I think
is probable if not from the designs themselves, from the apparent evi-
dence that the work was done in part with hard metallic tools.
(2) Plates like those of this collection have been found, so far as I can
ascertain, only hi northern Georgia and northern and southern Illinois.
The bird figure represented in Fig. 192, obtained by ]\Iaj. Powell,
Director of the U. S. Geological Survey, from a mound near Peoria,
Illinois, is introduced here for comparison with the bird tigures found
in the Etowah mound.
Fl(i. 101.— I>u3t from Etowah niumuls.
Another was obtained from an ordinary stone grave in Union
county, Illinois, by Mv. Thing, while engaged by the Bureau of Eth-
nology. From a similar grave at the same i^lace he also obtained the
plate represented in Fig. 85. Fragments of another similar plate were
taken by Mr. Earle from a stone grave in a mound in Alexander county,
Illinois. All these specimens were re(-eived by the Bureau of Ethnol-
ogy, and are now in the National Museum.
I can not enter at iireseut into a discussion of the questions raised by
the discovery of these engraved shells, nor is it necessary that I should
do so, as Mr. W. H. Holmes has discussed somewhat fully these de-
signs in the Second Annual Iteport of the Bureau of Ethnology and
I have ventured in "The Story of a Mound of the Shawnees in pre-
GEORGIA AND ILLINOIS.
309
Columbian times," to suggest a. possible explanation of their presence
in the interior regions. I nuxy add that these figured copperplates and
engraved shells present a problem very difficult to solve, as is evident
from the following facts :
(1) A number of the designs bear too strong resemblance to those of
Mexico and Central America to warrant us in supposing this similarity
to be accidental. (2) The fact that some of them were found in con-
nection with articles of European manufacture is unquestionable. (3)
The indications of Eurojieau workmanship are too evident to be over-
looked, (i) The evidence that some of the engraved shells can be
traced to the Indians is well-nigh conclusive.
Movnd h. — This was examined by sinking a shaft 12 feet square in
the center to the original soil, which was reached at the (lci>tli of 1!)
feet from the top. Nothing was found indicating burials. The top
layer to the depth of 2 feet consisted
chiefly of white sand; next, 9 feet of red
clay; then, 2 feet more of white sand:
and, lastly, 6 feet of dark saudy loam
to the origii.\al surface of the ground.
About the center of the shaft were
the remains of four posts, two being
parallel with the other two. They were
2 feet apart one way and C feet the
other; that is to say, they stood at the
corners of a parallelogram 2 feet wide
and 6 feet long, and were in a compar-
atively sound condition, about (! inches
in diameter and extended 4 feet below
the surface of the mound. They were
proljably the remains of some compar-
atively modern structure. The plow
had taken off the tops to the depth of
several inches. In the lower sand stratum tlie breast bone of a turkey
and several bones of a bear were discovered.
Here and there throughout the 9-foot stratum were iiatches of dark
red clay from 18 inches to 2 feet in diameter, that had been hardened by
fire. The dimensions of this mound, which is in the form of a truncated
four-sided pyramid, quite regular and steep, are as follows: The longer
diameter of the base 130 feet, the shorter 120 feet; the longer diameter
of the level to]> 90 feet, the shorter 81 feet; the height in tlie center 19
feet, though if measured from the surrounding surface this would be in-
creased by 5ome 3 or 4 feet.
Subsequently a thorough examination was made of mound </, which
stands about 450 yards north of the large mound and, as will be seen
by reference to the plat (Fig. 182), outside of and some distance beyond
the ditch. It is a low, conical tumulus, rounded on top, 192 feet in cii'-
cumference at the base and 4i feet high.
Fir,. 192.— CopjiiT phite with bird figure;
mound near Penria, Illinois.
310 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The construction of the mound, commencing at the bottom and going
upward, is as follows: First, a layer '2 feet thick of dark red clay rest-
ing on the original surface of the ground ; mixed and scattered through
this layer was a considerable (quantity of pure charcoal, also water-
worn bowlders, all thoroughly burned; next above and Ijing on this a
2-inch stratum of river sand which had been burned, and, lastly, the
remainder of the mound was finished up with clay of a deep red color
without any admixture of ashes or charcoal, though the bottom portion,
which rested immediately on the sand, presented some indications of
heat. This layer was so hard that it was difficult to penetrate it.
In the 2-inch sand stratum were two small pieces of very distinctly
glazed Y)ottery and lying at the bottom of the mound, on the natui'al
surface of the ground, a piece of unglazed, ornamented pottery and a
broken clay pipe.
The bright red clay of this mound is similar to that in the land
around it, while the darker variety is like that found a quaiter of a
mile away.
An examin.ation was also made of the strip of land on the east side
of the mounds and along the north bank of the Etowah river. This
land, it is proper to remark, has been under cultivation for many years.
This examination was made by sinking pits, ftom 5 to 7 feet square
and from 2 to 4i feet deep, at various placigs over the area, carrying
them down in all cases to what appeared to be the second and undis-
turbed natural layer.
The variation in the depth of the top layer is due in part to overflows
from the river, the soil in some places having been washed out and
deposits made in other places by this agency. But the examination
made shows this layer over the entire area, to be, in the main, one
vast refuse heap, as it is composed of sandy loam, ashes, red clay, frag-
ments of pottery, charcoal, and (jther reluse matter. In some places
the appearance of the red clay shows that it has been dropped here
in "batches" of a half bushel or less; in other places it is in a con-
tinuous mass, forming a layer; moreover, it must be borne in mind that
it does not belong here, but was broirght from a distance of nearly or
quite half a mile, the nearest point where it could be obtained.
This made earth is literally full of mussel shells, terrapin shells, animal
bones, small fragments of pottery, with jiatches of charcoal and ashes
scattered through the mass. The i)ottery and animal bones were broken
into minute fragments. Among the animal bones (no human bones
were found here) are many of the bear and hundreds of the turkey.
Waterworn bowlders were also found scattered through this deposit
and in every case showed very distinctly the action of Are.
In some instances the charcoal found was in cylindrical pieces 3 or 4
int'hes long, but never more than 3 inches in diameter. These were evi-
dently sections of pine saplings. In the bottom of one of the shafts
were two post holes sunk into the natural soil beneath to the depth of
THOMAS.] GEORGIA. 211
18 inches. These holes, which were 16 inches in diameter, had perfectly
smooth sides and were filled with i)iue saud. The two were 12 inches
apart.
At the bottom of another shaft, 4 feet below the present surface of
the ground, were discovered some partially burned corncobs. These
were in a little heap and completely surrounded by charcoal, which has
doubtless assisted in their preservation.
This refuse layer extends some distance west of the three mounds.
Mound d. — This is located about 150 yards due east of the large
mound and is one of those marked J^ in Jones's figure. It is circular in
form, the diameter of the base about 50 feet, and, although it shows ex-
ternally a height of only 4 feet above tlie surrounding ground, by exca-
vation it was found to be in fact 9 feet high above the original surface
on which it was built, the land around it having been raised by deposits
from overflows and debris. The excavation was carried to the bottom,
5 feet below the present surface of the ground, there being no indication
that a pit had been dug. At the depth of about 14 inches below the top
of the mound a layer of partially burned clay from 2 to 3 inches thick
was reached, the smooth side down. The impressions of twigs and grass
could be seen running through it. This rested on a layer of packed ashes
8 inches thick, which was literally filled mith mussel shells and animal
bones, but so burned aud packed that it was difScult to drive a pick
through the mass. Next below this was a stratum in which were pieces
of charcoal, next a layer of dark red clay 2 feet thick, and lastly a
bottom layer, 2 feet thick, of rich loam. This last layer was crowded
with fragments of pottery and decayed animal bones, among which was
noticed the head of a squirrel. Here were found one bone implement
and some pieces of mica.
Mound e. — One hundred feet north of the preceding is another mound,
oval in form and roimd topped, 00 by 80 feet in diameter and 6 feet high
above the surrounding ground, but in fact 10 feet high above the
original surface on which it was built. The stratification, commencing
at the bottom and going upwards, was found to be as follows: First, a
layer 1 foot thick of dark red clay resting on the original surface, inter-
mixed with which was charcoal ; then 1 foot of muck and charcoal ;
next, 2 feet of bright red clay ; then 2 inches of sand ; next, 1 foot of
charcoal and ashes ; then ;J feet of bright red clay ; next, 1 foot of clay
burned almost as hard as a brick ; and lastly, a top layer of soil G inches
thick. In tlie bottom layer were a number of fragments of pottery,
and in the 1 foot layer of charcoal and ashes a piece of a polished celt
and a small worked stone. The 3-foot stratum of bright red clay could
not be distinguished fiom a natural deposit; in fact would have been
taken as such but for the layer of charcoal and ashes below it. The
burned clay layer was so hard that it could scarcely be broken up with
a pick. The mound showed evidences of heat throughout. No traces
of human or animal bones were noticed in it.
312 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
TIIK I'AUHOT M(IUNI).
This single inouud is located near the, north bank of Etowah river,
34 miles west of Oartersville, on a level bottom under cultivation. It
is oval in form, rounded on top, its longest diameter (east and west), at
base, being G5 feet and greatest width 48 feet; height, 8 feet. It con-
sisted chiefly of pure yellow clay; first a top layer 5 feet thick of soft
clay; then a layer from 1 to 2 inches thick of pure sand, and below this
to the natural surface yellow clay. No relics or indications of fire were
seen.
THE EDWARDS MOUND.
This is situated on the south side of Etowah river, directly opposite
the Tumlin mounds. It is on a level bottom, 100 feet from the river, oval
in form, 80 feet long at base, by 55 in width, 8 feet liigh, and flat on
top.
An excavation of this mound showed the surrounding slope to be
constructed entirely of yellow clay and distinct from the central portion,
resembling in this respect mound No. 3, of the Tumlin group. The
central portion was made by filling in with sand and red and yellow
clay, witli here and there a small l>atch of gravel ; but wherever the
gravel occurred the earth was burnt around it, and it also showed the
action of fire. No human or other remains were observed.
THE LEAT MOUND.
This is 3 miles west of Oartersville and within a few feet of the Cher-
okee railroad, on bottom land about 35 or 40 feet above low-water mark.
It is oval in form and flat on top; circumference of the base, 240 feet;
longer diameter of the top, 53 feet; shorter diameter, 35 feet; height,
4^ feet. In the construction of this mound it appears that the original
surface of the ground was first leveled and on this a layer, consisting
of red clay, sand, and ashes, 18 inches thick, was placed ; then it was
finished ofl' with yellow clay to the top.
In addition to the preceding the following mounds in this county
were examined, but, presenting nothing novel or very interesting, will
be very briefly noticed:
THE BEN AKERMAN MOUND.
This is situated on the farm of Mr. Benj. Akerman, 7 miles west of
Oartersville, on the east side of Etowah river. It stands on the margin
of a terrace overlooking the narrow valley of the river, is of the ordinary
coni(^al form, diameter 38 to 40 feet, height 4 feet, but it Las been plowed
over for several years. The strati licatiftn was as follows : A top layer
of soil an inch or two in thickness; then, below this, a layer 3 feet thick
of dark red clay, with spots here and there through it of charcoal, ashes,
and burned clay and sand, or, in other words, small fire beds; below
this, a foot and a half of bright red unburned clay; anil last, resting on
THOMAS.] GEORGIA. 313
the original soil, a, layer, about an iuch thick, of mussel shells. In the
thick layer of dark clay, near the center, was a single limestone slab
standing on end; immediately over this the clay was thoroughly burned.
It is perhaps worthy of notice that this clay had the api)earance of hav-
ing been sun-dried before being burned; from which it is inferred that
a jwi'tion of the top was added sometime after tlie main body of the
mound was built, and that the stone was planted at this time. At the
bottom of this thick layer, in the center, was about a quart of charred
corn (maize) and corn-cobs. Nothing else was found.
THE CONYERS MOUND.
This is situated on the farm of Mr. Conyers, in the southeastern part
of the county, on Euharlee cieek, is somewhat oval, the longer diameter,
98 feet, shorter G8 ; height, 7 feet. The stratification was as follows :
First, a top layer G inches thick, of soil; next, a layer, 4| feet thick, of
red clay mixed with dark soil, with charcoal and ashes scattered
through it. In the top of this layer, at the center, was a curious basin-
shaped fire-bed, 12 inches deep at the center and 2 feet in diameter.
The next layer, C inches thick, consisted of i)ure white sa-nd, and, last,
a layer, IJ feet thick, of loam resting on the original surface of the
ground. No indications of burial or articles were observed.
THE ROWLAND MOUNDS.
These are located on the south bank of Etowah river, about 3 miles
southeast of Cartersville. The group consists of three mounds and a
cemetery ; the largest is somewhat irregular in form, the longer diame-
ter 150 feet, the shorter 140, the whole height 20 feet, but the height
of the artificial portion 15 feet, I'ounded on the top. One-half of this
was dug away; but finding neither specimens nor skeletons, no further
investigations were made, but the strata being more numerous than
usual are considered of suflicient interest to be metitioned here. First,
a top layer, G inches, of soil; then, 3| feet of yellow clay mixed with
sand; then, one foot of sand and ashes; next, 2 feet of sand; then, 1
foot of ashes ; then, 3 feet of yellow clay ; next, 1 foot of sand and ashes ;
and lastly, resting on the natural earth, a uniform level layer of red
clay, 3 feet thick. The whole i-ested on a natural elevation about 5
feet high. This elevation probably extended, when the mound was
built, over the entire bottom, but has been worn away by frcfpient
overflows. An occasional fragment of pottery was found here and there
in the different strata, but no other relics were observed. The rather
heavy layers of sand and ashes indicate that the mound was built by
successive additions made at widely separated periods.
The cemetery lies to the east of the mound near the bank of the river.
A somewhat careful exploration of this was mnd<>, but it was found
that a considerable jjortiou of it had been washed away by the frequent
314 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
overflows. This conclusion is Ijaseil upon tlie fact that a portion of the
area has been washed out to the depth of 2 to 2i feet, leaving exposed
layers of stones like those fotind under skeletons in the remaining
graves, and numerous fragments ot human bones.
At one point were three skeletons lying extended side by side on
their backs, heads east. They lay at a depth of 2i feet under the sur-
face, and rested on a single layer of water- worn bowlders which tbrmed
the bottom of the grave. The stones had the appearance of having
been heated and then dipped into cold water. At the head of the grave
was a medium-sized bowl. Resting on the faces was an iron boi'iug
implement and hammer; around the neck of the middle skeleton were
the remains of a strand of small shell beads. Between the skeletons
were found a broken soapstoue pipe, a piece of mica, and fragments of
pottery.
At another point was a single skeleton, doubled up and resting on
the left side. This was 2 feet below the surface, resting on a layer of
stones similar to those in the other grave.
Not far distant, on the farm of Mr. Lewis Sams, three other mounds
were exannned, with the following results: No. 1, circular in form and
round on top, circumference of base 152 feet, and height ."> feet, was
found to be simply a mass of yellow sand with shells mixed through it.
Part of a human upper jaw was found, but this was probably acciden-
tally put in while building, as there were no indications of burial. At
the bottom in the center was a bed of charcoal 6 inches deep and 2
feet in diameter.
No. 2, circular and flat on top; circumference of the base, 142 feet;
diameter of the top, 12 feet; height, 3 feet. Built entirely of sand,
without stratification, but with shells intermixed, no ashes, coals, relics,
or remains in it.
No. 3, circular and round on top; circumference of base, 111 feet;
height, 3 feet; composed entirely of sand.
HABERSHAM COUNTY.
But one mound in this county was examined. This is situated on the
farm of Mr. Patton Jarrett, in the western part of the county, on the
south bank of Tugalo river, one-fourth of a mile above the mouth of
Toccoa creek. It is conical in form, the base almost exactly circular,
precisely 100 feet in diameter, and a little over 14 feet high. The owner
would permit no further examination than could be made by sinking
one shaft. Nothing further than the stratification was ascertained,
which is as follows: (1) top layer, 2| feet of soil similar to that of the
surrounding surface, but with a quantity of charcoal scattered through
it; (2) a layer 1 inch thick of charcoal; (3) 6 inches of dark clay or
muck; (4) 2 feet of sandy loam; (5) 6 inches of bright red, very hard,
clay, apparently sun-dried; (6) 4 feet of dark, rich loam, with a little
charcoal scattered thiougli it; (7) 6 inches of dark clay or muck; (8) 6
THOMAS] (GEORGIA. 315
iuches of sandy loam; (9) 2 feet of dark, rich loam; and, lastly, resting
on the original surface, 2 feet of river sand. In the sixth and ninth
layers were a few fi-agments of pottery.
ELBEKT COUNTY.
THE REMBERT MOUNDS.
These monnds were visited by Bartram in 1773, who thus describes
them :
These wonderful labors of the ancients stand in a level plain very near the bank
of the river ; now 20 or 30 yards from it ; they consist of conical mounts of earth
and four square terraces. The great mount is in the form of a cone about 40 or 50 feet
high, and the circumference of its base 200 or 300 yards, entirely composed of the
loamy rich earth of the low grounds ; the top or apex is flat ; a spiral path or track
loading from the ground up to the top is still visible, where now grows a large, beau-
tiful spreading, red cedar. There appear four niches excavated out of the sides of
this hill, at different heights from the base, fronting the four cardinal points. These
niches or sentry boxes are entered into from the winding path and seem to have
been meant for resting places or lookouts. The circumjacent level grounds are
cleared and planted with Indian corn at present and I think the proprietor of the
lands, who accompanied us to this place, said that the mount itself yielded above
100 bushels in one season.'
In 1848 George White (author of White's Statistics of Georgia) vis-
ited this group, in regard to which he remarks as follows :
The large mound corresjionds exactly with Bartram's description of it, with this
exception, that the sides and summit are covered with a growth of cane and several
large trees. The smaller mounds have been almost destroyed. Capt. Rembert has
excavated the smaller mounds and found human skeletons, jars, pipes, beads, breast-
plates, stone hammers, hatchets, arrowheads, etc. Some of tliese are now in our
possession and are really objects of curiosity.^
If these descriptions were correct at the time they were made, very
decided changes have taken place in the appearance of tlie works since
then. The group, consisting of 2 mounds, is situated on the farm of
Mr. Z. A. Tate, near the bank of the Savaniuih river, 4 miles above the
mouth of Broad river. They stand on the level bottom, one 130 and
the other 320 feet ft-om the bank of the river. This bottom extends
several miles north and south, and three-fourths of a mile back from
the river to the hills. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 193, which
shows a section, north and soutli, of the area, there are 2 "washouts"
flanking these mounds. The one on the north (a), commencing at the
river, extends a fourth of a mile back in a southwest direction, covering
an area of 7 or 8 acres. This appi'oaches within about 200 feet of the
large mound (b). The one on the south (c) also commences at the river
and extends back southeastward only a few hundred feet beyond the
mounds and runs within a few feet of them. These excavations are
denominated " washouts " because the present owner of the land, Mr.
Tate, remembers when they were made by high water. Nevertheless,
' " Travels," pp. 324 to 325. ' Statistics of Georgia, p. 230.
316
MOUISTD EXPLORATIONS.
judging from i)reseiit appearances, there are reasons for believing tliat
^ at least a portion of tbe earth used in the construc-
tion of the mounds was obtained here, lea\'ing depres-
sions, and that, during high water, when the land was
overflowed, as is frequently the case, channels were
washed out from them to the river. The soutli mar-
gin of the southern " washout" is fully 4 feet higher
than the land on which the mounds stand.
Mound No. 1. — This, which is much tlie larger of
the two, stands 130 feet from the river l)ank, and is,
exclusive of the ramp or projection, an exact circle
151 feet in diameter, nearly fiat on top, and 30 feet
high at the highest point (north side), but only 27
feet near the south side. The diameter of the top is
about 70 feet. The plan of the ramp or rather exten-
sion, as it seems to be, is shown in Fig. 194. The
vertical outline of the mound, with a section of the
shaft, is presented in Fig. 195. The right or south-
ern end of this shows the slope of the extension.
This has an average width on top of 20 feet.
The mound is covered with trees such as sugar-
berry, walnut, hickory, and oak. One sugarberry is
C feet in circumference (at stump height); a walnut,
5 feet; a hickory, 3| feet; and an oak, 10 feet. The
shaft was carried down to the bottom. The first foot
was of soil {(i), then 7 feet of dark sandy loam {h), next
li feet of thoroughly burned yeUowish clay and sand
(c), with a large percentage of ashes. This layer had
the appearance of having been put down and pai'ked
while wet and then burned; it was so hard that it
was difdcult to break it. Next 3 feet of black earth,
also packed {d); then 8i feet of pure sand (e); and
last, resting on the original surface, 0 feet of hard
bluish muck (/). All of these layers, except the bot-
tom one, had charcoal, mica, fragments of pottery,
and animal bones scattered through them, but the
last were so far decomposed that none of them could
be saved.
As fragments of pottery and animal bones were
found in spots, together with ashes and other indica-
tions of flre, it is probable these were fire beds where
cooking had been done. All that portion of the shaft
below the layer of burned clay was so very dry that
when turned up it would crumble to dust. It is pos-
* sible that the bottom layer of blue "muck " is partly
the original soil, as it is much like the sui'rounding soil, and that a part
THOMAS] GEORGIA. 317
of tbe surrounding surface has been washed away since the mound was
built.
Mound No. 2 (not shown in the figure) stands about 40 feet west of
the base of No. 1. It is oblong in form, 58 feet long north and soiith,
41 feet wide, and <i feet high. A large shaft had been sunk in the
middle by some previous explorer, hence investigations were confined
to the eastern aud western sides, which presented one or two peculiari-
ties. With the exception of the top layer of soil, 1 foot thick, the
remainder on the east side con-
sisted of river sand, with particles
of charcoal iiiid vegetable matter
mixed through it, while on the west
it was composed of small masses
of red clay and dark earth. In
this, at the depth of 2^ feet, were '
thebonesof a single adult skeleton.
These were packed together in a
space 2 feet square aud 18 inches
deep; the skull was placed face
down and all the other bones piled
, ., _ Til , -, FnJ. 194. — I'laii of mound No. 1, Rembert i;rour.
about it. Immediately over the
bones was a layer of red clay 2 inches thick, burned hard. Hesting on
this layer were the remains of a pretty thoroughly burned fire. A few
fragments of pottery and a small clay pipe were found.
RICHMOND COUNTY.
While this report was being jjrepared Mr. Henry L. Reynolds, one
of my assistants, was sent to certain points in Georgia and S(mth Caro
lina to make examination of some works to which my attention had
been called. The result of this examination is given in the following-
report, made by him. This includes the Hollywood mound of Rich-
mond county, Georgia, which proved to be of unusual interest, and the
McDowell mound, Kershaw county, South Carolina.
THE HOLLYWOOD MOUND.
There are two mounds situated in a bend of the Savannah river,
in Richnioiid county, Georgia, .3 miles east from Hollywood, a small
flag station on the Georgia Central railroad about 10 miles below
Augusta and 5 miles above Silver blulf. This latter, which is ou the
South Carolina side, seems to me, after a special investigation of this
question, to be the most probable site of the ancient town of Cuti-
fachiqui, where l)e Soto and his army were so generously entertained.
The mounds are situated on the lowest river land, which is annually
subject to inundation. The overflows of the Savannah are very destruc-
tive, particularly at this point. Cattle are drowned, the rich riparian
318
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
crops arc destroyed, and the farmers impoverished. At such times
these mounds arc the only hmd visible above a broad expanse of water,
and it is this fact which has given rise to the tradition among the peo-
ple of the vicinity that they were thrown up by some former owner of
the proi)erty to serve as places of refuge for his cattle during these
inundations. A quarter of a mUe to the uorth of the mounds near the
river bank is an extensive shell heaji, com
posed chieriy of the shells of Unio. Upon
Ihe larger of the two mounds a simple barn
has been, erected. This mound appears to
have been originally of the pyramidal type,
but since its surface has suffered so greatly
from the cattle that have been penned in
upon it and the washing occasioned by floods,
its original character, as well as whatever
smaller physical features it may have pre-
sented, is now almost entirely lost.
Mound No. 2, the one excavated, is in an
adjoining held, the property of a gentleman
of Augusta, Georgia. It is 280 feet due north
of No. 1, is conical in form, 10 feet high, and
70 feet in diameter. Though originally sur-
mounted by a small log baru, which a former
flood removed to a point at its base, the
mound had evidently remained unmolested
since that time, for several small cottonwood
trees, as well as consideiable underbrush,
were growing ujjon it.
The excavation was conducted as follows :
First two trenches, each 10 feet wide, were
cut crcsswise thi'ough the center, one north
and south, the other east and west. These
were carried down to the bottom, and in
some places to the original pure micaceous
soil that underlies the mixed loam of the
surrounding field. The segments that re
mained were then cut down several feet be-
yond the radius that covered the interments
found in the trenches. In this manner the
mound was thoroughly excavated and all its buried contents exposed.
The mound is stratified, or, in other words, constituted of two differ-
ent kinds of soil, the upper being strictly sandy micaceous loam, 3 feet
thick; the lower a hard, compact vegetable earth, taken from what is
commonly called in the south " crawfish land." This rested at the bot-
tom upt)n 9 inches of a very black and rich vegetable mold, permeated
throvighout with innumerable small pieces of burnt pottery, charcoal,
&
a
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XIX
POT FROM HOLLYWOOD MOUND, GEORGIA.
THOMAS.) GEORGIA. 319
shell, mica, chipped flint, and charred and decayed bones too small for
ideutiflcatiou. The surface of this black mold appeared to be the origi-
nal surface upon which the mound was built.
All the interments lay within the lower division of the mound. The
absence of burial in the upper division, the different character of the
earth, and the presence of fragmentary pottery (N. M.^ 13.')278-84)
unlike that found in the subsoil, seems to indicate a subsequent addi-
tion. It also seems to indicate that the original builders or others who
succeeded them were disjiosed to utilize these their old tombs for some
purpose in connection with floods, for this additional earth seems to
have been cast upon the mound to increase its elevation.
It will also be seen from the sectional diagram that there were two
general series of interments which comprise the find, or rather the im-
portant contents of the mound. The lowermost of these contained
specimens either resting on the black mold at the bottom or within a
foot and a half above it, and the upi)er from a foot to 2 feet below the
line separating the two strata, or from 4 to 5 feet below the surface of
the mound. Fire played some part in the ceremony of burial, for hearth
remains of burnt earth and ashes were seen with each series of burials.
These burials were made before the subdivision was finally completed;
in other words, they were not intrusive, for there was no disturbance
of the soil above them.
Scattered indiscriminately throughout the soil composing the upj)er
division of the mound were the following articles: One stone chisel (K.
M. 135271), one stone celt, eight small pieces of white and blue glazed
European crockery (N. M. 135279), many small fragments of Indian
ware, and five pieces of old-fashioned rudely wrought iron nails much
oxidized (N. M. 135280). These appeared to have been thrown up with
the earth in the construction of this part of the mound.
In the subsoil the hearth A (Fig. 190, which shows a horizontal sec-
tion) was first discovered almost touching the line of division. It was
of reddish burnt earth, covered with pure wood ashes and a small (quan-
tity of charcoal. It was 5 feet in diameter, 2 feet thick, and rested at
the bottom on fine sand. Adjoining it on the southeast lay a large
citlinary pot (N". M. 135205), indicated on the diagram (Fig. 196) as No.
1, the rim being 10 inches below the line dividing the lower from the
upper strata and 3 feet 10 inches below the surface of the mound.
Decomposed animal matter was found in the bottom mingled with
scattered particles of black and white ashes. One foot and a half east
from pot No. 1, on the same level, lay another pot, 2 (N. M. 135209),
having inside of it another pot (N. M. 135208). In consequence of their
inferior composition, badly decayed condition, and the i^ressure of the
hard superincumbent earth, these vessels were so badly injured that
they fell apart when taken out. Almost alongside of the last, on the
same level, lay another, 3 (N. M. 135211), inside of which was an
1 " N. M. " in this connection signifies " National Museum " number.
320
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
inverted ])ot (N. M. 135210). Decayed animal matter, a few bone
beads, a fragment of the tootli of .some animal, and some .scattering
charcoal cinders were found in the bottom. In the earth alongside of
these pots wa.s found a i>iece of iron (N. M. 135275). Directly south
of pot No. 1, on the same level, Ofeet distant, lay another pot, 4 (N. M.
135212). In the earth surrounding it were found pieces of white
European porcelain (N. M. 135279, Fig. 197). East of this last, 6 feet
distant, lay a small pot, 5 (N. M. 135198). The rims of these two pots
appeared to be about on the same level. Not far from pot No. 5
were the decayed remains of a repouss<'' Hgured copper plate (N. M.
135226) so thin and brittle that it was with difficulty that it could
Flu. 106.— Ujiper horizontal .section of Hollywood raound, Georgia.
be handled without breaking. Alongside were the faint indications of
human burial, as seen in small pieces of decayed bone and human
teeth. Between these last and those indicated by the figures 1, 2, 3
was a scant line of decayed bone, so scant and decayed that it was
imjiossible to tell whether or not it was human. Traces of tire were
seen about these bones. North of these traces of bone, and immediately
under the line of pots Nos. 1, 2, 3, were three small upright timber
molds, varying from 1 to IJ feet long. No traces of the timbers
remained. Apparently lying on the dividing line between the two
strata, 1-1 feet northwest of the center, was the fragment of an old
drawing knife (N. M. 135201). A rude old iron nail, very much ox-
El'REAl' OF KTHNOLOOY.
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT. PL. XXL
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE NEAR NEWARK O.
ScftJe, J50 feet lo 1 inch, or 1 1800
Canti>ur [nierril 1 fool
Surveyed in 1891
GEORGIA.
321
dized, was found on the surface of tlie subsoil, 3 feet deep and V2 feet
southwest of the center. Another rude though sharp-pointed ancient
iron nail was found not far from the last, but 8 inches below the sur-
face of the subsoil. A small piece of green glass was found 3 inches
below the surface of the subsoil, in the
southeast segment and east of the hearth.
Restiug on the sand that seemed to stretch
over the entire area beneath these pots
and the Are bed between them were the
pots indicated by Nos. (5 (PI. xix, N. M.
1351!)2) and 7 (N. M. 135200). A large
bowl (N. jVI. 1351!t9) was found inside of
pot 'So. G, and by the side of the two ves-
sels, at the bottom, were the scanty re-
mains of some fabric. Two feet 8 inches from the surface of the mound
were the remains of decayed timber, which ran down about 1.^ feet to
the east of the pot at 6, almost touching its eastern rim. It is not uu-
. 197.— Fragment of Euroiiean pottery,
Hollywood mounil, Georgia.
Kh;. IIIH.— l^nwfi- linrizoiital scx'tinii of HoUywodil iikiuikI. (icorgia.
likely that this was the remnant of some [)ost planted on the surface
of the mound by some of its white owners.
Alongside of the northwestern edge of the hearth A was a line of
decayed bones, which, from the small pieces of skull and two or three
teeth that remained, were found to be human. Though in the very
12 ETH 21
322 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
last stages of decay, the remains were so remarkably meager as to
give the impression tliatall the bones of the Ixxly conkl not have been
buried. The soil about all the bones found in this upper layer was
absolutely free from any trace of animal or vegetable matter, which leads
to the opinion that the bones were- buried after having been denuded
of flesh. A pot, No. 8 (N. M. 1.S5193), lay close to the skull remains
thus found. Like pots 1, C, and 8, it had a small hole in the bottom,
but had another sounder pot (N. M. 135200) jjlaced within it. Seven
and a half feet to the northeast of the tire bed, on a level apparently
5 inches lower than that of the pots heretofore described, lay jjotNo. 15
N. M. 135213. Near it to the northeast were the remains of human bones
(No. 10).
Fig. 19(1.— Pot Irom Hollywood mound, Georgia (135197).
In the lower division, as in that last described, all the articles
seemed to be clustered about a hearth (B Fig. 198, which shows a
lower horizontal section) and on the same general level. Here most of
the human remains were found, but, like those in the upper burial, only
the merest traces were observed. The conditions of this locality are
very conducive to decay. Decayed and meager as they were, sutticient
evidence was had in the case of each skeleton to show that it was
human, such as the presence of teeth and certain identifiable bones.
The hearth B, which in some places was 10 feet in diameter, was sit-
uated wholly southwest of the center. Its composition was peculiar.
It consisted of four layers of pure white ashes each one-half inch thick,
separated by red burnt earth averaging an inch in tliickness. Ashes
BHi
XXII
FAIRGROUND ClRCLt. NEAR NEWARK.
Scale ISO feet to 1 inch, or I 1800
ContoiLT Intemal 2 feei
Surweyed m 1891
GEORGIA.
323
formed tlie bottom as well as the topmost layer. The heartli rested ou
the curious blaek mold at the bottom. This black mold did not pene-
trate to the north and east border of the mound, but lay only over an
area of which this hearth was the center.
Southwest of the hearth B and in connection with the remains of
skeleton No. 2 was pot 9 (N. M. 13.jltt7), a l)ottle standing on a tripod
of human heads, shown in Fig. 199. As traces of fire were noticed
above this pot and skeleton, there seems to have been more than one
ceremony attendant upon the burial of these articles. The pot 10 (N,
Flii. 201J,— A ])aintei1 vessel from Hollywnnil innimd. rVeorjria.
M. 1.'>j194), whicli was found at the foot of this skeleton, seemed to have
had originally a wooden cover, for in the earth taken from the top some
small traces of decayed wood were noticed, and in the earth about it
lay a clay pipe (N. M. 135223). Northeast of pot No. 9, and also near
the fire bed, was a long-neck jar, 11 (N. M. 13529.T). (See Fig. 20O.)
At its western base lay the pipes (N. M. 13.^210, 135218, 135219,
135220, 135221, 135222), five typical forms of which are shown in PI.
XXIV. Pipe 3a and 3& (13521(5) was carved from soapstone ; the remainder
are of clay. Adjoining these articles on the northeast and on the same
324
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
level were pots 12, 13, and 14 (X. M. 1351!»«, 135204, 137215), and 6
inches below tbe former lay a copper ax liead (X. M. 135228) wrapped
iu cloth aud incased in bark.
Fig. 201. — Pot from Hollywooit njnund. (ieorsia.
Three or 4 feet west of these, lying against each other, were two other
pots, 10 and 17 (N. M. 135202, 135203). No. 10 (Fig. 201) was found lying
on its side upon the black mold at the bottom, and beneath it, as if the
Fig. 202.— Shell heads from Htillywoud mound. Georgia.
pot were placed on top of them, were the fragments of thin and very brit-
tle plates of copper (X. M. 135227), bearing Mexican figures in relief, some
flakes of mica, and decayed pieces of unidentified shells. The copper
Fig. 203.— Copper article from Hollywood mound. ( M-orgia,
had been originally first wrapped in some kind of leather, then iu fine,
rush matting, and the whole incased in bark. Beneath No. 17, which
was also lying ou its side, was a beautiful biconcave disk of quartz
iil'LiK.Vr in-' KTUXOLOCY
rWKLKTM ANNV.VL KF.Pl)R'r. PL. Will
HIGH BANK CIRCLE. NEAR CH I LLICOTHE. O
ScaJe. 150 feet to 1 mch. or 1 1800
Contour Interval 1 foot
Sorveycd m 1891
GEORGIA.
325
(N. M. 13n2(iO). Beneath this last, 3 or 4 inches deeper, and lying on the.
bhuk mold at the bottom, were two copper celts (N. M. 135229) wrapped
in cloth together and incased on both sides in bark. Accompanying
this were several large pieces of mica. There were scarcely more than
a handful of decayed bones iu connection with these objects, identifiable
only by the help of a few human teeth.
About the neck bones of skeleton 3, which lay 13 feet northwest of
Fig. 204.— Shell bead.s Irnm linllyw i junuDd, Geor^i.i
the center, were found a lot of shell beads (X. M. 135247, Fig. 202),
and below these, a foot to the south, another lot of shell beads (N. M.
135242), a lot of perforated shell disks (N. M. 135248), the copper-
sheathed ornament of wood (N. M. 13525(5) shown in Fig. 203, and a
lump of galenite.
Immediately north of the remains last described, on the same level
and about 15 feet northwest of the center, lay the bones and teeth of
Fro. 205. — Pipe friiiii llullywoutl iiimind, (ieorgia.
what seemed to be another skeleton (No. 8). With it were found the
lot of shell beads (N. M. 135233) shown in Fig. 204, a copper ax or
celt incased in wood (N. M. 135232), the decayed remains of the colu-
mella of the Bt(,sycon perrerximi, and a lump of soggy glauconite.
Nothing was found with skeleton No. fl, which lay southwest of the
fire bed and near to skeleton 2 on the south, except a pipe (N. M.
135224).
326 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Skeleton No. 5 lay about 2.3 feet west of the center, alino.st on the
black mold at the bottom, and near its head were found a pipe (N. M.
135l'17), representing the head of an owl (Fig. 205) ; one
decayed shell ornament, three stone celts, five discoidal
stones, an anomalous stone implement, and a lump of
glauconite. The apparent remains of another human
burial were seen to the east of the hearth (skeleton No.
C), and near the teeth was discovered a well- shaped stone
Fio. 206.— Fragment CClt.
Holly woMi'n.oum" ^ pipc (N. M. ].'?o225) was found in the earth two feet
Georgia. j^, ^J^g ,.„„ti, ^j- Ijeartll B.
The piece of blue porcelain (N. M. 135279) shown in Fig. 206 was
found 4 feet southwest of the center and (! feet beneath the surface of
the mound.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
KERSHAW DISTRICT.
Mcdowell mouxd no. i.
The Wateree river is at present washing away the western end of a
large mound situated on its left bank on the McDowell farm, i miles
southwest from Camden, South Carolina. It is a large, oblong struc-
ture, which, after repeated plowings and floods is now reduced to 10
feet in height. Its major axis is 154 feet, and minor axis 115 feet.
Three smaller mounds are yet to be seen almost adjoining it on the
north and east, all of which it is said, were, formerly encircled by a low
earthen wall, no trace of which, however, is now visible.
In exploring it a trench 10 to 15 feet wide and (JO feet long was run
lengthwise through the mound in a northwest and southeast direction,
which was connected also with a north and south trench 15 feet wide,
coming from near its southern edge towards the center.
This mound was not used as a place of burial, the scattered frag-
ments of human bones that were found being rather accidentally
thrown up with the earth than remains of deliberate interments. The
investigation has not succeeded in demonstrating the use for which
• it was constructed: possibly it was a domiciliary mound.
So.ne fragmentary human bones, Uuio shells, and the bones of deer
were found scattered indiscriminately here and there through the earth
at a depth of from 1 to 2 feet. They manifested but little sign of
decay. A foot and a half below the surface, 3 feet east of the center,
were the remains of a hearth or fire-bed about 9 feet in diameter. A
similar fire-bed 4 feet in diameter lay at the same dei)th 15 feet south of
the center. In the south trench, 6 feet from the center and 3 feet
deep, was a small flre-bed, alongside of which were small piles of shells
and charred corncobs. The molds left by four posts which had decayed
away were met with a short distance east of the center IJ feet below
THOMAS.] SOUTH CAROLINA. 327
tlic smfiice. The two northernmost ran down ])erpendicularly 4i feet,
and at the base of the southernmost, o fei't deep, was a pile of burnt
corncobs li feet in diameter and 3 inches deep. Other smaller piles
of these charred corncobs were found here and there through the mound
at various depths, the deepest ])eing 8 feet. No other feature of inter-
est could be discovered in connection with them. West of the northern
post hole, near its base, had been placed a small rude pot of the texture
similar to the fragments found in the vicinity. It was found crushed
in completely, with a few black coals and conch shells within it.
Four feet to the northeast of this, on the same level, lay a i)ile of six-
teen shells (N. M. 1337(i3). Two small pieces of human bones were
also found in the vicinity.
Twenty-five feet south of the center, at a depth of 5 feet, a large fire-
bed resting on sand was encountered, directly beneath which, in vertical
succession, were three others, the lowermost being 8i feet deep. A pile
of charred corncobs and a pile of shells were found adjoining these
hearths on the north at the depth of (5 feet. All the shells found thus
in piles in this mound were of the same kind and uniform in size. In
the earth directly over these fire-beds were found a piece of ])erforated
sheet copper (N. M. 135701) and a broken pipe (N. M. 135759). Forty-
two feet east of the center, at a depth of 4- feet, four post holes were in
a line north and south, but they could not be traced deeper than from a
foot to a foot and a half Immediately below the center, 9 feet deep,
there was a i)ile of wood ashes mixed with black coals, IJ feet in
diameter. Near by lay a small pottery disk and a small piece of bone
from a human arm.
McDf)WELl, HOUND Ki>. 2.
This is a small mound lying about 30 rods northeast of the one last
described. It has been so materially reduced by the plow and the fre-
quent floods of the river that it is at present only 2 feet high. A trench
was carried through it north and south, 1 feet deep and 11 feet wide, but
nothing was found except the remains of a perpendicular post, 1 foot in
diameter, a little to the south of the center. The post was indicated by
the charcoal in the mold and al>out '2 feet of decayed wood at the bot-
tom. It appeared to be either of cottonwood or sassafras. Scattered
promiscuously through the earth of this mound were fragments of pot-
tery similar to that taken from mound No. 1. A small discoidal stone
was found.
FLORIDA.
Some work was done in this state by Mr. Kogan, but nothing deemed
worthy of notice was observed except the construction and contents of
two mounds, which are briefly described as follows:
The Job Smith mound, situated in the extreme southern part of
Alachua county and 1 mile north of Watcahootee, on cleared hummock
328 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
land aud surrounded on all sides by hummocks, was (composed entirely
of sand. A considerable amount of cliarcoal was found scattered
irregularly through it, but there were no indications of stratification.
It is circular in form, a little less than 3 feet high, and about 42 feet in
diameter.
In the north half six skeletons were found at the bottom, aU extended,
heads west, aud each lying on the right side. They had evidently been
laid on the surface of the ground and the mound heaped over them.
Around or about the head of each was a small quantity of red paint. The
bones were so far decayed that they crumbled to pieces on attempting to
remove them. The skeleton lying nearest the center, though not above
the ordinary height, was an exceedingly stout and large-boned frame.
No implements or vestiges of art of any kind were observed.
Another mound near the center of Alachua county, 3 miles southeast
of Gainesville, ' situated on a high hummock on the land of Mrs. Peter
G. Snowdon, was examined. This was composed of white sand, with
small quantities of charcoal and ashes scattered here and there through
it. Trees of considerable size were growing on it, one a hickory 18
inches in diameter. The mound was circular, but flat on top, 4J feet
high, and 71 feet ia diameter. Close to the base, along the north side,
ran a trench from which the material of which it was built was probably
taken.
Exploration brought to. light the fact that a level platform about 1
foot high had first been formed, on which skeletons were placed aud the
mound then built over them.
Thirty-seven skeletons, or rather the parts of thirty-seven skeletons,
pieces of pottery, and a few decomposed conch shells {Bunycon perrer-
sum) were discovered. The condition in which the bones were found
showed that all the bodies, or possibly the skeletons after the flesh had
been removed, had been buried in the following singular manner: The
head was first taken oft" and placed in an upright position and the rest
of the body or frame then disjointed and placed around and upon it.
One of the skulls had a hole through it which might have been made
by an ordinary rifle ball. It had entered the center of the top of the
head and passed out immediately behind the right ear. The hole
through which it entered was not ragged, but clean cut. The fragments
of pottery were so placed as to make it clear that the vessels had been
broken before burial.
ST. JOHNS AND VOLUSIA COUNTIES.
The following interesting account of some mounds in these counties
has been kindly furnished the Bureau by Dr. W. H. Dall, from notes
made during a tY\\) to Florida in 1885 :
MOUNDS AT SATSUMA AND ENTKRPRISE.
" Having an opportunity during my absence of visiting the celebrated
shell mound at Old Enterprise, on Lake Monroe, I availed myself of it
BUREAU OF ETHN'
TWELTTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXIV
PIPES FROM HOLLYWOOD MOUND, GEORGIA.
THOMAS] FLORIDA. 320
ill order to satisfy my curiosity in regiird to certain points conuectcd
with its construction. In tbis examination I developed certain facts
which seem worthy of being put on record, as they will, to some extent,
modify the inference in regard to the construction of these mounds
which might be drawn from the admirable monograph of Wyman.
"It will be understood, of course, that my remarks relate only to
the particular mounds which I have examined, though perhaps they
may prove of wider application.
" The present state of the mound at Old Enterprise is one of dilapi-
dation. It is situated on land belonging to the De Bary estate and is
fenced in, but the material is used in fertilizing orange groves and
making shell walks, and, by the owners, or with their permission,
probably two thirds of the mound have been carted away. The work
of destruction at all events gives an excellent section of the mound
down to its very foundations, and, however deplorable it may be on
other grounds, was certainly a great help to me in determining its
structure.
" The mound is smaller than Wyman's frontispiece would lead one
to believe, a misconception which has been brought about unintention-
ally by the artist, and which might have been remedied by jnitting a
huuuin figure in the foreground. Though it has extended about 150
feet along the lake shore, its width at right angles to that direction
could not have exceeded 50 feet and was probably less. The margins
were originally so steep as to be difdcult to scale, except by the path
intended for ascent, but only a few yards of the original slope now
remain, and this will soon be dug away. The mound is situated just to
the eastward of the point where a considerable stream enters the lake,
forming the outlet of the beautiful Green Sulphur spring which lies a
few rods inland. North of the mound a triangular piece of swamp ex-
tends from near the stream, which its apex nearly reaches, to a little
bay 400 or 500 yards to the eastward, where the base of the triangle
may be a hundred yards in breadth or more. It is too soft to cross,
and full of saw palmetto, reeds, etc., growing in hummocks separated
by water and semifluid mud. This swamp is being cleared and drained
and will soon cease to exist, but, as the mound originally stood, must
have nearly isolated it from firm ground and formed an excellent defense
against attack from that direction. Moreover, in this swamp lived the
mollnsks whose shells have been so important in the construction of
the mound.
"Westward from the mound and northwestward from the swamp lies
an orange grove and some woods; the land gradually rising from the
lake. The soil is composed of a Liyer 2 or 3 feet thick of beach sand,
humus, and an admixture of muddy matter derived from the swamp,
which was once more extensive in this direction. The surface of the
ground is covered with shells from the mound, which have arrived
there in three ways. Some have been carte<l-over and spread about as
a fertilizer; much has been washed along the shore by storms and
330 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
thrown up by the waves im the banks, and some of the shells, particu-
larly the moi-e perfect ones, are so round and light that they ha\'e sim-
ply been blown by the wind from the sides of the mound, scattered for
a mile or two over the surface near the sandy beach, but not carried
inland further than open spaces would permit a brisk breeze to blow.
'• Deep trenches have been dug in the orange grove to drain the
ground between the rows of trees. Into these trenches a certain mim-
ber of the shells from the surface have been blown or have fallen.
Beside these, however, at a depth of 2 or 3 feet from the surface is a
layer of mud full of shells of all sorts, and which appears to be a west-
ward extension of the present swamp. This marl and mud appeared
to be about 2 feet thick in most places and rested on a hard eolian
sandstone resembling the phosphatic rock of western Florida in appear-
ance, but much younger in age, full of recent land shells, and in which
Pourtales and Wj'man both found human bones imbedded at Rock
island in Lake Monroe.
"Behind the sand of the beach a Httle lagoon was originally formed,
in which gradually accumulated the mud from decaying vegetation
brought down by the streams or growing on the spot. Here flourished
the UnioH, Vivijxira.s, etc., and in time formed a bed of nurd and marl.
Upon this the wind blew sand from the. beach, and in this way the dry
land has grown. The marl in position is rather soft, but when well
drained it becomes very hard, almost forming a stone. The shells in
it are just as they died, large and small, mostly in good condition,
except the Unios, which are more perishable than the univalves, and
always less perfect. The Tivijjaras are thin and light, but very strong,
and a layer of them will sustain a weight of 150 jjounds without break-
ing. Owing to the air they contain they are very buoyant, and a com-
pact layer 4 inches thick spread over the soft mud of the swamp will
sustain the weight of a man, a fact which I personally tested. Besides
the whole shells, there is a large amount of broken and decayed shelly
matter. The large AmpuUuriax are very fragile and may have been
broken up, but at all events are very rare in the marl. I saw no per-
fect ones.
"The shore and bottom of the lake near the mound, and as far as
could be observed into the deep water, are composed of clear sharp
sand, attbrding no food or resting place for moUusks, and neither dead
nor living ones are found in it, except such as may have been washed
from the mound. The mound itself probably stands partly on the
original sea beach and partly on the swamp.
" The way in which its materials have been scattered about prevented
the attainment of certainty in the matter, but the above suggestion
accords with what was observed. About two-thu'ds of the mound has
been dug away nearly to the level of the beach. In 184:8 the bluft,
where the storms had washed away the lakewaid slope, was 15 feet
high. The summit of the mound was about 5 feet higher, and on it an
THOMAS I FLORIDA. 331
early settler built a small house, which at one time served to accommo-
date the occasional travelei-. All traces of this are now gone and, in
fact, the part of the mound on which it stood is believed to have been
entirely dug away. The nearly vertical face from which excavations
have been made ort'ers an excellent means of inspecting the structure
of the mound. The sides and base are buried in a talus almost exclu-
sively composed of Mnparafieorgiuna, Lea, which have weathered out
of the general mass, and owing to their form and strength have re-
sisted decay. To the casual visitor this talus would give the idea that
the mound was composed of clear Vivqxira shells, which would be a
very erroneous notion. After clearing away the talus it was evident
that the body of the mound is formed of mud and marl resembling
tliat previously described as underlying the orange grove and which I
am convinced was brought to the spot from the swamp to build the
mound. Land from the beach would be liable to be washed or blown
away at any time and the marl was but a few yards away. The main
mass, especially toward the base of the mound, is composed of this
material un stratified, a'nd by the percolation of lime water rendered
almost as hard as stone. At about half the hciglit of the mound slight
indications of stratification are apparent; here and there small layers
of clean shells, Yivlpara or Ampullaria, are visible, an inch or two
thick and a yard or two long in section, as if the shells from a repast
had been thrown out. Bits of charcoal, occasional fish, and other
bones are more .abundant as we ascend. I did not succeed in finding a
single artificial article of aboriginal origin in all the exposed area and
talus after a careful search. About 2J feet below the surfiice, in the
compact material, I found one or two pieces of glass which had been
subjected to the action of fire, and which by age had become beauti-
fully iridescent. It had been originally quite thin and of pale green-
ish color, like that used for cheai> looking glasses, such as are used in
Indian trade. ,It may, however, have been a relic of the early white
settlers before referred to, though the depth to which it was buried is
adverse to this idea.
" I collected of the rough material composing the mound, about 4 feet
below the surfiice, enough to fill a box such as holds 100 cigars. This
weighed about 5i pounds, and 4i i)()uudsof itwere broken up, the con-
tained sheUs were sorted and identified, with the following result, the
identifiable shells of each species ])eiiig counted :
Fivipara georgiana, Lea .313
Melania etowaheiisis, Lea 1011
Amiiicola, sp. iudet 1
Unio bucklei/i, Lea (valves) 30
Unio ( valves) 5
Ameria scalaris, Jay 4
Glamlhia triincata, Say 1
Helix ( Polygyra) auriformin, BUI 1
ZonUea minuscula, Binuey 13
332 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Zonitcs arborca, Say 1
Zonites ( Conulus) chersina, Say 1
Pupa conlracta, Say 2
I'lqni rupicola, Say ; ■ --- 1*4
" Total, 13 species and 495 specimens of mollusks, beside!? a fragment
of marine shell (a Cardium) too small to identify, several fish scales,
two pieces of fish bones, and one piece of manimalian bone unidentifi-
able. The shells tabulated all live in the vicinity at the present time,
but are not abundant, owing to the drying up of the swamp or other
causes. At suitable localities about the lake they are believed to be
abundant as ever at the proper season, i. e., midsummer. Oi all the
above mentioned, only the Vivipani and Unio have ever been consid-
ered edible. Most of them are far too miiuite for food. The Ampul-
larias (A. depresaa, Say), which, as before stated, are not disseminated
through the mass, but found assembled iu small patches, were there-
fore probably gathered elsewhere, perhaps at no great distance, and
those in the mound are doubtless only relics of dinners. Tlie assem-
blage is just what we might expect in a fiuvial marl, and a similar assem-
blage would doubtless be found in a similar mass of the marl from the
orange grove.
"My conclusion, therefore, is that the mound was artificially con-
structed as a post of observation (for which it is otherwise peculiarly
well situated), a dwelling site, fortification against attack or flood, or
for some other purpose requiring a dry or elevated site. That the build-
ing up, after high- water mark was passed, was intermittent, and the
materials supplemented by kitchen midden matters and that the gradual
elevation continued until about the time it was abandoned.
"The theory that it is solely derived from the relics of dinners, etc.,
seems untenable for the following reasons: (1) The character of the
main mass of which it is composed as above described ; (2) the original
steepness of the sides, too great to have been the unintentional result
of throwing out small quantities of empty shells; (3) the improbability
that the builders would squat in a marsh or on a beach subject to over-
flow until their refuse had built them a dry site in spite of themselves;
(4) the small area of the top, which renders it highly improbable that
the dinner refuse of all who could sit on it could have made such a
mound in many centuries; (5) and lastly, the fact that a material simi-
lar to that of which the mound is composed is close at hand and otters
no ditficulties to anyone desiring to get it. I should add that Mr. Le
Baron, an engineer who contributed to the Smithsonian Report of 1882
an interesting list of mounds observed by him in Florida, came, on
other grounds, to a similar conclusion with regard to this mound.
THE SAT.SUMA MOUND.
"This mound is situated on the bank of the St. Johns river, about 20
miles south of Palatka, near a small, new settlement called Satsuma.
THOMAS! NORTH CAROLINA. 333
I did not visit it, but fxaiiiiued a large scow load of material brought
from it to Palatka for shell walks, etc. I was informed that it was
about 25 feet high and 100 feet long along the bank, with a swamp
behind it.
"An examination of the material showed a similar assemblage of spe-
cies, many of which could not have been gathered for food or any prac-
tical use. The consolidated material was also like that at Enterprise,
and I was led to suspect from these facts that the Satsuma mound,
might have l)een like the former, artificially constructed of mud from
an adjacent swamp.
" The question having been recently discussed as to the use by exist-
ing residents of Florida of the fresh water shells of the region for food
and it having been incidentally stated by Wyman that the Florida
" crackers " eat the TaJudina ( Viv'qmrn), and Unio^ I made careful inqui-
ries among this class of peojile during my stay and found that none of
them had ever heard of eating Viripara and only in one case had Unio
been tasted, and then as a matter of curiosity, which was so well satis-
fied that the old man said that ' if the Lord would forgive him for that
one he would never try another.'
"The error appears to have arisen from the fact that both the marine
and fresh-water spiral shells are called ' conchs ' Ijy these people, and
the marine shells are not unfrequently used for food like ' winkles ' in
Great Britain ; so that Wyman was led to believe that both were com-
monly eaten, which is certainly not the case."
NORTH CAROLINA.
CALDWELL COUNTY.
THE PATTERSON GRADING.
This work is situated near Patterson, in the northwest part of the
county and dose to the Yadkin river. It is a terrace or jjlatform partly
natural and partly artificial, extending out from the steep terminus of
a low ridge, which here descends at an angle of about 45 degrees. The
artificial portion extends out from the natural terrace about 68 feet,
the height being 7 feet. A trench was cut half way across it, proving it
to be composed chiefly of waterworn bowlders, and red and yellow clay,
with charcoal intermingled. Here and there pieces of mica were found ;
at the depth of 2.J feet from the top and 6 feet from the edge was a pol-
ishing or whetstone, and at another point the fragment of a soapstone
vessel with rudely carved figures on it, proving beyond question that
the terrace is in part, at least, artificial.
THE T. V. NELSON MOUND.
This mound, so insignificant in appearance as scarcely to attract any
notice, but hiding beneath the surface such important mementoes of the
334
MOUND EXrhORATIONS.
past, was locatt'd on the farm of Rev. T. F. Nelson, in the northwest
part of the county, and about a mile and a half southeast of Patterson.
It stood on the bottom land of the Yadkin, about 100 yards from the
river, and was almost a true circle in outline, ."^S feet in diameter, but
not exceedin};; at any point IS inclies in height. The thorough excava-
tion made, in which Mr. Eogan, the Bureau agent, was assisted by Dr.
J. M. S])ainhour, of Lenoir, showed that the original constructors had
ill'/ If
mi
first dug a circular pit about 38 feet in diameter to the depth of 3 feet
and there placed the dead, some in stone cists and others uiiinclosed,
and afterwards covered them over, raising a slight mound above the pit.
A plan of the pit, showing the stone graves and skeletons as they ap-
peared after the removal of the dirt and before being disturbed, is
given in Fig, 207.
THOMAS] NORTH CAROLINA. 335
No. 1 is a stone grave or vault staudiiig exactly in the center oftliis
large pit, but in a small circular pit evidently made for this special pur-
pose, extending down 3 feet below the bottom of the larger one. This
vault, built of cobblestones around a standing skeleton, was madeS feet
in diameter at the base, carried up perpendicularly for 4 feet and then
narrowed so as to be covered by a single soapstone slab at the top.
On the top of the head of the skeleton, which was found still standing,
though much decayed, were several plates of cut mica, the only arti-
cles accomijanying it.
The skeletons in Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, <>, 7, 8, 9, and 1(», though walled
around in a similar manner, were in a squatting posture on the bot-
tom of the large pit.' With skeleton No. 2 was one small celt; with
No. 3 a discoidal stone; with No. 0 two celts, and over No. 9, but in-
side the vault, a pitted stone.
Nos. 11, 12, and 13 are three skeletons found in a S(|uatting position,
with no wall around them and unaccomj)anied by relics of any kind.
Nos. 14 and 15 were lying horizontally at full length, also anincloscd.
With the former were pieces of broken pipes and with the latter one
celt. No. 10 was an uninclosed "squatter" of unusually large size, not
less than 7 feet high when living. Near the mouth was an entire soap-
stone pipe; the legs were extended in a southwest direction upon a bed
of burnt earth.
The faces of all the squatting skeletons were turned away from the
standing, central one.
At A was a considerable quantity of black paint in little lumps,
which appear to have been molded in the hull of some nut. B indicates
a cubical mass of waterworn bowlders built up solidly and symmetri-
cally, 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high, showing no
indications of fire, without ashes or bones on or around it.
On the contrary, the stones built around the bodies bore more or
less evidence of fire, having been blackened by smoke in places, and
the earth immediately around them was considerably hardened by
baking. The bones v)f the skeletons also showed indications of heat.
Scattered throughout the mound were small pieces of pottery and char-
coal.
THE T. F. NELSON TRIANGLE.
This is the name applied to an ancient triangular burying ground
on the farm of Rev. T. F. Nelson, and located about 75 yards north
of the mound just described.
It is simply a burial pit in the form of a triangle, the east and west
sides each 48 feet long, and the southern base 33 feet, the depth vary-
ing from 2| to 3 feet. The top was not mounded up, but level with the
surrounding surface. The apex, which points directly north, extends
within 3 feet of the bank of the Yadkin river, the height above the
usual water level being about 12 feet. A plat of the triangle, show-
ing the position of the burials in it, is given in Fig. 208. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4,
336
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
5, 6, 7, 8, aud 9 indicate the positious of single skeletons lyiuf? liorizon-
tally on their backs, their heads resting east or northeast. With No. 2
was a broken soapstone pipe; with Nos. 5 aud 0 one small polished
celt each. N^os. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 were buried in stone vaults
Flu. -08. — X. F. Nelson Triaiij^lL-, CaldwuU county, Korth
Carolina.
Fm;. -UU.— Cojjper cylinder,
Nelaon triangle.
similar to those in the mound; 10, 12, 13, aud 15 being in a sittiug
posture unaccompanied by any article. Nos. 11 and 11 indicate graves
containing two skeletons each extended horizontally one above the other,
the lower ones of smaller stature than those above, with the faces up.
Fl(i. 21U. — IJnioelct of .sbfll aud coplier beads. Xelsuu TriaUL'Ie.
and very heavy stones placed on tjie extended arms aud legs, fastening
them down. The ui>per skeletons, of larger stature and face down,
were resting on those below. No articles were found with them. Near
No. 12 was about a peck of singular, pinkish colored earth.
NORTH CAROLINA.
337
In the northeast part of the triangle, at A, were ten or more bodies
in one grave or group, which ajiju-ared to have l)een buried at one time,
ff\
'^' r
m^
:/' <'
M^
I'
^■^
,'«6.; i/i:J)-
M
\m
Flu. 211. — I;ou celt from Nelson triangle.
the chief or principal personage of the fjroup resting- horizontally on his
face, with his head northeast and his feet southwest. Under his
bead was the large engraved shell shown in
Fig. 213; around his neck were a number of
large-sized shell beads; at or near his ears
lay five elongate copper beads, or rather
small cylinders, varying in length from 1^ to
4^ inches, and in diameter from one-fourth
to half an inch, part of the leather thong on
whicn they had been strung yei remaining
in them. These are made of thin pieces of
copper cut into strips and then rolled to-
gether J that the edges meet in a straight
joint on one side. The copper looks as
though it had been rolled into sheets and
not hammered (Fig. 209). A piece of cop-
per was also under his breast. His arms
were bent, the hands resting about 1 foot
from each side of his head. Around each
wrist were the remains of a bracelet com-
posed of copper and shell beads alternating,
as shown in Fig. 210. At his right hand
lay four iron implements, one of which, a
roughly hammered celt or chisel, is shown
ill Fig. 211 ; another piece, some 6 or 7 inches
long and about 1 inch wide, is evidently part
of a sword blade or knife (Fig. 212j ; another,
part of a jiunch or large awl, with a portion
of the horn handle yet attached. Under his
left hand was another engraved shell, the
concave surface upward, and tilled with shell beads of all sizes.
12ETH 22
ly
t i»l iioii bladf, Nt'l.soii
triangle.
;5;}8
MOLND EXPLORATK )NS.
Arnuiid and iiartly over this skeleton, witli tlieir heads near his,
were nine others. Under the heads of two of these skeletons, lying
within a foot of the head of the tirst, were also several engraved shells,
on*^ of wliicli is shown in Fig. 214.- Scattered over and among the
bones of these ten or more skeletons were nnmerons polished celts,
discoidal stones, copper arrow points, pieces of mica, lumps of paint,
black lead, stone pipes, etc. Some of the forms of the pipes frcjm this
and the other burial jdaces in this locality are shown in Figs. 21.5-220.
KlH. 2ia.— EusiMvi-.l shell Ni-lsou tiiiinglf.
THE W. IJAVICNI'ORT .TUNES M(H'XI_).
Two miles east of Patterson, near the north bank of the Yadkin
river, running out from a low ridge to the river bank, is a natural ter-
raci' about 12 feet high, with a level area of about an acre on top, and
slo])ing on tlie sides at an angle of 4.'t degrees, on which, according to
tradition, there was formerly an Indian village. About 200 yards east
of this, on the second river bottom or terrace, there was a low, circular
mound .'12 feet in diameter and not more than 1 foot high, on the laud
of Mv. W. Davenport Joues. This mound was found upon investiga.
tion to cover a circular pit of the same diameter and 3 feet deep, the
margin and bottom being so well defiued as to leave no doubt as to the
NoKTH CAROLINA.
339
limits of the pit; in fact the bottom, wliich was of clay, hail been baked
hard by lire to the depth of 2 or 3 inches. The pit was filled with soil
and loose yellow clay similar to the snrface soil aronnd the monnd cov-
ering twenty-six skeletons and one stone heap in the relative positions
shown in Fig'. 221. Some of the skeletons were inclosed in vaults
formed of cohble stones.
Fig. 214. — Eugniveil shell, Nelsuii triangle.
No. 1, squatting', walled in witli water-woi-u bowlders ; the face turned
to the west; no implements or ornaments.
No. 2, sitting' with the face toward the center, two celts at the feet, and
immediately in front of tlie tace a cone-shaped piece of hard pottery
paste.
Fig. 215. — Pipe, ('aldwell county. North Carolina.
No. 3, sitting with face toward the center; several celts at the feet.
No. 4, horizontal, with the head southeast; several celts at the feet.
No. 5, horizontal, with the head toward the center; celts at the feet.
No. 6, sitting with the face toward the center; beads around the neck,
a Unio shell on top of the head with the concave surface down, a conch
340
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
shell (Basycon perversum) in front of and near the face, and celts at the
feet.
No. 7. Sitting facing the center ; celt.s at the feet.
No. 8. Very large, lying on the left side, partially drawn up; walled
in with bowlders; no implements.
No. 0. Horizontal, face down, liead toward the center; a i)ot (with-
out ears) on the head ; celts and discoidal stones at the feet.
Fk;. 210.— ript-, Ciiklwfll coimty, Jsortli Caroliua.
No. 10. H(nizontal, face up, feet towards the center; a pot with ears^
over the face, st(nie implements at the feet.
No. 11. Horizontal, head southeast, arms extended, and a bracelet of
copper and shell beads around each wrist; shell beads around the
neck; face up, with food (aip (without handle) at the right side of the
head.
No. lli. Horizontal, lying on the back, head southeast; beads around
the neck, a hook or crescent-shaped piece of copper on the breast, and
Fig. 217.— Pine. C;(1'Iwh-11 <ipiiuty, Nmtli Caruliua
a pipe near the face ; one. hand near each side of the head grasping coni-
cal copper ornaments (eardrops) and a bunch of hair.
No. 13. Horizontal, lying on the back, head southeast; copper and
shell beads around the neck and wrists, a hook or crescent-shaped piece
of copper on the breast; food cu]) (with handle) lying on its side with
the mouth toward the face of the skeleton ; a pipe near the mouth and
two celts over the head.
No. 14. Horizontal, lying on the back, head northeast, arms extended,
and hands resting on shells.
NOHTH CAROLINA.
341
No. 15. Horizontal, on the back, head west, knees drawn n]> to the
chin ; stone implements at the feet.
No. 16. Too much decayed to determine the position.
No. 17. Four skeletons in one grave, horizontal, with feet toward the
Fig. 218, — I'ljif, (';ililu.'ll .oiilitx, Niiilli Ciiniliiui.
west and large stones lyinji' <>n the le,iis boh)wthe knees. No iin]ile-
raents with them.
No. 18. Two skeletons in one grave, with heads west, faces do\^^],
knees drawn uj); no implements.
No. 19. Horizontal, on the back, head east; no implements.
Firj. 21:i.— I'i|i.' r:ilcl«rll ,-.iiiiiH N.itlh I :.n.liii.i
No. 20. Sitting, walled in with bowlders, face toward the east, a large
stone lying on the feet (this iiniy have falh'ii from tlie wall); no imple-
ments.
No. -1. Sitting, walled in with bowlders. Over the head, but under
the caiJStone of the vault, was a h;indful of Hint arrowheads.
i'hi. ■j-Jll.-I'il..' (\il.l«.'ll cciHiiH, N.irlli (\in,liii;i.
No. 22. Doubled up, witli head between the feet.
A on the diagram indicates a solid oval-shaped mass of bowlders, 32
inches long, 22 inches wide, and 24 inches high, resting on the bottom
of the i>it. There were no ashes, charcoal, or other sign of fire about it.
Broken pottery, mica, galena, charcoal, red and black paint, etc.,
342
MOTTND KXPLORATIONS.
were found scattered in small (luaiititiestliroiifili the earth which filled
the pit. The skeletons weie so badly decayed that very few hones
could be saved.
H. T. I.KNOIH lil'UIAl. PIT.
This is a circulai- burial pit, similar to those alrea<ly described, but
without any rounding' u]) of the suiface. It is located on the t:iiin of
Mr. Rufus T. Lenoir, about !> miles iKothcast of Lenoir and nearly a
mile west of Fort Defiance.
W
■■©©
Fig. 221. — Plan of W. T>. .Tonea mouiiil. Caldwell county, Norib Carolina.
A diagram showing the relative positions of the graves or burials is
given in Fig. 222.
It is on the first river terrace or bottom of Buftalo creek, and about
200 yards from this stream, which empties into the Yadkin about half a
mile southwest of this ])oint. Tills bottom is subject to overflow in
time of high water.
The pit, which is 27 feet in diameter' and about 3i feet deep, is almost a
jjerfect circle and well marked, the margin, which is nearly perpendic-
THOMAS. J
NORTH CAROLINA.
343
iilar, and the bottom being" readily traced. The dirt in this case, as in
the others, was all thrown out.
No. 1, a bed of charred or rather burnt bones occupying a space cJ
feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1'2 inches deep, the bones so thoroughly
burned that it was impossible to determine whether they were human
or animal. Beneath this bed the yellow sand was baked to the depth
of 1 or 2 inches. Under the bones was a shell with two holes through it.
No. 2, a skeleton in a sitting posture, face northeast, a pipe near the
mouth and a polished celt over the head.
Fin. 222. — 11. T. Li-noir Imrial pit (plan), CaUlwell county, North Carolina.
No. 3, sitting skeleton, facing east, with shell beads around the neck
and also around the arms just below the shoulders.
No. 4, horizontal skeleton, lying on the back, head east and resting
on the concave surface of an engraved shell. Conch shell {Bunycoii
perversHm) at the side of the head, and copper and shell beads around
the neck.
No. 5, horizontal, head northeast, shell beads around the neck, and
two discoidal stones and one c<'lt at the feet.
344 MOUND EXPLORATKJNS.
No. (i, a comnmnal grave coiitaiiiiiig 25 skeletons iu two tiers, buried
without auy appareut regularity as to direction or relative position.
Thirteen of the 25 were flatheads, that is, with the head artificially com-
pressed in front. Scattered throughout this grave, between and above
the skeletons, were polished celts, discoidal stones, shells, pieces of
mica, galena, fragments of pottery, and one whole pot. Arf)und the
necks and wrists of some of the skeletons were also shell beads. There
were a great many bones in this grave, and possibly more than 25
skeletons, but this was the number of skulls obs(M-ved.
No. S, an irregular layer of waterworn bowlders, about 4 feet square.
On the top was a bed of charcoal, about 3 inches deep, on and partially
imbedded in which were three .skeletons, but showing no indications
of having been biu'ned. Scattered over these skeletons were discoidal
stones, one saucer, shells (one of which is engraved), pipes, shell beads,
and pieces of pottery.
No. 9, a grave containing three skeletons lying horizontally on their
backs, two with their heads east and the one between them with the
head west. They lay close together, and were unaccompanied by
implements or ornaments.
No. 10, horizontal, on the right side, head north, with stone imple-
ments in front of the face.
No. 11, doubled up, top of the head south, shell beads around the
neck, and celts at the feet.
No. 12, a grave containing seventeen skeletons, seven of which had
compressed heads; two of the number, children. Two of the adult
heads were resting on engraved shells. In this grave were four pots
and two food cups, the handle of one of the latter representing an
owl's head, that of the other an eagle's head. One of the small pots
was inside a larger one. Scattered among the skeletons were also
shell beads, polished celts, discoidal st(nies, paint, etc.
THE SIlKliUII. MOUND.
This is A small mound, 38 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, located on
the farm of Sion J. Sherril, 3.^ miles east of Lenoir. It was composed
of yellow clay and coarse yellow sand. Nothing else except a very
small quantity of charcoal was observed.
BURKE AND WILKES COUNTIES.
A conical mound 320 feet in circumference and 7 feet high, situated
on the farm of Mrs. J. E. Collet, in the northern part of Burke county,
■was explored, but aside from the yellow sand and yeUow clay of which
it was chiefly composed, nothing was found in it except some remnants
of charred straw and cane. These were scattered in small quantities
through the mound.
NORTH CAROLINA.
345
ANCIENT CEMETERY.
Oil the farm of Mr. Charles Hunt in the central part of Wilkes
county, is what appears to be a small, ancient cemetery, and probably
the site of a camp or temporary village. It is about 3J miles east of
Wilkesboro on the second bottom or terrace of the Yadkin river and
differs from the burial places just described in having no large pit, the
graves being separate and independent of each other. The diagram
given in Fig. 223 shows the relative positions of the graves and small
pits.
No. 1, a grave or oval-shaped pit 2 feet long and 18 inches wide, the
top within S inches of the surface of the ground, the bottom 2A feet
1
W" m^o
^v3E
■a?
,.#.
.>i{(^^^^
•^^^t or ^oyrer JJottotn,'
Fill. 22^. — Ancient burial ground, AVilkea county, Kortli Caroliiui.
below it. This contained the remains of a doubled skeleton, which
were surrounded by charcoal; some of the bones were considerably
charred. In the pit were some fragments of pottery, a few flint chips,
and a decayed tortoise shell.
No. 2, a grave 2 feet wide, 0 feet long, and 5 feet deep. It con-
tained quite a quantity of animal bones, some of them evidently those
of a bear, also charcoal, mussel shells, and one bone implement, but no
human skeleton. •
No. 3, a grave of the same size and depth as No. 2, containing ani-
mal bones, broken pottery, and some charcoal.
No. 4, a grave, the size, depth, and contents the same as the preceding.
346
MOUNU EXPLOKATIONS.
No. 5, a circular pit 2 feet in diameter aiid li feet deep. This eoii-
tained a very large i)()t in wliicli were some animal bones. It was on
its side and crushed.
No. n, a pit 2i feet deep and 2 feet stjuare, witli a bed of charcoal in
the bottom 0 inches deep. On this bed was a layer of flint chips, and
on the chips a (piantity of broken pottery, animal bones, a discoidal
stone and a bone imi)lement.
No, 7, a grave similar to those described.
No. 8, a large grave containing three skeletons lying at full length
upon the riglit side, witli the heads a little east of north. These are
marked a, b, c in the diagram. Between « and b, and in front of the
face of a, was a mass of mussel shells; at the head and back of a were
a number of animal bones. Between a and b, opposite the pelvis, was
a large broken pot. The right arm of c was extended forward and
upward, the left arm vesting across the head, a white flint chip grasped
in the hand. The head of this skeleton was resting on a piece of a
broken pot, and in ftont of the face, at the distance of a foot, was also
part of a pot containing a stone fi'agment and some animal bones.
Fig. 22-1. — Clay hearth (or tire-bed), Wilkes county, Nttrth Carolina.
Under the legs of the three skeletons, the head extended in front of
the legs of c, was the skeleton of a bear. In front of r were three
broken pots containing animal bones.
No. 9, a basin-shaped flrebed, or bed of burnt clay, 8 inches thick.
A section of this bed is shown in Fig. 224, b, b, b, the bed of burnt clay
and sand 8 inches thick, the material evidently placed here and not a
part of the original soil. The basin, a, was filled with ashes, the depth
being 12 inches, and the diameter from 1 to 2, 2 feet 3 inches; from 1 to
,i, and 2 to 4, each 1 foot and C inches.
No. 10, a bed of mussel sliells 3 inches thick and 3 feet in diameter,
lying on aflat bed of burnt earth 3 inches thick.
No. 11, a pit 5 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter, filled with animal
bones, nuissel shells^ and broken pottery.
There was no mound over any of tliese graves or the pit.
HAYWOOD COrNTV.
An article in the Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain and Ireland for .Tune, 1882, in regard to some singular works of
NORTH CAROLINA.
347
art foniul in Haywood couuty, having excited tlie curiosity of our anti.
(^narians, Mr. Eniniert was sent into that region to procure, if possible,
some specimens of this singular class of articles and to ascertain
whether they were ancient or modern. After considerable difficulty he
was entirely successful in his effort. He ascertaiued that these articles
were made from tlie soapstone found in that region by some persons
who had learned how to give them the appearance of age. This is
done by placing them, after being carved, in running water which is
tinctured with iron, as most of the streams in that region are. As a
proof of the correctness of his statement Mr. Emmert liad the same
])arties who stated they bad made some articles
for Mr. Valentine make ([uite anund)er of sim-
ilar articles for the Bureau. Some of these are
represented in Pigs. 225, 226, and 227 a, h.
IIIK Hl(i MOUND.
This mound, of which a section through the
length is shown in Fig. 228, is near Waynes-
ville. It is oblong in form and flattened on
top; the length of the base, 188 feet; width,
about 70 feet; height at a, 12i feet, and at b,
10 feet.
Pits were sunk at a and h to the original
surface, through dark earth mixed with sand,
uniform in character and showing no indica-
tions of stratification. Near the top in both
pits were found several fragments of soapstone
vessels, and at the bottom of pit 2 one celt,
one shark's tooth, and several fragments of
pottery, but no human remains or indications
of burial.
JIOIND XKAK 1:I(I1LAXD CREEK.
This is situated on a ridge half a mile ft'om
Eichland creek and 2 miles from Waynesville.
It is apparently double, 70 feet long, 30 feet
wide, and 3i feet high at each end, but consid-
erably lower in the middle. At the bottom, ^"
under the highest point of the west end was a
bed of dark earth in which were the remains of two skeletons lying at
lull length side by side. With these were found seven arrow heads,
one rude stone axe with a hole drilled through it, one polishing stone
of iron ore, two broken stone gorgets, and a small lot of mica. Under
the highest point of the east end was a similar bed of dark earth in
which were the remains of one skeleton, also stretched out at full
length. By this were three flint knives or scrapers and a clay pipe.
(lilLLijJ--^*^-
—I ^us irtide Ha\u»od
ounty, North Carolina.
348 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
BUNCOMBE AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Some mounds in and along the borders of these two counties were
explored which jiresent some characteristics worthy of notice.
MOl'ND ON I.YTI.K's FARM.
This mound is near Cane creek, Henderson county, iu a held of bottom
land owned by Mr. A. Lytic. It measured 48 feet from east to west, 38
feet fi-om north to south, and 8 feet hif;h. The oval sha])e is possibly
due iu part to the fact that it has lon<;' beeu plowed over iu one direc-
tion. It was built of yellow saud throughout, showing no stratification
except a single layer of coal and ashes, .'i inches thick, just above the
original surface of the ground.
THE CdNNKR M(irNI>.
This m(tund, located on the farm of Mrs. Kebecca Conner, 1 mile from
the preceding, is 6 feet high, 44 feet in diameter, round, and forms
Fig. 226. — BngiLs artirle. Haywood cnnnty, Xortli Cirolin.-i.
a symmetrical cone. Small trees were growing on it. It was found to
contain what, to all appearances, were the remains of a charcoal pit.
In the center had been placed pine poles, as shown in Fig. 229, and
burned to charcoal and ashes. The diameter of the base of this conical
heap was 16 feet, the height nearly 6 feet, the sides sloping regularly to
the apex. The interior portion consisted of ashes and small coals, mixed
with earth, in which were found sonic burnt bones and two perforated
stones.
All the mound, except the coal bed, consisted of red clay. It stood
on a ridge about half a mile from the creek, on hard, gravelly soil, which
bore- no indications of having been disturbed before building the
mound.'
'Attention is called here to a statement by Haywood (Nat. and Aborig. Hi.st. Tenn., p. 234). Speak-
inj; of the iuhabitant.s of lower East Tennessee he says: '- The former inhabitants appeared to have
lived in houses whii-li. on tlie outside, seemed to be the color of a bl.-icksmith's coalpit. The houses
■were made by settiu;; nj* jtoles and then digginj: out the dirt and covering the poles with it. They
were round anil generally alumt 10 feet in diameter."
NORTH CAROLINA.
349
IIIK ALKXAM>i;i! MOUNDS.
No. i is ou till' farm of Mr. J. B. Alexauder, on the same creek,
but 2 miles above the oue last mentioned. It is on an elevated level
one-foartli of a mile from the creek, in an old field which has been
plowed over for si.xty years. At tlie time explored it Mas only 2 feet
high at the highest point and but 30 feet in diameter. The old settlers
.say it was formerly considerably higher, and that there was a ridge oi'
raised roadway 200 feet long, running from it directly toward the creek.
This is represented at present only by a line of red clay. It was
entirely removed without finding any specimens or any indications of
burial, but after reaching the natural surface of the ground a circu-
,L,nis jirticles, Hayw il toiinty, Kortli Carolina.
lar pit, 12 feet in diameter, was discovered, which had been dug to the
depth of 4 feet in the original red clay. This was tilled to the top
with ashes and charcoal, but no traces of bones could be discovered,
though careful search was made for them. The mound was composed
entn-ely of red clay.
No. 2, half a mile from No. 1, diameter 52 feet, height 0 feet and hemi-
spherical in form, was covered with trees some of which were IS inches
in diameter.
This mound was composed of three layers : a top stratum of red clay
between 3 and 4 feet thick, next a layer of charcoal about 3 inches
thick, running entirely across from side to side and following the curve
350
MOUNU EXl'LOKATIONS.
of tlie surface, and last a layer of dai-k-colorcd earth exteiidiuf; to tlie
original snrfaee. In the bottom layer, lying on the original surface,
were five skeletons. By the side of one of these were sixteen white quartz
knives, one small stone pipe, and several arrowheads. At another
point were a stone gorget, a large celt, and some arrowheads.
The sixteen white quartz implements must have been made by one
individual, as they are all of the same kind of stone, of the same form,
and show the same workmanship.
MOUNI> <>i\ KUANANOA UnKK, liCNCOMliK < OINTV.
This mound is about -i miles from Asheville, on the bottom laud, not
more than 100 yards from the river, is circular, 80 feet in diameter, and
9 feet high. A wide trench cut throug^i it from side to side and down
to the natural soil brought to light the fact that it was built partly of
stone and i)artly of earth. The core or central portion, to the height
iiiouimI, H;i_\uuM(l ((luuty. North Carolina.
of 4 feet above the original surface and covering a space about 30 feet
in diameter, was built of irregular blocks of stone, heaped together
without order or plan. The renminder of the mound was made of
dark surface soil. The top layer of earth being removed down to the
Flu. 229.— Section ol' Cmiinr iiiiiiiiiil. Ueiiileisiiii <iiutity. Nurtli Carolina.
rock pile, the entire surface of the latter was found to be covered with
charcoal and evidences that it had been burned here. Among the coal
were numerous joints of charred cane. The stones were all removed,
but no remains or relics, save a few arrowheads, were discovered.
THi: riiiiosH Mocxii
This mound is on the farm of Mr. J. B.
creek, IJuncombe county. It is located
in diameter at the base, and -1 feet high,
were found in it. Its composition was a
inches thick, of red clay similar to that
curve of the mound and entirely coveri
earth which rested on the original soil.
carried fi-om the creek, a mile distant.
Throsh, H miles from Hominy
on a ridge, is circular, 33 feet
Xo remains or vestiges of art
s follows: First, a top layer, 18
around it, conforming to the
ng the bottom layer of black
The latter had evidently been
TENNESSEE.
351
EAST TENNESSEE.
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
MOUNT>S <1X IIOLSTIIN RIVER.
Tliere are two iiiouiuls on Hol.ston river about 10 miles east of Bristol,
lu Fig. 230 a plat aud section of tiic. area on wliii'li they are located are
given. In the plat (A) No. 1 is the mound on the north side of the
river; No. 2, the monnd on the south side. At B is shown a section
running' northwest and southeast through the mounds (1 and 2) on the
upper level, 3 the lower level or river bottom, and 4 the river.
Mound No. 1, which is on the north side of the river, was found when
B.
Fk;. 2;{U — Pliui of muuuds ou tbu Holstou liver, Sullivau county, Tt^iinesaee.
measured to be 22 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, circular in form,
and composed of red clay and sand.
Eesting on the original surface of the ground near the center was a
stone vault shaped somewhat like a beehive. It was constructed en-
tirely of water- worn bowlders and arched over the top by shortening
and drawing iu the courses. lu this was a single sitting skeleton. It
was evident that the body, or more likely the skeleton, had been set
down in this place and the vault built around it. Lying on the bead
was the long copper spindle shown iu Fig. 231. It is 11 inches long,
one fourth of an inch in diameter at the thickest part, and appears
to liiive been roughly hammered out of native copper with some rude
implement. Immediately under the lower jaw were two small copper
drills or awls with portions of the deer-horn handles still attached to
them; near the head a small pile of flint chips and by the k'nees a long
352 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
flint knife. The bones were so decayed that most of thcni crumbled to
pieces as soon as exposed to tbe air.
Mound No. 2 stood on tbe soutb side of the river opposite to No. 1
and about the same distance from tbe stream as tbe latter. It was cir-
cular in outline, rounded on top, 38 feet in diameter at tbe base, and 5
feet high. On the top was a pine stump 14 inches in diam-
eter, tbe tree having been cut down about thirty years ago.
The excavation which was begun atthe margin soon reached
a walls feet high and about a foot thick, built of stones taken
from the bed of the river. This was followed and found to
be an almost perfect circle 14 feet in diameter, in which, when
the earth was cleared away, were discovered twelve small,
beehive-shaped vaults built of stones of the same kind as
g those in the wall. One of these was exactly in the center,
" the other eleven being idaced in a circle around it and about
I equally spaced, as shown in Fig. 232. The bottom of the
^ area within the circular wall, which corresponded with the
I natural surface of the ground, was covered to the depth of
p 3 inches with charcoal and the graves or vaults were built
I on this layer. In each vault were the remains of a single
<» sitting skeleton, all of adults. In the center vault a number
0 of shell beads were found around the neck of the skeleton
•Q a and near the mouth the fine stone pipe shown in Fig. 233.
i This pipe is made of fine-grained syenite and highly polished.
s No articles were found with any of the other skeletons.
■9 Each of tbe two last mentioned mounds is on the bench or
Z upper bottom and about one fourth of a mile from the river.
1 This locality is said to have been for a long time an Indian
" camping ground, which seems to be confirmed by the fact
s that the surface of the ground is thickly strewn with flint
2 chips and fragments of pottery. Tradition says that the In-
dians once had a great battle here, and that one party buried
their dead in mound No. 2 and the other party buried theirs
on the opposite side of the river, Avhere there is still a great
mound of river stones.
Mound No. 3 (not shown in the plat) is also on the Holstou
river, 2 miles above those just described. This mound,
which resembles No. 2 in several respects, was circular, 60
feet in diameter, and nearly 5 feet high. The original surface
of the earth had first been covered over with charcoal to the depth of
3 inches, then the bodies or skeletons laid on it and each walled up
separately with river stones; these were then covered over with a layer
of black earth 18 inches thick, and on this was spread a layer of sand
over a foot thick and on this was a thin layer of surface soil. On one-
half of the circular layer of charcoal were six skeletons walled up sep-
arately as before stated, but so thoroughly decayed that only one skull
THHRIAS.]
TENNESSEE.
553
could be saved. The other side of the mouud had uothiug in it except
a fine stoue pipe somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 233, which was
on the bed of coals some 10 or 12 feet from the nearest skeleton. Near
the head of one of the skeletons were some beautiful arrow-heads, shell
beads, a polished celt, and two perforated stones.
ANCIKNT GRAVES NEAR KINGSPORT.
A plat showing the locality of these and some other works noticed is
given in Fig. 234. In this d and e are five graves covered with piles of
FlG.2:i2. — I'hiii of luiriaLs in nioutid. SiilUvan county, Teunessee.
stone; c, the site of old Fort Patrick Henry, built in 177.S; at/, on the
opposite side of the river, is an ancient graveyard, some of the graves
being covered with stones, others with earth; a.t a is a waste pit in
Cherokee Island, full of broken pottery, bones, etc. The graves at e
are on the old Birdwell farm, about amileabove the head of Long Island.
They are in the top and near the break of a higli bluff which here over-
looks the river. The pile on each was oval in outline, measuring about
14 feet in length, 9 feet in width, and 18 inches high, composed of })roken
limestone. The pit of one, which for convenience is designated No. 1,
appears to have been nearly equal in extent to the pile of stones over
it and about 2i feet in depth. A longitudinal section is shown in
12 ETH 23
354 MOUND EXPJLOKATIONS.
Fig. 235. a a denote the surface level; 1, soil to the depth of 8 inches;
2, red clay 2 feet thick ; 3, black earth, charcoal, and ashes 3 inches thick.
A longitudinal section of the other, or No. 2, shows that the layers
were the same in character and about the same in thickness as those
of No. 1, but the extent of the pit in this case was much less than the
pile of stones over it, the length being only S feet and the width in pro-
portion. No indications of burial were found in either, and had it not
been for the layer of black earth, charcoal, and ashes at the bottom,
and the fact that flint chips were found in this layer, we might con-
clude that uo pit had been dug here, especially as its outline was not
distinctly marked. The layer of surface soil under the piles of stone
indicates that these were placed there long after the pits were filled up.
The graves at d, one-fourth of a mihi below those at r, were found to
be similar in covering, size, and character to the latter, except some;
slight peculiarities in one of them, which is designated as grave No. 3.
fu this the stones were not only iiiled over the surface, but extended
down some distance into the grave, as shown in Fig. 236. These must
Flu. 233.— Stoue pipe from mouud, SuUi\:m coimty, Tennessee.
have been pounded in, as they were so tightly packed that it was diffi-
cult to remove them. It was limited at the sides by natural ledges of
1 imestone, which sloped towards each other, as shown in the figure. The
usual layer of dark earth, charcoal, and ashes was at the bottom. In
this were fouud some sheets of mica, fourteen arrowheads, one stone
gorget, and one small copper rod or awl about 4 inches loug, some frag-
ments of a soapstone vessel, and a bun]) of red paint.
Nos. i and 5 were precisely similar to No. 1 at e. Some arrowheads,
flint chips, and lumps of black ore were found in the coal bed of No. i.
As there was nothing in either of these graves or pits indicating
burial, it is difficult to imagine the object in view in digging them.
Other similar graves not opened are on the opposite side of the river,
marked /on the plat.
CARTER COUNTY.
There is an ancient cemetery on the north bank of Watauga river
just above the mouth of Buffalo creek. In 1880 a skeleton was found
partially exposed, the river having washed away a part of the bank.
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
355
It lay at the depth of 3 feet, the head turned towards the southeast ; with
it were four arrowheads, several shell beads, and many small fragments
of pottery ; most of the latter about the head. Quite a- number of skele-
tons were subsequently exposed by the high water and others in the
profess of digging a road through the grounds.
The burial ground, on which many broken stone axes, arrow points,
and other stone implements have been found, but which has been jnetty
i'lG. 234. — Plat showing ancient graves near Kingsport, Tennessei'
thoroughly worked over, is about one mile and a half below old Fort
Watauga, mentioned by Haywood as the Watauga settlement. It is
now on the farm of Mr. John S. Thomas and near the house where John
Sevier and Tipton had their fight over the " State of Franklin."
On Gap creek, about 4 miles from the fort, are two caves in a rocky
356
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
-Section of grave No. 1, near Kingsjioit,
Tennessee.
ridge whieL borders tlie creek on the east. One of these is compara-
tively small, and can be entered only by a narrow, perpendicular descent
of 10 feet. Here and there are places where the floor is covered with
loose earth mixed with (charcoal and ashes. During a rather hasty
examination the explorer found in this debris a broken stone gorget, a
spearhead, and some shell beads, but no indications of burial.
COCKE COTTNTY.
But (Mie mound in this county was examined. This is on Vincent
island, Pigeon river, and is about 200 feet long and varies from 4 to 6
feet in height; it- was formerly
about 50 feet wide, but a long
strip off one side has been washed
away by the river. The general
appearance is that of a refuse
heap.
Although the entire mound was
removed, no skeletons or signs of burial were discovered ; but near the
center and close to bottom was a somewhat singular collection contain-
ing the following articles: Thirty-three celts, mostly polished; frag-
ments of pottery and of soap-
stone vessels ; four arrowheads;
four stone gorgets ; two discoidal
stones; one broken clay pipe;
two grooved stone axes; one
stone pestle ; four stone ham- fig. 236.— section of grave No. S, near Kingsport,
mers; two large pitted stones; Tennessee.
one unfinished stone tube; a steel-blade case knife of a peculiar pat-
tern, and one porcelain ( f) bead.
The presence of the knife and bead in this collection is difiBcult to
account for, iiidess we suppose the whole to be a comparatively modern
deposit, which is probably the fact.
THE RAMSEY MOUND.
On the north bank of French Broad river, immediately opposite the
Franklin Railroad station, on the land o'f Mr. A. Ramsey, are the remains
of a once large and imposing tumulus known as the Ramsey mound.
It is mentioned by Haywood, who remarks in regard to it as follows:
There is a mound ou the French Broad river, 1 milo above the mouth of Nola-
chucky, on the east side of the French Broad, 30 feet high. There is an acre of
ground on the top.'
At present only a small part of it remains, the rest having been
washed away by the river, which has gradually encroached upon it.
Mr. Ramsey, who has resided on the fiirm for fifty-five years, says the
mound once extended to what is now the center of the river, a distance
of 250 feet, and was 20 feet high, if not more. The exact dimensions
< Nat. and Aborig. Hist. Tenn., 1823. p. U6.
THOMAS.] TENNESSEE. 3f)7
can not now be ascertained, but it is affirmed that the area of the level
top was at least an acre and that it was cviltivated as a garden. If this
be coriect it must have been a very large and important tumulus, prob-
ably 250 feet in length by 175 in width. What adds to the interest
attaching to this work is the fact that, running around it in the form of
a semicircle, and about 300 yards from it, is a series of large pits, twelve
in number and somewhat evenly spaced. The dimensions can not be
definitely ascertained, as they are now nearly filled up. They were
probably 100 feet or more in diameter, and, according to the statement
of citizens, fully 20 feet deep. Possibly they are the spots from which
the material for building the mound was obtained.
JEFFERSON COtlNTY.
Some explorations were made in this county, but the examinations
were hasty and incomplete. The agent was, at the time of his visit,
simply on a prospecting tour, expecting to return to those works which
he thought worthy of special investigation.
Two mounds were discovered immediately below Taylors bend of the
French Broad river, 9 miles east of Dandridge. One of these, on the
north side of the river, stands on a level bottom about. WO feet from the
river bank. It is circular in outline, 120 feet in diameter and 12 feet
high. Trenches were cut through it, but no evidence of burial or relics
of any kind were revealed. The other mound is about half a mile above
the preceding, south of the river, on the farm of Mr. John B. Stakely.
It stands on the level bottom about 200 feet from the river; is similar
in form to the other, but smaller, the diameter being 95 feet and height
a little less thaii 5 teet. The ground on which it stands is subject to
overflow, and the mound itself has been entirely covered with water
more than once. A wide trench was carried through it and down to
the original soil, but neither skeletons nor relics were found; nor any
indications of burial. The whole body of it was composed of dark,
sandy soil like that of the ground around it. At the bottom, resting
on the natural surface, was a layer of sticky yellow clay, 3 to 1 inches
thick, which appeared to underlie the entire mound. The nearest
place where this pipe clay is found is a ridge about a mile distant.
There is an ancient burial ground about one-fourth of a mile above,
but on the opposite side of the river from the last mentioned mound.
There is a mound on the south side of French Broad river op])osite
Swans island, about 3 miles above Dandridge. It stands on the lower
bottom which borders the river, about 200 yards from the latter. There
are traces of an old "trail" leading from it across the ridges for a dis-
tance of 3 miles to some stone graves near a creek. The largest trees
along the trail are marked, but the marking extends up and down the
trees according to the old method of blazing routes instead of across
them, as is now usual. If these marks bear any relation to the trail and
graves, it is probable that all are the work of modern Cherokees.
358
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
MOUNM) ON KAIN's island.
This mound is situated ou the lower end of Faiu's ishuid, in French
Broad river, about 3 mile.s southwest of Dandridge. It stands on the
extreme lower end of the island, not more than 300 feet from the water's
edge. As a shaft had been sunk in tlie center by a previous explorer
a broad trench was cut on each side. In the first or southern one six-
teen skeletons were unearthed, but in the northern one nothing was
found. Near the east end of the first was a series of fire bt^ds, one
below another. The uppermost, which lay near the surface of the
mound, was about 3 feet in diameter, and each succeeding one was a
little wider than the one above it, so that the bottom one, ^5 feet below
the first, measured 6 feet in diameter. All were circular and slightly
basin-shaped or dished, and consisted of burnt clay, with layers of
ashes between them. There were five in all. Below the last lay a
mass of pure ashes, packed very hard, which extended downward some
3 feet to the bottom of the mound. The earth immediately under this
bed of ashes was burned to a hard crust t« the depth of 5 or 6 inches.
Fiji'. 237 is given to show the fire-beds {«) and the ash-bed (b) imme-
diately below them.
The skeletons were, in most (sases, lying at full length, with heads in
various directions, though none toward the south. Only one or two
Fig. 237. — Section of nioimil uu Fains island. Jeflferaon county, Tennessee.
were folded. They were at all depths, from 2i to 5 feet ; one lay near
the bottom, at the depth of 8 feet and close to the mass of ashes under
the fire beds.
With this skeleton were five celts and some shell ornaments; the
skull was also obtained. The mound appeared to be composed almost
entirely of dark, sandy soil, with here and there a small streak of lighter
colored earth running through it.
There is an ancient burial ground on the south side of the river,
opposite the mound, which has not been examined.
ROANE COUNTV.
The first works examined in this county are on Long island, in the
Holston river, which is from 3 to 5 miles long and varies iu width fi'om
one-fourth to 1 mile. It lies nearly east and west, the course of the
river at this point being fiom a little south of east to a little north of
west. The western portion, near the lower point is low bottom land;
TENNESSEE.
359
the middle and npper portions are considerably liijiiier, rising some 40
to 50 feet above low wat<'r. A plat of the island, showing the respec-
tive positions of the nineteen mounds on it, is given in Fig. 238. These,
as will be seen by the figure, are arranged in three groups, the group
a containing five mounds, being near the extreme lower or western
point on the lowest land of the island; group 6, also containing five
mounds, near the middle; and group c, containing nine mounds, near the
upper or eastern end, the two latter groups being on the higher land.
The mounds are numbered from 1 to 10, though all these numbers do
not appear in the figure.
Mound 1 of group a (the one next the northern branch) is by far the
largest, being about 160 feet from east to west, 90 feet north and south,
and IS feet high. It is known as the Brakebill mound, and was par-
tially explored by Rev. E. O. Dunning on behalf of the Peabody
Museum. As Mr. Johnson, the owner, has since built a corn house on
it, permission could not be obtained to make further explorations in it.
Htver ^^f^G^
Jiottorrv Lan^.
Fio. 238. — Plat of groups on Long island, Koane i-nuuty. Tennessee.
Mounds 2 and 4, being covered at the time with growing corn, were
not disturbed.
Mounds, measuring 93 feet from north to south, 105 feet east and west,
and 5 feet high, having been under cultivation for sixty years and
partially examined by a previous explorer, is considerably lower than it
originally was.
The body of the mound was composed of dark, sandy soil similar to
that of the surrounding surface of the island, with numerous small
patches of yellow clay scattered through it without any apparent order
or arrangement. In it were five skeletons near the original surface of
the ground, arranged as shown in Fig. 239. In the center, at«, was a
large, boat-shaped vessel of clay, 9 feet long, 4 feet wide in the middle,
but tapering to each end, and about 15 inches deep. This vessel, which
was probably only sun-dried, was watersoaked to such an extent that it
crumbled into minute fragments when an attempt was made to remove
it. It lay northwest and southeast and contained an adult skeleton
360
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
lying- at full length with the head northwest. Fn the vessel, near the
head of the skeleton, was the stone image represented in Fig. 240.
This, which represents a squatting figure, is 14J inches high and is
carved out of stone. At each of the points marked /), /;, /(, /;, corre-
sponding with the cardinal points, was a sitting skeleton facing toward
the center. With the one at the north was a clay pipe and two dis-
coidal stones; lying by the feet of the one at the east was a large
shell, and with the one at the south were two polished celts, one of
which was broken.
Mound 5, nearest the lower point of the island and within 50 feet of
the watei^'s edge and of the ordinary conical form, measured 00 feet in
diameter and 5 feet high, the liighest point being toward one side.
One foot from the top was a layer
!r|^ of burnt clay from 3 to 4 inches
thick, spreading horizontally
over the entire area of the
mound, reaching the surface all
around. It did not conform to
the curve of the mound, but
extended horizontally. At sev-
eral points on its surface, or
mixed with it, were small piles
or spots of charcoal and ashes.
The body of the mound, both
above and below this layer, con-
sisted of dark, sandy soil.
In the central portion, close
to the bottom, lay the remains
of four skeletons, but so far de-
composed that it was impossible
to determine their positions.
Mound 11, as will be seen by
reference to Fig. 238, is one of group c, situated on the higher grouud.
Diameter, 05 feet ; height, a little over 7 feet. This, as proved to be the
case with all those on the high ground examined, was composed entirely
of very hard, compact, red clay.
About the center, at the depth of 2^ feet, was a badly decayed skel-
eton which must have been doubled up or bundled. There was no dark
colored earth about the bones, as is usually the case, the red clay being
packed about them as hard as in any other portion of the mound. Di-
rectly under this, but at the bottom of the mound, resting on the natu-
ral surface of the ground, were two other skelet<ms lying at full length,
side by side, with heads toward the west. The bones of these were in
a much l)etter state of preservation than of the one nearer the top. With
them was some red paint and near their heads one spear point and two
small discoidal stones. The earth immediately surrounding these two
Fu; 239.— Diagram of luouiid Nii. 3, Lon^: island,
Koane t-ounty, Teiint'sftee.
TENN?:SSEE.
361
skeletons was dark and loose, all the rest of the mound being composed
of red clay, so haid that we had to use the pick to loosen it.
Mound 12, measured 52 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, and like
the preceding consisted chiefly of red clay closely packed and very
hard. In the center, at the depth of 3 feet, was a horizontal layer of
mussel shells about 1 foot thick, covering a circular area 0 feet in
diameter. The shells composing this layer were packed in dark-colored
Fig, 240.— Image liom ininmil No. 3, Long ijiland, lioane county, Tennessee.
earth and must have been carefully placed by hand, as they were in
tiers, all with the concave side downward.' Underneath the layer of
shells the earth was very dark and appeared to be mixed with vegeta-
ble mold to the depth of 1 foot. At the bottom of this, resting on the
original surface of the ground, was a very large skeleton, lying horizon-
tally at full length. Although very soft, the bones were suflQciently
'The same thing, as I learn from Dr. Patrick, of Belleville. 111., was observed in a mound which
formerly stood on the site of East St. Louis. These, however, as appeared from the specimen shown
me, were sea shells, mostly univalves.
362 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
distinct to allow of a careful measurement before attempting to remove
them. The length from the base of the skull to the bones of the toes
was found to \h\ 7 feet 3 inches. It is probable, therefore, that this in-
dividual when living was fully 7^ feet high. At the head lay some
.small pieces of mica and a green substance, probably the oxide of cop-
per, though no oruament or article of copper was di.scovered. This
was the only burial in the mound.
By reference to the plan of the group (Fig. 238), it will be observed
that Nos. 12, 13, 14, and 15 form the arc of the circle. They are regu-
larly spaced, the distance from the base of one to the base of the next
being about 100 feet. No. 11 is about 200 feet from No. 12.
No. 14, 05 feet in diameter and 7 feet high, was next explored by cut-
ting a trench 12 feet wide from side to side through the center down to
the original soil. This was composed of hard, red clay, with here and
there, from the depth of 1 to 3 feet, a small spot of very dark earth,
which contained decayed mussel shells. At a depth of 3^ feet, near
the center, lay 2 skeletons very near each other, one with the head
toward the east, the other with the head toward the west, with dark
colored earth and some shells packed about them. Nothing further
was discovered until near the bottom, where a bed of shells was
reached. The shells in tliis bed were closely packed together in the man-
ner of those in mound No. 12, This bed or layer was circular in out-
line, about 12 feet in diameter and 1 foot tliick, and c(nitained a smaller
proportion of dirt than that in No. 12. The layer beneath this, resting on
the original soil, consisted of dark colored earth in which, lying immedi-
ately under the center, of the shell bed, were 2 skeletons. But these
were so far decayed that their exact position could not be determined.
Near their heads were two arrow points, twi) rude celts, and one dis-
coidal stone.
Mound 15, 04 feet in diameter and 7 feet high, presented in some
respects a remarkable contrast to those just described. For a depth of
5 feet it, like the others, consisted of hard, red clay; under this was a
dark layer which spi-ead over the entire area of the mound and seemed
to be filled with skeletons; in fact, the entire bottom was apparently a
mass of bones. All the earth above them being carefully removed, it
became apparent that there was no I'egularity or order of burial, but
that the bones were heai>ed together in a confused mass, it being im-
possible to trace out the iudi\-idual skeletons. Many of the bones were
broken and often three or four skulls piled together. They belonged to
l>ersoiis of all ages, from the young diilil to the aged.
The number of persons buried here was estimated at 53, as that was
the number of skulls found. All must have been deposited at one time
and hence after the flesh had been rem< >ved. The remains were jirobably
gathered from other temijorary depositories and brought here to be
buried in one common grave.
THonus.] TENNESSEE. 363
Mound 1(), 40 feet iu diameter aud 5 feet high, was simihir to No. 15,
except that iu this there were only twelve skeletons.
Mound 1 7, similar iu size and coustructiou to No. 16, contained at
the bottom 4 sl^eletous, much decayed; no relics with them.
Mound IS, 3S feet in diameter and 4 feet high, was composed through-
out of red clay ; not even a change in color was noticed until the bottom
was reached. Here, in the center, was a hearth of burnt clay and
ashes about 5 feet in diameter and 5 or 6 inches thick. This layer or
bed of burnt clay was level on the top, and the ashes wliich lay on it
had some pieces of charcoal scattered through them.
As already stated, all the mounds of the higher ground of the island
explored were made of red clay packed very hard, and the skeletons
found iu them were in an advanced stage of decay, with the exceptiou
of those in mound No. 15, where, although in a confused heap, they
were much better preserved. It will be observed also that the skele-
tons found on the low bottom land were in better condition tliau those
found in the red clay mounds of the uplands. It is surmised from this
fact that the higher land foruu^d at first the whole island, the lower
point being a subsequent addition, and that the mounds on the former
l)ortion are much older than those on the lower point.
Some 2 or 3 acres of the lower point, which was washed bare during
the flood of April, 1886, is covered with fragments of pottery, broken
arrowheads, flint chips, broken celts, etc. At one point the soil was
all washed ott' down to the hard ground, exposing a floor of burnt
clay about 30 feet square aud 1 foot thick. In this could be distinctly
seen the charred ends of posts which had been set in the ground. An
examination of some of these proved them to be red cedar. They had
been set into the grouiul through the burnt clay to the depth of about
3 feet and some of them were still comjiaratively sound ; all were burnt
off' at the top. Unfortunately the exjilorer neglected to note at the time
their respective positions.
MOUND ON THK UAGI.ER KAKM.
This stands on the lower bottom aljout 100 feet from the river bank
and 8 miles down the river from the preceding groups. It is imme-
diately oi)posite an island on one hand and a spur which ruus down
from the hills on the other. A broad level bottom extends along the
river above the mound for half a mile and for 2 miles below it, but is
very narrow where the mound stands.
Although quite large, beiug 142 feet in diameter and 11 feet high, it
is of the round conical type aud quite symmetrical. At the depth of 2
feet was a layei of burnt clay from 6 to 8 inches thick, extending over
the whole mound, not horizontally, as usual, but conforming to the curve
of the upper surface. It must, therefore, have formed the upper layer
of the mound when it had reached this stage of its construction.
364
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Immediately below this skeletons begau to appear and contiuued to be
found until a depth of 5 feet was reached ; below this depth there were no
more indications of burial. When the bottom was reached it was seen
that a ditch had beeu dug in the original soil 1 foot deep and 2i feet wide,
running east and west and traceable for 12 or 13 feet. At two points,
as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 241, were lateral extensions run-
ning off at right angles on each side; these could be traced only for a dis-
tance of 4 or 5 feet. Fourteen skeletons were discovered, none of which
were at a greater depth than 5
feet, and all were below the layer
of burned clay, which did not ap-
pear to have been disturbed. All
of these skeletons were lying hori-
zontally on their backs, at full
length, and the heads of all, ex-
cept that of No. 1, toward the
north, as indicated in the figure,
which shows the respective posi-
tions of the skeletons and the
ditch below. With skeleton No.
1 were two relics, a fine spear-
head and a soapstone pipe ; with
No. 5, a fine polished celt and
two small discoidal stoues; with
No. 12, a singular stone tube,
some small arrowheads, one dis-
coidal stoue.and a beaver's tooth.
All the specimens were found about the heads of the skeletons.
On the farm of Mr. K. H. Evans, 6 miles below Long island and 2
miles above the Hagler farm, are seven mounds, and 4 miles further
down, on the lands of Mr. G. B. Johnson, five.
MOUNDS ANI> ANCIENT CEMETERY ON THE LEK FARM.
The farm of Mr. M. G. Lee, lying on the north side of Clinch river,
about 14 miles above Kingston, contains about 1,200 acrevS, mostly
beautiful level land, denominated here " first and second bottoms."
The west side of this extensive farm is bounded in part by White Oak
creek. A mile above tlie mouth of the creek the land is considerably
higher along the river bank than it is farther back. This ridge or high
ground rises somewhat as it nears the point where the creek enters
the river. lu times of high water the river breaks around the upper
end of the high ground and flows back of it until it reaches the creek,
but in April, 1886, the water rose to an unprecedented height and swept
entirely over this higher ground, washing oft" the sandy soil in some
places to the depth of several feet, exposing a number of graves and
showing that here was an ancient cemetery.
Fig. 241. — Diagram of the Hagler mound, Koaiie
county, Tennessee.
THOMAS]
TENNESSEE. 365
The locality was visited immediately after this occurrence. The dark
soil had all been washed away, leaving the hard yellow sand exposed.
On the highest point of the rise could be seen a large number of skele-
tons, some still resting in their graves, but more washed out and scat-
tered over the surface, or the bones drifted here and there in heaps.
Several days were spent in examining this interesting spot and exca-
vating the graves from which the skeletons had not been removed or
washed out. All that could be determined was that they had been
buried horizontally in comparatively shallow graves dug in the original
soil for their reception. There was no regularity as to direction, some
heads being east, some west, some north, and others south. The area
covered was about 2 acres. Scattered over this were small broken
stones, arrowheads, flint chips, fragments of pottery, etc.
Mound No.l, about 55 feet in diameter and 3J feet high, stood on a
slight elevation about one-fourth of a mile from the river, but some-
what nearer the creek. It had been plowed over for many years, bring-
ing to the surface human bones, some of which were lying on the top
when examined.
The entire mound was removed, revealing some large flat stones
near the surface. The earth about these was dark and loose, while the
remainder consisted of hard red clay. Nothing further of interest was
observed. It is api>arent, therefore, that the skeletons which were
plowed up must have been near the top of the mound, which could not
have been more than 6 or 7 feet high.
Between mound No. 1 and mound No. 2, there is quite a depression,
so much so that water frequently stands here. As this mound (No. 2)
had never been plowed or disturbed, it retained its full proportions,
being GO feet in diameter, 10 feet high, and conical m form. At the
depth of 2i feet was a layer of rather large, flat limestone rocks, extend-
ing horizontally in all directions to the margin of the mound. Imme-
diately beneath these stones lay twenty-five skeletons so close to them
that several of the skulls and other bones were crushed by them. Some
of the stones were quite large, but all of them about 4 or 5 inches thick
and some with the edges nicely squared, probably by the natural fracture,
as there were no traces of tool marks on them. The entire mound con-
sisted of red clay, but that portion above the stone platform was loose
and easily worked. About a foot above the bottom another bed of
similar stones was leached, but this covered an area only 7 feet in
diameter. Immediately under it, lying upon the original surface of the
ground, were five skeletons, slightly covered with earth, over which the
stones were laid. It is possible that after the first burial a small mound
may have been thrown up and that a considerable interval elapsed
before the second burial. That all the skeletons in a layer were depos-
ited at one time can not be doubted. The clay between the upper and
lower layers was so hard that it required the use of picks to break it
up. The skeletons in the lower layer were much decayed and crushed
366 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
by the weight of the stones resting on tlieni. No order as to position
appeared to liave been observed in eitlier layer. No relics save a few
arrow points and discoidal stones were discovered.
Mound 3, 70 feet in diameter, 15 feet high, and conical in form, was
also explored. At the depth of 3 feet were eight skeletons so far de-
cayed that it was impossible to determine their exact jjositions, except
that they lay at about the same level. Near the bottom, though a lit-
tle above the natural surface of the ground, were three other skeletons
lying about 5 or (> feet from each other. These were in a much better
state of preservation than the eight near the top. There were no
stones over the skeletons as in mound 2, nor were any relics found with
them nor in the mound.
Immediately below the mouth of White Oak creek is Jones island,
on which it is said a mound formerly stood which has been washed
away by the tloods. The locality was visited, and tlK)Ugh no traces of
the mound could be seen, large quantities of broken pottery, flint chips,
and other evidences of former occupancy were observed.
One mile below this place, on the south side, are two large mounds
situated on the point of a ridge which runs close to the river. They
are covered with heavy timber.
BLOtTNT, MONROE, AND LOUDON COUNTIES.
The valley of the Little Tennessee from where it leaves the Smoky
mountains, which form the boundary between North Carolina and Ten-
nessee, to where it joins the Tennessee river in Loudon county, is
undoubtedly the most interesting archeological section in the entire
Appalachian district.
The numerous groups of mounds and other ancient works which are
found along the valleys of the principal stream and its tributaries,
appear to be intimately related to one another and are so evidently the
work of one people that it is deemed unwise to arrange them by coun-
ties; moreover, this would confuse the reader, hence it is thought best
to vary the usual rule in this instance and describe the groups in the
order in which they follow one another, commencing with the one
situated nearest the point where the river leaves the mountains,
thence moving down the stream to its junction with the Holston. In
order that the reader may understand the relation of these groups, a
map of the area embraced is given in PI. xxv, on which they are
located. As this map is copied from one made by the geograi^hical
division of the IT. S. Geological Survey from i-ecent surveys, and the
groups located by a special survey made under the Bureau of Ethnology
for this purpose, it may be relied upon as being more than usually
correct.
The river, after winding its way through the mountain gorges, enters
a beautiful valley about half a mile wide and perfectly level to the
foot of the Chilhowee mountains, to which it runs parallel for several
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
367
miles. The ttrst bottom as we descend is knowu as the Hardin farm.
On this is a tumulus now named the Hardin mound. This is located
north of the river about 5 miles above the mouth of Abrahams creek,
and nearly opposite the mouth of Tallassee creek. (No. 1, PI. xxv.)
It is of the usual (conical form, measuring 120 feet in diameter and
7 feet high. In this was a single adult skeleton near the center at
the depth of 2 feet, lying on its back, head east, and arms spread
out as indicated at a in Fig. 242. Lying at the right hand were a
stone pipe and a polished celt; at the left hand, a stone pipe and
nine arrowheads; at the feet, a large pot broken in pieces. On the
skeleton, chiefly around the neck, legs, and arms, were 1,039 beads,
mostly shell; 384 of
them were of large
size; a few were
fresh-water pearls.
The bones crumbled
to pieces as soon as
an attempt was made
to remove them. No
other skeletons or in-
dications of burial
were found; but at
h, b, h, h, resting on
the natural surface
of the ground, were
four little piles of
burnt clay, one at
each of the points
indicated, forming a
square. These were
rounded at the base,
running to a sharp
point at the top ; di-
ameter at the base, 2 feet, and height 2 feet. Some coals and ashes
were about each, sliowing that the burning had been done after they
were placed in position. There is scarcely a doubt that these remains
mark the site of the old Cherokee town Tallassee. In order that the
reader may understand the reason on which this assumption is based,
a facsimile of Henry Timberlake's map made in 1762 is inserted here.
(PI. XXVI.) By referring to this as we proceed in our description of the
groups along the Little Tennessee river, the reader will see the close
correspondence in locality of the Cherokee towns with these groups.
THE m'MURRAY mounds.
These mou!ids, four in number, are some 5 or 6 miles lower down than
the preceding, the first, as we descend, being on the south side of the
Fin. 243 — Diagram vi' the- llardiu mound, Blount comity, TeuueBsee.
368
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
river, on the farm of Mr. Boyd McMurray, the others on the north side,
on the farm of Mr. Samuel McMurray. (No. 2, PI. xxv.) A plat of the
area, showing the relative positions of these mounds is given in Fig. 243.
The direction from the point a directly opposite the mouth of Abrahams
creek, to mound No. 1, on the Boyd McMurray farm, is S. 86° W. and
distance 1,450 feet; from mound No. 1, to the point 6, on the north bank
of the river, N. 53° W., 1,270 feet; from h to center of mound No. 2 on
the Samuel McMurray farm, N. 76° W., 745 feet; from No. 2 to No. 3,
N. 790 w., .520 feet; from No. 3 to No. 4, N. 79° W.,335 feet, the meas-
urements always being from center to center. Mound No. 1 is 288 feet
from the river bank; No. 2 is 173 feet; No. 3 is 258 feet; and No. 4 is
108 feet.
Mound 1, circular in form, 4 feet high, and with an average diameter
of about 100 feet, was examined by cutting a broad trench through the
center from side to side and down to the origiiial soil. No indications
of burial were observed nor was anything of interest found, except a
large fire-bed. This was on the original surface of the ground exactly
Fig. 243.— Plat of the McMurray mounds, Blount county, Tennessee.
at the center of the mound. It consisted of a layer of burnt clay
between 7 and 8 feet in diameter and from 4 to 6 inches thick, and was
covered with ashes; encircling the margin was a row of water- worn
stones. Over this bed was a layer of clay 1 foot in thickness; the
remainder of the mound was composed of dark loam like the surround-
ing soil.
Mound No. 2, which is circular, measured 110 feet in diameter and afew
inches less than 5 feet in height. In excavating this a trench was first
run in from the south side; before reaching the center a stone grave
or cist was found of the usual box shape. This contained an adult
skeleton, much decomposed. A trench was then carried in on the north
side, and at about the same distance from the edge was another
cist of the same character; also containing a single skeleton. At the
center, lay four uninclosed skeletons in an extended position on the
original surface; two with their feet toward the south, the other two,
whose heads were nearly touching the heads of this pair, having their
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXVI
LOCATION OF THE.
OVERHILL CHEROKEE TOWNS
made by
HENRY TIMBEKLAKE
,J6^
COPY OF TIMBERLAKE'S MAP OF OVERHILL CHEROKEE TOWNS.
TnoMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
369
feet toward tlie iiortli. The reinaindei- of the mound, which was com-
posed throughout of yelh)w sand, except si little black earth about
each skeleton, being cleared away, five other uninclosed skeletons were
unearthed, which were found in the positions shown in Fig. 244. A
few arrowheads, two polished celts, and some Hint chips were found at
different points in the mound, but none were with any of the skeletons.
It was learned from Mr.
McMurray that mound
No. 4 was partially ex-
plored several years ago,
and that several stone
graves, such as tnose in
No. 2, were found in it.
This was probably by
Eev. E. O. Dunning, on
behalf of the Peabody
Museum. Similar graves
occur in considerable
numbers in the field
about the mounds, espe-
cially in the vicinity of
No. 3; the side stones in
many cases being visi-
ble above the surface.
These are indicated by
the dotted line about 3
on the plat (Fig. 243). Several were explored but nothing found in
them, except decaying skeletons.
Mound No. 3 st<)od on the first bottom, in a beautiful level meadow,
about 250 feet from the river. Its form was an ellipse, measuring 150
by 122 feet, the longer axis being east and west; height 12 feet, but
considerably reduced by the i)low. A thorough excavation showed its
composition, mode of construction, and contents to be as follows: The
Fid. 244 Diagram of McMurray njouud, No. 2.
>m3mmiu^v^immm:^
Fig. 245. — Section of McMurray mound, No. :{.
toi) portion, to the depth of 5 feet (except a circidar space in the center),
consisted of dark, sandy soil, mixed with pieces of broken pottery, flint
chippings, and charcoal. This layer, which was beneath the slight
outer covering of recent vegetable mold, did not extend down the
curve of the mound toward the base, but was horizontal on the under
side, as shown at h, Fig. 245, which rei)resents a section of the moand.
12 ETH 24
370
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Immediately below this was a horizontal layer of ehareoal (c c), 4 to 6
iuches thick, extending horizontally over nearly the entire area of the
mound at this height, except where interrupted at the center by the
conical mass {a a). The coals composing this layer were of cane and
small boughs and very closely packed. The earth next under it was
very hard for a depth of several inches. From this layer {d d) down to
the natural surface of the ground the m(mnd was composed of dark earth
similar to that in the upper layer {b b), and in this part were found all
the skeletons hereafter mentioned, with the exception of No. 34. Ex-
tending down through the center trom the top was a conical mass (« «)
Fig. 246.— Diagram of McMurray mound, Ko. 3.
8 feet in diameter at the top and 4 at the bottom, composed of alternate
layers of burnt clay and ashes. The clay layers were quite hard and
slightly dished, and some of them a foot thick. The layers of ashes
each measured 4 or 5 inches. As these beds were undoubtedly burnt
in places it is plain they were made as the mound was built up. Occa-
sional small fire-beds at various depths in the entire layer {d d) bear out
this opinion.
In Fig. 24(i, which is a horizontal section or plan of the mouiul, are
shown the skeletons in their respective positions. All these, except
THOMAS.) TENNESSEE. 371
Ko. 34 — tlie skek'toii of ;i cliild — were below tlie charcoal bed (c c) (Fig.
-45) and 7 orS leet below the top of the iiiouiid. The area occupied by
them was couiparatively small, probably not more thau cue-fifth of that
covered by the mound. They were more crowded, and more nearly on
the same level thau is u.sual in a mound of this size. In some cases
they lay touching one another; for example, Nos. 18 to 22 were so
close together that ]S"os. 19, 20, and 21 had tube omitted from the figure.
They were lying face up at full length, with arms in natural position
by the sides, except three (Nos. 13, 15, and 16), whose arms were turned
back so as to bring the hands to the head. By referring to the figure
it will be seen that nearly every ojie has the head to the east; five be-
ing toward the south and two or three toward the north. There were
in all thirty-six, only eight of which were accompanied by any relics
worth mentioning. Every pot that was found stood near the head of a
skeleton; the beads and ornamented shells were about the neck or rest-
ing on the breast; the pipe, stone knife, and drilled celt were al! at the
head of No. 22; the celts and discoidal stoues were generally found
about the bones of the hands.
By reference to the diagram it will be seen that No. 32 lay near the
central shaft, and fully as deep in the mound as any other skeleton ;
with this was an iron chisel, lying on the breast; the beads about the
neck of the skeleton were so placed in relation to the chisel (which
was perforated at one end) as to lead to the belief that all of them had
been suspended on one cord.
The following is a list of the articles obtained from this mound:
With skeletou No. 9, one. iK)t au<l two oniaiiifuted .sliolls.
With skeleton No. 16, one pot, one ornameuted shell, one discoidal stone, and beads.
With skeletou Nt>. 18, two pots.
With skeleton No. 22, one pipe, one Hint knil'e, one drilled celt.
With skeleton No. 2(!, one pipe (steatite), one eelt, two discoidal stones.
With skeleton No. 27, one pipe (ornamented), two celts, one chipped Hint imple-
ment.
With skeletou No. 32, one i>erforated iron chisel, one discoidal stone, and beads.
A cemetery, consisting chiefly of stone graves, lies inunediately
about this mound. Twelve of these were opened and found to be formed
of slabs of slate stone, arranged in the usual box-like shape; each con-
taining a single .skeleton. The remains at this point probably mark
the locality of the old Cherokee town Chilhowey, not shown on I'l. xxv.
Proceeding down the river to the mouth of Mulberry creek we find
here on the south side of the river indications of a village site. These
consist of fragments of pottery, broken stone imj)lements, fire-beds, etc.
But there is no jnound here. This is the \illage site No. 3, on the plat
shown in PI. xxv, and corresponds with "llalfway-Towu" of Timber-
lake's map. (PI. XXVI.)
THK LATIMOKE GHOUP.
Moving on down the river, the next group reached is on the farm of
Mr. Latimore, on the south bank, immediately above the mouth of
372
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Citico creek. This is the ii])])er and outlyiug portion of the group nnm
bered i in PI. xxv. A plat of the entire group is given iu Fig. 247,
which includes the McSpaddin mounds just below the creek. To show
the relation of the two groups and tlieir immediate surrouTidings it may
be stated that this group consists of three mounds standing on the level
top of a spur which is about 150 feet higher than the bottom lands.
Fig. 247. — Plat, of Latimore and McSpaddin mounds {Citico group), Monroe county, Tennessee.
The courses and distances between different points are as follows
(Fig. 247):
From a, the junction of Citico creek with the river, to h, at the foot of the spur,
S. 10° E., 1,476 feet.
From i to mound No. 1, S. 38° W., 310 feet.
From mound No. 1 to mound No. 2, S. 45° W., 143 feet.
From mound No. 2 to mound No. 3, N. 10° W., 108 feet.
From b directly to the river hank, 310 feet.
Measurements hetweeu the mounds are in all cases from center to center.
Fig. 248 — Vertical section, mound No. 1. Latimore group.
Mound No. 1 was slightly oval in form, 70 feet in diameter and a
little over 8 feet high. A thorough exploration was made, bringing to
light a confused heap of human bone.s near the center, at a depth of
from 2 to 3 feet. In this heap, which was as compact as it could well
be of such material, were eleven skulls, indicating that at least 11
skeletons (for the flesh must have been off when deposited) had been
THOMAS.] TENNESSEE. 373
buried here. All the bones were so much decayed that only one skull
coukl be saved. Five feet farther down, near the original surface and
immediately under this pile of bones, was a horizontal layer, or rather
floor, of rough river stones, but no traces of coal or ashes. It was
circular, with a diameter of 20 feet. (See vertical section in Fig. 248.)
Mound No. 3 was 90 feet in diameter and S feet high. It as well as
No. 1 were composed of red clay. Two skeletons were found near the
center, at a depth of less than 2 feet. Nothing else of interest was
observed.
THE M<^,SPADDIN MOUNDS.
This section of the group, but a short distance from the preceding,
and on the same side of the river, is on the farm of Mr. T. T. McSpad-
din, just below the mouth of Citico creek. It consists of five mounds,
located as shown in Fig. 247, bearings and distances as follows:
From c, at the junction of the oreek with the river, to rf, on the west hank of the
river, N. 22° W., 444 feet.
From d to Mound No. 4, S. 63° W., 538 feet.
From Mound No. 4 to MoTiud No. 5, N. 68° W., 1,896 feet; the jioint on this line
where it crosses the ri.se to the second bottom is 5.50 feet from No. 5.
From Mound No. 5 to the point in the gap marked f, S. 24° W., 793 feet.
From e to Mound No. 6, S. 66° W., 724 feet.
From Mound No. 6 to Mound No. 7, N. 65° W., 215 feet.
From Mound No. 7 to Mound No. 8, S. 39° W., 1,270 feet.
The dotted line shows the old channel of the creek, now dry; its
nearest point to Mound No. -4, is 208 feet; from the same mound to the
nearest point on Citico creek as it now runs, is 480 feet. The second
bottom is 10 feet higher than the first. The spur and hill, which seem
to have been cut off from its point in past geological time, are of con-
siderable height. Behind these is an area of level land on which
Mounds No. 6, 7, and 8 are situated; No. 8 is at a considerable dis-
tance from the others, and beyond a ravine. The distance from No. 4
to No. S, by way of the gap is about three-fourths of a mile.
Mound No. 4, known locally as " Citico mound," is the largest, not
only of this group, but of the entire section. In shape it resembles
the half of an egg divided lengthwise, being broadest and highest
nearer one end, sloping thence by regular, somewhat curved lines. The
length is 220 feet; greatest breadth, 184 feet; greatest height, 14 feet.
It may possibly have been flat on top originally, but no satisfactory
evidence of this can be had; in fact, its present form seems to be that
which it has had from the beginning, so far as can be judged from an
examination of its structure. As is shown in the plat, it is located
on the first bottom of the Little Tennessee, and, though often sur-
rounded by water in times of flood, was never known to be covered.
For a space of 6 or 7 acres around it the soil is strewn with fragments
of pottery, flint chips, broken stones, animal bones, charcoal, and other
refuse. Great numbers of shell beads have been picked up here, and
human skeletons have occasionally been plowed up or washed out by
374 MOUND EXPLORATION'S.
liij;h water. There is a good view of tiie valley for 2 or 3 miles down
the river from the top of the iiiouud. Oil the second bottom, <iOO yards
northwest of this, is Mound Xo. 5, somewhat circular in form, 20 feet
in diameter, and 2i feet hij;h. Immediately back of this is a hitih
ridge teriniiiating- in a clitf almost i)eri)endi<'nlar on tlie side facing the
creek.
The other mounds, Nos. 6, 7, and S, are on a high level back of the
ridge. There is a deej) gajt, about (>(» yards wide, through this ridge
directly between Nos. 5 and G, thus affording an easy passageway from
one grou]> to the other.
The first of this group explored was Xo. 0, which is circular in form,
about 80 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, and composed entirely of red
clay. The plow had thrown out 1 skeleton ami penetrated to 2 other.s,
which were found near the surface, but so badly decayed that no part
of them could be preserved.
No. 5 was also composed of red clay, but no sign of burial was
observed, nor were coals, ashes, or anything else of interest found in it.
The large mound, No. 4, was thoroughly overhauled to the base. At
the highest point, G inches below the surface, was a bed of burned clay,
circular in form, about G feet in diameter and 1 foot thick, and burned
so hard as to be very difficult to break uj). First, three trenches were
Fig. 249.— Vertical section <il the Citico inounil (MeSpaddin, No. 4).
run in from the margin of the mound from the north, south, and west
sides intersecting at this clay bed. In cutting these, quite a number
of skeletons were unearthed, some within 2 feet of the surface, others at
a deiith of 0 feet, at which depth a bed of yellow sand, slightly mixed
with clay and firmly ])acked, was reached; this lay on the original sur-
face of the ground, and extended over the whole area covered by the
mound. No skeletons were found in this lower layer or under it. By
cntting the trenches in the way described the clay bed was left un-
broken until its extent and relation to what lay around it had been
ascertained. It was then found that, instead of there being a single
clay bed, this was the top one of a series of five. The one in question
was level; the others were saucer shaped, iis shown at a a, Fig. 249,
each extending upward and outward to the slope of the mound, each
succeeding one larger than the one above it, the lowest measuring 12
feet in diameter. Alternating with them were layers of ashes; each
resting on its corresponding layer of clay. About 3i feet below these
was another layer of red clay {h h) burned very hard, circular in out-
line, saucer shaped, and 3 inches thick. This did not run out to the
TENNESSEE.
375
inaigiii, though its diiiiiietcr was about 20 feet. Skeletons wprc found
both above and bidow it, and some rest directly upon it.
The remainder of the mound was then removed, the result being that
91 skeletons were unearthed from the respective positions shown in
Fig. 250, which is a plat of the mound showing the plan of burials.
As will be seen from this figure, nearly all of the skeletons were
stretched out at full length without legard to direction. None of
these were inclosed, but the earth on which each rested was very
hard to the depth of 1 or 2 inches, and those lying on the clay bed, /W(,
had more or less coal and ashes about them. Traces of rotten wood
were found immediately over some of tliem, and with one (No. 52) was
Fig. 2an._Pla[i iif burials in tin- Citii'o mounil (McSiiaililin, Nn. J).
a j)iece of solid pine a foot or more in length. This was at a depth of
5i feet. Most of the articles found were lying close by the skeletons.
The bones were so nmch decayed that but few whole skulls could be
obtained.
The following list shows the depth and ])osition of most of the skele
tons and the articles found with them:
No. 4, depth 4i feet, face downward ; 2 broken pots.
No. 5, depth 7 J feet, face up; 1 broken i)ot.
No. 6, depth 5 feet, facedown; 1 broken pot.
No. 9, depth Si feet, face up ; 1 broken pot.
No. 10, depth 3.V feet, faceup; 2 broken pots.
No. 13, depth 7 feet, face up; 1 broken pot.
37G
MOUND EXPLORATIOXS.
No. 16,
No. 17,
No. 18,
No. 21,
No. 22,
No. 23,
No. 24,
No. 25,
No. 26,
No. 31,
No. 33,
No. 34,
No. M,
No. 30,
No. 41,
No. 44.
depth 7i feet, face up, witli hamls resting ou tlie breiist and ell)ows thrust
outward. By this skeleton lay 1 polished discoidal stone, 1 stone i)ipe, 1
hrokeu pot, 1 roiigh discoidal stone, and 1 engraved shell iua.sk. The sknll
was preserved.
depth 3 J feet, faceuj); 1 liroken pot.
in a sitting i)Osture; hy it 2 polished celts, 5 arrowheads, .'lud sonic Hint
nodules.
depth 4 feet, face up. arms e.xtended, 1 unbroken jmt. and 1 ]iedislicd celt.
depth 3i feet, face up; 1 polished celt.
legs doubled up, but lying on its back.
hands folded on the breast.
squatting posture, with feet doubled under the body.
depth 7i feet, face up; 1 pot and 2 polished celts.
depth SI feet, face up ; 1 broken pot and 1 polished celt.
depth 5A feet, face up; by it 1 polished celt and 1 engraved shell. Tlic skull
was saved.
depth 6 feet, sitting i>osture; by it 2 broken jiots, 1 nicely poILsheil stone
chisel, 1 discoidal stone, and 1 stone gorget.
depth JS feet, face up; 2 polished celts; .skull preserved.
deiith 4 feet, face up; 1 polished celt.
1 engraved shell.
de]ith 8 feet, face up ; 4 polished celts.
1 pot, Citie
moiuitl.
Fig. 252.— C'lppiT rattle or hawk's
l)rll. Citico iiioiuiil.
No. 46, depth il feet, fiice up; 1 discoidal stone .anil 1 broken pot
No. 51, dei>th 4+ feet, face up; 1 broken pot.
No. 55, depth S} feet, face up ; 1 polished celt.
No. 57, depth 6i feet, face up. By this were 1 Ijowl, 1 shell mask, 2 shell jiins, 2 bone
awls or punches, and a number of shell beads.
No. .58, depth 5i feet, face up ; 3 bone implements.
No. 59, depth 7i feet, face uj). AVith this were 2 shell gorgets, 1 broken engraved
shell, 1 shell ornament, 1 shell pin, 1 bear's tooth, and 1 discoidal stone.
No. 62, depth 5 feet, face up. With it a lump of red paint, .a lot of shell beads. 4
shell jiins, 1 bear's tooth, 1 discoidal stone, and 1 ornamented pot.
No. 63, depth 7 feet, face up. By it 1 broken vessel with image head.
No. 66, depth 3^ feet, face up. This was the skeleton of a child, and with it were
found 1 moccasin-.shaped pot (shown in Fig. 251), 4 copper sleigh-bells ir
rattles, 1 of which is shown in Fig. 252, and a lot of shell lieads. This was
buried toward the side of the mound.
No. 68, depth 8| feet, face up. By this lay 3 shell pins and 1 ornamented pot.
No. 71, depth 6i feet, face up. With it were 4 shell pins, a lot of Shell beads, i
lump of red paint, and 1 ornamented bowl.
No. 79, depth 5 feet, face up. Skeleton of a child. With it 1 .shell ma.sk or gorget,
1 engraved shell, a lot of shell beads, 2 shell pins, ami a luni]i. .appariMitly
of lime mortar.
TENNESSEE.
377
No. 81, depth S feet, face up. With it 2 perfect oruamented pots, 2 shell pins, a lot
of shell beads, and a lumji of red paint.
No. 89, depth ii feet, face up. Skeleton of a child. With it 1 jjot, 1 engraved shell
gorget, 13 shell pins, 1 plain shell gorget, and 846 shell beads.
No. 90, depth 2^ feet, face up. With it the bone needle shown in Fig. 253.
Fig. 2.')3. — Bone ncedlo, Citico mound.
Mound No. 8.--Tliis was almost perfectly circular, 55 feet in diame-
ter, aud betNYeen 8 and 9 feet high. It was composed entirely of red
clay, aud contained nothing but two skeletons, wliicli lay at full length,
side by side, on the original soil at the center of the mound.
The two clusters just described -*the Latimore and JVIcSiKiddin
mounds — form the groui) marked 4 on PI. xxv, and correspond in loca-
tion with the Cherokee town Settacoo of Timberlake's map (PI. xxvi).
THK BACON AND m'gEE MOUNDS.
About 4 miles below tlu^ group last described, and a short distance
from the little town
of Mountainville, are
two mounds; one on
tlie north side of the
river, on the land of
J. L. Bacon, theother
on the south side,
nearly opi^osite, on
the land of Mrs. Ann
McGee. These be-
long to the group
marked 5 on PI. xxv.
A plat of the area on
which they are sit-
uated is given in Fig.
254. As will be seen
from this, tlienarrow
valley is bounded on
both sides, at this
point, by high ridges, fig- 254.-
The courses and dis-
tances between the i^oints indicated on the plat are as follows :
From a, on the north bank of the river, where the bliift' comes to the stream, to 6,
also on the north bank. S. 40° W. 840 feet.
From h to mound No. 1, N. 15-^ W. 428 feet.
From h to c, a point on the north bank of the river, S. 82^ W. 700 feet.
From c to d, a point on the south bank, due south .about 3.^0 feet.
From d to mound No. 2 on the McGee farm, S. 12° W. 685 feet.
■Plat ot the B.acon and McGee mounds. Blount and Monroe
rountics, Tennessee.
378
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mound No. 2 (on McGee farm). — This mound, w1ul-1i is an ellipse 70
by 55 feet in its twn diameters and about 5 feet liigli, was comjwsed
throuoliont of red elay, w liicli luust have been brought not less than
half a mile, this being the distance to the nearest point at whieh it
could have been obtained. The soil (»f the surrounding area is a rich
dark loam, the subsoil sandy.
The whole mound was j-emoved, witli the result indicated in Fig.
255. Thirteen whole skeletons were discovered in the positions shown,
generally with their heads westward, all lying on their backs, ami all.
except No. 1, with their arms by their sides; No. 1 had them extended
right and left.
At c lay twelve skulls on the same level, 3 feet below the surface
of the mound, touching each other, with no other bones in connection
Fig. 255.— Plan of buriiils in McOee mound. No. 2.
with or immediately about them. At b, a little west of the center,
and resting on the original surface, was a rough wall, about 2 feet
high, built of slate stones; circular in form, inclosing a space about 9
feet in diameter. The dirt inside being cleared away, twelve skulls
and a large number of long and other bones were discovered. Eleven
of the skulls were lying close together on one side, as shown in the
figure, the other lying alone on the opposite side, but each entii-ely
disconnected from the other parts of the skeleton to which it belonged.
The other bones were much broken and mingled together in a promis-
cuous mass. West of the wall and near the west end of the mound
were five more skulls lying together, ami amid other bones, marked a
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
379
in the lignre. The ])ottoiii of the inckisiirc, which corresponded with
the original surface of the ground, was covered for an incli or two with
coals and ashes, on which the skulls and other bones rested. But
neither coal nor ashes were found outside of the wall. Ail the skeletons
and other remains outside of the wall lay a foot or more above the
original surface of the ground.
Th(^ following articles were obtained from this mound : Witli skeleton
No. 4, 1 ornamented pot; with No. 1, 1 polished stone ornament, 1
stone pipe, 7 arrowheads, a small lot of copper beads, 1 shell gorget,
2 pcrf(n-ated shells, and the fragment of a bone imiilement. The slculls
of Nos. 1 and 7 were saved.
As there are evidences about the McGee mound, on the south side of
the river, of a somewhat extensive ancient village, and the locality cor-
responds exactly with tlie site of Chote,"the "metropolis" and sacred
^"^^^1^^^
Fir;. '25^. — I'lat. of tin- Tin-n iiiouuds, Monroo county. Tennessee.
town of tlie Overkill Oherokei\s, there can be scarcely a doubt that the
remains found here pertain to that town. Mound No. 1, on the north
side of the river, is near the point where Timberlake locates an old fort
built by Mrginiaus. It was not examined.
The mound and village site marked No. (> on J'l. xxv, immediately
below the preceding, ai'e at the point where Timberlake locates the lit-
tle town Tennessee, which gives a name to a great river and an impor-
tant state of the Union.
THIO TOIO IMOUNDS.
Continuing our course down the Little Tennessee, we come next to
the Toco mounds, partly on the lands of Mr. J. L. Johnson and Mr. ( 'al-
laway, south of the river and just above the mouth of Toco creek and
partly below the mouth of the creek. These mounds are arranged in
two groups, one cnnsistiug of live mounds, situated above Toco creek,
380
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
iind tlie other cousistirijjof three mounds, situated some distauTie behjw
it, as shown in Fig. 25(5, which indicates the respective positions of the
works. The upper one of these groups is tlie same as No. 7 on PI. xxv,
and corresponds witli Toqua on Tiniberlalce's map (PI. xxvi). The
lower group is No. 8 of PI. xxv and corresponds with Tommotley of
Timberlalie's map (PI. xxvi).
From a, a point ou the south bank of the river opposite the I'xtreme upper point
of C'allaway ishind, to ft, .a point on the south bank directly north of mound No. 1,
isN.60" W., 1,470 feet.
From 6 to mound No. 1, known as the " Big Toco mound," S., 310 feet.
From mound No. 1 to Mound No. 2, known as tlic " Callaway mound," S. 40'^ E.,
320 feet.
From mound No. 1 to the three small mounils, Nos. .3, 4, Jind vt, which are now
nearly obliterated, S. Te-^W., about 800 feet.
From the Callaway mound to tMfe foot of the ridge, S., 600 feet.
From the point h to the mouth of Toco creek, about 600 yards.
The north side of the river is bordered by high bhififs thrcnighout the
area shown by the diagram. No. 6 is a small mound <>n the top of a
bluft' oi^posite the mouth of Toco creek.
From the mouth of Toco creek to the mouth of Swiimp creek, along the bank of
the river, 1,050 feet.
From c, at the mouth of Swamp creek, to mound No. 9, S. 48*^ W;, 850 feet.
From mound No. 9 to mound No. 8, N. 65° W., 620 feet.
From mound No. 8 to mound No. 7, S. 30° W., 327 feet.
Fl3. 2)7.— Vorti lal section of the Big Toco mound, Monroe county. Tennessee.
At moimd No. 9 the swamp is about 250 feet wide and so wet that
the mound is often surrounded by water.
Mound No. 1, which is known locally as the " Big Toco mound,'' is
an oval, 154 by 138 feet, the longer axis being east and west. Height
at west end, 24 feet; at east end, 18 feet; top flat, but sloped toward
the east, the descent at this end being much more gradual than at the
other. The length of the flattened top was 94 feet; greatest breadth,
78 feet. The north, west, and south slopes are very steep.
The elevation as seen from the south is shown in Fig. 257.
This mound was built chiefly of the dai-k sandy soil around it, which
continued uniform to the depth of 9 feet. Here a hiyer of hard yellow
earth was encountered, which continued to the original surface of the
ground. Eunuing through this upper layer of dark sandy soil were
numerous streaks or thin layers of yellow sand and also of burnt clay,
the latter accompanied by coals and ashes. These layers were found
from within 2 feet of the top down to the depth of 9 feet. It was
TENNESSEE.
381
notireable that many of the skeletons, all of which were discovered in
this upjier layer, though immediately surrouuded by loose earth, had
directly over them a layer of thin burnt clay, usually broken up.
A little northwest of the center of the mound, at the depth of 2 feet,
commenced a series of hearths or fire-beds of burnt clay, with layers
of ashes between them, placed one below another, much like those
found in the large Citico mound heretofore described. These alternate
Fig. 258. — Plau of burials in the Big Toco niouud, Monroe county, Tennessee.
beds continued down to the depth of 6 feet, increasing in diameter.
There were no skeletons in this series of fire-beds. (See a, Fig. 257.)
In several of the other layers of burnt clay (not the central series)
were the remains of burnt stakes which had been driven into the sur-
face of the mound when at these respective heights and the top por-
tion burnt off, leaving unburnt the part in the eai'th. In some cases
these had rotted out, leaving only the impressions of the wood and bark ;
382
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in otliers, where partially cbiirred, the remains were distinct. Some of
these were observed within 3 feet of tlie snrface; others at the depth of
6 feet, and at intermediate depths. There was always aronnd the place
where these had stood a bed of coals and ashes, and in some of them
pieces of charred human bones.
Fifty-seven skeletons were discovered in this mound, the relativf'
positions of which are shown in Fig. 2.58. None were nearer the top
than i feet, and none, except ^'o. 49, at a greater depth than 7 feet;
all, except Nos. 29 and 49, lay in a horizontal position, with heads in
various directions, as shown in the figure.
Pig. L'59. — Bone impleiuent, Big Toco mound.
Quite a number of clay vessels were discovered, mostly pots, which
had crumbled to pieces; some of them seemed to be perfect while in
position, but were so thoroughly soaked with water tliat they fell to
pieces as soon as an attempt was made to remove them. Nevertheless
by digging carefully around and heating those which appeared whole
a few were saved unbroken. Most of the celts were near the heads
of the skeletons. Sometimes, where twoheads were close together, the
celt or celts were placed midway between them, either intentionally or
Fui. 2G(i. — iloue iniiiU-iiu-iit, llij; Toco mound.
accidentally, in which case it was imijossible to decide which skeleton
they were birried with.
In every case where ajar or other clay vessel aceonqianied a skel-
eton it was near the head, either by the side of the skull or back of it.
In most instances where beads were found they were about the neck
and breast.
By reference to Fig. 258 the reader will observe that skeleton 49 is
nearthecenter of the mound; that immediately around it are eight other
skeletons (Xos. 13, 14, 1.1, 40,45,40,47, and 48), with their heads turned
nearly or directly toward it. About the head of 13 were the following
TENNESSEE.
383
si)ecimens: A polished celt; ;i small discoidal stoue; three boue iuiple-
inents, one of whlcli is shown in Fig. 2.50, the other two of the form
shown in Fig. 200; a stone pipe (Fig. 2G1), shaped much like those in
I'lij. -01 SluliB ]»iin', l>iLi 'I'dcn moUBd.
Firi. 2ti'.'.— Oriiaincnteil shell, Bij; Tihii inoiind.
usage; and the
use at the present day, and bearing evidence of Ion
ornamented shell shown in Fig. 2(i2. With ISo. 49, chi/pHy about the
head, were the following articles : Three polished celts; the stone imple
Fig. 263. — Stone implement, Big Toco mouud.
meut shown in Fig. 263, finely polished; a small water bottle; a large
spearhead ; a soapstone pipe (the bowl and handle had been made in
one piece, but the stem in this case was broken off and the end ground
384
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to admit a oane stem): the pot shown in Fiy. 204; an enormous shell
mask, the largest, perhaps, ever found in a mound; two small orna-
mented shells; twenty-nine bone jiunches or needles, similar to that
represented in Fig. 253; thirty-six arrowheads, and some very large
shell beads. The bone implements were found by tlie right hand, which
lay close to the right thigh bone; the rest of the articles were about
the head, except the shell beads, which appear to have been around the
body,about the hi^is; they were in two rows close side by side.
Fig. 2G4.-Pot, Big Toco moumi.
Articles found by the other skeletons were as follows:
Skeleton 4, two polished celts and one discoidal stone.
Skeleton 5, one polished celt.
Skeleton 8, one polished celt, one snapstonc pipe, one ornamented shell, and one pot.
Skeleton 9, two polished celts.
Skeleton 17, one polished celt.
Skeleton 18, two polished celts, one stone pipe, two pots, two engraved shells and
one shell-ornament, and a number of shell beads.
Skeleton 22, two polished celts.
Skeleton 24, one polisheil celt.
Skeleton 26, two polished celts, three discoidal stones.
Skeleton 27, one polished celt.
Skeleton 28, two polished celts, one pot.
Skeleton 31, two polished celts.
Skeleton 33, two polished celts, two pots, one engraved shell, three shell ornaments,
and a number of shell Vieads.
Skeleton 34, three polished celts.
Skeleton 36, one discoidal stone.
Skeleton 37, one ])olishcd celt, one stone pipe, one engraved shell.
Skeleton 41, one polished celt, one stone pipe, one pot, one engraved shell, one shell
ornament.
Skeleton 51, one ornamented shell, one flint implement, a number of shell beads.
Skeleton 52, one ornamented shell, one shell mask, one shell gorget.
Skeleton No. 29 was buried in a perpendicular position, head down-
ward, and rock piled on the feet, as shown in Fig. 25S. The top of the
head rested on the hard stratum at the d«j)th of 9 feet from the top of
the mound.
THOMAS. 1
TENNESSEE.
385
TIIK CALLAWAY IIOINII. ^
Mound No. 1!, known as tlie Callaway uiound, stands on the level
bottom, is conical in form, 93 feet in diameter, and (i feet high. The
soil of 8 or 10 acres around this and the Big Toco mound is very black.
This seems dne to a large intermixture of charcoal. Indeed, it seems
almost impossible to step without treading on coals, fragments of
Fig. 265.— Veriical scctiun of Calljiway mouml. Mo
county.
pottery, broken arrow-heads, shells, and Hint chips. About half way
between the mound and the river, tlie ground rises about 2 feet above
the usual level, and then breaks off abruptly toward the river. On
this little elevation, for a space of r>() or (;0 feet in diaTueter, is a bed
of burnt clay, the top
portion broken up by J^
the plow. It is nuR'-h
liarder a foot or two
under the surface than
it is on top.
Possibly it was here
the people of the vil-
lage were accustomed
to burn their pottery.
The mound was found
to be composed of loose,
dark, sandy soil, simi-
lar to that around it.
Lying on the surface or
top, immediately under
the grass, were frag-
meats of human bones,
such as ])ieces of the
arm aud leg bones,
pieces of the skull, jaw
bones, teeth, etc. These
had doubtless been
brought up by the plow, as the mound had been cultivated for fifty
years, and was considerably worn down. In tlie central portion, at
the depth of about IS inches, was a level bed of burnt clay and coals
(1, Fig. 265), which represents a vertical section of the mound looking
north (2 indicates the position of the skeletons at the bottom). This
varied from 2 to 3, or more, inches in thickness, and covered an area of
about IS by 20 feet.
12 ETH 25
Fig. 2GG. — Diagram of Callaway mound, Monroe county, Tennessee.
386
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Fourteen skeletons were discovered in this mound, all lying' extended
in a horizontal position, but with their heads in different directions, as
shown in Pig. 266. Some of the burials took place subsequent to the
formation of the tire bed, as a few of the skeletons were above it or
resting on it. jSTos. 1 and 2 were lying face up, heads southwest, at a
depth of 18 inches. No. 3 lay -with the head to the uorthwest, about
20 inches below the surface of the mound; about the Avrists and hands
were some small shell beads,
but none about the neck,
where they are usually found.
Xo. 4 was lying on its back,
head to the south ; No. 5 with
the head to the southwest.
No. C was about the center
of the mound a nd at the depth
of 3 feet, head northeast. It
was much better preserved
than those nearer the toi).
A few small shell beads were
lying about the neck and
breast. No. 7 was lying lace
up, head northeast, left hand
by the side, but the right
arm bent upward so as to
bring the hand above the
head. By this hand was the
water vessel shown in Figs.
207 and 26S, made to repre-
sent an owl. The peculiarity
of this si^ecimen is found in
the feather marks which or-
nament the back or portion
representing the wings. The
markings, instead of being
like those on the Zuiii or Pu-
eblo pottery — although the
vessel is precisely of the pat-
tern made by the Pueblo
tribes — are of the strictly
Mexican type. This vessel
was close to the skull, aud
almost touching tlie right hand. At each side of the head was a large
sea shell (Bnsycon jHTversum), one of them IS inches long, the circum-
ference at the widest part 22 inches. About tlie neck and breast were
several hundred shell beads. Skeleton No. 8 was lying in tlie same po-
sition ami about the same depth as No. 7. Near the right hand were
Vui. *J67. — Water A-essel, CuUaway iiinmnl.
TENNESSEE.
387
five somewhat singular arrow points or drills, .some of which are appar-
ently unfinished. No. 9, somewhat isolated, lay north of those last men-
tioned, with head directly east; depth from the surface, 3 feet. Near
the northeast corner of the first pit, a stone wall, or rather a row of
stone slabs set on edge, was encountered, which further investigation
and a thorough removal of the dirt sliowed to be an oval vault (see
Fig. 2(i(J) 10 feet long and 8 feet broad. This wall, com])osed of slabs
of slate rock set on edge,
was about 1 foot high, the
top at the highest point 3
feet below the top of the
mound. The bottom was
completely covered with a
layer of slate slabs, as
closely fitted together as
the tin worked edges would
admit of. Resting on this
ttoor wevc four skeletons,
as shown in Fig. 266 (Nos.
10, 11, lii, and 13), the heads
north and northeast. With
skeleton No. 11 were som<'
fragments ( )f copper-stained
wood and some pieces of
micar Skeleton No. 14, out
side of the vault, lay with
the head northeast.
Mounds 7, 8, and 9 really
form a separate group and
probably, as above stated,
mark the site of a village
distin(!t from the one on the
east of Toco creek. Nos. 7
and 8 are on a terrace some
25 feet above the water
level, but No. 9, as before
remarked, is in a swale
drained by the little rivulet
known as Swamp creek.
All are of small size.
Nos. 7 and 8 consisted chiefiy of yellowish Sandy soil from the ad-
jacent surface ; for the first 2 feet from the top this was packed so hard
as to require the use of a pick. In No. S, at a depth of 2i feet, lay the
skeleton of a child in the last stage of decay; about the head were
several shell beads. Mound No. 9, similar in construction, contained
four skeletons lying at a depth of 5^ feet, sind very nearly in the center
-WatiT vessel, Callawav iiioiiiul.
388
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
of tlic iiiuuikI. Witli thciri wus ii liirj^e discoidal mortar stone,
ing else of interest was observed iu any of them.
Noth-
THE I'ATE MOUND.
On the north side <if the Little Tennessee, a short distance above
the mouth of Mne Mile creek, and nearly opposite Old Fort Loudou,is
a single conical tumulus known locally as the Pate mound.
It is small, being only 4 feet high, with a diameter of 45 feet. Its
stratification was as follows: At the top, a layer of vegetable mold
about 4 inches thick; next, 3 feet of damj) red clay; lastly, a layer of
loose, dark clay, 8 inches thick, resting on the original soil. The lower
portion of this bottom layer, to the thickness of an inch, increasing in
the center to nearly 6 inches, was much darker than the other part.
Six feet from the center, at a depth of three feet in the layer of red
clay, lay a single folded skeleton. In the lowest layer, resting on the
original surface, were three other skeletons extended horizontally, with
faces ui). With these were .some mussel shells and a stone chisel.
The village site on the opposite (south) side of the river (No. 0, PI.
xxv) corresponds with Toskegee, of Timberlake's map, located iu the
immediate vicinity of Fort Loudon.
THE NILES KERRY MOUNDS.
This group, consisting of three mounds, is situated on the north side
of the Little Tennessee, opposite the mouth of Tellico river and close
to Siles's ferry, at the cross-
ing of the old Federal road.
Fig. 269 shows their posi-
tion. Nos. 2 and 3, which
are comparatively small
and of the usual conical
type, stand on a timbered
ridge which comes to the
river immediately below
the old blockhouse oppo-
site Fort Loudon. No. 1 is
a very large mound, stand-
ing on the second bottom,
about 400 feet from the
river. A single shaft was
suTik part way down in
it some years ago by Dr.
Palmer, but it has never
been thoroughly explored.
It is flat on top, 10 or 11 feet high, and about 300 feet in diameter. The
Bureau agent, expecting to return to the group the following season,
-I'lut of the Nilea ferry mouuda. Mourue cuuuly,
Teuuessee.
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
389
took no other notes tlian the courses and distances of the mounds from
one to another and from the river.
From a, opposite the iiioutli of the Tellico river, to h, on the uortli l>;ink of the Lit-
tle Teuucssee, N. 3r>>3 W., 300 feet.
From /) to mound No. 1, N. 30*^ E., 410 feet.
From mound No. 1 to mound No. 2, S. 74° E., 1,200 feet (pjiced).
From mound No. 2 to mound No. 3, S. 75° E., 550 feet.
This group is No. 11 on the phit given in PI. xxv.
Two miles below tlie preceding, on the south side of the river, is a
group of three mounds, sliown in Fig. 270. Xo. 1, conical, 53 feet in
diameter and 5 feet high,
aud No. 3, similar but
somewhat larger, were
excavated and found to
consist of hard, yellow
clay. In the former a few
fragments of human bones
were found, and in the lat-
ter two skeletons. Partly
on the land about tlie
mound and partly on the
island are the indications
of a former village. This
is the site of Timberlake's
Mialaquo, and is thegroup
marked 10 on PI. xxv.
It is necesjsary now to notice some other groups in Monroe county
before continuing our course down the river, as the next group in this
direction is in Loudon county.
MMMm
%&m^
Fig. 270 — Group 2 idiIuh below I^iles'a terry.
MOUNDS IN TELLICO PLAIN.S.
These, twelve in number, are located along the Tellico river in the ex-
treme southern part of the county, in the little basin like valley known as
Tellico plains. Mound No. 11, on a high ridge on the east side of the
river, measured 40 feet in diameter and 0 feet high. It was com^josed
of the following strata: First, below the thin stratum of vegetable
mold and decayed leaves, was a layer of red clay to the depth of 3 feet;
next, a layer of dark earth varying in thickness from (5 inches to 1 foot,
but conforming to the curves of the mouiid. In this dark earth were
small deposits of sand and gravel, which were probably brought front
the river, each deposit being about a load for one person. Below this
dark stratum was another layer of clay, reaching to and resting upon
the original surface of the ground. In this, next to the original sur-
face, were two large lines of rotten wood, evidently the remains of two
logs. These were S or 9 feet long, lying parallel to one another, and 6
feet apart. Between them, also resting on the original sm-face of the
390
MOUND KXPLORATIONS.
ground, was a single skeleton, lying at full length, head south and feet
north, the same direction as the h)g's, but so far decayed that the bones
crumbled to pieces when handled. There may have been a covering of
bark or brush, but nothing was observed to verify such conclusion.
Nothing else worthy of notice wiis discovered.
Nos. 8 and 0 were explored, but were found to l)e nothing more than
hea])s of yellow clay with a fire-bed near the top of each. As they were
oidy about 40 feet in diameter and from 4 to 5 feet high, they may have
been house sites.
No. 10, 6 feet high and 48 feet in diameter, was also composed of yel-
low clay, except a limited area, a few inches thick, next the original
surface in the center. Here there was a sudden change to dark, loose
earth, covering a space about ii feet in diameter and extending l)elow
the original surface.
This being removed, a circular pit was revealed a little over 3 feet
deep, rounded at the bottom and 4 J feet in circumference. This had
probably been filled with some sirbstance which had decayed.
MOl'NDS ON THE CLICK I-AK.M.
This small group, consisting of three mounds, is situated on the Tel-
lico river, 8 miles above its mouth, on the Click farm. Fig. 271 is a
diagram showing their posi-
tions. The inver runs south
about 70 degrees east from a
short distance above the
mounds to the mouth of a
small branch below, then
bends to about south 30 de-
grees east. There is no level
bottom laud on either side ex-
cept a few acres on which
mound No. 3 stands. Nos. 1
and 2 on the north side are on
the point of a high ridge. All
three are hemmed in on all
sides by high bluffs and ridges.
From No. 1 to No. 2 the dis-
tance is 170 feet; from No. 3 to the river bank, 290 feet. All are small,
Nos. 1 and 2 being about 3 feet high, and No. 3 nearly obliterated.
LOTTDON COUNTV.
Returning t<i the Little Tennessee, we continue our course down the
river.
MOUNliS AHOl'T MOlKiANTON'.
Next below the group represented in Fig. 270 are some mounds on
both sides oi' the river, in the vicinity of tlw little village of Morganton;
. 271 . — Phtt of ninuuds on the Click farm, Mouroe
i-ouiitA", Tfuncsaei'.
THOMAS.] TENNESSEE, 391
tliey arc inaikod No. 13 ou PI. xxv. There are two on the north siile
of the river, ou the Cobb farm, near Baker's creek, and three on the
south side, on the Tipton farm.
Two of those on tiie south side were examined. They stand on the
second bottom, about 200 yards from the river and 90 feet apart. In
one, G4 feet iu diameter and 7 feet high, composed throughout of red
clay, were four badly decayed skeletons, at the bottom. The original
surface of the grouml on which they lay was thinly covered with coals.
The other mound was similar iu every respect to the first, except that
it contained but two skeletons.
Another mound near Morgantou (not given in the plat), but situated
ou Mr. Samuel Lane's farm, close to Baker creek, was examined. This,
which measured 48 feet iu diameter and 4 in height, stood on the bot-
tom or lowest level of the valley, about 200 feet from the creek. The
composition, conimeiicing at the top, was as follows: First a foot of
yellow clay, then a stratum of dark rich earth S inches thick, and last
a bed of lighter colored earth extending down to and resting on the
natural surface of the ground.
Below the last layer, excavated in the original soil, was an oblong-
pit 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 1 foot deep. Resting ou the bottom of
this pit were two adult skeletons with heads to the east. Near the
head of one were eight arrow points. The bottom of the pit, previous
to the deposit of the bodies in it, had been covered to the depth of 2 or
3 inches with coals and ashes. The remainder of the pit to the level
of the natural surface of the ground was tilled with- very dark colored
earth.
THE BAT CREEK MOINDS.
Two miles below Morgantou, on the west side of the Little Tennessee
river. Bat creek joins this stream. Both above and below the mouth of
this creek there is a pretty level valley, extending back from the river
at some points half a mile to the base of the steep hills which border it.
Immediately in the angle where the creek joins the river is a compara-
tively lai'ge mound, and on the opposite or west side of the creek are
two other mounds (Nos. 2 and 3). The first is on the bottom land, the
others ou a level terrace some 20 or 30 feet higher than the first bottom
or lowest valley level; the latter are about 100 feet distant from one
another, measuring from center to center.
These (No. 14 on PI. xxv) are on land owned by Mr. M. M. Tipton,
but are different from those previously mentioned, which are about 2
miles farther uj) the river.
Mound 1, measuring 108 feet in diameter and S feet in height, was
composed wholly of very dark soil, containing a great many small shells ;
these were in fact so abundant in places as to present the appearance
of a shell heap. This condition continued to the depth of 3i feet to a
layer of hard yellow sand; under this the remainder of the mound to
the original surfiice, except a central, circular area 2 feet in diameter.
392 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
consisted of dark earth siuiilar to that of the top layer. The central,
circuhir core consisted of a series of burned chiy beds or hearths, alter-
nating with layers of coals and ashes. These extended downward from
the layer of yellow sand to the bottom of the mound. A few charred
animal bones occurred in some of the layers of ashes; nothing else of
interest was observed.
On the east sicfe of the river, directly opposite this mound, is an
ancient village site where the soil is very dark and has scattered through
it in abundance specimens of broken pottery, flint chips, and other evi-
dences of occupancy. In several places little circles of burnt stones
may be seen lying on 1)eds of ashes.
On mound 2, 44 feet in diameter and 10 feet high, stood a blackoak
tree 3 feet in diameter. It was comj^osed throughout of hard red clay.
At the depth of oh feet was the skeleton of an adult in a horizontal
position, with the head east and the arms close by the sides. The earth
immediately about the bones was of a dark greenish color and about
the breast were two metal buckles, one of them having a fragment of
leather or hide still adliering to it. On the leg bones were still to be
seen fragments of buckskin and a metal button, the latter sticking fast
to the bone.
Whether or not this was an intrusive burial could not be determined,
though the uniform composition of the mound and the size of the oak
growing above seems to be against this supposition; nevertheless, the
further discoveries made show that it was subsequent to the original
burials and not in accordance with the original plan.
At a depth of a little over 4 feet, and immediately under this skele-
ton, the top of a stone wall was reached; this was found by further
excavation to be a vault 8 feet square, built up of rough, flat limestone
rocks to the height of 5 feet above the original soil on which it rested.
On the inside, about half way down, were seven skeletons, numbered,
for convenience, 2, .'5, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. No. '2 was the skeleton of a
child, horizontal, with the head to the east; Nos. 3 and 4 lying together
with the head north, one of which was a child's skeleton, with small
beads about the head; Nos. .5 and 0 were in a sitting posture in the
northeast corner, and around the neck of one were many small shells
and large shell beads; Nos. 7 and 8 were lying in the center with the
heads close together and crushed by large flat stones which lay on
them. Nothing more was found in this vault until the bottom was
reached, where nine more skeletons were discovered, much decayed, and
lying in all directions, seemingly thrown in without any care.
Mound 3 was of small size, measuring but 28 feet in diameter and 5
feet in height. Some large sassafras trees were standing on it, and the
owner, Mr. Tipton, stated that he had cut trees from it forty years ago,
and that it had been covered by a cluster of trees and grapevines as
Io7ig ago as the oldest settler in the locality could recollect. At the
time the excavation was made there was an old rotten stump yet on
TENNESSEE.
393
the top, the roots of which ran down to the skeletons. It was com-
posed throughout, except about the skeletons at the bottom, of hard
red clay, without any indications of stratification. Nothing' of interest
was discovered until the bottom was reached, where nine skeletons were
found lying on the original surface of the ground, surrounded by dark
colored earth. These were disposed as sho'mi in Fig. 272. No. 1
lying at full length with the head south, and close by, parallel with it,
but with the head north, was Xo. 2. On the same level were seven
others, all lying close side by side, with heads north and in a line. All
were biidly decayed. No relics were found with any but No. 1, imme-
diately under the skull and jaw bones of which were two copper brace-
lets, an engraved stone,
a small drilled fossil,
a copper bead, a bone
implement, and some
small piccesof polished
wood. The earth about
the skeletons was wet
and the pieces of wood
soft and colored green
by contact with tfie
copper bracelets. The
bracelets had been
rolled in something,
probably bark, which
crumbled away when
they were taken out.
The engraved stone
lay partially under the
back part of the skull
and was struck by the
steel prod used in prob-
ing. This stone is shown in Fig. 273. The engraved characters on it
are beyond question letters of the Cherokee alphabet said to have been
invented by George Guess (or Sequoyah), a half-breed Cherokee, about
1821.
MOUND <IN A HIGH CLIFF.
rici.272.-
-Horizoitt.ll section, Bat creek mound, No, 3, Loudon
countv. Tennessee.
On top of a high cliff overlooking thei'iver, on the opposite side and
a little above the Tipton group above mentioned, on the land of Mrs.
Blankenship, is a mound 30 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, which
at the time of exploration was covered with small trees. At the depth
of 1 foot the top of a stone wall was encountered, which was shown by
farther excavation to be an irregularly circular vault about 10 feet in
diameter, which rested on the original surface of the ground. The red
clay which filled this vault or small inclosure was covered by a layer
of flat stones. At the bottom were six skeletons lying extended on
394 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
anotiier layer of flat stoues, which coveicd the l»ottom of this vault.
Four of the.se lay with the heads north, aud two, au adult and a child,
with heads east. Over this stone floor, previous to burial, had been
spread a thin layer of coals and ashes.
One mile above the Tipton gioup mentioned, about 1 7iiile back from
the river, ou high, level upland, was found another mound 54 feet in
diameter and 6 feet high. In the center of this mound, 2 feet below
the top, were the bones of two skeletons lying in a pile, most of them
broken and apparently buried after the flesh had been removed. A
little north of the center was a straight stone wall about 10 or 12 feet
Fig. 273 Eugraved stoDc from Bat creek mound No. 3, London county, Tennessee.
long, 2 feet high, aiul a foot or more in thickness. This was not on the
original surface of the ground, but extended down from 2 to 4 feet
below the top.
MOnND.S AT PARKS FERRY (JACKSON's FKRRY ON THE PLAT).
These are situated 10 miles east of Lenoir's at a crossingof the Little
Tennessee known as Parks ferry. The group (No. 15, PI. xxv) con-
sists of four mounds and five stone graves. Three of the former, which
may be numbered 1, 2, and 3, were on the second bottom. No. 4 being
on a high terrace and in the forest.
Mound 1 measured 44 feet in diameter and 7 iu height. At the depth
of 18 inches, near the center, was a ])artially decayed skeleton in a sit-
ting posture, without the usual dark earth about it. Continuing the ex-
cavation, the explorer passed through a layer of rather dark, hard clay
to the dei)th of 4 feet, reaching a layer of sticky yellow clay about 3
inches thick. This, instead of conforming to the curve of the mound,
■was horizontal, as though it had been at one time the top, but did
not reach the outer surface by about a foot and a half. Below this, to
the natural surface of the ground, was a layer of lighter earth than the
clay above it. A little to the north of the center of the base was a
ciicular pit, 4 feet in diameter, which had been dug into the original
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
395
soil to the depth of 4 feet. At the bottom of this ^yere the bones of a
chikl lying in a bed of wet ashes 4 or 5 inches thick. The rest of the
pit above this bed was filled with very dark, loose earth, similar to that
l)roduced by decayed vegetable snbstance. Scattered through this
dark earth were lumps of some green substancie which crumbled to
dust on exposure to the air.
Mound 2 was .32 feet in diameter and only 2 feet high, and consisted
throughout of light colored earth, similar to the surrounding soil.
Small bits of charcoal were scattered through it, but no indications of
burial. Beneath it, at the center, was a pit in the native soil similar
to that in No. 1, but only 3 feet deep. This was filled with very dark
earth.
Mound .3 was similar in size and every other respect to No. 2.
Mound 4 was 35 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. Around it were
depressions from which it is evident the earth was obtained to build it.
Bits of charcoal were scattered all
through the red clay of which it was
composed. In the center, at the
depth of 2 feet, was a single prostrate
skeleton with the head to the north-
east. Near the head M'ere a fine
steatite pipe, some flint chips, a flint
drill, and a small celt. There was,
as usual in this group, a circular pit
in the native soil about 4 feet across
and 3 feet deep, in the bottom of
which lay a folded adult skeleton,
surrounded by charcoal and ashes
and a few fragments of steatite ves-
sels.
A short distance from this grouiJ,
at the upper end of Jackson's island, there are seven shell heaps, some
of which are 60 feet in diameter, though rising but little above the gen-
eral surface of the ground, yet by digging into them they were found
to extend downward to the depth of from 3 to 4 feet. In these were
several stone pestles, chipped flints, and other refuse material.
Fig. 274 — Moimd.s on John Jacksoo's farm,
Loiulnn county, Tennessee.
MOUND.'* OX THE .TACKSON FAR.M.
About the mouth of the Little Tennessee is a series of mound groups,
mostly of the ordinary conical form, and of comparatively small size.
The first of the series represented in Fig. 274 is on the upper end of the
Jackson farm, 4 miles from Lenoir's station, and is No. 10, PI. xxv.
The river at this point is deep and sluggish. A small creek enters
it from the ea.st side, flowing through a, narrow bottom between high
parallel ridges. Mound No. 2 is in the bottom, close to the creek and
about half a mile from the river. It measured 60 feet in diameter and
396
MOUND EXPLORATIONS
*^^S^''/lll
..««ii&''
^Hsiam
4 feet in lieiglit, and was coniposed tlirouglioiit of red clay, scattered
through wliich were gravel and small stones and a few fragments of
human bones.
Mounds Nos. 1 and 3are on opposite sidesof the creek, each on ahigh
ridge. No. 1, about the same size as No. 2, had been explored. No. 3,
46 feet in diameter and 3J feet high, was thoroughly excavated. Like
No. 2, it consisted
wholly of red clay.
At the depth of 1
foot was a skeleton
lying with head
to the south and
nmch decayed.
At the head a
fine steatite pipe.
Nothing else was
found.
Lower down the
Jackson's fa r m
and the land ot
the Lenoir Manu-
facturing Com-
pany, isthe group
i-epresented in
Fig. 275. The fol-
lowing is a sum-
mary of the re-
sults of the exploration made here. The letters a, b, c, d mark the
points on the river from which courses and distances to the mounds
were taken to form the plat, which is drawn to a scale, 1 — 18000.
river,
line
near the
between
FlQ. 275. — Mounda on John Jackson'.'^ farm, Loudon county, Tennessee.
No.
Diameter.
Height.
Composition.
Remarks.
Pert.
Feet.
4
(>0
2i
Red clay
Neither .skeletonH nor relics.
(1
' 7
S
7:;
45
4.'i
12
3
....do
Four skeletons at Itottoni : no relics.
In each a I't^w IVaynients of human bones;
....do
.-..do
nothing else.
9
45
3
..-.do
10
43
3
----do
11
12
65
48
5
34
- do - . . .
F»uu' skeletons at the bottom : no relics.
A few human bones at the bottom. ■
. . . do
A few mounds of this group had been previously explored by other
parties. This is No. 17, PI. xxv.
TKNNESSEE.
397
The mouuds at and about the point where the Little Tennessee joins
the Holston consist, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 276, of some
three or fonr minor groups and several single mounds. These (with
the exception of those on the point of Lenoir's island, which are num-
bered separately) are numbered consecutively from 1 to IG. Although
these mounds are indicated on PI. xxv, the groups are not numbered
there, as the locations compared with Fig. 276 will serve to identify
them.
The island contains about 200 acres, and its surface, which is level,
is about 15 feet above the ordinary stage of the river. The banks are
steep and have heavy timber and much cane growing along them. On
the northern or lower end are two mounds. No. 1, which was found to
be very symmetrical, the base almost an exact circle 100 feet in diameter
and 6 J feet high, was thoroughly worked over. lu it were found foui'-
398
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
teen skeletons, as sliown in the cliagiani (Fiji;, '■i'i'i)- The top layer,
about IS inches thick, consisted of dark sandy soil, scattered througli
which were numerous fragments of pottery, shells. Hint chips, and bits
of charcoal. Next below this was a layer, about 4 inches thick, of yel-
low clay, thoroughly burnt and very hard. This conformed to the
curvature of the mound, extending all around to the base, and entirely
covering the nucleus which formed the original mound. Below this,
and forming the nucleus, was a layer of dark, sandy soil, similar to
the outer stratum, which extended nearly to the base and rested on a
horizontal layer of burned clay, which covered the original surface of
the ground to a depth of -t or .5 inches. All the skeletons were ftmnd
resting horizontally on, or a few inches alxjve, this bottom layer of
burnt clay or cement:
Xo. 1. with the head
north; about the neck
were several blue glass
beads.
Nos. 2 and 3, lying side
by side, with heads west.
Nos. 4 and 5, lying side
by side, with heads east
and feet close to the feet
of 2sos. 2 and .3.
No. 6, the skeleton ot
a child, lying apart from
the others, with head
south; about the neck
were a number of beads,
and around the arm
bones two iron bracelets.
Xos. 7, 8, 9, and 10
were lying side by side,
touching one another, with heads to the west ; with the.se were some
sheets of mica and a stone knife.
No. 11 was the skeleton of a child, lying ai)art from the others, head
southwest; there were no ornaments wath it.
Nos. 12, 13, and 14 were lying side by side, with heads southwest.
Mound No. 2, like No. 1, is on the northern end of the island, but it
differs in one very important respect from any other mound so far ob-
served in this region. It lias annexed to it a broad and extended ter-
race of the form shown in Fig. 278, A being the mound proper and B
the annex or terrace. It is termed "annex," because it is evident that
the mound was first completed and the terrace added afterwards, and
not built uji with and as a part of the mound.
The mound is circular, lOS feet in diameter, flat on top, and nearly
11 feet high. The terrace, which is level on top and 8 feet high, widens
Fig. 27'
[•Ian iif burials in mmunl No. 1, Lenoir group.
THOMAS.]
TENNESSEE.
399
mt'-
as it exteudK fioiu the inouml, and then gradually uarrows uutil it
comes to a point which coincides with the lower point of the island;
its length is 570 and greatest breadth 380 feet.
An exi)lanation of the plan followed in working over this mound is
given, as it will illustrate the method adopted in regard to the others
of which figures are given. First stakes were set on the outi-r margin
exactly at the four cardinal
points by compass. Then on a
large jiasteboard a line was
drawn representing the outline
of the base. The exploration was
then made by cutting successive
parallel trenches from east to
west entirely across it. When-
ever a skeleton was found it was
carefully cleaned before an at-
tempt to remove it was made,
and its position noted as accu-
rately as possible on the paste-
board. The result in this case
is shown in Fig. 279.
Theconstruction of this mound
was much like that of No. 1, on
the Jackson farm, the chief dif-
ferences being thai in this case
there were three layers of burnt
clay instead of two, and there
was a shaft extending down from
top to bottom, filled with alter-
nate layers of burnt clay and
ashes, as shown in Fig. 280.
The central shaft, which was circular, 8 feet in diameter at the top
and 4 at the bottom, extended from the top layer of dark soil down to
the original surface of the earth. It consisted of a succession of fire
beds, the clay of one layer having been placed upon the accunuilated
ashes and coals of the one below it.
The remains of quite a number of posts were found; these had evi-
dently been set perpendicularly in the surface of the mound when the
clay stratum d d formed the covering. Some of these were nearly or
quite 18 inches in diameter, others not more than 6; they were all about
on the same level. The upper ends of all were charred, showing that they
had been burned oft"; hence no estimate of their original height could
be made. The portion remaining varied from 2 to 3 feet in length, prob-
ably showing the depth to which they were inserted in the earth of the
mound. The lower ends of the larger ones were cut off scjuare, but it
was not x^ossible to decide by the marks what kind of a tool had been
used. Fig. 281 shows their relative positions. At a they were placed
Fig. 278.— Diagram of mound No. 2, Lenoir jo'oup.
400
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in a circle, with a large one in the center, the circumference containing
twenty-three, somewhat regularly spaced. The diameter of this curcle
was about 20 feet, with the door or entrance probably at 1. On the
other (juarter, near the central shaft (rf), the positions of the posts around
Flu. 279. — Plan of burials in luoiiud No, 2, Lenoir group.
h indicate, an irregular triangular structure of some kind. On the oppo-
site side there seems to have been, judging by the remains of posts, a
small oval structure (e).
9
Fui. 280. — Yerticul section of mouml No. 2, Lt-noir group.
a a, the top layer of dark sandy soil, slmiljir to that around the mouud, 1^ feet thick.
bh, a, thin layer of burnt yellow clay or cement, from 3 to 4 inches thick.
c c, dark sandy soil, 2K feet thick.
d d, a, second layer of burnt clay, 3 inches.
f e, dark sandy soil, 11 fict thick.
//, a third layer of burnt clay, 3 inches thick.
g (J, <lark, mucky soil, resting on the original surface of the ground.
h, the central shaft of alternate layers of burnt clay and ashes.
an, remains of upright cedar posts.
T1K).MAS.]
TENNESSEE.
401
Sixty-seven skeletons were discovered, all in the lowest layer {(/) of
(lark mucky earth and all except two lying horizontally at full lenj;th.
Although pointing in various directions, as shown in Fig. 279, which
.0..'.
JTlG. 281. — Horizontal plan of iiionud 'No, 2, Lenoir yroup.
represents their respective positions, it will be noticed that most of
them have their heads toward the center of the mound. No. 11 was in
a sitting or squatting posture, and No. 4G folded up, lying on the right
side. The bones of the left leg of No. 27 were wanting.
Fui. 282.— (JruauRiiliil p. 4, uioiunl .No. 2. Lcuoir ;;roiip.
The appearance of a number of these skeletons indicated the follow-
ing method of burial. The body of the deceased was covered with a
layer of cane or brush; over this was spread clay or cement in a plas-
tic state, and upon this a fire was built.
12 ETii 2G
402
MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
The ])ot,s were jiciieially found at the head of tlie skeleton, but the
hue ornamented one (Fig. 282) was lying on the breast of No. 7, while
a flint knife, some red paint, and wampum
beads were about the head. The pipes
were generally close to the head. In one
or two cases they lay with the boues of the
hand. The large shells were always on the
breast or close to the neck, indicating that
they had been worn attached to a cord
about the neck, on which shell beads were
strung. The shell ornaments (like that
shown in Fig. 2S3) were in every case at
the sides of the head, and, as not one was
found with a skeleton without finding its
counterpart, it is assumed tliat they were
ear ornaments. The long pointed shell or-
naments, such as that shown in Fig. 284,
were always found at the back of the head,
as though they were used as hair orna-
ments.
The following is a list of specimens from this mound, showing the
particular skeleton with which each was found:
Shell heads, from skeleton No. 2.
Large shell, from skeleton No. 3.
Very fine ornamented pot, flint knife, red paint, wampum l>eads, from skeleton
No. 7.
Two Hue pots, from sl<eletou No. 10.
Beads and shell ornament, from skeleton No. 11.
Large shell beads, three copper ornaments, ttom .skeleton No. 12.
Pipe (Fig. 28.5), from skeleton No. 20.
Eleven arrowheads, from skeleton No. 24.
Large flint spearheads and wampum beads, from skeleton No. 25.
Fig. 283.— Shell ornament, mound No
2. Lenoir group.
Flo. 284. — Shell ornament, mounU No. 2, Lenoir group.
Large pipe and hone implements, from skeleton No. 29.
Shell ornaments, from skeleton No. 34.
.Shell ornaments, from skeleton No. 3.5.
Shell ornaments, from skeleton No. 36,
Flint knife and broken red pipe, from skeleton No, 37.
Six polished felts, red stone implement, and two steatite pipes, from skeleton No. 39.
Hone implements, from skeleton No. 41.
Two engraved .shells, from .skeleton No. 43.
Two engraved shells (fine) and shell ornament, from skeleton No. 44.
Pot, from skeleton No. 45.
Fine shell, double pot, long pot, and moceasin-sbaped pot, from skeleton No. 49.
Large arrowhead, from skeleton No. 50.
-HoMAs.l TENNESSEE. 403
Fine pot, steatite pijn', shell oruameiits, stouo ax, rlay oniauieuts, skull, and two
•Useoidal stonos, from skeleton No. 53.
Two discoidal stones, oelt, two steatite pipes, and a pot, from skeleton No. 61.
Two spearheads and two large beads, from skeleton No. 62.
Flint knife, iron chisel, large di.sfoidal stone .-ind skull, from skeleton No. 63.
The terrace coimecteil with thi.s luoiind, and already described, was
oidy partially explored, further work being prevented by high water.
In a single trench, 24 feet long and 10 feet \vide, cut lengthwise in the
center to the original surface, 9 skeletons were discovered. The first
was that of a cljild at a depth of 18 inches; the bones were badly
decayed and unaccompanied by relics of any kind. The other 8, all
adults, were found at the depth of 7 feet, close to the bottom, and iu a
mu<'h better state of i>reservation than that of the child. With them
were three whole pots and a few broken beads.
1- II.. :!85. — Pipe, mound No. 2, Lenoir group.
The island was overflowed in 1887, the year the exploration was
made, to a depth of 10 or 12 feet, the highest water, with one exception,
ever known here.
Mounds 13 and 14, in the bottom between the two creeks opposite
the mouth of the Little Tennessee, were explored and both found
to be composed Ihioughout of red clay. They were of the ordinary
conical form, the former 54 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, the latter
46 feet in diameter and 2 feet liigh. In the center of the former, at the
base, was a single skeleton resting on a circular layer of ashes--, about 4
feet in diameter and 2 inches thick, which had been spread on the orig-
inal surface of the ground. Nothing was found in No. 14.
By reference to the plat (Fig. 276) it will be seen that there are nine
mounds (Nos. 1 to 9) on the point between the Ilolstou and the Little
Tennessee. They are situated on a low ridge in groups of three.
No. 4, 42 feet in diameter, .3i feet high, was excavated, and, like all
the upland mounds in this section, consisted wholly of red clay. It
contained neither skeleton nor relic.
No. 1, measuring 45 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, is situated ou
40-4 xMOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the brow or highest point of tiie ridge, where it breaks off toward the
Little Tennessee. The body of the mound consisted of red clay, except
ininiediately in the center, where there was a cii-cular bed about 6 feet
in diameter, of darker coh)red earth, which was quite loose, the other
part of the niouud beinsr very hard. This loose eartli did not cease at
the original surface of the ground, but continued downward to the
deptli of 4 feet; the pit into which it extended was circular and at the
bottom were the remains of a single skeleton. With these remains
were a line steatite pipe, one large spearhead, seven arrowheads, one
long polished stone, and some red and black paint.
Nos. 5 and 0 were oi)ened and found to consist as usual of red clay
with a few human bones in each.
Nos. 7, 8, and 0 had been examined previously.
Want of time prevented any further examination duiing this visit of
tliis interesting group. Subsequently some other mounds not desig-
nated on the x)hit were examined.
One of these, lying between tlie Little Tennessee and Holston, near
their junction and connected with a group of three, measured 38 feet in
diameter and 0 feet in height. It was surrounded on the east and west
by depressions from which it is ]n'obable the eartli was taken to form
it. Two large Idack-oak trees were growing on it. At the depth of
1 foot a small pile of human bones was discovered. These were all
broken, and had evidently been placed here after the tlesh was removed.
The entire mound was composed of red clay and contained nothing of
interest.
There arc two mounds on top of a high bluff in what is known as Hall's
bend, on the south side of the Tennessee river, opposite Lenoirs island
(Nos. 15 and 10, Fig. 270). One of these, 26 feet in diameter and 3 feet
high, and surrounded by a ditch about a foot in depth, was explored.
A foot below the top a layer of Hat stones extending over the inound
was reached. Below this the remainder, to the bottom, consisted of dark
soil. A circular pit 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep extended into
the native soil; in this were two adult skeletons in a sitting posture,
side by side, pressed closely one against the other in consequence of
the small space. At the head of one was a fine marble pipe, and at the
bottom among the leg bones of the skeletons were several rude arrow
points. The earth in the pit was very dark and unctuous.
MEIGS COUNTY.
THE ]\rANDI!EWS MGIINDS.
This little group, consisting of but two mounds, is on the farm of Mr.
Jose})h McAiidrews, in the southwestern part of tlie county, 1 mile from
Hrittsville, and stands on the terrace or upland bordering the river bot-
tom.
Mound 1, which stands a short distance from a creek, is elliptical in
THojus.] TENNESSEE. 405
outline, 49 by 30 feet, the longer axis north and south, and a little over
7 feet high. A broad trencli carried through it, down to the original
soil, showed its construction to lie as follows:
First, a top layer 12 inches thick of soil similar to that of the surface
about the mound; nest a layer, 18 inches thick, of red clay mixed with
gravel; and lastly, a central core, 5 feet thick, of dark, rich looking
earth, with much charcoal scattered through it. This core, which was
conical and rounded, was but 17 feet in diameter. It contained nothing
of interest except a single stone grave, built of steatite slabs. This
was at one side of the center, partly in the central mass and partly
in the clay. It was 4 feet long, 2 wide, and 1 deep. In it lay a single
adult skeleton, folded, with head south. Although there was a top
covering of steatite slabs, the cist was filled with earth and the bones
were far gone into decay. A fire had been kindled on tlie top slabs ;
this had left a small bed of ashes a foot in diameter and 2 inches
thick, in which were a few pieces of charred sticks and the jiartially
calcined bones of some small animals. The bones of the inclosed
skeleton showed no signs of flre. The mound, which has been plowed
over for a number of years, was formerly surrounded by a ditch, traces
of which are still visible; this appears to be unusual in this section.
Mound No. 2, circular, 38 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, is situated
about one-fourth of a mile northeast of No. 1, on a high terrace.
A trench through th(» central portion brought to light nothing of
miiortance, except the fact that it was composed of dark-red earth
similar to that around it. The bones of a human skeleton were found
at a depth of 3 feet. They were heaped together, in wliicli position
they may have been buried, or else they were the remains of a body
that had been buried in a sitting or squatting posture. As the earth
was loose above them, it may have been an intrusive burial. There
were x>articles of charcoal scattered through the dirt.
The chief interest in this mound arises ft-om the fact that it appears to
have been a signal station. At least, it is a iwint well adapted to this
purpose, as it commands a fine view of the opening in the ridges some
G miles to the ncnthwest, through which the Hiawassee flows into the
Tennessee. Directly in front of this opening, in the month of the
Hiawassee, is a large island containing Tietween .500 and GOO acres. On
the bead of this is a large mound about 35 feet high. This latter
locality seems to have been a place of much imjiortance to the people
who erected these structures, probably where they assembled for feast-
ing, consultation, or ceremony. A flre signal at No. 2 could easily be
seen from this place.
Two other mounds, on the farm of Mr. T. J. Watkins, in the same
part of the county, were examineil, but presented nothing of interest.
They were both unstratified, and composed throughout of red earth
like that on which they stand. One was circular, 32 feet in diameter
and 4 feet high; the other oval, 40 by 20 feet, and 5 feet high.
406
MOUNU EXPLORATIONS.
UHEA COUNTY.
TIIK FHAZIKl! MOUNDS.
The two inouiul.s <',oini)osiii{;- this groiij) are on the farm of Mr. Sam-
uel Frazier, north of the Tennessee river, in the southern part of the
county, 3 miles south of Washington. They are located on tlie second
bottom, about one-fourt h of a mile from the river.
Mouud No. 1, circular in outline, was only 30 feet in diameter and •>
feet high. This was thoroughly worked over and f(jund to be comijosed
throughout of red clay, and to contain ten stone cists, placed as shown
in Fig. 28(!. These were made of thin slabs of limestone, with bot-
tom and covering of
the same. They dif-
fered somewhat from
the usual form, being
from 20 to 24 inches
square and from 12 to
24inchesdeep. Each
contained the bones
of a single skeleton,
in most cases of ad-
ults. In every in-
stance, the head was
at the bottom, the
other bones being
placed around and
above it. All the
space not occuj)ied
by the bones was
filled with dirt. No
relics were found.
As will be observed
by reference to the
figure, the graves were confined to the southeastera portion of the
mound. Those nearest the center were about a foot below the surface
of the mound, while the stones of those nearest the margin were par-
tially exposed. This was jtrobably owing to the mound's having been
considerably worn down.
Mouud No. 2, which stands 40 feet from No. 1, is also small, being
but 27 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. It had been opened by other
parties, and, according to report, found to contain stone gTaves similar
to those in No. 1. This was verified by an examination, as the bottom
and side pieces of a number of them were found still in place. These
were scattered throughout the mound, and their number must have
been considerable.
These small cists will probably recall to the minds of archeologists
FlQ. 286. — Plan of burials io mound No. 1, Frazier group, Rhea
eouuty, Teuueasee.
WE8T VIRGINIA.
407
JuuUlil//,,
^
##
tlie so-called "pigmy grave.s" about Sparta, ill tiie same state, which
excited so much interest and surprise many years ago, when they were
discovered.
WEST VIRGINIA.
FAYETTE dOUNTY.
THE HUDDLESON INCLOSl'RR.
This work, situated on the farm of Mr. A. Iluddleson, across the
Kanawha river from Mount Carbon, is shown in Fig. 287. It consists
of an inclosure circular in
form 1,34-1 feet in circumfer-
ence, or about 430 feet in
diameter, and is located on
smooth bottom laud above
the overtlows of the river.
The surrounding wall, which
consists of earth like the
surface soil about it and a
mixture of mussel shells
similar to those now found
in the Kanawha river, was
formerly some 3 or 4 feet
high, but has been reduced
by long cultivation to a mere
trace.
At a is an ash pile 4 feet
high surmounted by a long
Hat rock. At h was found a
box-shaped stone cist at the
depth of 1 foot below the
surface. Eude stoiie hoes,
tlint lance and arrow heads, flsh darts, and other stone implements
were found scattered over the ground.
Kock etchings are numerous u]3on the smooth rocks near the princi-
pal fords of the river. Most of these are covered by water during the
freshets. Others are found in the niches or long narrow clefts in the
rocky ditt's. Although rude representations of men and animals and
some probably symbolic tigures are common here, none were observ'ed
superior to or essentially difl'erent from those of modern Indians
KOlK tIRCLES,
'"A
%
^01
%.
^^
l*w€
.-#
Fio. 287— Huililli-soDs Circle, Fayi-tlf
Virginia.
rouDty. West
On the summits of nearly all of the prominent bluffs, spurs, and
high points of this region are heaps of large angular stones. Fnlike
the loose cairns of the plains of the northwest and elsewhere, these
408
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
appear to h.ave been systcinatically coiistnietcd for solium ])articular
purpose, with a eircular well-like space in the middle.
First, the earth (unless the phice selected is a bare rock) is removed
to the solid rock fonndntion and an approximately level space from 10
to 30 f('(^t in diameter formed. Centrally on this was placed a lay<'r of
tiat stones, with the best edge inward, around a circle about 3 feet in
diiiineter. Upon the outer edj;e of these, others
were placed with their outer edges resting upon
the prepared foundation running entirely around
th(f circle. Then another inner layer with the
best edge inward and the thinner edge resting
on the outer layer, the stones of one layer break-
ing joints with those below, as far as the size
and form would admit of it. Outside of the
inner row and with the edges resting on it other
circles were added, until a diameter ranging
from 20 to 50 feet, or even more, was attained;
thus often extending upon the slo]niig earth not
removed in forming the foundation. The last,
or outer circle, usually consisted of but a single
layer, over which earth was thrown, being some-
times heaped up until it equaled in contents
one-half the rock pile. The height of these piles
was found to vary from i to S feet, in one oi' two
instances reaching 10 feet. But in all cases the
circular space or opening in the center continued
to the top the same diameter as at the bottom,
somewhat resembling the so-called " wellholes "
of the early western pioneers.
Many of the stones used in these heaps have
evidently been obtained by rude quarrying in
the stratified cliffs, often half a mile distant.
Some of them measure from 4 to G feet in length,
half as wide, and of a thickness which renders
them so heavy as to require ft-om two to four
stout men to handle them. Beneath the some-
what upturned edges of many of these stones in
the different layers are frequently found the
decayed (and often charred) remains of human
skeletons, usually horizontal, with the head or
feet (generally the latter) toward the central " wellhole." With these
were generally found fragments of coarse pottery, rude, but very large
celts; also lance aud arrow heads, and occasionally rude clay or stone
pipes, but rarely, if ever, stone hoes or other agricultural implements.
All the cavities of the heap not originally used for burial are filled with
earth or mortar, often well baked by fire.
I
THOMAS. J
WEST VIRGINIA.
409
As typical of these heaps, Fig. 288 a h is giveu, showing- one of the
most perfect observed, which was thoroughly examined, carefully
measured aud sketched. At a it is shown as it appeared before being-
opened; at h is a vertical section showing the central cavity or "well-
hole." This heap was found upon a rocky spur of Mount Carbon at
the height of fully 1,000 feet above the river level, a point overlookiug
the valley of tLe Kanawha, and from which the latter could be dis-
tinctly seen for several miles both above and below. It measured 42
feet in diameter at the base and 6 feet <S inches high on the inside of
the well, which was in the center, and a trifle less than o feet in
Fig. 289. — Stone heap with two caMties, Fa_^ ettt fOulit,>, ^\ est ViiKiDi-i-
diameter throughout. Although open at the top at the time it was
examined and containing only an accumulation of decayed bones and
rubbish, there were stones out of place and scattered about it sufttcient
in number to have finished it out and capped it over as indicated by
the dotted lines in the figure. Whether- they were used to complete it
as indicated by these dotted lines is a matter of conjecture only.
Although rock heaps of this class generally have but one "wellhole"
in them, we occasionally meet with one having two, as shown in Fig.
289. As a rule these piles are much less perfect than those shown in
the figures, most of them being in a more or less disturbed condition.
Fig. 290. — Section of stoue heap with triangular eavity, Fayette county, West Virginia.
A somewhat different type of these heaps from that described is
occasionally observed, especially on the sharp, rocky ridges. A section
of one of these is shown in Fig. 290. These, which have a triangular
cavity, were undoubtedly burial places, and were not built up with the
care bestowed upon the others.
ANCIENT STONE WALL I'PGN MOUNT CARBON.
About 1,000 feet above the town of Mount Carbon are heavy and valua-
ble veins of coal. Some hundreds of feet above these are the remains
of an ancient stone wall, the tortuous course of which can be followed
410 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
along the steep face of the mountain fully a mile, then across its sharp
summit and a like distance upon the other slope. It is said that it can
be traced fully as much farther in such a manner as to connect the ends,
and thus inclose a large area of tlie liigher portion of the mountain.
Little of this wall is now in place, it rarely being more than 1 or 2 feet
in height, but the line of flat rocks strewn over a space of many feet
in width, and often far down the mountaiu slope, indicates material
largely in excess of that in an ordinary stone-wall fence. When dis-
covered by the early white rovers of this region, something more than
a century ago, many portions of it were, as attirmed both by history and
tradition, intact and 5 or G feet wide and high, although amid timbers
as large as found elsewhere upon the mountaiu.
KOCK CIRCLE.
On Armstrongs creek, half a mile above its junction with the Ka-
nawha, are the remains of an interesting rock heap inside of a circle.
The latter is fully 100 feet in diameter, and after the removal of mate-
rial therefrom for nearly a half mile of stone fence is still 15 to 20 feet
wide and 3 to 5 feet high. Central within this are the remains of what
the oldest living white men and the early records and traditions of this
region represent as having been a rock heap 25 or 30 feet in diameter
at the base and 10 feet high, and similar to that shown in Fig. 288,
except that the cap or cover was still in place when first observed.
The explanation of this is supposed to be found in the fact that there
was a passageway large enough to admit a man extending from the
outside to the inner space.
KANAWHA ClOUNTT.
CLIFTON WORKS.
The Kanawha, as is usual with streams in hilly sections, meanders
between bluffs, leaving a bottom now on this side and then on that.
Such places have ever been the chosen haunts of the aboriginal tribes.
A typical one of these bottoms is on the south side of the river, on
which the present village of Clifton is located. Excavations made
here for cellars, walls, and other purposes seldom fail to bring to light
human bones, fragments of pottery, stone implements, and other evi-
dences of i)revious occupancy. Sexeral days were spent in making
excavations here, finding marked uniformity in the earth and its con-
tents. The sandy soil, which extends to the depth of 4 and 5 feet, was
found to be literally filled with charcoal, ashes, fragments of pottery,
entire and broken stone implements, etc. Although resembling in
character a refuse heap, it is probably a village site or cami)ing ground,
occupied continuously, or season after season for a long time, by a band
of aborigines, but so far back in the past that the entire area was
overgrown with the largest timber of the valley when first visited by
THOMAS.) WEST VIRGINIA. 411
■white men, nearly a century and a. half ago. Comniiugled with these
relics, at a depth of from 3 to 4 feet, were found several medium-sized
skeletons in various stages of decay. All were lying extended on the
back or side, but in no regular order in respect to each other or the
points of the compass. With some of these were quite a number of
large beads (probably used as rattles), made by cutting short sections
of the leg bones of small animals and bones of birds. These, one bone
fishhook, and several bone bodkins, found near the surface, are but
slightly decayed, and are probably the work of Indians.
ROCK WALL.
Between the Kanawha river and a branch of Paint creek is a high,
ii-regular ridge, something more than 1,000 leet above the village of
Clifton. The end near the village widens out suddenly in the form of
a short paddle. The comparatively level top, surrounded on all sides
by steep bluifs, offered a position easily defended. The more sloping
front, which was the only assailable point, was defended by a stone
wall running along the brow from the eastern to the western bluff,
a distance of 2C0 paces, or nearly SOO feet. As but little of it is now
standing, its original dimensions can not be accurately determined;
but judging by the quantity of flat stones still in place and strewn
along the hillside below the wall, and the statements of persons who
saw it when but little injured, it must have been at least 5 or G feet
high and constructed like an ordinary stone fence. There is no trace
of a gateway in it, nor are there any indications that a wall ever existed
across the narrow neck behind the paddle-shaped expansion.
BEOWNSTOWN WORKS.
On the site of this village, just below the point where Len's creek enters
the Kanawha, are traces of an ancient earthen inclosure. Being more
or less covered with dwellings and other structures and almost entirely
worn away, it was impossible to trace the wall with sufficient accuracy
to plat it, but it probably inclosed some 0 or 8 acres. It is said that a
part of it was utilized for defense by the early white settlers. In the
streets and gardens and in the washed bank of the river numerous
relics have been found similar to those observed at Clifton. It is also
said that certain brass ornaments have been discovered here associated
with stone implements and decayed human bones, but none of these
were seen.
len's creek mounds.
There are a number of mounds in the deep valley of this creek, of
which one only was opened, and this because of its peculiar situation,
being located where the valley is so narrow as scarcely to allow a road-
way between the creek and the bluff. Although scarcely 20 feet in
diameter at the base and fully 7 feet high, and otherwise peculiarly
412 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
modern in appearance, it bears on its top a beecli stump 30 inches in
diameter. The material was yellow clay, evidently brought from an ex-
cavation in the hillside nearby. Onthe natural surface, near the center,
lying horizontally on their backs, heads south, were the skeletons of
six adults and one child. All were thoroughly charred and without any
earth intermingled with them, but covered with ashes and several
inches of charcoal and brands. It is evident that the tire was smothered
before it had fully burned out. Three coarse lance-heads and a fish
dart were found amid the bones of the adults, and at the neck of the
child three copper beads made of thick wire bent in a circular form.
ELK RIVEli WORKS.
On the opposite side of Elk river and 1 mile north of Charleston there
is a circular inclosure 200 feet in diameter, the wall, after many years'
cultivation, being still from 3 to 4 feet higher than the nearly obliter-
ated ditch which runs along the inside of it. From this ditch the sui'-
face rounds up a foot or so and continues at this height all over the
central area. The inside of the wall is quite steep, while the outside
slopes off very graduallj' except on the north side, which runs close to
the face of a rocky cliff. The only opening or gateway in this wall is
on the east and is guarded by a conical mound 50 feet in diameter and
5 feet high. Strewn over the top of this mound were numerous frag-
ments of flat stones, many of which were marked with circular pits.
The removal of these only disclosed others, which were miugled with
very hard yellow clay, charcoal, ashes, stone chi2)s, and fragments of
rude pottery. Near the center and 3 feet below the top of the mound
a decayed human skeleton was found, lying horizontally in a very rude
box-shaped stone coffin. Beneath this were other flat stones, and under
them charcoal, ashes, and baked earth, overlying the charred remains
of at least three or four other skeletons. These, judging by what
remained of them, must have been laid on the natural surface of the
ground with the heads eastward.
Four miles farther up Elk river, on the summit of a low pass, over
which ran an ancient trail, was a small conical mound 30 feet in diam-
eter and 5 feet high. This had previously been opened to the depth of
3 feet, and, as was afterward learned, a human skeleton and tifteeu or
twenty coi>per beads found. Carrying the excavation down to the
natural surface a single, nuich decayed, adult skeleton was discovered,
but nothing else.
Two miles above the preceding is a group of small conical mounds
from '2 to 3 feet high and from 20 to 30 feet in diameter. Some of these
were opened, but nothing of interest observed except that on the nat-
ural surface of the earth beneath them was always found a layer of
charcoal and ashes, among which were fragments of bones.
Midway between these and the one in the pass is a group of five
mounds. One of these, 50 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, was opened
THOMAS.I WEST VIRGINIA. 413
aud found to be comi)0.st'd of yellow clay so liaid that it was difficult
to break it up with a pick. Upon the natural sui-face was a layer of
charcoal aud ashes in which were the remains of at least two skeletons.
INCLOSURB NEAR ST. AXBIN.
Near St. Albin, in a horseshoe bend of Coal river, 3 miles above its
confluence with the Kanawlia, is a bold promontory 300 feet high, be-
longing to the farm of Mr. 15. Inman, the area of the top being some
15 or 20 acres. It is connected with the upland behind it by a long-
ridge so narrow in places as scarcely to afford room on top for a wagon
track.
Here what was possibly a " graded way" was traced along and near
the outer edge of this ijromontory, past several small conical mounds
and rock heaps to an inclosnre upon the highest part. This is uear the
northern end and less than 100 feet down the rocky eastern hillside,
where there is one of the finest springs of this section. This inclosnre
is circular in form and 101 feet in diameter, with a slight ditch inside
the wall, which is steep on the inside and from 3 to 4 feet high. This
wall is broken only in the northwestern part, where there is a gateway
12 feet wide. In the center of the inclosed area is a mound 20 feet in
diameter and 3 feet high.
Mr. Wilson, an old resident, affirms that when he was a boy this
work, in common with the rest of the hill, was covered with a heavy
growth of forest trees. These were long since cut down, and as the
land has never been cultivated the area is now covered with a growth
of young timber. He had partially o])ened the mound in his boyhood,
and the fiat sandstones which he then removed from the top are still
lying at the foot. Observing a singular groove across the stones still
in place, as well as those removed. Col. ISTorris, the explorer, replaced
the latter and found that when properly fitted a chipped groove or
gutter 3 inches wide and nearly as deep was continuous across them
from the summit to the bottom. The object the builders of the mound
had in view in working out this channel, which must have taken a long
time with their rude tools, must be left wholly to conjecture, as there
was nothing in or about the mound to give a clue to it. The mound,
which was composed of light colored, mortar-like material, apparently
a mixture of clay and ashes, extended down G feet below the natural
surface. At this depth was found a single adiilt skeleton in the last
stages of decay, lying prostrate on its back. In the hand of the out-
stretched right arm was a black slate gorget.
Two hundred yards south of the inclosnre, upon the slope, near the
ancient roadway, stood another mound about 50 feet in diameter and
6 feet high. This was composed of hard, tough clay to the natui'al
slope, and below it was a vault or pit which had been excavated before
the mound was thrown up. This was 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and
about 3 feet deep at the upper end. In it was an adult skeleton
414 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
on its back, with head uphill (north). Upon the breast was a well
formed and well finished sandstone gorget, and on it a black, leaf-
shaped flint implement and a small hematite celt. No bones of the
right arm were found ahmgside those of the boily, but a careful search
resulted in finding them in a line of ashes running out at right angles
from the shoulder. Upon the bones of the open hand were three piles
of small, black flint knives, five in each pile, all with the points turned
toward the shoulder.
Two other conical mounds and one rock heap at this place were
opened, but nothing of interest was found in them save fragments of
bones in beds of coals and ashes on the natural surface of the ground.
The ancient roadway, which in several places upon the sloj^ing side
of the hill is truly a " graded way," seems to have been fully 20 feet
wide, somewhat rounded in the middle, and rather higher than the
natural surface. On the slope the lower side is graded up and sus-
tained by a line of flat stones, and the upper side cut down precisely
as a modern I'oadway is formed. The oldest settlers, when they first
came to this region, found it covered with forest trees, as were the
other ancient works. The entire length of this road was originally
about half a mile, but a portion of it has been obliterated by cultiva-
tion. Possibly this is an old military road.
ANCIENT WORKS NEAR CHARLESTON.
Along the Kanawha river from 3 to 8 miles below Charleston are
the most extensive and interesting ancient works to be found in the
state of West Virginia. They consist of fifty mounds, var3dng in
diameter from 35 to 200 feet and in height from 3 to 35 feet; some
eight or ten inclosures containing from less than 1 to fully 30 acres ;
circular, clay-lined pits from 6 to 8 feet broad and as many feet in
depth, and box-shaped stone cists. All are found on the upper river
terraces beyond the reach of the highest floods. A plat of the group
from Mr. Middleton'a survey is given in PL xxvii.
Upon a commanding height, overlooking alike the village of Spring
Hill and all of these works, is an ancient iuclosure containing about 20
acres. There are also on most of the high and Jutting points of the
bordering bluffs — here from 200 to 400 feet high — rock heaps 30 to DO
feet in diameter and 4 to 8 feet high.
For convenience the mounds and inclosures are numbered generally
down the valley, commencing with the Criel mound (No. 1, PI. xxvii).
Those not corresponding to this order were added from a subsequent
examination.
An enlarged plan of this mound and the works immediately around
it is given in Fig. 291, and a section of the mound itself farther on in
Fig. 292.
Iuclosure a is 556 feet in circumference, with a surrounding earthen
wall and interior ditch. The wall, where undisturbed by the plow, is
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXVII
PLAT OF GROUP NEAR CHARLESTON, KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
WEST VIRGINIA.
415
from 2 to 3 feet liigli ami, as usual witli the walls of iuclosures, quite
steej) on the inside and sloping on the outside. At the south, facing
mound No. 3, is a well-defined gateway. Touching it on the outside
at the southeast is a circular excavation (p) 95 by 75 feet in diameter
and 5 feet deep in the center.
In the center of the inclosure is a conical mound (No. 2) 30 feet in
diameter and 3 feet high. A shaft was sunk in the center of this down
to and below the natural surface. Only hard-baked earth was found and
at the base a few bones, some of which were human.
Mound No. 3, which faces the southern gateway of the inclosure, is
conical in form, 25 feet in diameter, and 3 feet high. This was opened
by cutting a broad trench through it down to the natural surface, kIiow-
iug it to be a gray material, probably earth mixed with ashes and, near
iB^ift^aiw'*'^
^^B^
Fig. 291. — Enlarged plan of mound No. 1, and inclosure a, Kanawha county, West Virginia.
the bottom, well baked by fire. On this part, which covered the frag-
ments of two human skeletons, were ashes, coals, and firebrands.
The remains of the skeletons were lying extended on the natural sur-
face, and with them were a lance head, a few fragments of pottery, and
some stone chips.
Inclosure B, according to Col. Norris, situated about 600 feet south-
west of A, is of the same size and form as the latter, but is so nearly
obliterated by the plow that only a few faint traces remain. It seems
to have had an inside ditch and a gateway opening toward the north-
west, opposite which stands mound No. 4 of the plat. It is proper to
state, however, that Mr. Middleton failed to find sufficient traces of
this inclo.sure to justify giving it exact form on his plat.
Mound No. 1, locally known as the "Oriel mound," is midway be-
416
MOUND UXl'l.ORATIONS.
twocii tlie two iiiclosnres, about 300 feet from eacli. Th(>, to]) was lev-
eled in order to erect thereon anottice aud judges' .stand in connection
with a race course about it. It is 520 feet in circuit and 33 feet high,
being, with one exception, the largest of the group; the top is 40 feet
across, owing to tlie leveling mentioned above, to which is, ])erhaps,
also due the fact that the center is 2 feet h)wer than the edge.
A shaft 12 feet across at the top, narrowing to 8 feet at the bottom,
was sunk through the center to the original surface of the ground, the
process being aided by lateral trenches in which were offsets (see Fig.
292, which shows a section). The material through which it passed for
the first 2 feet was a light sandy loam. At the depth of 3 feet, in the
center of the shaft, some human bones («) were discovered, doubtless
parts of a skeleton said to have been dug up before or at the time of
the construction of the judges' stand. At the depth of 4 feet, in abed
of hard earth composed of mixed clay and ashes, were two skeletons
{e c), both lying extended on tlieir backs, heads south, and feet near the
DoPRjir
Fig. 292 Section of iiiouuil No. 1, Kanawha county, West Virginia.
center of the shaft. Near the heads lay two celts, two stone hoes,
one lance head, and two disks.
From this point downward for 20 feet farther, nearly all the ma-
terial in the shaft was conipo.sed of the same apparently mixed sub-
stance, so hard as to require the constant use of the pick. At 24 feet
it vsuddenly changed to a much softer and darker colored earth, dis-
closing the casts and some much decayed fragments of logs and poles
from 6 to 12 inches in diameter. These, together with the fragments
of bark, ashes, and animal bones which had been split lengthwise, con-
tinued to be found through a layer of about 6 feet. At the depth of 31
feet a human skeleton (c) was discovered lying prostrate, head north, the
skull crushed, but partially preserved by contact with a sheet of cop-
per that probably once formed part of a headdress of some kind, only
fragments of which remained. By enlarging and curbing the foot of the
shaft, a circular space 10 feet in diameter was uncovered, and the char-
acter and contents of the central, basal portion of the mound ascer-
tained. First, upon the well smoothed and packed surface had been
THOMAS.] WEST VIRGINIA. 417
carefully spread a floor mainly of elm bark (b), the iimer side up. Upon
this was spread a layer of tine white ashes, clear of charcoal, resem-
bling those of hickory bark, probabably 6 inches thick originally,
though now not over an inch. On this the body was placed and cov-
ered with similar bark. Ten other skeletons, all buried in the same
manner, were found at this point, arranged live on each side in a semi-
circle with the feet turned toward, but not (luite toucliing, the one just
meutioned. Owing to the crushed and decayed condition of the bones,
it was impossible to decide positively as to the size and position. It is
believed that all were adults of medium size and placed extended on
their backs in bark wrappings. With each skeleton on the eastern
side of the center, was a fine, apparently new or unused, lance head
and by the side of the northern one of these five a fish dart, three
arrow heads, and some decayed mussel shells. Although careful
search was made, nothing was found with the five on the western
side. With the central one, in addition to what has been mentioned,
were six shell beads, ,ind a flint lance head similar to those on the east-
ern side though larger. Near it was a hollow, conical mass or vault of
very hard earth {d} nearly i feet high and fully 5 feet in diameter, the
inner edge of which was in a line with and nearly touching the heads
of the skeleton. This vault was partially filled with rotten wood, bark,
human and other bones and a dark substance, apparently decayed mat-
ter of some kind. It was so loose as to be easily scratched out with
the hands or a garden rake. The natural surface under this had been
scooped out in basin shape to the depth of 2 feet and a breadth of 5
feet. In the central part of this were two circular holes each 16 inches
in diameter, 4 feet deep and (J inches from one another in an east and
west line. They were lined with a kind of bluish clay and partly filled
with water. About 3 feet down was a cross communication between
them as shown in the figure, large enough to thrust the arm through;
the hole to the east was about i inches deeper than the other. A flint
spear head was found in each hole. Similar pairs of holes, ranging in
depth from 2 to :i feet and in diameter from 8 to 12 inches, were found
beside the heads of each of the ten surrounding skeletons.
Col. Norris and Mr. Thurston, of Charleston, who assisted in exca-
vating this mound, are of opinion that these 11 persons were buried at
one time, possibly after the flesh had decayed from the bones in other
depositories, or perhaps in the flesh after a battle, and that the central
one was a person of importance. They seem to have been buried as
above described in a timber-walled strircture at least 16 feet in diame-
ter, 6 or 8 feet high at the eaves, and conically roofed. The .small cen-
tral clay vault was probably a burial vault similar to those found in
North Carolina mounds. It is worthy of notice in this connection that
the mound in Sullivan county, Tennessee, figured on a preceding page,
contained one central vault and eleven surrounding ones.
12 ETH 27
418
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Tlic next five mounds in order (PI. xxvii) are circular, with dimen-
sions as follows:
No.
Diameter.
Height.
Feet.
Feet.
4
28
2i
5
21
2J
0
40
4
7
45
3i
8
lr^
9
The last (No, 8), known locally as the Wilson mound, is within the
inclosure marked C It was partially opened many years ago, and
human bones, with several celts and lance heads, were found at the
bottom, near the center. It is now used as a burial ground.
The inclosure (C) is now about obliterated; from the statements of
X^arties familiar with it, it was nearly square, inclosing about 20 acres,
the walls 5 or C feet high, and had an interior ditch.
Mound 9, which stands a short distance to the .southwest of No. 8, is
one of the oblong tumuli found in this region — diameters 75 and 40 feet
and height 5 feet. A trench was dug through it, but nothing found of
interest.
The wall of the ancient fort at Spring Hill (see PI. XXYii), shown on
an enlarged scale in Fig. 293, has been greatly reduced in height and
partly obliterated by long cultivation. It is the only inclosure of the
entire group located on a hill; is in a position allowing easy defense and
supplied with living water. These facts and its large size render it
probable that it was a place to which the inhabitants of the extensive
village retired in times of danger. It is flanked on each side by a deep
ravine and, on the northwest, fronts on a steep blutf fully 100 feet
above the level of the valley. The form is somewhat that of a semi-
circle, the curved line being on the nearly level land above, while the
straight line joining the ends of the curve is a few feet over the edge or
break of the bluff. There was formerly, it is said, a ditch around the
outside of the southern portion of the curve on the higher level area,
but no trace of it now remains. The wall is nowhere 2 feet high or 19
feet in breadth. As near as can now be determined, the length of this
circular portion from gate to gate is 2,1J:4 feet.
The straight front wall from gate to gate is 1,132 feet long and in no
place more than a foot high. There is necessarily a ditch on the inside
where the wall is on the slope, as indicated in the sections shown in the
figure. The area is somewhat more than 20 acres. There was appar-
ently a gateway or entrance at each angle, the eastern one (which can
not be clearly traced) being 136 feet wide, the western 123 feet. Near
each gateway, inside, is a mound, Nos. 10 and 11. These were formerly
of about the same shape and size, each being 8 or 9 feet high. No. 11
is now 35 by 40 feet at the base and 4 feet high. In the center, 3 feet
below the surface, was a vault 8 feet long and 3 feet wide. In the bot-
THOMAS, f
WEST VIRGINIA.
419
torn of this, among: the decayed fragments of bark wiappiiis'Si Jfiy ^
skeleton fully 7 feet long-, extended at full length on the back, head
west. Lying in a circle immediately above the hips were fifty-two per-
S^
iSiliiS:: ,: 4===::=:--a2P
r'""-;;i;/;/;o'-;„.iiUM|;';^>'
^rtn^
I
:%
^
%.,
mfS\
ft
NT
^
'N^'
.--:-S
Scciton on. lin^. cu- h.
StxOjOft. on, lin^ c- «^^.
SectLon. on, lOt& e.^
Fig. 293. — Spring Hill inclosure on enlarged scale, Kanawha county, Weflt Virginia.
forated shell disks about an inch in diameter and one-eighth of an inch
thick. The bones of the left arm were lying along the side of the body,
but those of the right were stretched out horizontally at right angles
420 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to the body, the hones of the haiiil toiichinj^ a small conical mass of
earth, which proved to be a kind of vault similar to that in the Criel
mound (Ko. 1) above described. This was formed of a mortar or cement,
but the contents, which must have been animal or vegetable, were com-
pletely decayed. It was yet unbroken and barely large enough to have
covered a squatting skeleton.
On the river bottom northwest of the preceding are the remains of a
small inclosure, which seems to have been a square or parallelogram (E,
PI. xxvii), part of the noith side having been washed away by the river.
The remaining portion extends 420 feet along the river, the width being
now about 100 feet. It is probable there never was a northern wall, the
river forming the boundary on this side. The remaining works of the
group are on the higher terrace on the opposite side of the river.
Mound No. 12 is directly north of inclosure C on the opposite side. It
is circular, 50 feet in diameter, and after long cultivation is now but 2
feet high, composed entirely of sandy soil.
Mound No. 13, a little southwest of No, 12, measured 35 feet in diam-
eU-r and about 2 in height. Nothing of interest was found in either of
these two.
Inclosure F, of which no trace now remains, was, according to the
old settlers, a circle of about 65 feet diameter on the margin of a slight
terrace directly opposite inclosure C. There was an inside ditch.
Moving down the river toward the southwest, we next reach a num-
ber of works which seem to be more or less connected.
The first and most important is the inclosure G, shown on an enlarged
scale in Fig. 294. This is one of the best preserved and most interest-
ing of the so-called "sacred enclosures" in the Kanawha valley. It is
a i)arallelogram with slightly rounded co.rners, the longer direction
being a little west of north and east of south; the length, measured
from center to center of the wall, is 420 feet, width 150 feet. There is
an interior ditch and the single entrance is at the south end. On the
eastern side, where it has never been plowed over, the vertical distance
from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the wall is from 4 to 6 feet;
at other points from 2 to 3 feet. The interior area is somewhat higher
than the outside surface and slightly rounded up toward the center.
Close by the eastern side is a narrow ravine nearly 50 feet deep,
through which runs a little rivulet known as Smith's branch.
The point marked a in the wall of the inclosure is the reputed site
of an ancient walled well. Excavation revealed a pile of large, flat,
angular stones. The water from the ditch runs through the embank-
ment here and discharges itself over the bluff.
A number of other excavations were made in this embankment in
order to ascertain its composition. At the point b was a cache, a cir-
cular pit about G feet in diameter and 7 deep, the sides plastered
with clay, burned hard. This was nearly full of earth, carried in mainly
by the plow. In the bottom, among what appeared to be decayed wood
THOMAS.]
WEST VIRGINIA.
421
and corn, were numerous fragments of pottery, some of whieli appar-
ently belonged to vessels broken at the time they were deposited. Six
feet north of the edge of this, at c, was another pit, much smaller, be-
ing only 3 feet in diameter and .3 deep. In this was a mass of decom-
posing shells, many of them still retaining their form, but crumbling
on exposure to the air. They consisted chiefly of small sea shells and
SectCorv orv iifte. tZ' b
■Section
' ^i>ze'. o.cC.
Fig. 294.— Inolosure G, Kauawha county, West Virginia.
disks, all perforated, probably shell beads placed here for security in time
of danger.
At the northern and southern ends of the inclosure, outside of the
walls, at the points 1 to 6, were six box-shaped stone graves, three at
each end. These were formed of large, angular slabs, brought from
the cliflFs a fourth of a mile away. The-covers of Nos. 1 and .S iiad been
displaced by the plow. Those at the south end, beginning with the
422
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
eastern one, are numbered 1, ii, and 3; those at the north, 4, 5, and 0.
The first live hiy nearly east and west; No. 0 was north and south.
Gravel, 7 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 30 inches deep at the head, con-
tained faint traces of a human skeleton.
Grave 2: The head of this was near the foot of No. 1, in a line with
it, and similar in form and size. With the decayed skeleton in this
grave were two small hematite celts, four small flint knives, and one
lance head.
Grave 3, with head close to and in line with No. 2, was similar to it
in size and construction. Only faint traces of a skeleton.
Grave 4 was like No. 5 in size and appearance.
Grave 5 : A fine cist, 6i feet
long, 2i feet wide, and 2 feet
deep, having a smooth stone
slab at bottom. At the east-
ern end of the grave, in one
corner, near the head of the
greatly decayed skeleton,
were twenty-two entire and
a number of broken flint-
flake knives.
Grave 6, like No. 5 in con-
struction, contained only
traces of a small skeleton,
lirobably a female.
In each of these six graves
were two waterworn bowl-
ders fi'om 6 to 8 inches in di-
ameter, placed together near
the middle of the grave, al-
ways transverse to its longer
axis; those in No. 6 were
about 12 inches in their
longest diameter.
These graves and also the
caches noted appear, from
their positions in reference to the inclosure, to be due to people who
occupied this locality subsequent to its abandonment by the authors
of the works found here.
Inclosure H, 405 feet east of the great mound No. 31, is 264 feet long
and 132 feet wide, lying northwest and southeast like L, which it
closely resembles in all respects. Many heavy flat i-ocks, probably
parts of stone cists, were observed, but no complete cist was found.
Inclosure I (shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 295) lies a little
north of west from the large mound (31), is circular in form, measuring
018 feet around the top or middle of the embankment, which is nnich
worn away, being only about 2 twt high from the ditch inside.
Fiii. -95. — Inclosure I, Kanawha couuty, West Virginia.
WEST VIRGINIA.
423
Inclosure L is on the Cabell farm, about 1 mile directly west of inclos-
ure H, wliich it resembles in every respect, except that it is slightly
larger. The form and proportions are shown in Fig. 290, from Mr.
Middleton's survey, the length being 287 feet and width 150 feet, meas-
uring from center to center of the embankment. The walls are rather
less than 2 feet high and the ditch inside about 2 feet deep.
Inclosure K, shown in Fig. 297, consists of two parallel or concen-
tric circular embankments with a ditch between them. The diameter
of the outer wall, measuring from the middle on one side to the middle
on the other side, is 295 feet, the diameter of the Inner wall 212, the
width of the walls being about 20 feet, and the width of the ditch the
same. Theiunerwall
is almost obliterated
by cultivation, but
the outer one is still
from 1 to 2 feet high.
The ditch is still
about 2 feet deep.
There is a broad gate-
way on thenorthwest
through the outer
wall and ditch, but
the inner circular
embankment seems
to have been un
broken.
Mound 15, 540 feet
west of the northern
end of inclosure G,
circular in form,
measured 65 feet in
diameter and 5 feet
in height. A consid-
erable portion had
been plowed off. In
the top was a basin-
shaped flre-bed 7 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 10 inches deep at the center.
Tliis was lined with a mixture of clay and ashes burued to a brick red
on the upper surface, but the under side had a black, greasy .appear-
ance. Below this was a similar bed, on and about which were nunier-
ons small fragments of bones, too much broken and charred to show
whether they were human or animal.
Mound 10, 4S0 feet southeast of mound 15, is conical in form, meas-
uring 30 feet in diameter, and 2i feet high. It was composed chiefly of
hard clay. Near the center, on the original surface, were the decayed
fragments of a skeleton and with them a single gorget of striped slate.
Mound 17 is 1,820 feet nearly west of mound 15. It is now only 18
^e.cti.43rt^ on- l^ytc d. &.
SectiorL- oTi^ M>te c. cl^ ^
D
~v__^
Fig. 29l>. — iTiclosuro L, Kanawha county, "West Virginia.
424
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
v"?:
inches high and 20 feet in diameter. Its surface and the suiface around
it were strewn with stone chips, fragments of pottc^ry, and hmce and
arrowheads. Stone chips and arrowlieads were scattered thi-ougli the
hard earth of which it was composed, and a few decayed bones lay at
the bottom near the center.
Mound 18, which stands 270 feet west of mound 17, measures 05 feet
iu diameter and 4i feet high. This, like many of the other mounds,
has been worked over until the earth has been removed down to the
hard central core of brick-red clay. It is said that in plowing this
away many relics of stone, bone, aud shell were found. A series of
basin -shaped fire
beds, similar to
those in mound 15,
were lying one be-
low another in the
central portion.
Below them, near
the bottom of the
mound, was a con-
siderable bed of
charcoal and ashes,
and immediately
under this, on the
original surface of
the ground, the
fragments of a
skeleton, and a
number of broken
arrow and spear
heads.
Passing north-
ward across the
railroad from this
group over a strip
of rather low
ground we reach a
small terrace, where there is another interesting group.
Mound 19, the one farthest to the east, is 60 feet iu diameter and 5
feet high. It was found to contain a rude vault of angular stones,
some of them as much as two men could lift. This had been built on
the natural surface and was 8 feet long, 4 wide, and 3 high, but con-
tained only the decaying fragments of a large skeleton and a few frag-
ments of pottery.
Mound 20, a short distance southwest of the preceding and nearei
the large tumulus (Mound 21), measured 30 feet in diameter and 2J
Secttony orL- Izjte^
Section- o/h line- c d.
Fig. 297. — Inrlosure K. Xanawlia oonnty. West A^irginia.
THOMAS.]
WEST VIRGINIA.
425
high, and was composed throughout of a compact mass of yellow clay
unlike anything immediately around it.
Mound 21, or the Great Smith mound. This, the largest of the
entire series, represented on PI. xxvii, is a somewhat regular cone
175 feet in diameter at the base
and 35 feet high. A section with
partial restoration is given in Fig.
29S. It is a mound of two stages ;
the first building carried it to a
height of 20 feet; after a consider-
able time had elapsed another
stage of work carried it to its pres-
ent height. The top, which was ^
flat with a central depression, ?
measured about 30 feet in diame- 'I
ter. On this were an oak stump l
fidly 4 feet across and a black |
walnut of about the same size, g
The surface, in the depression at --
the top, was covered with an irreg- g
ular layer of stones ; beneath them ^
wereotherssetupedgewise around ?
a circle 7 feet in diameter. The ■"
PI
stones in and about this pit be- p
ing removed, it was found to be 4 |
feet deep and paved with a floor g
of flat stones, upon which lay a ^
skeleton much decayed and lack- 'j.
ing the head. Slight traces of fire |
were seen, but no evidence of a :5
cofiBu or covering of bark, a meth- £•
od of buiial so common in this re- "
gion. This depression resulted,
as will be shown further on, ft-oni
the caving in of a vault in the
mound, and it is probable that the
skeleton in this stone grave was
an intrusive burial, placed here
after the builders of the mound
had abandoned it. A shaft 12 feet
in diameter at the top was carried down to the bottom of the mound.
At the depth of 6 feet a small heap of bones was encountered, evi-
dently those of a bundled skeleton, as some of them bore unmistakable
signs of having been weathered and bleached before final burial.
At 9 feet was an entire adult skeleton of medium size, lying extended
426
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
upon the left side, liead west. About it were the remains of black wal-
nut bark, iu wbich it had beeu buried. The skull showed very plainly
the flattening of the front. Below this uothinf;- of interest was observed
nor any change of material, except some small deposits of ashes evi-
dently carried in with diit until the depth of 12 feet was reached,
where the fragments of a black walnut log were found; judging T)y the
very distinct cast, tliis log must have been 12 inclies in diameter and
several feet in length, as it was traced into the wall of the shaft.
At the depth of 14
feet a rather large hu-
man skeleton was found,
which was in a i)artially
ui^right position with
the back against a hard
clay wall. Around it
were the remains of the
bark wrapping in which
it had been inclosed.
All the bones werebadly
decayed, except those of
the left wrist, which had
been preserved by two
heavy copper bracelets.
Here was a commingled
mass of rotten timber,
decayed bark, and loose, dark earth. It was apparent from the indi-
cations that the shaft had entered a large vault, the timber- covered
roof of which had given away to the heavy- pressure above and tumbled
in, thus accounting for the depression in the top of the mound.
Nineteen feet from the top the bottom of
this debris was reached, whei-e, in the remains
of a bark coifin, a skeleton, measuring 7i feet
in length and 19 inches across the shoulders,
was discovered. It lay on the bottom of the
vault stretched horizontally on the back, head
east, arms by the sides. Each wrist was en-
circled by six heavy copper bracelets, similar
to that shown in Fig. 299, which represents one
of the twelve. A fragment of the bark wrap-
ping preserved by contact with the copper
shows that it was black walnut bark. A piece of dressed skin, which
had probably formed part of the inner wrapping, was also preserved
by the cojiper. From the clay with which this was connected we may
possibly infer that the body was first wrapped in a dressed skin, this
plastered over with a coating of clay (it seemed to be clay and ashes
mixed), and this surrounded by the bark. Upon the breast was a cop-
per gorget, shown in Fig. .iOO; length, 3A inches; greatest width, 3^
Fig. 299. — Copper bracelet from mound Xo. 21. Kanawha <-ounty,
West Virf^inia.
Fig. aoo.— CuppLT goryet. MimuJ
Xo. 21, Kanawha conDty.W.Ta.
THOMAS.] WEST VIRGINIA. 427
inches; thickuess, about one-eighth of an inch. It had beeu hammered
into shape apparently from native copper. By each hand of this giant
frame were three unused black flint lance heads; near the right hand,
a small hematite celt and part of an axe of the same material, the latter
bearing evidence of usage. Around the head, neck, and hips were
about one hundred small perforated sea shells and thirty-two shell
beads. Upon the left shoulder, one upon another, were three sheets
of mica, from 8 to 10 inches long, 6 to 7 wide, and half an inch thick.
Eemovlng the rotten timbers and bark, and loose dry earth, the size
and character of the vault were ascertained. Four adult skeletons of
medium size, one in each corner of the vault, were found, besides the
two described. They seemed to have been wrapped in bark, and placed
leaning against the sides of the vault iu a nearly erect position, with
faces inward. The vault was nearly square, 13 feet long and 12 wide,
inside measurements.
From all the indiciitions, the casts of posts and logs, the bark and
clay lining, fallen timbers, bark of the roof, etc., it is i^resumed that
the vault was constructed as follows : After the mound, which at this
stage was 20 feet high, had been
standing for an indefinite length of
time, a square pit 12 by 13 feet was
dug iu the top to the depth of 6 feet;
posts were jilaced along the sides
and ends, the former reaching only
to the sm-face, but the central ones,
at the ends, rising 4 feet higher; on
these latter was placed the ridge- I'lo. 3oi._atcaUu pipe iiom KauawUu county,
pole(the walnut log first discovered).
The sides were plastered with a mixture of clay and ashes and possibly
lined with bark; the roof was covered with poles and bark. Over all
was heaped the superincumbent mound 15 feet in height. On top of
this was built, iierhaps at a far more recent date, the stone cairn.
With each of the four skeletons in the corners were several arrow
and lance heads, 1 fish dart, and a few shell beads. Scattered through
the material in the vault were several other articles. The entire list of
specimens found, including those already mentioned, is as follows: 1
copper gorget (shown in Fig. 300); 16 copper bracelets (see Fig. 299);
1 steatite pipe (shown in Fig. 301); 2 stone disks, 2 hematite celts, 3
sheets of mica, 55 spear and arrow i)oints, 1 flint knife, 1 stone pestle,
8 polished celts, 2 small hemispheres of hematite or meteoric iron ; a
number of perforated shells and shell beads.
After carefully curbing the opening made in tracing out the vault,
work was begun again on the shaft, the material now being a hard
grayish substance similar to the lining of the vault. A short distance
below was a compact mass of dark clay flecked with the yellowish casts
and streaks of decayed bones, some of them evidently split as iu
kitchen-middens. This continued to the depth of 30 feet, where the
428 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
shaft entered a heavy layer of ashes, charcoal, and charred bones, some
of them human, which reached nearly or quite to the natural surface,
35 feet down. The excavation was carried 2 feet farther down and con-
siderably enlarged, but nothing more of interest was found.
It is probable that this mound pertains to three different stages, the
lower part, or original mound; the upper j)ortion (including the vault),
belonging to the second period and probably contemporaneous with the
celebrated Grave creek mound ; and the stone cairn or vault to compara-
tively modern times, though it may possibly have been a sentinel sta-
tion erected soon after the mound was completed.
Mound 2*2, a short distance southwest of mound 21, is 100 feet in
diameter and 15 feet high. A trench was carried across it through the
center and down to the original surface. The top layer, 2 feet thick at
the top and thinning out to 1 foot on the sides, was of loose soil like
the surface around. Below this was a layer of very hard, gray earth
4 feet thick ; in the central i^ortion was a bed 8 feet in diameter and 10
inches thick, of charcoal, ashes, and bones so badly broken and decayed
that it was impossible to decide whether they were animal or human.
In the center, at the depth of 12 feet, were the remains of an adult
skeleton, horizontal, with head to the south. On the left wrist was a
single slender copper bracelet much corroded, and near by were two
spear heads. In the original soil, at the center, could be traced the
outlines of a vault 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and about 3 feet deep, but
only slight traces of the body buried remained.
Mound 23, not far west from mound 22, is 312 feet in circumference
and 25 feet high. It had never been disturbed in any way and was the
most pointed and symmetrical tumulus of the group. Standing on the
brow of a terrace 30 feet high, it seems much higher than it really is.
It was examined by sinking a large central shaft to the bottom. From
the sod at the top to the depth of 15 feet the material passed through
was an exceedingly hard, gray mixture, apparently of ashes and clay.
At this depth the casts of poles and timbers of various sizes began to
be seen, but all were less than a foot in diameter, extending into the
western and southern sides of the shaft. These casts and rotten wood
and bark continued to increase in amount nearly to the natural soil,
which was reached at the depth of 25 feet. The debris being removed
and the bottom of the shaft enlarged until it was 11 feet in diameter,
it was then found that these timbers had formed a circular or polygonal
vault 12 feet across and some 8 or 10 feet high in the center. This
had been built up in the form of a pen, the ends of the poles extending
beyond the corners. The roof must have been sloping, as the ends of
the poles used in making it extended downward beyond the walls on
which they rested. On the floor of this vault, which corresponded with
the original surface of the ground, were two adult skeletons, the bones
of which, though but little decayed, were crushed and pressed out of
position. No implement or ornament accompanied them. As the
earth of this tloor did not appear to be the natural soil, the shaft, to
THOMAS.] WEST VIRGINIA. 429
the diameter of 12 feet, was carried down 4 feet farther. This revealed
tlie fact that previous to building the mouud, a pit, the extent of which
was not at first determined, had been dug to the depth of 4 feet iu the
original soil, and on the tloor of this pit at one side, arranged in a semi-
circle, had been formed six small clay vaults in the shape of beehives;
they were about 3 feet in diameter at the bottom and the same in
height and made of mixed clay and ashes, very hard and impervious
to water. Possibly they had been allowed to dry before being covered
with earth. They were partially filled with a dark, dry dust, evidently
the residuum of decayed animal or vegetable matter. A few fi-agments
of bones were found in them.
In the center of the space around which these little vaults were ar-
ranged, but only 2 feet below the fioor of the large wooden vault, were
two small, clay-lined cavities about the size and form of the ordinary
water jars from the Arkansas mounds. Possibly they were decayed, un-
burnt vessels which had been deposited here at the time of burial. The
bottom of this pit, which consisted of a natural deposit of yellow sand,
was covered with a layer of charcoal and ashes 2 or .3 inches thick. Tlie
sand below appears to have been heated, from which it is inferred that
the burning took place in the pit previous to the formation of the vaults.
Being compelled to stop work at this stage on account of extreme
cold weather. Col. Korris, who was making the exploration, did not
return to it until the following season, when he began by running
trenches from the sides into the shaft and afterwards carried a tunnel
in at the base. In one of these trenches, 9 feet from the top, was a
layer of soft earth in which were numerous fragments of decayed tim-
bers and bark ; also casts of logs extending horizontally into the sides
of the trench. These, it is to be presumed from what was afterwards
discovered, pertained to a wooden burial vault. The tunnel carried in
at the base from the south side was 10 feet wide and 8 feet high. For
the distance of 20 feet it passed through the hard gray material of
wliich the body of the mound was composed. Here it entered suddenly
into a mass of soft earth of various colors that had been brought from
the hillsides and bottoms near by. A short distance from this point the
casts and remains of the tindjers of the large central vault began to
appear, but before reaching the interior the tunnel passed over a small
refuse heap evidently belonging to an age preceding the date of the
building of the mound. Within the area of the vaidt were a number
of tolerably well preserved human bones, but no whole skeletons. As
there were here indications of the pit before mentioned, the excavation
was carried downward 4 feet, revealing five little clay vaults similar to
those seen on the other side, and, like them, jdaced in a semicircle.
About one-half of the mound was then removed and thoroughly exam-
ined. Many stone implements, some entire, but mostly broken, seem-
higly by the action of fire, were scattered through the hard upper
layer; also a number of single valves of mussels which had been used
as digging tools until they were worn from the outside entirely through.
430 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
There was a marked dissimilarity between the nortliern aixl southern
sides of this iiiouud, the former being a compact mass of variously col-
ored soils from different points in the vicinity, in alternate horizontal
layers. The separate loads of those carrying it in were i)lainly defined,
and the different sizes of these small masses indicated that many per-
sons, some much stronger than others, were simultaneously engaged in
the work.
With the exception of the imperfect or broken specimens mentioned
above, no remains of any kind were found in that portion of the mound
above the fire-bed and north of the central shaft, and only two skele-
tons beneath it, while many interesting finds of implements were made
all through the loose, ashy dirt of the southern part, and of many skele-
tons below it. The casts of logs and poles and tlie rotten wood and
bark indicate the former existence of a wooden sti'ucture at least 12
feet square and 3 stories high, the posts of which extended from 2 to 4
feet below the natural surface ; or, more likely, three structures, one
above another. A foot above the natural surface, or 24 feet from the top
of the mound, the smooth, horizontal layer of sand and ashes was con-
tinuous and uniform, except where interrupted by two heavy fire-beds,
which were circular in form, 8 feet in diameter, and their inner edges
about 10 feet apart on opposite sides of the center of the shaft. The
earth was burned hard for 8 inches below the ashes. Below these beds,
in an excavation in the original soil, were several skeletons as follows:
No. 1, a medium-sized adult, extended on the back, head south, arms
by the side; 4 feet below center of the northern fire-bed. No trace of
a coffin; a rude hoe and rough lance head were at the left side.
No. 2 lay 4 feet north of No. 1, at the same depth; same size and po-
sition, except that the feet were toward the center of the mound. It
was inclosed in a cofiin formed by leaning stone slabs together, in the
form of an inverted V,over the body; another stone was set against the
end of this at the head. A number of relics were with this skeleton,
and on the stone over the head was a hematite celt. Two feet north
of the head were the fragments of a large vessel.
No. 3, similarly placed, was 4 feet under the north edge of the other
fire-bed. Some relics were found above the head, and others in a small
vault near the left side.
No. 4, position like the last, head toward and 5 feet west of the center
of the mound. A small vault near the head, similar to those heretofore
mentioned, contained decayed material and fragments of stone.
Nos. 5 and 6 lay near together with heads south, 10 feet southeast of
the center of the mound. A vault was found near the feet of the smaller
skeleton.
None of these skeletons were- found at the center and all were 4 feet
below the natural surface of the ground on the bottom of the pit. Nine
vaults, in addition to those mentioned, were disclosed; four of them on
the bottom of the pit and five on the original surface of the ground.
THOMAS] WEST VIRGINIA. 431
Their averaj^e ijapacity was V)efcweeii 1 and 2 bushels, and all were par-
tially tilled with mottled dust. The interior was iterf'ectly dry. Be-
neath the south edge of the southern Are bed was a vault 3 feet lonj?,
2 feet wide, and 2 feet high; this and a smaller one a foot east of it con-
tained mottled dust as usual. Six feet above and somewhat west of
this tire-bed, in what seemed to be the remains of a bark coffin, was a
streak of bright red paint, which crumbled to fragments with the bark.
Mound 24, situated west of mound 2;5, measuring about 100 feet in
diameter and 4 feet high, was thoroughly exph)red and found to consist
chiefly of hard gray material. Near the center, on the natural surface,
was a bed of charcoal and ashes in which were charred bones, both ani-
mal and human, and with them a few spear-heads.
Mound 25, a short distance northeast of mound 23, measured 95 feet in
diameter and 8 feet hi gh. At the bottom , near the center, were the traces
of a skeleton, and with it eight rather slender copper bracelets, much
corroded. These were evidently made of drawn wire and indicate con-
tact with Europeans. They had been wrapped in some kind of textile
fabric, the threads of which were plaiidy visible. As they were of smaller
size than the others found in this locality, of which mention has been
made, it is presumed that they belonged to a female who was buried here.
Mound 20. This small tumulus, 35 feet in diameter and scarcely 4
feet in height, is near the northwest side of mound 21. It was composed
throughout of a mingled mass of charcoal, ashes, black earth, and
charred bones.
Mound 27, a short distance north of mound 21, measured 84 feet in
diameter and 0 feet in height. Near the centei', 1 foot from the top, a
small copper bracelet was found, but a thorough excavation failed to
reveal any trace of burial or anything else of interest.
Mound 28 is 300 feet in circumference and 23 feet high. Permission
to explore this could not be obtained.
Mound 29, 40 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, was thoroughly ex-
plored and nothing but coals and ashes found in it.
Mound 30, 300 feet in circumference and 21 feet high, was 25 feet
across the somewhat depressed top. Near the top were the remains of
a stone grave containing a nearly decayed human skeleton, probably
an intrusive burial. A circular shaft 12 feet in diameter was sunk to
the bottom through uniformly dark, alluvial soil like that around the
mound ; only rotten wood and bark with casts of timbers were found.
Upon the well-smoothed natural surface were evident traces of a bark
floor covered by a layer of clean, white ashes, containing traces of
bones. Excavations in the natural earth revealed a circle, 12 feet in
diameter, of vaxilts about 3 feet broad and the same in height, similar
to those mentioned, placed very close together and filled with mud.
This mound was not completely explored on account of the water. The
rotten wood and bark, with casts of timbers, were probably the remains
of a wooden vault.
432
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Tlie most important mouiuls remainiuj? of this group are iipou the
Kauawha county poor farm.
Mound 31 measured 318 feet in circumference, 25 feet high, and 40
feet across its flat top. (See Fig. 302.) A 10-foot ciicular shaft was
sunk from the top and trenches run in from the side. Tlie top hiyer
consisted of 2 feet of soil, immediately below which was 1 foot of mixed
clay and ashes. Below this, to the bottom, the mound was composed
of eartli apparently largely mixed with ashes, placed in small deposits
during a long period of time. Three feet below the top were two skel-
etons, (me above the other, extended at full length, facing each other
and in close contact. Above but near the heads were a pipe, celt, and
some arrow or spear heads. Ten feet below these were two very large
skeletons in a sittiug position, facing each other, with their extended
legs interlocking to the knees. Their hands, outstretched and slightly
elevated, were placed in a sustaining position to a hemispherical, hol-
lowed, coarse-grained sandstone, burned until red and brittle. This
was about 2 feet across the top, and the cavity or depression was tilled
with white ashes containing fragments of bcmes burned almost to
coals. Over it was placed a somewhat wider slab of limestone 3 inches
„„«ik
Flu. 303.— Section of raomid No. 31. Kanawlia connty. West Vir;;inia.
thick, which had a hemispherical or cup-shaped depression of 2 inches
in diameter near the center of the under side, but this bore no trace of
heat. Two copper bracelets were on the left wrist of one skeleton, a
hematite celt and lancehead with the other. At a depth of 25 feet
from the top the natural surface was reached, on which lay a clay bed
or so-called "altar," from 6 to 18 inches thick, and covering a larger
space than the 16 feet to which the shaft was here enlarged, though the
altar proper was about 12 feet long by 8 feet wide. The upper portion '
was burned to a brick red, which gradually faded toward the bottom,
which was the natural dark color of the material. The upper side had
a concavity more than a foot deep. On it rested a compact layer of
very fine white ashes a little less than a foot thick at the center, grad-
ually increasing outward until fully 2 feet thick at the edges of the
shaft. Scattered through it were waterworn stones from 3 to 5 inches
in diameter, all bearing indications of exposure to intense heat, and
fragments of bones, some of which were nearly destroyed by heat and
had patches of what seemed to be melted sand adhering to them.
Mouud 32 measured 50 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. At the cen-
ter were two badly decayed skeletons on the natural surface, heads .
north; hematite celts and flint arrowheads were found with them.
THOMAS.] WEST VIKGINIA. 433
Mound 33, 40 feet in diameter and 4 feet high ; not opened.
Mound 34, 54 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, was thoroughly ex-
l^lored. A heavy fire bed was found in the center on the natural sur-
face; south and west of it were three charred human skeletons and many
fragments of flint lance and arrow heads, broken apparently by fire.
Mound 35, 62 feet in diameter and 6 feet high, wascomposed through-
out of very hard gray earth. Nothing was found in it.
Mound 36, 34 feet at base, 3 feet high. In the natural earth beneath
it was a vault 6 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, which contained
a small skeleton nearly decayed.
Mound 37, 60 feet at base and 7 feet high ; 2 feet of soil on top, next
4 feet of hard gray earth, and at the bottom a fire-bed 1 foot thick con-
taining charred bones.
Mound 39, 50 feet in diameter, 6J feet high ; not opened.
Mound 40, same size as last; not opened.
Mound 41, 56 feet in diameter and 5 feet high. A broad trench
through it showed it to be constructed in the same manner as mound
38.
Two circular pits or caches, which had been subjected to the action
of fire, were found near mounds 17 and 18. These were opened and
proved to be deep and basin-shaped, the larger about 10 feet in diame-
ter at the toi) and 8 feet deep in the center. This one lay entirely
beneath the surface soil, here about 1 foot thick. Judging ft-oni what
was observed it is believed that after it was dug and the sides smoothed
they were then plastered over with gray clay 5 or 6 inches thick, and
that ui)on this, before it had dried, was spread a coating of bright red
earth, which was then burned very hard. This might indicate that it
was used as a water cistern, though the purpose for which it was dug
may have been a very dififerent one. The contents, commencing at the
top, immediately below the surface soil were found to be as follows:
First, a layer of fresh-water shells 2 feet thick, rounded up in the mid-
dle; next, a layer 1 foot thick of charcoal, ashes, and dark earth com-
mingled; below this, nearly to the boitom, the material consisted of
very hard earth mixed with charcoal and ashes. In this lower layer,
near its upper surface, were two prostrate, extended skeletons of small
size, one with the head north, face up, the other with head south.
Scattered through the layer were numerous waterworn bowlders 4 to 5
inches in diameter, bearing evidence of intense heat; also, small frag-
ments of pottery, lance heads, and fish darts, apparently broken by the
action of fire. The small skeletons mentioned were badly decayed and
seem to have been incased in a matrix of plastic clay.
The second pit was similar in all respects except that it was slightly
smaller and contained no skeletons.
Upon all the blufts and high points in this vicinity are found rock
heaps. About forty were discovered, most of which were opened. All
bear evidence of a well-hole, a few of the oblong ones having two;
more than two are never found in one heap. Fig. 288, heretofore given,
12 ETH 28
434 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
shows the usual form of the cavity, some being more clearly defined,
others less so. Only one was found intact (marked m on the map, PI.
xxvii). It is on a sharp ridj;e some 1300 feet above the river and com-
manding a fair view of all the works on the north side, together with
those at Spring Hill and some others on the south. It was nearly cov-
ered with earth and surrounded by bushes, which had protected it from
the view of relic hunters. It seems never to have exceeded 12 feet in
diameter and 5 feet in height, with a well-hole 2i feet across and less
regular than in many others noticed. Upon the removal of a fiat cap-
stone a small cavity was found; removing two additional layers, the
lower of wliich was a mass of charcoal and ashes, the cavity was found
to increase to a little more than 2 feet. At this point a stone .3 feet
long, 30 inches wide, and 6 inches thick was reached, which was
removed by tearing away part of the wall. Under it, in a iiole 3 feet
deep, was a decayed skeleton of medium size, which had been buried in
a sitting or squatting position. With it were a steatite pipe, a slate
gorget, a portion of the stem of another very large steatite pipe, the
remainder of which had never been deposited here, and three lance-
heads. From a rock heap near by some boys obtained a well preserved
skull and some relics. It was probably an intrusive burial, as the cap-
stone was not in its proper place.
Near the last described mound, and marked n on PI. xxvii, is a cliarred
bone pile on one of the finest jjoints of observation along the entire
line of bluffs; it measures 61 feet long, 37 feet at the widest part, and
in some places over 2 feet high, resembling a low, oblong, oval-topped
mound. Upon and around it were a great many waterworn stones of
small size. Their number increased with the depth, along with char-
coal, ashes, and charred bones. The bones and perhaps the flesh of
hundreds of persons had been burned here; the fragments were all
small and thin, indicating children or small females. It is beyond
doubt that they were human bones.
The few rock shelves in the cliffs found in this region are esiJecially
rich in relics.
PUTNAM COUNTY.
INCLOSURE AND MOUNDS NEAR WINFIELD.
Upon the second terrace on the south side of the river, jiist below
Winfield, is a circular inclosure containing about an acre, the embank-
ment being still 2 or 3 feet high above the bottom of the interior ditch.
Within and about it have been found many stone implements of vari-
ous kinds. (Jn this and the next higher terrace are a number of
mounds from i to 10 feet high. Two near the bluff were opened.
Tlie first was of peculiar shape, being 60 feet long, about half as wide,
and 7 feet high. A wide trench was run the length of the mound,
showing it to be composed mainly of hard, light colored earth, much of
THOMAS] WEST VIRGINIA. 435
which tsceiris to have been baked by heavy tires that left abunilance
of charcoal, ashes, aud calcined bones, some of them human. Spalls
and fragments of pottery were found all through the mound. At the
bottom were two much decayed skeletons, prostrate, heads west. A
stone and a hematite celt and some spearheads were with them.
The other mound was circular, 40 feet at base and 5 feet high. Noth-
ing was found in it.
At the depth of 5 feet, in a mound 'J feet high, near by, were two
skeletons, with two celts and some arrowheads.
Between Wintield and Buffalo are many mounds in which numerous
relics of stone, bone, and copper have been found. Two miles above
the latter place several acres of a high bottom are nearly covered with
mussel shells, spalls, potsherds, and stone implements. Two miles
below are two mounds, about .50 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, in
which were found only human bones beneath a layer of charcoal and
ashes.
MASON COUNTY.
On the high bottom land of Gen. John McCausland, on the south
side of the ri\cr, near the Putnam County line, are five mounds, from
30 to 90 feet in diameter and 4 to 8 feet high. In one of these were
found the fragments of a large pot. Like nearly all the mound pottery
of this section it was composed of pounded stone and clay. The pot-
tery from the kitchen-middens nearly always contains pulverized shells
instead of stone.
ROCK HEAPS.
Two of these are found on the farm of Peter S. Couch, 3 miles below
the mounds above mentioned. They are on opposite sides of a ravine,
on bluffs overlooking the river. The one on the north bluff is 40 feet
long north and south, 30 broad, and 4 high at its two circular well-
holes; these range north and south, are 8 feet apart and 30 inches in
diameter. The northern one was partially filled with loose stones and
briei's. Beneath these, upon the bed rock, was the skeleton of a half-
grown child ; with it were a badly corroded iron hatchet and some
glass beads. Nothing was found in the other hole. The otlier heap
was similar to the first, excei^t that the holes were somewhat larger.
They contained ftothing of interest.
Between these bluffs and the river are five mounds, all of which were
opened. The largest was 50 feet broad and 4 feet high. The portion
remaining after long cultivation was composed entirely of very hard,
gray clay. A fire-bed 3 by 4 feet, 3 inches thick, lay on the original
surface. In another mound was a stone cist 5 feet long, and half as
wide and deep, resting on the natural surface and covered with a pile
of loose stones, over which the mound had been raised. Nothing was
found in it. The other three were similar to the largest, but nothing
of interest was discovered in them.
436 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
A mile below these, on the other side of the river, in :in old culti-
vated field strewn with umssel sliells, are one large and several small
mounds. In all those which were explored there was a layer of skele-
tons on the natural surface, and two, or sometimes three, f)ther layers
above them to a height of 5 feet. The appearance of the mounds Justi-
fied the statement of Mr. Couch and others that at least one more layer
had been removed during fifty years of steady cultivation. The skele-
tons were well preserved, many of them very large, in a prostrate posi-
tion, with no particular arrangement. Remains of bark cofiins were
apparent, barely separated by layers of dirt or ashes or both mingled;
this, with the well preserved condition of the bones, gives the appear-
ance of comparatively recent interment. The dirt in these mounds is
not so hard as in most of the others in this section.
Three miles still farther down, on the Goshorn farm, a field on the
high bottoms directly fronting the river is dotted with similar mounds,
one of which is 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 7 feet high; all seem to
be depositories of human skeletons lying horizontally, as in the Couch
mounds. From these two localities, ten skulls, over five hundred beads
made of the hollow bones of animals and birds, nearly two thousand
small perforated seashells, many bone bodkins, bears' tusks, flint
implements, fragments of pottery, stone disks, celts, and grooved axes
were obtained.
A mound 50 feet in diameter and 4 feet high was composed of exceed-
ingly hard, gray earth ; on the natural surface were two nearly decayed
skeletons.
From Kanawha falls to the mouth of the river are abundant evi-
dences that the valley has been occupied by the builders of the hard-
cored mounds, and subsequently by a people who accumulated kitchen-
middens and buried in them or in low mounds which shovel like ashes
or alluvial soil. The hard-cored, conical mounds and the large ones
having vaults are invariably on the high bottoms not subject to over-
flow ; while the refuse heaps are upon either the first or second terrace.
Though the different works are often near together, with the single
exception of those on the Goshorn place they never intermingle, as
though the later comers were careful not to intrude upon the grounds
occupied by the more ancient works.
THE MCCULLOCH MOUND.
Five miles above the mouth of the Kanawha, on the south side, ou
the farm of Charles E. McCulloch, is the largest mound in this sec-
tion. Unlike most of the large mounds, it is not on the river bottom,
but on a sloping terrace nearly a hundred feet higher, and after long
cultivation is still 20 feet high and fully 300 feet in circumference. The
old war trail is said to have crossed the spur upon which it stands just
below it. No trace of inclosure, mound, or other work is to be found near,
a peculiar circumstance when no other large mound in the entire valley
THOMAS.] WEST VIRGINIA. 437
stands thus isolated. A circular shaft 11 feet in diameter was sunk down
through the center to the bed rock a foot below the base of the mound.
A rock heap at the top had been made in a depression evidently caused
by the caving in of a vault. This rock heap had been disturbed by
l)arties who found a very large skeleton with some stone weapons.
Beneath it sandstone slabs as heavy as a man could lift were scattered
through the shaft, and at the bottom enough of them standing and
lying at all angles to have covered the vault, and appearing to have
been hurled thus by the caving in of the roof. Excepting the outside
covering and 3 or 4 feet at the bottom of soil like that about it and the
stones mentioned, the entire mound was composed of ashes, mostly
pure, l)ut in a few places slightly mixed with earth, all very light and
easily shoveled. The somewhat sloping, natural surface had been lev-
eled up by a layer of clay, then a bark floor laid down, and this covered
with a layer of clean ashes over a space larger than the area of the
vault, which must have been nearly square, about 12 feet on either side,
and iilaced diagonally to the cardinal points. Prostrate in the ashes
were the remains of at least 6 adults and some children, placed par-
allel, heads east. Owing to the condition of the mound at the bottom,
being very wet, the bones were so decayed that it was impossible to
tell how many j)ersons had been buried here. Not a single relic of any
kind was found with the remains. The casts of posts and roof timbers,
fi'om G to 14 inches in diameter, mainly of oak, were found, but the
height of the structure could not be determined. As near as could be
judged, it was probably 5 or 6 feet high and covered with heavy cross
timbers, some of which extended several feet beyond the walls, and
upon these had been placed a layer of flat sandstones, a huge pile
of ashes being thrown over all. The stone grave at the top indicates
an intrusive l)urial.
Numerous rock etchings were formerly to be found along this part of
the Kanawha valley, but most of these have been destroyed; yet enough
remain to show their rude character.
On the Miller farm, 3 miles above the mouth of the Kanawha, is a
rock which has rolled down from the clift's and lodged near the ancient
trail. The face of this detached fragment, some 20 feet long by 4 wide,
is covered with figures of animals, birds (one double-headed), serpents,
etc. Dr. Shaw, of Point Pleasant, says the figures were much plainer
fifty years ago, and that one of them represented a horse in advance of
a number of horse tracks, pointing down the river, probably a record
by modern Indians of the march of a party of white men.
Below the mouth of the Kanawha the caving in of the bank of the Ohio
had exposed a wall of stone, on some of the slabs of which were rude
totemic and other marks made by some pecking tool. Careful excava-
tions revealed a circular inclosure about 100 feet in diameter, inside
measurement. The wall was composed of angular slabs of various
sizes from the hills near by and averaged 25 feet across the base by 3J
438
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
in height. Many of tlie stones bore evidences of fire, the spaces be-
tween them (they were laid flat M'ith joints broken) being filled with
charcoal, ashes, and earth, separate or mixed. No gateway was fonnd,
though no donbt one exists at some point not excavated. The sedi
ment from overflows has accumulated to the depth of about ."> feet since
the wall was built, and its existence was never suspected until ex])osed
as above stated liy the falling in of the bank. This may not be abo
riginal work.
On the Beal farm, 7 miles below Point Pleasant, are six inclosures
and a number of small mounds, and 3 miles below these are several
mounds from 6 to 20 feet high, the largest on the farm of Judge Moore.
All these are very similar in appearance to the works about Charleston.
iKir^
Fui. ;J03. — iloviiul j;rtmp. 1 mile west of ISarboursville, West Virginia.
Dwelling sites and mounds literally line the front of nearly all the
bottoms along both sides of the Ohio. They are similar to those on
the Couch and Goshorn farms, and, like them, are rich in skeletons and
relics; many of the latter must have been obtained from the whites.
CABELL COUNTY.
For half a mile along the bank of the Ohio, just above the mouth of
the Guyandotte, is an extensive deposit of refuse from a handet or
favorite camping place, probably the latter, as the remains are found
to the depth of 3 feet, showing that the site was frequently overflowed
and thus built up in part by deposits from high water. Many relics,
WEST VIRGINIA.
439
both ancient and modern, are found, the uppermost tier being a foot
below the present surface. Half a mile above this is a field in which
were three small mounds, two of which are now leveled. The surface
for 3 or 4 acres in extent is literally covered with jmtsherds, shells, and
fragments of stone implements. A quartz pipe with bowl formed and
stem hole partially perforated was found here. The maker seems to
have given up bis job of boring it out after the outside had been brought
to the desired form.
Midway between Guyandotte and Huntington are traces of an inclo-
sure and hamlet site on a bottom high above the greatest floods. It was
evidently long occupied, as a great number of relics have been found
here. Nearly all of it has disappeared by the caving in of the banks.
About 1 mUe west of Barboursville, on a hill nearly 500 feet above the
Guyandotte, overlooking that stream for a long distance and offering a
fine position for defense, is a group of nnmnds (Fig. 303) very modern
in appearance; it is stated, however, that large timber covered them
wlien the country was first settled by whites. The old war trail jiasses
immediately south of the group, and there is a fine s])ring on the slope
of the bluff' north. The soil around is a compact yellow clay.
The following table gives their dimensions:
MOCNDS.
No.
Form.
Irregular
ObloDg . .
....do ....
....do . ...
....do....
Crescent.
Oblong . .
Circular .
Oblong ..
....do....
Oblong...
....do....
....do ....
Length.
Widtb.
Feet.
Feet.
150
75
5U
20
in
15
54
25
55
20
48
15
60
20
20
20
46
15
36 _
10
Height.
Remarks.
6
4
3
4
7
4
6
4
3
Excavated in pari.
Excavated.
Not excavated.
Excavated.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Not excavated.
EXCAVATIONS.
40
25
5
35
30
H
20
15
3
These have evidently been much
deeper ; and there are some smaller
ones near the mounds.
The trenches were run along the natural surface. All disclosed a
heap of yellow clay similar to that around the mounds, and nearly all
reached at one or more places in the oblong mounds the unmistakable
core of older circular ones. At G feet from the edge of No. 7, upon
the natural surface, were two skeletons in a reclining position on the
side of the conical central core. At the center of this core was a par-
tially decayed skeleton prostrate in, or rather under, a layer of char-
440 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
coal and ashes. This ohier mound or central core was 4 feet high and
20 feet in diameter. On the north side was another skeleton placed
like the first two, body reclining against the hard core and legs extended
on the original surface of the ground.
In No. 9 a fire bed was found at the top; a small, hard, conical mound
or core was also under this, but nothing was found in it.
At 10 feet from the south edge of No. 5 were two medium-sized skel-
etons, a lance head by the right side of each. These were lying at the
foot of the hard, conical core, instead of reclining upon it. About 2
feet below the top of this ancient moundlet or core, and 4 feet from
the top of the modern one built over it, were one very large and two
ordinary sized skeletons, all having the skulls above the ribs as though
buried in a sitting posture facing each other. With these bones were
a fine steatite pipe, a celt, lance-head, fish dart, fragments of pottery^
and mussel shells. These were probably intrusive burials. In the
bottom of the old mound were fragments of a prostrate skeleton.
Lying on the slope was a skeleton, well preserved, with head toward the
top of the mound, aud 13 feet north of it was another in like position
on the slope of another small conical mound.
The other mounds were on the same plan, showing that some people
had erected a mound over their dead; that subsequently the same or
another people had deposited bodies on the side or at the foot of these
mounds and covered them with dirt tiom the excavations near by, and
that these later mounds had been increased in size until in some cases
they had covered two or even more of the ancient ones.
OHIO.
As this state has been the field of the principal archeologicalinvesti-
gations of Col. Whittlesey, Prof. Locke, Messrs. Squier and Davis,
Rev. J. P. McLean, Dr. Hempstead, and others, and is the locality to
which the Peabody Museum has chiefly directed its attention, compara-
tively little work was done here by the Bureau.
The explorations were chiefly by Mr. Middleton and Mr. Fowke. In
the summer of 1887 a resurvey of some of the more important ancient
works described and figured by Squier and Davis was made in order
to determine the accuracy of the measurements and figures of these
authors. The result is outlined herein, though published in full in the
l)ulletin entitled " The (Jircular, Square, and Octagonal Earthworks
of Ohio," issued in 1889.
KNOX COUNTY.
THE HAWN MOUND.
This is situated on the farm of Col. William H.Hawn, in Sec. 4, T. 7,
II. 11, Howard townshii), near the bank of Owl creek. It stands on a
small terrace, which is about 3 feet higher than the usual level of the
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXVIII
^'ecHotv orv lirte. & o.
Sectxjni on. line' cIa c .
PLAN AND SECTIONS OF THE STAATS MOUND, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
THOMAS. ]
OHIO.
441
valley near the verge. Aboiit a i-od west of it is a short, deep gully
that drains the fields to the north, and a few rods farther west is a deep
ravine, through which flow.s a small, clear stream coming from the hills
a short distance to the north. An iron tomahawk and many arrow
heads have been plowed up around the mound. It is of the ordinary
conical form, circular in outline, 45 feet in diameter, and 5 feet high at
the time it was examined, though reduced fully one-half in height by
thirty years' cultivation. Col. Hawn, who saw it fifty
years ago, says it was then about 12 feet high, with
a i)ointotl apex, and surrounded by a log fence about
4 feet higli, the bottom course being made of the
trunks of trees placed end to end, the second and
last courses similar, but placed across the corners.
The iuclosure had an opening to the east.
An east and west section is given in Fig. 304. A
pit (c), in the original soil, 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and
2 feet deep, with sloping sides, contained the skeleton
of an adult, lying at full length, face up and head to
the north. Over this, filling the pit and constituting
the greater part of the mound, was yellow earth (h)
similar to the adjacent soil. About 9 inches above
the original surface of the ground was a horizontal
layer (f7), 9 inches thick, of muck or river mud, ex-
tending over an area about 20 feet in diameter.
Above this, which showed unmistakable evidences
of fire on its surface, was a mass (e) of mingled ashes
and earth from a foot to 2 feet in thickness. At i
there was a small fire bed. No relics of any kind
were discovered except the fragment of an arrowhead
made of Flint ridge stone.
THE 8TAATS MOUND.
W'
^ s-
This moiind, which is irregularly conical, with an
average diameter of 52 feet, and a little over 7 feet
high, is located on the farm of Jacob Staats, in Sec.
1, T. 6, R. 10, Butler township. It stands on the ex-
treme point of a promontory that extends from the
hills out into the valley of Owl creek and terminates
in an abrupt descent of 90 feet. The topography of t,,, j
the immediate locality is shown in Fig. 305.
The base of the mound is nearly circular; in the top is a depression,
as shown in sections B and C, PI. xxviii, but this is explained by the
fact that a small pit was dug here some years ago and afterwards
filled up.
Encircling the base and resting upon the original surface of the
ground was a wall about a foot in height and from 2 to 3 feet thick.
442
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
built chiefly of flat stones. This is shown by tlie dotted line 9, 9 in
the ground plan (PI. xxviii) and at 9, 9 in the sections (B and C).
It will be seen by reference to the figure (A) tliat an opening was left at
the east and west sides [h h), each about 10 feet wide. The earth has
'7Jmnm„.>ih!iiii~n,mm„„,i
PROFILE LOOKING
EAST.
b"iu. 305.— Plat ami section of the area about the Staats mound, Knox county, Ohio.
washed and worn away from the upper part of the mound until it has
covered the wall to the depth of a foot or more. There was nothing
found to show that the wall had ever been any higher than repre-
sented. Six feet within the wall, a little north of west from the center
THOMAS] OHIO. 443
of the moiiud was an oval pit (1) 8 feet long, a feet wide, and 2 feet
deep. This had been dug in the natural soil and was filled with clean
wood ashes. At its northeast corner lay a celt, and Immediately east
of it was a large sandstone, a good load for two men, that had been
brought ti'om the hills south of the mound. This stone bore marks of
lire, lay with the weathered side up, and was covered to the depth of
3 inches by the gravel in which it was embedded. At 10 feet from the
southern edge of the mound was a basin-shaped pit 3 feet in diameter
and '2 feet deep. This was lined or paved with bowlders, chiefly water-
woru. For a foot down from the surface the ground (indicated by the
dotted circle a) had been burned. A layer of ashes (2, B and C) 9 inches
thick had accumulated over the greater portion of the surface inclosed
by the stone wall, filling and covering the pit (1) on the western side
and extending to the edge of the pit (10) on the southern side. Over
the central portion of this layer of ashes was a conical heap of gravel
15 feet in diameter and 18 inches thick at the center (No. 3, B and (J),
then a stratum of ashes 6 to 9 inches thick (4), next a layer of blue
clay mixed with ashes (5) varying in thickness from 2 to 3 feet, and
over the whole a covering of surface soil (6). In section C, 7 indicates
a small streak of surface soil; 8, a small mass of burned clay; and 11,
a small deposit of gravel. No human bones were foiind, except the
fragment of a lower jaw.
As the position of this mound was so favorable for a beacon station
and lookout, there can be little doubt that it was intended for this
purpose. A beautiful valley, a mile in width and covered with a rich
productive soil, extends for miles along the creek on either side. A
light at this point would be visible not only to dwellers in the valley,
but at all points on the surrounding hills. It is well known that the
valley was a favorite spot with the Indians. The old Indian town of
Miunecoosa was situated in it immediately below the promontory. Mr.
Staats states that when he came here, more than fifty years ago, there
was no timber on the bottoms or on the terrace, all having been cut
down by the Indians "to give them a better chance to watch the game
and note the movements of their enemies," and doubtless also for cul-
tivation, as their food was partly obtained in this manner.
THE HAMMOND MOUND.
This is a small, conical mound located on the laud of Mr. Hammond,
in Sec. 3, T. 36, R. 10, Butler township, about a mile west of the Staats
mound. It is on a terrace 20 feet higher than the bottom land of the
valley and at present is 45 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, though Mr.
Hammond says that when he first saw it it was fully twice as high,
pointed at the top, not over 35 feet in diameter, and with two large oak
trees growing on its top. The central core consisted of soil which must
have been brought from the bottom land. This was covered by a foot
of yellow clay, like that found on the terrace. The original surface of
444
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the ground under the northeast side had been heated for 6 or 8 inches
down and was covered by an inch-thick deposit of coals and ashes.
Toward the upper part of the mound was a thin horizontal layer of dark
soil about 4 inches thick. In the north side, 6 feet from the center, at
a depth of 2.| feet, lay some fragments of human bones, the skull not
amoug them. Six inches above them were a few burnt bones mixed
with ashes and coals, but these appear to have been brought in with
the earth when the mound was built. Scattered through the earth of
the central mass were two gorgets, a few flint knives, some arrow
points, a pendant, spearhead, chipped celt (quartzite), and a single
fragment of pottery. The tO]) layer consisted of surface soil about
1 foot thick.
THE CEMETERY MOUND.
This mound was situated in the cemetery at Mount Vernon. A view
of it is given in I'l. xxix, from a ])hoti)graph made shortly before its
Strvct
Fio. :i06.— Plau of Cemetery mound. Moiiut Vernon, Knox county, Ohio.
removal.' It was conical in form, unusually symmetrical, the base being
almost a circle. Diameter, 80 feet, and height, 11. The top was slightly
depressed, in consequence of a pit sunk into it by a former owner, but
afterward filled up. The mode of construction is shown in the plau
(Fig. 306) and in the vertical section from east to west (Fig. 307).
First, a 2-iuch layer («) of surface sod, then 4 feet of fine yellow clay
(h) free of stones; below this, the central core (e) reaching to the origi-
nal surface, of soil, apparently from the valley to the north. The
small masses or loads in which it was deposited were very distinct, as
is shown in Fig. 307 (c,/, r/, and i). This central mass was interrupted
by a few thin seams of gray earth; first, at the depth of 6 feet from the
' This removjil was made iu ac.^^ordanee wilh the wi.sbes i
tors ol" the cbiuet*;ry.
(■ its (iwner after a lawsuit with the <lirec-
OHIO.
445
top of the mound, a nearly horizontal layer {d) 2 inches thick; next,
a similar layer (c) connecting with the former at the margins, but
clipping a foot downward at the center ; and thirdly, 2 feet lower, the
layer {h).
In the central portion of the mound, resting on the original surface
of the ground, was an irregularly qvuidrilatei'al stone inclosure (k).
This was built up loosely of rough surface sandstones, all with the
weathered side up. The east and west diameter varied from 10 to 13
teet, the north and south from 13 to 15. The thickness of the wall at
the base was from 5 to 10 feet, the height from IJ to 3 feet. The stones
were piled up without any attempt at regularity. The dotted portion
along the southern line of the wall (Fig. 306) shows where it was imper-
fect and in part wanting.
Within the space inclosed by the wall, and extending partly under it
on the east side, was the circular pit (.s), 12 feet in diameter and 2| feet
deep. The sides were slightly sloped, giving it a basin-like shape. It
was mostly filled with dark soil in small masses, like that of the over-
lying mass ((■), with which it seems to be continuous, resting on a
/■ ('
ri ti o i t ft m
Fig. 307 — Section of the. Cemetery raound, Mount Veruon, Knox county, Ohio.
white substance {t) an inch thick, possibly the ashes of hickory bark,
which covered most of the bottom of the pit and extended over a
skeleton on the west side. The portion covering the skeleton was very
hard, being difficult to penetrate with a pick. The remainder of it was
quite loose. The skeleton (u), which was badly decayed, lay at full
length with the head at the west margin of the pit and the feet toward
the center. Around it was a quantity of decayed vegetable matter,
possibly the remains of bark wrapping. On the under jaw was a
crescent-shaped piece of copper, about the hips several shell beads,
along the left arm a few bear's teeth, and about the head the remains
of some textile fabric.
The letters m, n, and o mark the position of flre-beds ; m and n were
on the level of the original surface, extending slightly over the pit, n
being mostly under the wall and m entirely so. Each was about 6 feet
in diameter, and the clay soil beneath them for a foot in dei^th was
burned to a light brick red. The one at o, about the center of the pit,
was comparatively small, and the clay beneath but slightly baked,
indicating that but a single fire had been kindled on it. Just outside
446 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the eastern wall were four small pits or holes iu the natural soil, each
about a foot in depth and 9 inches in diameter, arranged as shown by
p, q, r, and v (see Fig. .306). Two of them, q and r, were filled with a
dark-brown " stieky substance," in which were a number of split animal
bones.
A careful study of this exceedingly interesting moimd leads to the
conclusion that it was a work of considerable time, the various steps
in its construction being about as follows:
First, the small holes jj, q, r, and r were dug possibly to hold posts
on which a scaffold was built to support the corpse, the split bones
being cast into them after the posts were removed for burning when
the final burial took place. Next, when the time came for this, the
central pit (.s) was dug, and the skeleton, the flesh being removed, was
deposited in it, then the layer of ashes sprinkled over the bottom (and
over the skeleton), and the pit filled up. The fire at o probably per-
tained to some superstitious burial rite, while those at m and n, which
were continued for a longer time, were built by the watchers. After
this a wooden covering was probably placed over the pit and the stone
wall built around it. There can scarcely be a doubt, judging by the
fact that the weathered sides of all the stones were uppermost, that a
considerable time had elapsed before the mound was built, possibly a
number of years. The mound was in all probability built in successive
stages, as seems to be indicated by the seams at d, e, and /(. The holes
p, q, r, and v may have held posts which supported a temporary booth
for the watchers instead of serving the purpose above suggested, in
which case we must suppose the body was buried without first remov-
ing the flesh, and that the decay of the flesh hardened the white sub-
stance spread over it. If these suppositions be in the main correct, the
individual buried here must have been an important personage in the
tribe to which he belonged, and one long remembered and revered by
his people.
TIIK SHIPLEY MOUND.
This mound is on the farm of Mr. Worthington Shipley, in Howard
township. It is on the brow of a steep bluif 75 feet high, overlooking
the valley of Owl creek; is circular, flattened on top, 35 feet in diame-
ter, and 4 feet high. Under the center, extending north and south, was
a pit 7 feet long, 2i feet wide, and 2 feet deep, dug in the original soil.
In this was a single skeleton, face up and head south.
HOCKING COUNTY.
ANCIKXT WOKS ON THE DAVIS PLACE.
These works, consisting of two small earthern inclosures and ditches,
one surrounding a large mound which covers the greater part of the in-
cluded area, are situated on the SW. \ of Sec. 8, T. 11, E. 19, in Salt Creek
township, Hocking county. They stand on the level top of a spur which
THOMAS]
OHIO.
447
juts out from the hills bordering the valley of Salt creek. The larger
work, which includes the mound, stands on the brink of the blutt',
which rises here to a height of 200 feet above the valley. Fig. 308 is a
plat of the works and the ground in the immediate vicinity. A plan
of the larger work, which, as before stated, consists of an earthern in-
Fig. 308. — Works on the Davis place, Hocking county, Ohio.
closure, inner ditch, and included mound, is shown in Fig. 309. It will
be seen from this that the form of both the inclosure and the mound (a)
is somewhat quadrilateral or oblong, the longer diameter being east
and west. The mound, which covers the entire area, save a narrow
strip here and there, is 115 feet long and 96 wide at base, with a height
448
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
%
FLcUA
of 23 feet. At the eastern end and at the corners (which are rounded
ofif) are strips of the original level 2 or 3 feet wide between the margin
and the ditch. The top is rounded. The surrounding wall and ditch
are interrupted only by the gateway at the east, which is about 30
feet wide. The ditch is 3 feet deep and varies in width from 20 to
23 feet. The wall averages 20 feet in breadth and is from 1 foot to
3 feet high. Two
chestnut trees, one
6, the other 7 feet in
circumference, were
growing on the
mound.
A partial explora-
tion of the mound
gave the following
results: The first 5
feet of the top was
found to consist of a
layer («, Fig. 309, B
and C) of yellow clay
similar to the sur-
• face soil of the spui" ;
the remainder (6) of
earth, which must
have been brought
fi'om the valley be-
low. In this latter
could easily be
traced the individ-
ual loads or little
masses by which it
had been built up,
as in the case of the
cemetery mound at
Mount Vernon. At
the base, 30 feet from
the south margin,
was a bed of burnt
clay, on which were
coals and ashes. In the center, also at the base, were the remains of a
square wooden vault. The logs of which it was built were completely
decayed, but the molds and impressions were still very distinct, so that
they could be easily traced. This was about 10 feet square, and the
logs were of considerable size, most of them nearly or quite a foot in
diameter. At each corner had been placed a stout upright post, and
the bottom, judging bj'^ the slight remains found there, had been wholly
SectCorv. £.
Section
Fig. 309.-
-rian of the large -work, Davis place, Hockiug cuunty,
Ohio.
THOMAS.] OHIO. 449
or partially covered with poles. It had evidently been built up in the
form of a pen, but neither the number of rounds nor original height
could be definitely ascertained. From appearances it is probable there
were nt)t more than two or three tiers and the height not more than 2
or 3 feet. Near the center was the extended skeleton of an adult, head
south, with which were enough shell beads to make a string 9 yards in
length. The lower tier of logs was a foot or more down in the orig-
inal soil, showing that a slight excavation had been made in the sur-
face before the vault was built. The remains of some of the logs ex-
hibited traces of fire, though the dirt arouiul them showed no indica-
tions of heat. A trench was dug through the surrounding wall south
of the mound. Near the middle were the remains of a post 6 inches in
diameter. In another trench through the south wall, near the corner,
was the burnt end of a post a foot in diameter.
A few yards south of this work is a small circular inclosure {b, Fig.
308) and inside ditch, the opening being toward the large inclosure.
The diameter north and south is 120 feet; east and west, 124 feet.
Owing to long cultivation only faint traces of them remain. The
greatest height of the wall at present is not more than 15 inches.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
ANXIENT WORKS NEAR DUBLIN.
The works represented in Fig. 310 are 1 mile northeast of Dublin
and one-fourth of a mile east of the Scioto river. They are on a nearly
level area of the higher lands of the section. Contrary to what is
usual, the soil immediately around them is not nearly so fertile as that
a short distance away.
At 1 is a circular embankment with an inside ditch. The diameter,
measuring from the middle line of the embankment on one side to the
middle on the other side, is 120 feet, the wall is about 10 feet broad and
2 feet high, and the ditch 15 feet wide and 2 feet deep, leaving a level
inclosed circular area 80 feet in diameter. On the east side is a gate-
way 12 feet wide.
No. 2 is a rectangular inclosure with rounded corners. In measuring
it, stakes were set where the middle lines of the embankment would
cross if produced. The distances between these stakes were as follows :
North side, 287 feet; west side, 212 feet; south side, 262 feet ; east side,
220 feet. The outer line of the west wall forms a curve along its entire
length; the other sides are straight. On the north, east, and west sides
the wall is 25 feet across the base; on the south side, 35; its height, quite
uniform throughout, is about 3 feet. It is bordered on the inside by a
ditch Hi feet wide on the south side, 20 on the east and north sides, and
30 on the west side; depth about 2 feet on the east side, gradually
increasing along the north from 3 to 4 feet, being widest and deepest
at the southwest corner. Thus more earth was taken out along the west
12 ETH 29
450
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Hue of the ditch and added to the south side of the embankment. The
rounded outer corners of the embankment are 20 feet within the points
where the margins of the wall woukl intersect if carried ou straight.
The corners of the inner sides of the ditch are about 10 feet within their
corresponding points. The passageway on the eastern side is 15 feet
wide. In all these iuclosures the passage way is simply the natural sur-
face of the ground between the ends of the ditch and wall ; that is to
\
/
\
\ %\
say, it is not graded. On the level space inclosed by the ditch, 100 feet
from the top of the east line of embankment, is a mound (a) 4 feet high
and .35 feet in diameter. On the top were numerous flat stones, which
it is said had formed graves inclosing skeletons of very large size, but
nothing could be learned as to the manner in which they were buried.
Another stone grave (&), 8 feet in diameter, on the edge or bottom of
this mound ou its western side, had been opened, and so torn up that
THOMAS] OHIO. 451
its mode of constniction coukl not be deteriniuecl. Still west, its edge
exteudiug quite up to the ditch, is another mound (c) 1 foot high and
2'4 feet iu diameter. Tliis has never been disturbed. From the top of
the bank at the northeast corner of 2 to the nearest point on top of the
embankment of inclosure 1, is 133 feet; and the line of the north edge
of 2, if produced, would touch the south edge of 1.
Southwest of 2 is another circular inclosure (3) similar in construction
tol; the embankment is 18 feet across and 2 feet high; the ditch 22
feet wide and 3 feet deep in the deepest part; the level space inclosed
100 feet in diameter, making the entire diameter of the inclosure from
center to center of the outer wall 102 feet. The passageway (oi^eiiing
directly toward 2) is 22 feet wide. In the inclosure is a mound (d) 40
feet in diameter and 3 feet high, its center being 60 feet from the inner
edge of the ditch on the east. The amount of earth in this mound is
hardly sufficient to account for the difference between the cubic con-
tents of the excavation and those of the embankment.
About 500 feet west of 3 is a single mound (4) 5 feet high and oO feet
in diameter.
BROWN COUNTY.
MOUND (IKOUP ON HILL I'LACE.
The group shown in Fig. 311 is on a high hill near the Arnheiiu pike,
4 miles north of Ripley, on the farm of Mr. James M. Hill, and consists
af eight mounds, two of which are surrounded by a ditch and embank-
ment.
The principal mound (1) is 72 feet in diameter and S feet high. Three
small tumuli (2, 3, and 4), which have been plowed over for many years,
are now from li to 2i feet high and from 30 to 40 feet iu diameter.
No. 5 is 2J feet high and 40 feet in diameter. This is surrounded by
a circular wall and inner ditch eacli about 15 feet across, the diameter
of the former from the middle line on one side to the middle on the
other side being 151 feet, and of the ditch from center to center 119
feet. The wall is now only about 1 foot high, and the ditch scarcely
more than 1 foot iu depth.
No. 6 is a similar work, except that it is elliptical iaatead of circular,
the measurements being as follows: The mound SO feet east and west
and 70 north and south; the ditch measuring from center to center 150
feet east and west and 120 feet north and south ; the wall fi-om toj) to
top 180 by 150 feet. The mound is 5 feet high, the ditch and wall each
about 15 to 18 feet wide, the height of the wall from 1 to 2 feet, and the
ditch but little over a foot deep.
Westward from the latter work, one at the distance of 365 feet and
the other nearly 1,200 feet, are two other mounds (7 and 8). The for-
mer of these is 3 feet high and 50 feet in diameter; the latter (8) 3i feet
high and 75 feet in diameter, is on a lower level than the other and not
visible from any other mound in the whole group, yet from its position
452
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
must belong with them. The relative positions are correctly indicated
in the figure. The distances from center to center are as follows:
From 1 to 2
From 2 to 3
From 3 to 4
From 4 to 5
iet.
120
From 1 to 5
120
From 1 to 6
155
From 6 to 7
180
From 7 to 8
I'ect.
255
485
365
800
Lying S. 20° W. from 1 is a large mound, about half a mile distant,
in plain view. S. 50° E. about one-third of a mile is another, not visi-
ble by reason of a low intervening ridge. About 1 mile S. .30° E. was
formerly an inclosure, now entirely destroyed. Nothing definite could
be ascertained regaixling its size or shape. It had been locally known
as the Indian fort, and was on a hill overlooking the group. There i.s
a good spring within 150 yards of 8, and another 200 yards southwest
of 1. From 1 to the nearest iioint on Straight creek is half a mile in a
northwest direction. The descent from the mounds to tlie creek is
about 500 feet and very steep. A number of relics. were found in 1
some years since. It has never been opened to the bottom. A small
cache of very fine, large, leaf-shaped knives of Flint Ridge stone was
exposed by the plow near by.
STOXK GRAVKIS.
On neai'ly every prominent hill in the neighborhood of Ripley are
stone graves, some small, apparently the burying places of a single in-
dividual, others large enough to contain a number. Nearly all of these
graves have been disturbed by the persons on whose farms they are
situated, either through cariosity or to utilize the stone. Very few
have ever yielded any relics, and then only a celt or a few arrowheads.
Over twenty ditterent places were visited where it was claimed the
graves were undisturbed before anj- were found intact.
Four miles east ot Ripley, on a hill 500 feet high, o\erl()oking the
valley of Eagle creek and commanding an extensive view in every
direction, were two that had never been opened.
The first was inclosed by a circle of large. Hat limestone slabs set on
edge, and measured 15 feet in diameter. The slabs fitted closely or
slightly overlapped, and the space thus inclosed was on the same level
as the surrounding surface; it was filled mostly with stones similar to
those around the edge, with only enough dirt to fill the spaces between.
The mass of earth and stone was removed to a depth of 15 inches,
when large, flat rocks, lying horizontally, were reached. One of these
being removed disclosed the yellow clay subsoil beneath. This was dug
into about 2 feet, to make sure it was in place. There was nothing
to show that the edge-; of the slabs had been dressed, yet they fitted
so closely that only very small cracks were between them at any place
and formed a floor over the whole space inclosed. Lying directly upon
this rock floor, with head east, was an extended skeleton badly broken
THOMAS. 1
OHIO.
453
by the weight of the material above. Only a few fragments of tlie
skull could be obtained; enough to show that it was a full half inch
in thickness. With the exception of a few vertebne, the bones of the
body and upper extremities were so decayed that they could not be
taken out or even uncovered sufiSciently for examination, the tough,
sticky soil adhering to them so that, when removed from its place, it
brought fragments of the bone along with it. The femora were still
solid enough to allow the dirt to be
scraped away with a knife. They
measured 22^ inches in length.
Lying against the spinal column of
the skeleton, just above the posi-
tion of the pelvic bones, was a
fragment, ab(uit 2 inches across, of
a human skull ]iot over one-six-
teenth of an inch thick. Eesides
many small decayed pieces of
bones, there were found one other
femur of a size to correspond with
those of the skeleton, and three
femora of ordinary size. These
last were lying dose together.
Why an odd number should be
found is not plain. Close watch
was kept, but no pieces of another
were seen. The bones of the ex-
tended skeleton were in their
proper position; so it would seem
that a body had been buried soon
after death, aud at the same time
portions of the skeletons of others
who had died previously were
placed in the grave. No two of
the smaller femora were in a posi-
tion such as could have corre-
sponded with a whole skeleton
placed in the grave. None of the
bones were near the sides of the
grave ; the skeleton lay nearly across the center, and the other bones
were close to its left side. The confused heaping of the stones made it
impossible to discover their original methotl of arrangement; however,
it was apimrent that they were not the parts of a box grave. Possibly
the remains had been covered with logs, and stones piled on the top of
these. The grave was on a i)erfectly level spot.
Forty yards from this grave was another, on a gentle slope aud at a
slightly lower level than the tirst. This also had a circle of limestone
Fig. 311. — Group of mounds, lirowu couiit.v, oliio.
454 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
slabs around it, some of wliicli were perpendicular, but nif>st of them
A'ariously inclined. The spa<'e within, measuring 19 feet across, was
ou a level with the surrounding surface of the ground. Beginning
at the soutli edge, at first only dirt aud small broken stones in about
equal parts, were found ; the yellow subsoil was 14 inches below the
top, and the position of the broken stones showed they had l)een
thrown in directly upon it. Six feet from the south side was a row of
large slabs, the tops being above the giound and the bottom edges
sunk into the yellow clay. Before these were disturbed the earth
around them was removed and the stones and dirt within the entire
circle thrown out, when it was seeutliat the slabs were arranged in the
form of an ellipse 13 by !tj feet, with the longer axis east and west.
All the slabs of the south half of this ellipse sloped inwardly and over-
lapped, tlie western edge of every one being placed over the eastern
edge of the next one. On the north side they were so displaced by the
roots of some trees that the arrangement could not be made out; pre-
sumably it was the same as on the opposite side. Two feet within this
ellipse (on the south side) was another row of large slabs reaching
from end to end in nearly a straight line, with the tops leaning inward;
ou the north side were similar slabs, but the roots had moved them
about so that it was impossible to say whether thej' corresj)onded with
the others or not. Finally there were two rows within these just men-
tioned, with the tops leaning outward (away from the center) ou each
side; this trough-like inclosure was 11 by 2 feet. Several large stones
were lying on or x^artly across this, their position showing they had
been laid over the top as boards are placed over a cfiffln. Within this
box was a number of fragments of badly decayed bones. Enough were
found to prove that at least one skeleton had been interred, extended
with head to the east, aud that it had been the frame of a strongly-
built person of medium height. In addition to these there were found
here some pieces of the boues of a very young child. The femora were
lying in the proper position relative to each other, but so close that
the heads were in contact. All the space within the larger ellipse was
paved with tiat stones lying on the subsoil, as in the rtrst grave, though
they were somewhat smaller in this one. No traces of boues were found
outside of the box.
The accompanying Fig. 312 (A denoting the ground plan and B a
vertical section north and south) is an attempt to represent as nearly
as possible this unusual burial place. The letters «, h, and c indicate
the same thing both in the i)lan and section. The outer circle {a a) is
19 feet in diameter, composed of upright stone slabs; bb is the ellipse,
the diameters being 13 and 9J feet. The stone slabs forming this ring
lean inwards, as shown in the section. The roof-shaped, elliptical
passage (c c) was composed of two series of stone slabs leaning toward
each other and meeting at the top ; d d denote the surface soil aud e e
the clay subsoil on which the paving stones rest.
OHIO.
455
Within a foiirtli of a mile of these graves, on another hill, was for-
merly a muiiber of stone cists, from which nearly all the stones have
been hauled away. The person who removed them said they had been
set on edge, forming rectangular boxes about 8 feet by 2, large slabs
laid across the toj) and other stones heaped on these. The position of
such of the stones as were too firmly set in the ground to be easily
removed, which were found still in place, showed that- at least the first
part of his statement was correct.
A grave 2i miles east of Ripley, on a point giving a good view of the
Ohio riverand Kentucky hills, had been opened by other parties, whose
statements in regard to an arch led to an examination of it. The
inclosed portion, which had been pretty thoroughly cleaned out, was
elliptical, 8 by 11 feet, the longer axis east and west. Like those
»3W*«*> >Z
riafL A
m
rHiiM"i|i!i!i!miili"l!!ii"l!i1irl|iij'!n!ln;i!:ii!!U:[ii!!n!-l^i'i:i!"'
.SecttOTV. S.
Fig. 312 Stoue grave, Brown county, Ohio.
above described this had a floor of slabs resting on the yellow subsoil.
The boundary of the grave was a row of slabs set on edge, inclining
inward at an angle of 45 degrees, and supported underneath by a mass
of small broken rocks tightly wedged in. Surrounding this were other
rows similarly inclined, the whole .series being about 6 feet in width
entirely around the grave, and resting on the stone pavement wliich
extended to the outside layer. Supported by these and reaching higher
up, the lower edges of the stones in the upper tier being forced in
between the ipper edges of the ones beneath, were partial layers of
another tier; and in one or two places the third tier or series could be
seen, their lower edges, in turn, being between the upper edges of the
second tier, each layer having a little greater inclination than the one
below it. By continuing this plan an arch could have been formed
456 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
clear across the space in wliich the body or bodies liad been deposited,
and, as each side would have to be drawn in only 4 feet at tlic widest
part, the stones would have been sufficiently strong for the jiurpose.
A section of this grave restored in part is shown in Fig. 313.
It will be seen that, although these graves differed widely in the con-
struction of the upper part, they all agreed in having a door or pave-
ment of flat rocks laid upon the subsoil, upon which the body or skele-
ton was deposited, and that they difl'ered materially from the box-shaped
stone graves. No relics of any description were found.
Although it is going beyond the limits of the county, it may not be
out of place to say here that for several miles up and down the river,
on the opposite hills of Kentucky, graves similar to the above exist in
great numbers; but after much search and inquiry Mr. Fowke, who
examined those described, failed to find a single one which had not been
torn up. There was formerly, according to the old settlers, a very large
group of them in the bottom near Dover, Kentucky, 2 miles below Rijjley.
A milldam, a limekiln, and a long string of fence are still standing,
built of stones from this cemetery, which, in addition, furnished lime to
the people around for several years. Whether for mortuary or other
purposes, all this stone had been carried from the neighboring hills.
<i c I,
Fig. 313. — Section of a stuue grave, lirowu couuty, Ohio.
and thereis no place within the fourth of a mile where it could have been
obtained without carrying it up a steep bluff' fully 50 feet high.
In this bottom are also several mounds, the largest 20 feet high and
120 feet in diameter. A smaller one close by, on being opened, disclosed
about half a bushel of burnt limestone rocks from 2 to 4 inches through,
a plate of mica, and a little charcoal. The stones were at the center,
about half of them sunk into the original surface; the mica and char-
coal about 5 feet west of the center. A number of large, flat stones were
placed on edge, in no definite order, about the upper part of the mound.
Many relics have been found on or immediately beneath the surface,
within sight of Ripley. Every plowing or flood reveals them all along
the banks and, in fewer numbers, on the hills and along the creeks;
and though many thousand specimens have been gathered, the supply
seems scarcely diminished. They are mostly celts, grooved axes, round
stones, hammer-heads, arrowheads, and other flint weapons and pitted
stones. Pestles and cupped stones are plentifiil; nor is there a lack
of pottery (always broken), perforated shells, slate ornaments, and
hematites of different patterns.
At the mouth of Eagle creek, near Ripley, is the site of a former vil-
THOiMAS.l
OHIO. 457
lagc and wliat has been an extensive aboiginal cenieteiy ; the latter is
now nearly gone, owing to tbe encroaehments of tbe creek on one side
and tbe river on tbe otber.
Tbe indications are tbat tbis region was formerly occupied by a people
wbo bad villages, but lived more by bunting and fishing tbau by agri-
culture.
COSHOCTON COUNTY.
Beginiung in Jefferson townsbip, a sbort distance above Warsaw,
and extending in a southwestern direction for 10 or 12 miles, is a series
of iiint deposits, tbe remains of what was once a continuous bed. Tbe
ground has been eroded into numerous peaks and ridges, and the tiiut
is now found only in those bills whose tops remain above its level. At
several points these deposits bear evidence of aboriginal workings,
mostly along tbe outcrop, as the depth of earth and stone above them
was too great to be removed by primitive means. Many places that
have been left undisturbed are apparently no more difficult to excavate
than some that have been worked. Tbe most extensive quarrying was
done ou tbe bills immediately south of the Walhonding river, 3 miles
southwest of Warsaw.
On the farm of Col. Pren Metham, southwest of his bouse, is a long,
narrow ridge, whose top slopes downward toward tbe north for some
distance and then oraflually rises to tbe end. In tbe depression, or
" saddleback," thus formed, tbe flint was covered only a few feet at
any point. Tbe ancient diggers began at the outcrop ou one side of
tbe ridge and worked across to the otber side, removing tbe flint and
throwing the dirt behind them as they went. The soil is thickly cov-
ered and intermingled with spalls and fragments. There are a few
pits on the ascending slope to the south of this ridge, but the thick-
ness of the ovei'lying soil soon becomes too great to justify its removal.
The space dug over comprises about 5 acres.
Half a mile east of tbis, on land of Mrs. Criss, between two small
ravines that intersect a short distance to the southward, is a nearly
level area of about 3 acres, rising from C to 1 2 feet above the outcrop,
on which are several large pits filled with muck and water. The largest
is about 100 feet across, and a high bank of earth still surrounding it
shows that a large surface of the flint has been uncovered. From the
hill, on one side of which this level is found, a narrow point extends for
some distance to the east, and along both sides of this point the exca-
vations or pits reach irom the outcrop up the hill to a distance varying
according to tbe thickness of tbe overlying stratum. At other places
in the immediate vicinity are similar excavations; but those mentioned
are the principal ones. Some of tbe pits have been cleared out by
persons living near, and the method of excavating was fcmnd to be
analogous to that followed at the flint quarries of Licking county.
This flint varies considerably. At the ])its on Mrs. Criss's farm it is
an opaque blue, with a small amount of included chalcedony and crys-
458
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
tals. At tlic i)oiiit east it is wiiite, resembling' a much weathered chal-
cedony. Neaier the liver there is considerable chalcedony, and a clear
yellowish or "honey-colored" stone, much resembling that found in
Europe, though less translucent. The greater part, however, is a dark
variety, uuxch of it being basanite. There seems to be no regular order
in its arrangement. Sometimes the different kinds are in strata, though
not always in the same relative position, while, again, three or four sorts
are seen in a single large block. There maybe thin seams of shale or
other rock between the flint layers, or the flint may be in a solid betl,
either with one color merging into another or the line of se])aration
sharply defined, without any change in the texture of the stone.
Just east of Col. Metham's residence, on a high point overlooking
the valley for 3 or 4 miles, was a mound about 5 feet high, made of flat
stones, in layers one over another, with the spaces between (where they
did not fit up closely) filled with broken stone. This had been built
up over a stone box-grave containiTig a skeleton 7 feet long and a few
relics. On the north side of the river, northwest from this numnd, run-
ning out from a hill 300 feet high, on the farm of Eobert Darling,
is a pouit whose sides at the top are i)erpendicular from 12 to 20
feet. Across this point is a crescent-shaped wall of stone, convex out-
wardly. 3 feet high, and reaching to the bluff on each side. It measures
about 100 yards in length.
LICKING COUNTY.
With the exception of Eoss, this is the most interesting county, arche-
ologically, in the state. From the great works at Newark, divergent
mound systems reach to
the Ohio at Portsmouth
and Marietta. Numer-
ous earth mounds and
inclosures occur, besides
several stone inclosures
and probably more stone
mounds (some of great
size) than in any other
equal area in the Missis-
sippi valley.
The plat (Fig. 314)
shows a group which
has not been heretofore
lepresented. It is lo-
cated 2 miles southwest
of the \illage of Brownsville and half a mile south of the National road,
on a high hill, from wliich the surrounding country is in view for sev-
eral miles.
The most jiromincnt mound, No. 1. is 120 feet in diameter, with a
Fit:. :SU. — Moun<ls near Brownsville, Ohio.
THOMAS.] OHIO. 459
present height of 15 feet; it h.as been considerably lowered by persons
digging into the top of it.
Fifteen feet southwest of this (measuring from margin to margin) is
mound 3, 80 feet in circumference and about 8 feet high. Like No. 1, it has
been lowered by searchers. The first 5 feet from the bottom was found
to be a mingled compact mass of earth and stones; above that, stones
only. Possibly the entire mound was of earth and stone at first, the
former having gradually settled into the si)aces between the latter.
An elevation around the margin of this mound indicates an encircling
wall of earth.
East of 3 is an earth mound (2) 100 feet in diameter and 5 feet high.
Surrounding it is a circular ditch 1 foot deep and outside of this is
a circular embankment 2 feet high.
The slope from the top of embankment to bottom of the ditch is
unbroken, the plow having destroyed the original lines. From the
center of the included mound to the top of the wall surrounding it is
120 feet, showing the diameter of the inclosure to be 240 feet.
Northeast of 1 is 4, an earth mound 2 feet high and oO feet in diam-
eter. It has also been long cultivated.
Large trees are growing on the stone mound, but not even a bush on
the largest earth mound.
THE NEWARK WORKS. '
As the ancient works at this place have become noted the following
facts, in addition to what is given by Squier and Davis in their excel-
lent work, may be of interest to American archeologists.
The northern parallels, marked <j h on their plan, a copy of which is
shown in our PI. xxx, extend eastward to the brow of the upper
terriice, but if they ever went down the slope and out on the next ter-
race, as shown in their plan, there is not now the slightest indication
of it, nor does any one we were able to find in Newark lemember them
as so extending. Col. Whittlesej', by whom the original survey was
made, is noted for his accuracy, and possibly the plan is correct in
this respect, but all the evidence we could obtain is against such con-
clusion.
There are two large excavations immediately north of the octagon,
from which it is probable the dirt M'as taken for the walls. There are
also slight depressions along some of the walls and at a few points
within and without them, from which dirt was also taken. Under the
terrace, near the creek, immediately north of the opening at the north-
ern corner of the octagon, is a strong spring of cool, limpid water.
There is considerably more space between the small circle marked G
near the east end of the northern parallel, and the southern line of these
parallels, than the plan of Messrs. Squier andUavis allows. This fact
is worthy of notice, as within this space is the singular work shown in
' Squier and Davis, Anc. Mon., PI. xxv.
460
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Fig. 315. This is omitted by Squier and Davi.s, but is indicated in the
figure of this group in McLean's \r()uiid Builders, page .'{.'{, thougli the
form he gives is erroneous. As will be seen by reference to the figure
now given, it is an inclosure in the form of a figure 8, with an inside
ditch, an opening at the east, and a wall or embankment in the form
of an arc in the interior, near the middle. The entire length of the
wall, following the curves from the end on one side of the gateway to
the end on the other side, is 529 feet; width of gateway, 52 feet; the
north and south diameters of the circles, measuring from the top of
the wall, 125 feet; the length of the crescent, 107 feet; the wall and
ditch are each about 9 feet wide, the one about a foot high and the other
a foot deep, but quite distinct throughout.
The three mounds in a row west of the " pond " or swamp in Squier
and Davis's plan are in a northwest and southeast line, and not north-
east and southwest, as represented; the fourth is not to be found. Two
are in the woods on a level,
10 feet above the swamp;
the third is in a cultivated
field. The north and south
two are each about 33 by
03 feet, with the longer axis
nearly north and south;
the third, circular, 32 feet
in diameter, is about mid-
way between them. All
are about 3 feet high.
The ditch within the fair-
ground circle (E) is 5 or 6
feet lower at the entrauce
than at other part, and the
dirt in it just such as may
be found in any old ditch, being of a grayish clay color when dry, but
resembling the loam around when wet. There is no evidence of the
puddling which some late investigators have professed to find.
The earth for the embankments was taken in part from the ditch and
in part from outside excavations plainly visible. The largest of these
is marked by Squier and Davis, but there are many other places where
dirt seems to have been taken up from the surface to the depth of
from 1 to 2 or 3 feet. The same is true of the various works in the
vicinity.
There are four distinct terraces in the bottom-lands on which these
remains are situated; only the lowest one has ever been overflowed
since occuiiatiou by the whites.
In order that parties desirous of doing so may have an opportunity
of testing the previous surveys of the works at this place, the field
notes of the survey of the " Fair ground circle," the " Observatory cir-
FlG. 315. — Small iui-losurp, Newaik
Ohio.
:;roup, Licking county.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGV
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXI
FAIR GROUND CIRCLE, NEWARK, OHIO.
THOMAS.)
OHIO.
461
cle," the " Octagon," and " Square," made by Mr. J. D. Middletou in
1SS8, are inserted here.
In measuring the circles chords of equal length were used, the sta-
tions being on top of the wall and always as near the middle as could
be ascertained by measurement and. judgment and the stakes all set
before the bearings were taken. The course of each chord was taken,
lu measuring the Octagon, the middle lines of the wall were followed
and the corners established where the lines cross each other.
FAIR GUOONU CmCLK.
This is the large circle (see PI. xxxi) situated in the southern ex-
tremity of the group and marked E on PI. xxv of Ancient Monuments,
and has received the .above name from the fact that it embraces within
its circuit the fair grounds of the Licking County Agricultural Society.
It is undoubtedly one of the best preserved ancient monuments of our
country; it is uninjured by the plow and trees of the original forest
are still standing on it. The ditch has been but slightly hlled by the
wash of the many years which have passed .since its abandonment.
The wall varies in width from .35 to 5.5 feet and in height from 5 to 14
feet. The ditch varies in width from 28 to 41 feet and in depth from 8
to 13 feet.
The following are the notes of the survey, commencing at station 1,
in the gateway :
stations.
1 to 2
2 to 3
3 to 4
4 to 5
5 to (5
6 to 7
7 to S
8 to 9
9 to 10
10 to 11
11 to 12
12 to 13
13 to 14
14 to 15
15 to 16
16 to 17
17 to 18
18 to 19
19 to 20
2U to 21
21 to 22
22 to 23
23 to 24
Bearing.
S.20O22' E....
S. 1°34'E
S.2° 53' W....
S.15° 17' W...
S. 230 32' W...
S. 28' .'>9' W. . .
S. 390 50' W...
S. 49° 23' W...
S. 60° 37' W...
S.71° 25' W...
S.8t)° 31' W.
N. 88° 50' W
N.7!)° 33' W
N. 74° 13' W
N. 59° 32' W
N. 52° 32' W
N. 40° 26' W
N. 32° 24' W
N. 24° 44' W
N. 12° 20' W
N. 3° 20' W .
N. 7° 55' E . .
N. 21° 25' E .
Bis tan ce.
Width of,
embank-
ment.
Feet.
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100 1
100 !
100
100
100
100
100
100 I
100
100
100
Width of
ditch.
Feet.
41
42
38
37
36
32
462
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Stations.
Bearing.
Distance.
24 to 25
25 to 26
26 to 27
27 to 28
28 to 29
29 to 30
30 to 31
31 to 32
32 to 33
33 to 34
34 to 35
35 to 36
36 to 37
37 to 38
38 to 1
a to 6
« to c
h to d
6 to c
(■ to d
a to d
3? to 39
2 to 50
N.27°39'E ...
N. 36° 32' E . . .
N.45°04'E ...
N.52°40'E...
N.59°37'E ...
N. 68° 44' E . . .
N. 84° 15' E . . .
S. 85° 32' E . . .
S. 77° 7'E ...
S. 63° 22' E . . .
S. 56° 1' E . . .
S. 49° 30' E . . .
S. 40°18'E ...
S. 38° 29' E . . .
S. 20° 22' E . . -
S.23°25'W ...
S.68°38'W ...
N.200 45'W ...
Feet.
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
40
89
838
1,190
1,186
839
837
834
84
95
Feet.
38
35
36
38
43
Feel.
28
35
46
43
42
42
38
41
40
49
53
38
36
34
32
N.G6°41'E ...
N.60°27'E ...
53
48
•32
t33
* North wing.
f South wing.
From the plat made according to these tignres 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 not a true circle, the difl'erence between
the longest and shortest diameters tails much short of 100 feet, the
difterence given by Messrs. Squier and Davis. PI. xxxi shows the cir-
cle according to an exact scale; the dark line along the wall indicating
the line of the survey.
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE.
This circle, which is marked F on PI. xxv of "Ancient Monuments,"
is situated at the extreme west of the great group, and is yet very dis-
tinct, being about 3 feet high at the lowest point, the average 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
consideiably worn. The effect of this wearing is apparent not only in
the decrease in height, but in the increase in width, of this portion of
the wall as shown by the field notes given below. The field notes are
as follows, beginning at station 0, iu the middle of the gateway leading
to the octagon :
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXII
OBSERVATORY CIRCLE, NEWARK, OHIO.
THOMAS.]
OHIO.
463
station.
Be.aring.
Distance.
wall. Remarks.
Feet.
Feet.
0 to 1
S.38°20'E....
42
0
Station 1 at.i unction of circle and south par
diel.
1 t« 2
S.26O20'E....
100
36
2 to 3
S.170 37'E....
100
35
3 to 4
S.60E
100
38
4 to 5
S.5°36'-W....
100
38
5 to 6
S.15° W
100
37
6 to 7
S.27°45' W...
lUO
36
("entei- of wall 2 feet east ; that is, outward
7 to 8
S. 35° 17' W...
100
34
8 to 9
S.48°40''W...
100
37
9 to 10
S.58° 16' W...
100
37
10 to 11
S.69° 13' W...
100
37
11 to 12
S. 82° W
100
35
12 to 13
N. 89° 13' W . .
100
41
13 to 14
N. 76° 23' W . .
100
37
14 to 15
N. 66° 15' W . .
100
(038
Widtli estimated, not measured.
15 to 16
N. 55° 56' W . .
100
39
16 to 17 N" 45° 10' W
100
ATiihlle ni' " ( ilispT'vntorv "'
17 to 18 ' N.33° 33' W..
100
::o
18 to 19 N.20°29'W..
100
42
19 to 20
N. 11° 22' "W..
100
43
20 to 21
N. 1° 34' W....
100
40
21 to 22
N. 9° 06' E . . . .
100
39
22 to 23
N. 20° 54' E . . .
100
38
23 to 24
N.3I°12'E...
100
39
24 to 25
K. 42° 32' E - . .
Kill
40
25 to 26
N.53°43'E.-.
100
42
26 to 27
N.62°43'E...
100
40
27 to 28
X. 75° 07' E . . .
100
44
28 to 29
X. 86° 23' E . . .
100
40
29 to 30
S.82<'17'E....
luo
44
30 to 31
S.72°04'E-...
100
42
31 to 32
8.60^45' E....
100
45
32 to 33
8.51° 06' E....
100
45
33 to 34
S.46°29' E....
20
.......--.
Junction witli north jiarallel wall.
34 to 0
S. 38° 20' E
42
Middle of izatewav.
34 to 36
N.520 04 E
295
North parallel.
South parallel.
1 to 37
N. 5j° 53 E
293
CHECK l.IXES.
0 to 11 S. 18° 28' W.
0 to 17 S. 51° 27' \Y.
0 to h S. 52° W
0 to 25 N. 85° 10' ^V.
17 to 11 , S. 71° 59' E..
17 to 25 i N. 4°23'E...
25 to U S.28°03'E...
770
570
728
1,024
"i " indicates the balf.^vay point in the circum-
ference.
In order to bring before the eye of tlie reader the approximate regu-
larity of this circular work, a figure laid off to a scale is introduced
here (PI. xxxii). The solid black line of short chords marks the line of
464
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
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 aud 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 approximate circle has a diameter of
1,054 feet. The widest divergence between the line of the survey and
the circumference of the true circle i.s 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 arcs they subtend (0.1508 of
a foot to each 100-foot chord) we have a total of 3,309 feet. It is there-
fore evident that the iuclosure approaches, in form, very nearly an abso-
lute circle. The area including the inner half of the wall is 20 acres,
but of the interior level area it is only 18. G acres.
"OCTAGON. ■
This iuclosure, which is connected with the " Ob.servatory Circle"
according to resurvey, is shown in PI. xxxiii. The southern portions, a
to b, aud b to c, remain almost uninjured, being still more or less covered
by the original forest growth. The other lines of wall have been con-
siderably worn by the plow, though they are still quite distinct, the
height not being less at any point than 2i feet, as shown by the figures
of the field notes. Nevertheless the wearing makes it difficult, often
imi)ossible, 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 iuclosures 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
b and round to the place of beginning.
station.
Bearing.
Distance.
Wicltli of
wall.
Heiglit of
wall.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet.
36 to 37
:i7 to b
S. 360 33' E . . .
S.490 41' E....
82
580
1
40 to 43
5. 7 to 4. 5
ft to c
N.640 1S'E...
624-5
37 to 48
4. 3 to 4. 2
e to d
K. 390 50' E . . .
625
47 to 39
5. 9 to 5. 8
d to e
N. 25° 28' W . .
622
41 to 50
3. 4 to 3. 5
c to/
N. 51° 32' W . .
621
40 to 37
2. 5 to 2. 6
/to!7
S.65O40' W...
613
47 to 43
3. 8 to 4. 0
;/ to h
S. 39oi5'W. .
621-5
45 to 47
4. 3 to 4. 0
to 37
S.250 40' E...
581-5
43 to 41
3. 8 to 3. 7
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXItl
OCTAGON, NEWARK, OHIO.
THOMAS.)
OHIO.
465
The two numbers to eacli course, iu 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 mid-
dle lines of the walls extended; station a, is at the intersection of the
lines of the /»-36 and ^1-h. The diameters as ascertained from the plat
(in all cases to the intersections) are as follows:
Feet. Feet.
From ft to 6 1, 218 From ft to </ 1, 219
From rf to/ 1,21.S , From/ to /i 1,202
From 6 to / 1, 708 | From h to d 1, 720
From a to e 1, 483 ' From 5 to c 1, 487
The widths of the gateways are as follows, the measurements being
from base to base: At u, 40 feet; at h, 23 feet; at c, 47 feet; at d, 2(»
feet; at e, 37 feet; at/, 12 feet; at /i, 60 feet.
The angles at the crossings of the diagonals and diameters at the
center 0 are so nearly right angles as to be worthy of notice in this con-
nection. For instance, the angles at crossing of the diagonals 6/ and
dli difter but 10 minutes from true right angles, while those at the
crossing of the diameters ne and aj di&er but 2 minutes.
The inner angles at the intersection of the lines of the walls — that is
to say, the angles of the octagon — are as follows:
At a 155^^ 59'
Ate 155 32
At e 153 56
At// 153 35
At 6 113° 59'
Atd 114 42
At/ 117 12
At fc 115 05
THE ."iQlARE.
This is the smaller square inclosure on the east side of the works,
and in PI. xxv, "Ancient Monuments," is directly east of the pond. It
connects with the fair-ground circle (E on the plate) by a broken line
of parallels. According to Col. Whittlesey's plat it varies considerably
from a true square, being distinctly narrowed on one side, but, as will
be seen from the notes of the resurvey, it must have been very nearly
square. As it is well nigh obliterated it was found impossible to trace
the lines throughout, hence only those parts are marked in the figure
(see PI. XXXIV) which were satisfactorily determined ; theuntraced por-
tions are represented by dotted lines.
The following are the held notes of the resurvey which commenced
near the middle of the southeastern line of wall at 1, running thence to
2, and so on around, following the walls to station 7, whence, as the
wall was visible no farther, the close was made by running directly to
station 1 :
12 ETH 30
466
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Statiou.
Bearing.
Distance. '
1 to 2
N.470 16' E...
Feet.
369-5
•2 to 3
N.41f 53' "W..
928
:i to 6
S.47° 47' W ..
920
6 to 7
S.410 47' E...
.^41
7 to 1
N.82° 47' E ..
079 .
Check lines.
Feet.
From 3 to 4, junction with easteiu parallel 268
From 4 to 5, junction with western parallel 158
From 5 to 6, western comer 500
The inuer angles as ascertained by measurement on the ground are
as follows :
At station 1 144° 30'
At8tation2 90 51
At station 3 89 40
At .station 6 90 26
AtstationT 124 34
Supposing the obliterated parts of the lines about the southern cor-
ner to have been straight continuations of the remaining portions, as
represented in the figure, this angle would equal 89 degrees 3 minutes;
and the side 0 to 8 would be 939 feet; and 8 to 2 would be 951 feet.
There are at present no indications whatever of the inner mounds
represented on Col. Whittlesey's plat.
As will be seen by inspecting onr figure and referring to the notes
of the resurvey, this indosure varies but slightly from a true square,
the course of the opposite sides in one case differing but 31 minutes
and in the other but G minutes. The greatest variation at the corners
from a true right angle is 57 minutes.
The length of the diagonal from station 2 to 6 is 1,307 feet, ascer-
tained from plat carefully drawn to a large scale.
Fig. 31f), prepared from a survey made by Mr. Henry L. Reynolds,
represents the irregularities and fall of the land between the parallel
embankments of the Newark Works, Ohio, which, as will be seen in
PI. XXX, extend from the Square to the Octagon and from the Octagon
eastward to Raccoon creek.
The difference in level between the entrance of the circle marked E
(the Fair Ground circle) and the northwest entrance of the Square is
also given.
The level of the southeast entrance of the Octagon was chosen as a
datum or base from which to recken the rise or fall. This datum is
indicated by the fine horizontal dotted line in Fig. 310.
Beginning at the southeast entrance of the Octagon, the course
between the parallels, which ran S. 75° E. towards the Square, was
well marked for 2,500 feet, for along this entire distance the embank-
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXIV
US' " A i M
7---4iiiiiigwiiii«)p)iw^^^^^^
100 200
300
=" FttT
SQUARE, NEWARK, OHIO.
OHIO.
467
ments are more or less distinct. Xinetysix feet beyond this point, at
Station 35 on the plat, a bend was taken to S. 70° p}. in order to follow
as closely as possible the original course of these embankments as
marked out on the Whittlesey plat, PI. xxs. This latter course ran
263 feet to Station 36, where another bend was taken S. 65° E. This
ran 1,914 feet to Stati(.n 3!t. At Station 39 a bend to S. 60° E. was
rg js'is.
' S££nrrar>K (f OcTa^oi
trr'^rrsnceOcrs^o'^ (n
. _jf{riinvK£Ocfs<jQn\. oo
>
31
\?
made, which ran 730 feet to the middle of the northwestern entrance
of the Square, the parallels rea])pearing here this entire distance. The
tall from the southeastern entrance of the Octagon to this point was
thereupon determined to be 13.22 feet, over a rather undulating course,
as will be seen in the plat.
Owing to the presence of a number of dwelling houses on the laud
468
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
,>viil nil
just south of the Square, and the comi)lete absence of the oiiginal
I)arallel embankments, no deflued course could be followed between the
Square and Circle E. The line giveu ou the plat ran S. 15° W. 541
feet; thence S. 10° W. 381 feet; thence S. 20° W. 842 feet; thence S.
40° W. 878 feet to connect with the middle of the entrance way of the
circle. The fall from the Square to this point was ascertained to be
19.27 feet.
Before commencing the line between the parallels running eastward
li'om the Octagon the ditfereuce in level between the southeast and the
east entrances of the Oc-
tagon was determined, re-
sulting in a fall of 3.1 feet
at the latter. From this
point the parallel em-
bankments could be fol-
lowed .".,970 feet. The
course was found to be
due east this entire dis-
tance, and continuing the
direction after it could no
longer be traced the creek
terrace was reached, at a
point Station 13, where it
had evidently been artifi-
cially hollowed to produce
a descent less abrupt and
steep. From this point,
Station 13, a continuation
of the course dae east to
the creek would strike the
thickest settled part of
Fig. 317. —Ancient inclosure, Licking county, Oliio. 4-1 „ fowu A deHectioil
was therefore made here, IST. 70° E. 1,503 feet, to Eaccoon creek, the
level of which was determined to be 47.16 feet below the level of the
southeast entrance of the Octagon.
THE MOORE AND COULTER INCLOSURE.
This inclosure, shown in Fig, 317, is on the lands of Messrs. P. F.
Coulter and Thomas Moore, 6J miles southeast of Newark, on the south-
east side of the road leading to Flint ridge. It is located on a hill that
is cut off in every direction froui the surrounding height, thus render-
ing the position an admirable one for defense. It is an earthen wall
with the unusual feature of an outside ditch from which the dii't was
taken to form the wall. The form, as shown in the figure, is an oval,
with the larger end northward and a single gateway at the smaller
end — southern. This entrance is on a level space and is 89 feet wide.
OHIO.
469
The wall varies in width from 16 to 20 feet; height on the inside from
1 to 2 feet and on the outside to the bottom of the ditch from 3 to 5 feet.
The ditch iu some places presents no outer bank, having been dug-
apparently only for the xiurpose of increasing- the distance to the top of
the wall, thus rendering access to the inclosure more difficult.
The entire circuit of the wall, exclusive of the gateway, is 2,176 feet,
the greatest width 075 feet, and greatest length 785 feet. On every
side, except in front of the gateway, the ground slopes directly li-om
the ditch to the bottom of the hill. There are three small mounds con-
nected with it, one at each side of the gateway and one partly on the
wall near the northeastern extremity.
The three following mounds are plainly visible from the level space
in fi'ont of the gateway. The large mound near the Amsterdam church,
S. 48° W., distance
2J miles; the large
"Stone mound," S.
02° E., three-fourths
of a mile; and anoth-
er, S. 3(|o W., half a
mile away.
STONK rORT ON FLINT
RIDGE.
This inclosure, 8
miles southeast of
Newark, is located on
the point of an eloa-
gate level space about
a mile in length. It
IS composed, with the
exception of a short
space on the east side,
where it is chiefly
earth, of flint blocks
gathered from the out-
crops in the immediate vicinity, aud is of the form shown in Pig. 318.
The length of the north wall (the measurements in all cases being to
the middle line) is 603 feet; of the eastern wall to the edge of the ravine
at the southeast corner, 422 feet; of the south wall from the ravine to
the southwest corner, 511 feet; of the west wall, 607 feet. Width of
the wall varies from 20 to 30 feet; present height, from 1 to 2 feet.
There are two included and two exterior mounds (the latter not shown
in the figure), the larger one, on the iuside, being a little over 100 feet in
diameter and about 15 feet high ; the others, small, varying from 20 to
.30 feet in diameter and from 1 to •"> feet in height. The area inclosed is
about 7 acres.
Fic. 318. — Stouo fnrt on Plint ridge, Licking connty, Ohio.
470
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
PEEKY COUNTY.
STONE rilKT NEAR GLENFOHI).
This structure, shown in Fij;'. 319 is located ijartly on the SE. ^ of
section 17 and partly on the NE. ^ of sec. 20, T. 7, E. IG, about
three-quarters of a mile southeast of the town of Grlenford. It stands
^\^'C.Vm\1'
Si
on a peninsular projection, or spur of a hill, about 300 feet above the
creeli, on the west. The wall follows the margin ot the bluffs which
form the three sides of the spur, and which, for some 6 to 10 feet of their
upper portion, consist of roclc with i)erpcndicular face. The wall con-
sists of rough stones laid up without order and varies in height from
mere traces across the level area at the east to 5 and 6 feet, the highest
THOMAS.) OHIO. 471
portion, at the southeast aud northwest. There are several breaks in
it at points where it is crossed by little ravines, some of which may
have been formed since it was constructed. At /' a large piece of the
rock across which it ran has moved out and downward several feet, and
the break was repaired by filling in with stones; at c-d it passes
below the margin of the bluff aud over a considerable space of the
descent. Why this was done, when it would have been as easily car-
ried around the top, is a (piestion difficult to answer. At e it crosses
directly over a large bowlder. It is probable there was a gateway
somewhere on the level area at the east, but the wall has been so much
disturbed in this portioQ that it is impossible to decide this point now.
There is a well-marked gateway at the southeast corner (</). At the
corner northwest of the mound the wall is much lower than on the
adjacent sides. This was probably a crossing place on the way to the
spring at the foot of the hill, though the descent for the first few feet
is somewhat rough; yet we passed up at this point without much diffi-
culty. The entire length of the wall, following all the curves and bends,
is 0,610 feet, and the area embraced about 26 acres.
In tlie western i)ortion isa stone mound slightly over 100 feet in diam-
eter and 12 feet high. The section {a b) shown at the left passes through
c
Fig. 320. — Sectiou of the Cryder mouud, near Adelplii. Ross county, Oliio.
this mound. All the stones of which the wall is built seem to have
been gathered from the area within the inclosure and above the rocky
margins of the bluffs. The inclosed area has been under cultivation
for a number of years.
ROSS fOTNTY.
THU CRYDKI! MOUND.
This is situated on the SE. ^ of Sec. 1, T. 10, R. 20, on the farm of
Mr. Frank Cryder, near Adelphi. It stands on a spur 60 feet above
the level of the valley, is of the ordinary conical form, 32 feet in diam-
eter and 24 feet high, though much worn down by the plow. Mr. Cry-
der says it was formerly surrounded by a ditch, but without the corre-
sponding wall like that in the Davis works. It was composed entirely,
of the red clay of the surrtjuinling soil.
Previous to its erection, a circular basin-shaped excavation (e, Fig.
320) was made in the original soil, 13 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep
In this were the remains of five charred skeletons (1, 2, 3,4, and 5) with
coals and ashes about them. The skeletons (the flesh having beau
472 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
removed) had probably been folded or buudled before burial, the few
fragments of skulls found being near the ceuttr of the jiiles. The entire
bottom of the pit was covered 2 inches deep with eoals and ashes.
Over the bones and ashes was a layer (/>) of blue clay, which tilled
the i)it about even with the original surface of the ground. Six inches
above this, near the center of the mound, was asnjall quantity of burnt
human bones, the remains of a single skeleton (0). These appear to
have been burnt where they lay. With skeleton No. 3 in the pit were
two stone gorgets and a stone tube. The letters ft indicate the orig-
inal surface, and a the mass of the mound.
THE HOPETON WOliKS.'
Neither the parallel walls nor the smaller circles can now be traced.
The walls reached the banlc of the terrace just over an overflowed
bottom, and the river is now but a short distance away to the left. The
large circle is much flattened on the eastern side. It reaches to the
foot of aiul slightly up the slope of the terrace above. If continued
with the same curve it has at the other parts, it would run up nearly
to the top of the slope. Numerous low places exist about the entire
work, where earth may have been I'cmoved to the depth of a foot.
These may, however, be in great part natural. A considerable amount
of dirt must have been taken from the bluflf above, both at the points
marked by Squier and Davis and at the ravine, or wash, opposite
the junction of the circle and square. There would be no difficulty in
getting clay at the bluff's or at the ravine to the southeast of the works.
The walls of the S(|uare, so for as examined, are of the same material
as the soil around — a mixture of sand, gravel, and clay. At the north-
west corner of the square the opening is partly filled up, the lowest
point at the end of the western wall being about a foot above the
natural surface, rising and widening gradually from that place to the
top of the northern wall, resembling somewhat a graded way on a small
scale.
A resurvey of the circle and square was made by Mr. Middleton, on
behalf of the Bureau, in 1888, the notes of which are as follows :
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 generally distinct and, with
the exception of a single break in the circle and one or two slight ones in the square,
can be readily traced. In fact, the w.all 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 situated close to the foot of the bluff, which lorms the slope to the upper
level, here between 30 and 40 feet above that on which the work stands. As will be
' Squier & Davis. Anc. Mou., PI. XVII.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXV
^ ^4giiiiiillilMliii:ii'ii^_ /
'""l"""''^' ■^ililllilllilliill«!lilllll|li|l!i|!lli|i|||l!|lilllil| "
SQUARE OF HOPETON WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
OHIO.
473
seen by reference to the plate in Ancient Monnments, instead of a. passageway
between the circle and snuarc the two are liere in direct contact, part of the circu-
lar wall forming a large portion of the north line of the square.
THE SQUARE.
The resurvey iu this ca.se. begau with statiou 1, at the iiiter.sectioii
of the two adjoining' lines of wall, at the southwest corner. (PI.
XXXV.)
station.
lieariug.
Distance.
Remarks.
Feel.
1 to 2
N. 20° 17' W . .
244
To center of first gateway.
2 to 3
N.]7°10' W ..
336-5
To end of wall at second gateway.
3 to 4
N.80W
555
Across tbe second gateway.
4 to 5
N.12O02' W ..
324
To intersection at northwest corner
square.
of the
5 to 6
N. 70° 27' E . . .
28.5
To the wall of circle
6 to 7
N. 70° 27' E . . .
308
To the intersection at uortlieast corner ot
s<iuai-e.
7 to 8
S. 54° E
115
To first gateway.
8 to 9
S.27°E
207
To second gateway.
! 9 to 10
S. 19° E
3.'>5
To gateway of small circle.
10 to 11
S. 2° W
331
To intersection at stjutheast corner.
11 to 12
S. 68° W
201
To lirst gateway.
12 to 13
S.710 21' W...
340
To second gateway.
13 to 1
8.72° 25' W...
285
To place of beginning.
THE ITKCI.E.
Commencement on the south side, at statiou a (6 in plat of square),
where the circle connects with the wall of the square. (PI. xxxvi.)
station 6
(o) to-
Beiiring.
Distance.
Width of
wall.
Remarks.
Feet.
Feet.
14
N.71°53' W ..
100
42
15
N.63°39' W..
100
38
16
N. 55° 29' W . .
100
40
17
N.41°W
100
42
18
N. 25° 21' W . .'
100
44
19
N. 12O20' W ..
100
49
20
N. 0° 30' E . . . .
100
44
21
N. 14° 52' E . - .
100
46
22
N. 22° 40' E - . .
100
42
23
N. 33° 28' E . . .
100
41
24
25
N.47°57'E.-.
N. 55° 57' E . . .
100
100
40
43
iOliter li:ilf of wall oliliterated.
26
N. 63° 45' E . . .
100
40
27
N.780 22'E...
100
40
28
S.86°04'E....
100
45
29
S.81°24' E....
100
40
Base outlines not easily tran.d.
30
S.64°05'E
100
36
Do.
31
S.53°27'E....
100
Outlines obliterated. Width not
ascertained.
474
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Station 31
to—
Bearing.
Distance.
Width of
wall.
Kemarka.
Feet.
Feet.
32
S.46°20' E....
100
3(1
33
34
S. 40° 15' E. . . .
S.20° 16' E....
100
100
Outliui-s obliterated. Width not ascertained.
Outlines not easily traced.
30
35
S. 5° 32' E . . .
100
30
Do.
36
S. 4° 10' W .-
1()0
38
Do.
37
S. 160 48' W ..
100
39
Station ou end of wall.
38
S. 31° 50' W ..
100
Wall obliterated between stations 37 and 3S.
39
S. 42° W
100
48
18 feet from tlie end of wall of square.
40
S. 57° 11' W ..
100
41
41
s. esoss'W ..
100
43
42
S.650 31'W..
100
40
Station on end of wall at gateway. (Jateway
S.^i feet wide.
43
S. 86° 11' W . .
100
41
To 6 ... .
N.84°32'W ..
98
40
CHECK LINES.
6 to 20.
N. 38° 35' W . .
634
6 to 28.
N. 10° OD' E . . .
968-5
6 to 36 .
N. .57° 17' E . . .
726
20 to 28 .
N.510 04'E...
723
20 to 36 .
§. 84° 09' E ...
1,015
28 to 36 .
S. 38° 37' E...
711
These inclosures are drawn to a regular scale in Pls; xxxv and xxxvi.
It is apparent from PI. xxxv, which represents the square according to
the resurvey, that the form given in Ancient Monuments, PI. xvii, is
erroneous in that it is much more regular than the facts warrant.
Neither side is straight, nor is there a right angle at any point. It is
not regular in any sense, but was doubtless intended for a square.
Measuring the direct lines from corner to corner the lengths are as
follows: That from stations 1 to 5 is 957 feet; from 5 to 7, 791 feet;
from 7 to 11 is 962 feet, and from 11 to 1 is 825 feet. Messrs. Squier
and Davis say it is a rectangle with a length of 950 feet and a width
of 90(» feet.
The circular inclosure (PI. xxxvi) varies considerably irom a true fig-
ure, the east and west diameter being 1,018 feet, while that running
north and south is only 960 feet, the difference between the two being
58 feet. Nor is the curve uniform, being much sharper at some points
than at others. It embraces a little less than 18 acres.
CEDAR BANK WORK.S. '
The high bank on the river side is easy of ascent. The dirt is loose
and so affords a good foothold, although the bank is as steep as the
nature of the material will allow. Were the timber and brush removed,
so that the looser soil could be washed off, the case might be different.
' Squier and Davis : Anc. Mon.. PI. xvill.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXVI
,„, ^#»<lllilliliwlillillll|ll|lMlM*l!^.
''''*««(H,,,,I„„„„I I „i„,*wr
CIRCLE OF HOPETON WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
THOMAS.] OHIO. 475
Below is a low bottom, subject to overflow, covered with a thick growth
of small maples ami sycamores, with some trees of other species. Beyoud
this bottom the river is reached, at a point where it forms a pool 300
feet wide with a riffle above aud one below, giving several hundred
yards of smooth water, seemingly a good place for flsh. The river
may have formed all this lower bottom since the construction of the
works. There is an oak tree 5 feet in diameter growing on the south
line of the embankment a short distance east of the entrance. There
has been amjile time in the lifetime of this tree for the river to form
all the low ground.
Api^areutiy there never was any wall along the west side, for if the
river did not touch at the foot of the bluff when the work was con-
structed, the bluff could not have caved in to the extent indicated;
aud if it did touch it there would have been no necessity for a wall, as
the bank would have been almost perpendicular.
The supposed " graded way" to tlie water is only the i-aviue formed
by the drainage of part of the lield above, and is now more difiicult of
ascent than any part of the steep bank. If ever used as a pathway, it
had to be reworked and smoothed down after every heavy rain. There
may have been a road or pathway, now obliterated, cut along one side
of it. but that it is a natural ravine is beyond (piestion.
At the bluff the south wall and ditch seem to have extended farther
out thau the present edge of the bank; but the small amount of wear
necessary to cut the bank away to give this appearance could well re-
sult from the drainage through the ditch, as the soil here • is gravelly
and quite loose. The north wall stops at about 30 and the ditch at
about 50 feet from the edge of the bluff.
There is no stream here known as " Dry ruu " ; the meaning in-obably
is " a dry run"; but the meaning is immaterial, as there is no run of
any kind at the line so marked. Prairie run has a northeast trend along
the level, a short distance north of the work. At the northeast corner
the ditch makes a bend toward the south and extends for 90 feet to the
break of the baidi over the so-called " Dry run." There was jio ravine
on the east side when the embankment was made; the natural slo^ie is
toward the north along this line and the water running through the ditch
has deepened aud widened it; and being reenforced by that from the
northern ditch, the combined streams overflowing near this corner have
cut a channel to Prairie run. That portion of the ditch at the north-
east corner, on the east, is filled up, but its course around the foot of
the wall is easily seen. That a sufticient amount of water could collect
to cut out such a course is shown by the height to which the drift is
piled against the bushes now growing here. Still, it would require a
long time for such a channel to wear, and this aids in giving an appear-
ance of greater anti(juity to this work than seems to attach to the others
in this region. This eastern embankment is nearly, but not quite,
47 G MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
stiaiglit. The soil within this iuclosuie, seems less fertilii thau at the
other works; at least the growing corn is not so large or thrifty. An
abundance of yellow clay is on the surface of the field to the north, chise
to the northeast corner of the inclosure. The north and east ditches
drain several acres of ground. In the woods on the north side, the
greatest elevation of the wall above the bottom of the ditch is about 8
feet.
In regard to the square, flat to]ii)ed mound to the south of the inclo-
sure, it is to be noted that the topogra])hy is not as shown in the plate.
The point on which it is situated does not reach out to the terrace
below, the ravines on the two sides uniting before going that far and
allowing only a narrow strip of the bottcmi to be seen from the mound,
which is lower than the ground to either side of the main ravine below;
a tine view, however, of the valley and the hills beyond can be had
from the south ^ide. The point on which the mound stands is smooth
and rounded, as stated by Squier and Davis, but no more so than many
others similarly formed and situated, and has no indications whatever
of having been artificially worked off.
HKill liA.NK WoItKS.I
Between the circle and the square, west of the level area connecting
them near c rf is an excavation; another is on the other side of the wall
within the square.
The snuiller circles and jiarallels are about effaced. Those farthest
south can be paitially traced. The wing wall from the smallest one
(in the group marked .J) to the bluff, has been plowed away; the larger
circle, however, and its wing wall can be seen, and it is plain that the
latter is only an irregularly curved embankment running out to the bluff,
and was never continuous on a part of the terrace that has disappeared.
The walls of the circle and octagon are still quite prominent and are
respectively :.' and 5 feet high.
This circle is very similai' 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 iuclosures differ in this respect— r
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 1,0.")() feet, which, as will be seen by
what follows, agrees very closely with the result of the restnvey.
• Sciiiier and ^)a^ is. Platf xvi.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLCY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXVU
J wiiiwmwwiMi;;,,
siSiSiS**'*
CIRCLE OF HIGH BANK WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
TH(),MAS.J
OHIO.
477
The uotes of the resurvey are as fullows, coiumeuciug in the center
of the gateway leading to the octagou :
Stations.
. Bearing.
Distance.
Widtli of
wall.
1 to 2
s. m°3vvr ..
Feet.
75
Feet.
30
2 tu 3
S. 660 38' W . .
75
30
3 to 4
S. 68' W
75
32
4 to 5
S. 80° 34' W . .
75
44
5 to 6
N. 89" 30' W . .
75
40
6 to 7
N.780 18' W..
75
32
7 to S
N. 75° 30' W . .
75
33
8 to 9
N. 66° 30' W . .
75
34
9 to 10
N. 570 28' W ..
75
34
10 to 11
11 to 12
^'■.450■W .
X. 41° W .
75
75
34
39
12 to 13
N. 34° 14' W . .
75
42
13 to 14
N. 26° 10' W . .
75
44
14 to 15
N. 1 5° W
75
44
15 to 10
N. 7O30'-n'..
75
40
16 to 17
N. 3°36'W..
75
44
17 to 18
18 to 19
N. 8° E
75
75
36
40
N.ieo 35' E...
19 to 20
20 to 21
21 to 22
22 to 23
Jr. 22° E
75
75
.75
75
34
32
32
38
N. 34° E
.If. 40° E
N.470 15' E...
23 to 24
X..-i8°30' E...
75
34
24 to 25
N. 63° 38' E...
75
36
25 to 26
26 to 27
37 to 28
28 to 29
ig'. 750 E
75
75
75
75
34
35
32
30
N. 78° E
S. 88° E
S. 85° E
29 to 30
S. 77° E
75
30
30 to 31
S. 64° .39' E...
75
32
31 to 32
S. 61° .52' E...
75
28
32 to 33
S. 420 48' E...
75
32
33 to 34
S. 40° E
75
30
34 to 33
35 to 36
36 to 37
S. 35° E
75
75
75
34
32
28
S. 26° E
S. 21° 45' E...
37 to 38
S. 4°45'E-..
75
26
38 to 39
39 to 40
S. 2° E
75
75
32
30
S. 0° 30' W . .
40 to 41
s. eou'W..
75
26
41 to 42
S. 19° W ,
75
28
42 to 43
43 to 44
s. 3n°'«'
75
75
30
30
S. 43°30' W..
44 to 45
45 to 1
S. 470 25' W ..
S. 48° 49' W ..
75
21.5
SUPPLEMI5
NTAEY.
a tub...
N.81°20'W..
I
-ect.
744 6 to f . . .
Feet.
746
atoc...
N. 36° 28' W - .
1, 036 c- to rf . . .
743
a to d.. .
N. 8o E
741 (itori...
.1, 042
J Otoe...
S.36^ E
') 1 (-)
(*)
* Direction of entrance to^ctagon.
478 MOUND EXPLORATIOXS.
Plotting the tigure carefully from these notes, and then drawing tlic
nearest possible coincident circle, we obtain results similar to those
obtained by the survey of the Observatory circle at Newark. This is
shown in PI. xxxvii. In this plate the solid black line of «hort 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 intersection of the two designated diameters.' These
diameters are actually surveyed lines and relate to the line of chords.
The middle of that running from d to h is at tlie intersection, but the
middle of that lunning frmn a to <■ is about 2 feet from the intersection
toward c.
As it is impossible to show this satisfactorily in a ligure ou the scale
given here, the attention of the leader is called to the following facts,
which he can verify independently by making for himself the plat on a
larger scale from the notes given above relating to the High Bank
circle.
(1) The chords forming the sides i>f tlie inclosed (juadrilateral subtend
equal arcs of the surveyed line; that is to say, the distance along the
wall from a to h is equal to that from h to c, also to that from c to «Z and
from (I 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, respec-
tively 744, 746, 743, and 741 feet in length, showing an extreme varia-
tion of less than 3 feet from a medium and (jf but 3 feet from a true
qiradrant, 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 gateways) does not
exceed S feet, or a variation from the medium of 4 feet, and from that
of the true circle of little 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 thaiL6 feet; or, in
other words, both would fall on a wall only 6 feet wide.
It is evident, therefore, that we have here a very close approximation
to a trtie circle.
OCTAdOX.
The Octagon at this point (see PI. xxxvm) differs from that at
Newark chieily in size and closer approximation to a square. The
variation from the usual form resulting from throwing the southern
gateway along the wall between the angles is readily accounted for by
the fact that there is here a somewhat 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 gateway
leading to the circle :
1 TIki actniil si-ile <m tin- platt- (which w.i.s accidentally omitted) is 200 feet tn the inch.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXVlll
OCTAGON OF HIGH BANK WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
OHIO.
479
station.
Bearing.
Distance.
Station.
Bearing.
Distance.
FeH.
Feet.
] to 2 . . .
N. 60° 03' E . . .
448
8 to 9 .
N. 53° 37' W . .
144
2to3 ...
S. 43° 50' E. . . .
449
9 to 10 .
U.420 57' W ..
278
3 to 4 . . .
S.30° 17' E....
442
10 to 11 .
N. 31° 27 W . .
417
4to5 ...
S.44°15' W...
449
11 to 11 .
N.43°27'E...
482
S to 6 . .
S.60°43'"W...
340
5 to 12 .
8.60° 43' -W...
470
eto7 ...
S. 70°41' W...
65
12 to 10 .
N. 42° 57' W . .
453
7to8 ...
N. 86° 46' W . .
60
The leugtlis of the sides, diaiueters, and diagouals, ascertained from
a carefully drawn plat of large scale, are as follows :
From 11 to 2..
From 2 to 4 . . .
From 4 to 12 .
From 12 to 11
Fnet.
908
883
910
868
Feet.
From 1 to 5 1, 008
From 3 to 10 1, 005
From 4 to 11 1, 250
From 2 to 12 1, 272
At station 5 163° 32'
At station 12 103 40
At station 10 168 30
At station 11 105 06
The inner angles are as follows:
At station 1 163° 24'
At station 2 103 53
At station 3 166 27
At station 4 105 28
It is apparent from these figures and from the plat (PI. xxxviii) that
this indosiire is comparatively regular, the opijosite angles, with one
exception, diftering less than half a degree and the exceptional one dif-
fering from its opposite but '2 degrees. Nevertheless the regulaiity is
not such as would be expected from the use of instruments.
The diameter as given by Messrs. Squierand Davis is 950 feet, and the
area, according to their calculation, is IS 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 ei'roneous, the diameter given being 50 feet
too short and the area 2.6 acres too small ; liO.O acres being the true area.
I.TliKHTV lOWN.SHU' WORKS.'
The smaller circle is not as nearly complete as shown in tlie plate.
Instead of continuing around the head of the ravine and joining the
larger circle at the right of the entrance, it comes to a stop on the bank
of a ravine at a point 313 feet south of the point where it connects with
the larger circle at the north or left side of the entrance. No trace of
it can now be seen between these points. The entrance is still in the
' Squier mthI navis, I'l. xs.
480
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
timber, iiud a fence crosses the bead of the ravine between this timber
and the cleared land to the south. If the circle had ever gone as far as
represented it seems that it would luive been preserved here, as is true
of the wall on the opposite side of the gateway. Possibly the missing
portion has been worn away.
The large circle is obliterated and the curved lines between the
smaller circle and the square can be traced only partially.
The line indicating north and south on the plate should be changed
90 degrees, the top of the plate being east, and the directions given on
the plate should be made to correspond with this change.
^
^^^^S^
.^
N.
I
5*^
5?^
##
^:S
ye
SB
'"m
%
=s=
T - - *^2/g.
I
%%..
^m
mk
Mi'
«%
''™"««»llf,!|||||i;i||||[li!l(ffl«i* ,^^«5 " ^
Fli5. 321. — Small circle, Liberty towusliip works, Ross ooiinty, Ohio.
On the side next the pike the wall of the square can not be traced
The oi)posite side and most of the other two are still plainly visible; the
cross walls, however, disappear before they reach the one next to the
pike. But, this portion being covered with clover and weeds, it is
V)ossible some traces were hidden; if it had been freshly plowed per-
haps the lines could have been found all the way.
At the north corner (the one toward the left side of Squier and
Davis's plate) the ends are worn away, and at the south corner both walls
are covered.with brush, so that the exact length of the northeast side could
not be found. The angles at the north and east corners were obtained,
by taking the bearings of the three lines. These may be slightly in
THOMAS.]
OHIO.
481
error, a.s owing to long cultivation it is impossible to tell witli certainty
where the center of the embankment was; but by phx-ing tlie instru-
ment as near the center as could be determined, about midway of the
length, and placing the rod the same way near each end, the error will
be very slight; uot more than a few minutes.
Great care was taken in measuring the smaller circle, as on it Squier
and Davis appear to base their claim to the mathematical accuracy of
the works constructed by the " Mound-builders."
In order to prove this accuracy they present a supplementary plan
on the plate, showing their method of deterjuining the curves, and in
a footnote on the following page give the lengths of the arcs and the
directions. It is somewhat disappointing to find, on carefully examin-
ing this showing, that it relates wholly to a hypothetical case, and not
to a circle actually surveyed. Tins is apparent from the following
facts: The circumference of the circle, given as an illustration, is 3,600
feet and the diameter 1,146 feet, which agrees with no circle given in
their entire work. Had they given an illustration from an actual sur-
vey it would have been much more satisfactory.
The courses and distances of Mr. Middletou's survey of the smaller
circle of this group are inserted here, made after the plan Squier and
Davis suggest, but with shorter chords; also the plat made therefrom
(Fig. 321). The place of beginning is at station 1, the course south-
west, westward, and so on around.
The small circle.
Stations.
lieariug.
Bistance.
DitlereiK-es between clients.
Feet.
1 to 2
2 to 3
3 to 4
4 to 5
S.60O W
S. 81" 35' «• . . .
S. 84°44' W...
N. 74° 45' W - .
100
100
100
100
Between 1st auil 2il
21° 35'
3 09
20 31
Between 3(1 iind 4tli
5 to 6
N.70°W
100
Between 4th and 5tli
4 45
6 to 7
N.59°16' W..
100
Between atli and 6tli
10 44
7 to 8
N.42° W
100
Between 6tli and 7th
17 16
8 to 9
■X.24°23' W..
100
Between 7tli and 8th
17 37
9 to 10
N.12°48' W..
100
Between 8th and 9th
11 35
10*0 11
N..';°47'E....
100
Between 9th and 10th
18 35
11 to 12
N.20°30'E.-.
100
Between 10th .-ind 11th
14 43
12 to 13
N. 34° 24' E . . .
100
Between 11th and 12th
13 54
13 to U
N. 53° 52' E . . .
100
Between 12th and 13th
19 28
14 to 15
N.67°05'E...
100
Between i:!th and 14tli
13 13
15 to 16
N. 81° 23' E . . .
100
Between 14th and 15th
17 18
16 to 17
S. 81° OS' E. . . .
100
Between 15th and lOtli
14 29
17 to 18
S.73°38'E.-..
100
Between 10th and 17lh
7 30
18 to 19
S.71°02' !■;....
III!)
Between 17tb and IStli
2 36
19 to 20
S.85°05' E....
100
Between 18th and loth
5 57
20 to 21
S.39°46'E....
100
Between lOt li a nd 20t h
25 19
21 to 22
S.20°45'E....
100
Between 20th and 2l8t
19 01
22 to 23 S.7'=50'E
100
Between 21st and 22d
12 55
23 to 24
34 to 1
S.0°58' W....
S. 32°20' W...
30
313
12 ETH-
-31
482
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
As will be seen by reference to these figures and the diagram, not
only is the eurve irregular, but the diameters ditter so much in length,
one being 860 feet and the other 748 feet, that the figure is much nearer
an ellipse than a true circle. These evidences of error in the state-
ments and [dates of Messrs. S(juier and Davis's work and manifest
tokens of carelessness have a tendency to lessen somewhat our confi-
dence in their statements as to measurements and dimensions, although
the figures of the works they personally examined are generally correct
as to form.
THK SQITARK.
This inclosure, shown in PI. xxxix, presents quite a regular figure,
closely ai)proximatiug a s(iuare. The notes of the survey are as follows,
commencing at station a, the southern corner. The stations are at tlie
intersections of the lines of the walls:
station.
Hearing:.
Distance.
Feet.
atob...
N.47° U'E...
1.108
bU<c...
N.420 41' W ..
;,io6
cioil ...
S.47O06'W...
1,110
d toe...
S.440 11'E....
535
p to o ...
S.410 24'E....
568
etc/ ...
S.41°24' W...
521
/tog ...
N.84° 10' W..
185
A direct line from u to d runs N. 42° 52' W. exactly 1,100 feet. The
survey was, in fact, made by triangulation, the angles being as follows:
At« (eo6) 88° 38'
At h (a he) 90 05
Atc(bcd) 89 47
Atd(cde) 88 43
Ate(dea) 182 47
The angles at a and d, using the direct line between tlieui. are as fol-
lows :
At a (d ah) 90° 06'
Atd(cda) 90 02
The following are the check lines :
Feet.
Diagonal from a to c, N. 3° 40' E 1, 566
Diagonal from h to d 1, 561
Diaiufter running northeast and southwest 1, 095
Distance between a and d 1, 102
Diameter running northwest and southeast 1, 104
The diameters are measured from the midille of the gateways in the
sides.
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH /ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXXIX
^imiiiiiiii»uMiwiwii»iiii'iliitiiiiiiii(iiiiililliihliiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiil»iiiii"iit^^
' -^WIlMllliiillilMiiUl'lWU'llinuiiimiiliiWiihiiiiiiimHiiiiHiuN^
_^niiiMiuiiiiiiiiiillllit(Mm»l)iliiiiii»lilliiii[iiiilHiiii»iilliilliliiiii^
I
eV-
4»
^ f
iroiiUi]Hawiihi(;hftjftit>Miii>iiiiiiiiiiiHtiii[*iiHiiiii(iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuii[|iwiiiiiiiiii<kiillltii;iiin^ i :^iiiiiniiiii[iiiitiiiiiwiiii;iaii'iim;iiiiimii;miiiii;
t',l||ll]Hli|«lir '*i>Mi|>HlllHlllll||Hlli||lllllHII|lll](lllllli[l||l|HI|t||im
liiiiiip^
il'"liiii"ii"ii!'"lllllllllHi||||llll|lllilj))i|iH|i|l|l|l(liil
SQUARE OF LIBERTY TOWNSHIP WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
THOJIAS.]
OHIO.
483
THE BAIM WORKS.
Althmigli ;i compk'te resiu'vey of these works was mude, it is not
thought neces.'^ary to introduce here the notes rehiting to any part ex-
cept the square. It may be said, however, that the resurvey of the cir-
cular portion revealed no very essential ^aiiation from the figure given
in Ancient Monuments, PI. xxi, No. 1.
The square, most of which has long been in a pasture, is rather
more distinct and prominent than such remains usually are, the walls
being from 2 to 4 feet high, and the gateways well marked, though no
traces of the inclosed mounds remain. The circular portions of the
works are much w'orn and two sections of considerable length are so
nearly obliterated that the line can not be traced with any certainty.
Mr. ^[iddlctoii's tield notes relating to the square are as follows, com-
mencing at station '( at the western corner:
Seatioii.
Bearing.
Distance.
Widtll
of wall.
Whole
length of
sides.
a to 6 ...
btoc ...
ctod...
dtoe...
f to/-...
/tog ...
gtoh...
hto a...
N.59°17'E...
N.59°]7'E...
S.30°12' E....
S.30<'12'E....
S.59°44'W...
S.59°44' W...
N. 29° 56' W . .
N.29°56' W ..
Feet.
551
557
5B1
568
556
557
560
557
Feet.
49
56
50
35
33
33
56
57
Feet.
1 1, 108
I 1, 129
'■ 1, 113
I 1, 117
For the arm leading to the large circle (given only in part here) begin
at station e at the north corner of the square and run as follows :
S. 30° 12' E. 102 ft. ; S. 81° E. 54 ft. , S. 63° 21' E. 50 ft. ; S. 52° 21' E. 50 ft. ; S. 64°
E. 145 ft.
CHECK LINES.
fttod.-i-
Sr to c ...
6to/....
2J.59°27'E... 1,112
Jf. 14° 29' E . . . 1,.584
S.30°E 1,124
The angles at the corners are —
a 90° 47'
c 89 20
e 90- 04'
9 89 40
It is apparent from these notes and PI. xL, representing this in-
closure, that it aiiproxi mates very closely a true square. The great-
est varialion at the corner from a right angle is only 47 minutes. The
average length of the sides is 1,117 feet, from which the extreme
variation is only 12 feet, the difference between extremes being but 21
feet.
484 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
As tlic stnu-ture and contents of the few mounds wliicli appear to be
connected with these works may have some bearing on the question of
the origin, age, and uses ot the circles and stjuares, the description Avill
be given hereof one connected with the Bauni works just mentioned,
which are those figured iu No. 1, PI. xxi, Ancient Monuments. The
mound referred to is that designated in this figure as a "Square pyram-
idal mound." It was carefully explored by my assistant, Mr. Henry
L. Reynolds, whose report is as follows:
Till'. rYUA.MIDAI. MOINI).
This mound is distanr from the nearest gateway of the circle, N.
210 30' w., 1,420 feet. In tlie work of Messrs. Scjuier and Davis tlie
height is given as 15 feet and diameter 125 feet. Its height at the
time of this e.vploratiou was 12 feet above the level of the .^urround
ing surface, and its diameter from 135 to liO feet. This difference
is due to the annual disturbance of its surface by plow and freshet.
The same agencies have likewise destroyed its pyramidal form, and it
resembles now an uijturned wash basin. The mound was composed for
the most part of clay mottled considerably with black loam and
slightly in some places with iiatches of a grayish plastic lime. Cross
trenches Avere run due north and south and east and west, respect-
ively. The breadth of these at the side was from 5 to G feet, but as
they penetrated inward they widened gradually, so that at the center
the excavation became l.'i feet in diameter. Considerable lateral dig
ging -was done from these trenches to uncover skeletons and other in-
dications appearing iu their sides.
Two series of upright ])osiniolds, averaging 5 inches in diameter,
equidistant 10 inches, and forming a perfect circle 36 feet in diameter,
constitute a preeminent feature of this mound. Within these circular
palings the mound was i)enctrated systematically by thin seams of fine
sand sagging in the center and averaging 1 foot apart. Resting upon
the natural black loam at tlie bottom, timbers averaging 8 inches in
diameter radiated from the center, and in the south and west trenches
were noticed to extend continuously to the posts. These timbers were
detected, for the most part, by their burnt remains and also by the
molds of dark earth in the yellow clay, ])roduced by the decomposition
of wood. Directly over these timbers was a horizontal line of decayed
and burnt wood, but mostly decayed, averaging half an inch thick.
The ui)right postmolds of the lower series were very distinct and meas-
ured 5 feet in vertical height. In,(me was found a small sliver of what
appeared to be black walnut. Several of them contained the burnt
remains of wood, and in many of these instances the black bark was
clinging to the sides.
Separating this from the superstructure, as will be seen by reference
to Fig. 322, was a thin, sagging streak of burnt clay. Here and there
upon its surface scant traces of black wood aslies were seen, while a
BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT PL- XL
- 9 K
#?■
SQUARE OF THE BAUM WORKS, ROSS COUNTY, OHIO.
THOMAS.]
OHIO.
485
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 i>ostmolds of the superstructure
consisted of a double row, the outer one being uniformly directly over
the lower series in a vertical line, and separated from the latter en-
tirely around the circle by a solid line of gravel. The two rows of the
upper structure averaged IS inches apart. Both might have ex-
tended originally above the surface of the mound, since they were dis-
covered between 14 and 2 feet beneath the surface, which had been
considerably plowed. Horizontal timber molds a little smaller in diam-
eter, tilled, in places, with charcoal, could be distinctly 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 pur-
StCTJON a.
Fig. :^22. — Pyr:niii<liil moniiil, Kailni wnrks, linss i-tmnty, Ohio.
poses. In the eastern trench a gap, 3 feet 2 inches wide, was noticed
by the absence of xiostmolds in both up^yer and lower series.
All the skeletons discovered were in the area inclosed by these posts.
These lay at different depths and in different positions, the favorite or
predominant one, at least 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. I^one of them
could have been intrusively buried, for the stratification above them
was not disturbed. All excepting Nos. 15, 10, and 17 lay upon one or
another of the thin seams of sand. All except No. 10 lay stretched
out at full length. The latter lay partly upon the side, with knees
drawn up and head crouched down upon the ribs, as tliough oiiginally
placed in a sitting iwsture. All except Nos. 13 and Hi had the arms
and hands placed at the sides. The right arm of skeleton No. 13 lay
486 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
beut across tlie stomach. The riylit arm of skeleton Xo. IG was bent
so that the hands touched the cliiu. From both jaws of this hitter
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 No. ■">, which was that of a child about 10 years old, a small
clay vessel Avas found 5 inches behind the cranium. At the left hand of
skeleton No. 8 was a shell such as is found in the sands of Paint creek.
A bone implement was at the back of the cranium of No. 9. With
skeleton No.- 11 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 these 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
left was a pipe fashioned from stone.
At the right of the feet of this skeleton was the extremity of an
oblong ashpit 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
human bones, since none but huiiuni 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. 11. It was lifted out of the
ashes with great care, but the weight of its contents and its rotten con-
dition caused it to break in pieces before it could be placed upon the
ground. Numerous other pieces of pottery of a similar character were
found in these ashes, and it is not improbable, from the indications,
that all these a.shes were originally placed in pots before interment. A
perforated shell disk 2 inches in diameter and a lump of soggy syca-
more wood were gatheied from the ashes. Neither wood nor shell bore
any signs of having been burnt. These ashes could not have been
buried intrusively, since the sand layer above them was undisturbed.
Skeleton No. 15 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 length-
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 envelopes
the red cores seemed to be burnt entirely to charcoal. The indica-
tions 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 peculiarly
moist. The length of this skeleton to the ankle bones was 6 feet and 1
inch. Two bone implements were found at its head, and at its right
side nei\r the head were two fragments of polished tubes and a hollow
point of bone which appears to have been shajted with a steel knife
THOMAS.] OHIO. 487
(Fig. 32;3). Three bone implements were found beneath the right elbow
of skeleton No. 13. Skeleton No. 10 corresponded in level and condi-
tions to skeleton No. 15. The timber, however, seemed to have nearly-
all decayed, since only a few small pieces of red cedar could be gath-
ered and scarcely any traces of black ashes could be seen. The earth,
however, for about a foot above was very soft, and two timber molds at
this level were distinctly traceable, extending from the direction of the
skeleton's side to a foot and a half beyond its feet. Bones of deer and
bear, stag antlers, mussel shells, and many i'ragments of coarse pottery
were found in the west trench i».^ feet beyond the postmolds.
It will be observed, if reference is had to the figure, that Nos. '2, 3, 7,
and 11 are all upon the same layer, as are alsoNos. 9 and 10. Nos. 14,
15, and IG also correspond in depth, but they did not, like tlie 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 1 feet long and lying 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 liaving been burnt. The soil around it was mostly a moist, dark
loam mixed with i^atches of what has
been above described as a grayish
plastic lime.
A foot and a half beneath the sur-
face and a little to the southeast of
the center a curious double lire-bed or ^" "' -'"""' " p""° ■^" ' ^ ™"
works.
hearth was uncovered. It was about
5 feet in diameter. Uppermost was a layer of white ashes varying
from 1 to 2 inches in thickness. They were the ashes of burnt shell
and bone, but no bone could be found sufticiently large to determine
whether or not it was human. Beneath this was burnt clay from 1 to
5 inches thick, resting upon a layer of sand, which at this point was
between '2 and 3 inches deep. Tlie surface of this sand was (piite 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 quan-
tity of black wood ashes and several broken jjieces of pottery. Below
this appeared burnt clay again from 4 to (i 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 geneial burnt streak that has
been heretofore described.
This mound is situated upon the edge of the flrst general bottom
from Paint creek, which, thougli protected by a- huge levee, is annually
Inundated. In overflow times the smaller circle of the adjoining inclo-
sure 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, particularl.\- to the east, are traces of former Indian occu-
488
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
patiou. Numerous fragments of pottery similar in texture, fabrication,
and ornamental features to those found in the mouiul bestrew the
plowed ground. These were intermingled with the valves of unissel
shells, pitted stones, .shell disks, human bones, arrowheads, pieces of
perforated stone gorgets, and a large quantity of chipped tlint.
Specimens of all were collected and forwarded to Washington with the
relics taken from the mound.
■:ii- \viH{K>
A resurvey, so far as i)ossible. was made of the square of this group,
the position of the south wall, which is now obliterated, being assumed.
Station a, or beginning point of the survey, is in the northern gate-
way or passageway into the circle; b is at the northeast corner; e, in
the middle gateway of the eastern wall; <l, at the southeast corner; e,
middle point of the assumed south wall;/', the southwest corner; //,
middle gateway of western wall; /(, northwest corner. The center
line of the walls was followed and the points where these lines crossed
were taken as the corners. As the sides are straight the middle station
is at the exact half-way point of each line. The result of the survey is
as follows:
From —
Bearing.
Diatauce. >
1
j
Feet.
o to i< ...
N. 79° 13- E . . .
.-.56A
!i toe ...
S. 9° 35' E . . . .
,)7ll
p tod ...
S. 9° 36' E . . . .
.>70
dto e ...
S.79° 14' W...
5364
e to/. . . .
8.79° 14' W...
556J
/togr...
N.9°34' W...
570
ytoh ...
N.9°34' W...
570
h tea...
N.79°13'E...
556i
CHECK LINES.
bto/...
A tod...
ato e ...
gtoc ...
s.35°ir.' w...
S.53'' 35' E
I.607i
S.9''34'E
N. 79° 12' E . . .
1.141
l,li:i
It will be noticed that the eastern and western sides are 60 feet
longer than given in Ancient ^Monuments. The southeastern and
.southwestern corners, which are now obliterated, were placed back to
correspond with the ratio of the lines in Messrs. Scpiier and Davis's fig-
ure. The length of the walls from corner to corner, according to these
authors, was 1,08(» feet. Tliis distance, measuring from the northern
corner 7) and b, will throw the south line wholly in the " thoroughtare"
or washout shown in their figure. This resurvey, therefore, is to be ac-
cei)ted as reliable only so far ;.s it relates to the northern wall, and the
1 Ano.Mon., No.2, PI. XXI.
THOMAS. ]
OHIO.
489
eastern and western walls sofaias the latter extend. Of the eastern wall
therej'et remains distinctly traeeableltTO feet from the northeast corner
b ; and of the western wall iMIOfeet from the northwestern corner //. The
walls vary in width from 40 to 44 feet.
The relation of the stations in the gateways to the ends of the walls
on either side is as follows: From a to the end of the wall on the east,
42 feet; on the west, 48; makin,i;- width of gateway 00 feet; from /(•
west 40 feet, sonth ~>0 feet; froin c north CO feet, south GO feet; from (f
south 40 feet, north 35 feet; from // .south 135 feet and east 60 feet.
Part of the large circle, which is too nearly obliterated to be thor-
oughly traced, was surveyed in order to ascertaiu the curve, by com-
mencing at station « in the northern gateway of the square and running
thence to the nearest clearly dehna-ble point of the circle, which is num-
beretl station 1.
From—
Bearing.
Distance.
Fi'et.
a lo 1
N. 19° 2!l' E . . .
730
1 to 2
N.40E
100
2 to 3
N. 1° 38' E . . . .
100
3 to 4
N. 2O07' W....
100
4 to 5
N. 12° 1.5' W ..
100
5 to 0
N.210 4C' W ..
100
0 to 7
N. 240 11' W ..
100
7 to 8
N.30O53' AV ..
100
8 to n
N. 43° 41' W . .
100
9 to 10
Jf . 50° 40' W - .
100
10 to 11
N. 56° 35' W . .
100
11 to 12
N. 60° 35' W . .
100
12 to 13
N.65°33'W.-
100
13 to 14
N.780 3T W ..
100
14 to 15
N.79°03''W..
100
15 to 10
S.84oil'W...
100
16 to 17
S.780 52'W...
100
17 to 1
S.46°I2'E....
1,.'!46
The stjuare inclosure is on the first or lower bottom, the circle on the
second, the differeuce in elevation being only 5 feet. The ligure in
Ancient Monuments is incorrect in that it places the square somewhat
too far to the east in its relation to the circle.
PIKE COINTY.
.SK.\I- TOWNSIIII' WDltKS.'
These works are now in Scioto township, Seal township having been
divided, and are on the lands of Mr. I N. Barnes. The large circle i.s
about obliterated. The iiarallels are traceable from the square to the
ravine. The south half of the square is quite distinct; the north half
iS.|ui.-
;iinl Diivis, IM. XXIV.
490
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
m;!i>»::
^
'#
??-^
j^"^
has been plowed away. The iuclosure A is not exactly as shown; the
interior level area is nearly sqnare, but the ditch is not of the same
width all around, leaving a level space between it and the embank-
ment, as one would sui)posc tVoin tlje sketch. WheTi excavated the
ditch was made wider at four alternate parts, so as to give a circular
outline around the outside and to leave at the same time a square in-
closed area with rounded corners. (See Fig. .".24, made from these sur-
veys.) A gravel pit which has been opened on tlie slope of the terrace
west cuts oft' that part of the embankment almost to the ditch; but the
structure of the Avail is so much like that of the ground below, that a
person ascending from the lower terrace would never su.spect its exist-
ence until he had reached a point where it can be seen from above, there
being no line of tlemarkation, all having th& same appearance. The
"wall" shown south of this work, along the edge of the terrace where
it bends to the east, can no longer be traced. A ditch has been dug
along near the edge, probably to get
dirt for mounds or circles, and the
wall, or supposed wall, was probably
only the natural earth left outside
of this ditch. Its top is not so high
as the level just north of the ditch,
as shown by Squier and Davi.s, in
section ef, and no higher than along
the brow farther east. At the point
Mhere the ditch turns noi-th, how-
ever, the earth from it has been
thrown up to form a wall along its
eastern margin, meeting the circle
as shown. That there has never
Fig. 324.— Circle ^, Seal township works. , ,, , . i , i i i
been a wall which has been washed
away by the river is proven by tliere being a wide fence row outside
the ditch, and the ground along this fence row has been plowed. Mr.
Barnes, who remembers when Squier and Davis made their survey,
says it was never much higher than now, the slight reduction that has
taken place being due to cultivation. He says also that he helped to
clear the work having the interior ditch, and its appearance was never
essentially different from what it is now.
Between the circle 1) and the half circle east of it is a place leading
down to the next level like those at High Bank, namely, such a depres-
sion as would result from the wash of an old path. The half circle
extends quite up to the eilge of the bluff' and the ends have fallen off",
showing a section. In the circle J) the interior level area is very small
compared with the size of the ditch and embankment; the ground
begins to slope almost at the entrance.
The work shown in supplementary plan iV'is a mile above the other
group, close to the pike, on land belonging to T. W. Sargent's heirs.
THOMAS.) OHIO. 491
There was a siuall mound near this which contained charcoal and ashes,
but no bones or relics. As a means of correctiug- the errors made by
Messrs. Squier and Davis in the measurements of this work, the result
of the Bureau survey is given here.
Tlie lengths of the sides of tlie square, as shown by tlie survey, are
8.54 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 scjuare.
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 aver-
age length is G-34 feet (the eastern 647 and western 621). The distance
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.
THK GHADE1) WAY.'
The excavation along which the walls extend is an old watercourse.
Beaver creek comes down from the hills almost directly east of this
work and turns south at the foot of the liill. giadnally encroaching on
the terrace for a few liundred yards, when it is sliarply deflected
toward the hill again. At this point is an old cut-off, formed when the
bed of the creek was mucli higher than at x>i"esent, starting out toward
the west and curving until it has a direction almost north. It leaves
the rrpper terrace at the level of the second or next lower one and dis-
charges its waters into the slough which extends along the foot of the
upper terrace, or perhaps into the river wlieu that had its course along
here. This is a measure of its geologic age. It does not seem to
have been at anytime a regular channel for the creek, but only a place
through which a portion of its surplus water was discharged in time
of freshets.
There is a secondary terrace along the west side of this cut-oft' for
about half its length from the northern end; on the east there is a
slight terrace for a few hundred feet along the last turn ; the east wall,
at its southern end, is built along this terrace, but rises to the main
level at a short distance. In the other direction (toward the south) the
terrace soon disappears.
The west wall is built its entire length on the minor terrace. It is
much higher above the ground on which it stands than the eastern
wall, though the absolute heiglit of the latter is greater on account of
the greater elevation of its foundation. At each end of the east wall
there is a small mound. The south end of the west wall is higher and
wider for about 100 feet than the other portions, being heaviest at the
verj' end, resembling a dome-shaped mound when looked at from the
level ground immediately south. Both walls have several turns or
angles to correspond to the irregularities of the banks. The slopes
' Sqiiier and Davis, Plate xxxi.
492 MOUND EXPLOKATIOXS.
were dressed off sniootli, or else tlie dirt Wiis piled <'lose to the edge, so
that a eousiderable part rolled downward ; at auy rate there is a smooth
regular slope from top to bottom.
The north end of the west wall has been so cut up by digging gravel
that its form fan not be determined, and it could not be learned
whether there had been a mound there or not. A deep ])ond has
been dug on the second terrace a little way out. The pond shown in
the plate is a natural depression.
The east wall has been dug into lately to a limited extent on the
top and sides, and a woodchuck has excavated at the bottom in one
place. All these exposures show sandy soil and tine gravel, but no
clay. East of the north end of the east wall there is a depression, where
dirt was probably obtained for the construction of this wall; and the
owner in setting out some apple trees has reached a stratum of compact
yellow clay, some of which may now be seen scattered about each tree;
so that, if clay had been desired by the builders of the embankments,
a very little additional labor would have given it to them. They could
not have been igiKuant of its existence, for it shows plainly along the
northern slope very close to the surface.
Both walls went down the northern slope to the level below; whether
they reached any distance out on it is not apparent now. Slight traces
of the wall leading southward to the mound may be detected where it
crosses the lowest part of the cut-off. Beyond this cultivation has
effaced it.
Note. — In his work entitled " Fort .\iicient" Mr. Warren K. Mooreliead t:ikes oc-
casion to criticise my estimate of the cubic contents of deiHisited earth in the walls
of this fort as follows :
"Prof. Thomas's descri]>tion of the fortitication is (jiiite accurate, but he is in error
as to one thing: he says Mr. Locke's estimate as to tlie amount of earth in embank-
ment is a mistake. He figures it at 154, 000 cubic yards of earth. Prof. Locke falls
short of the true amount and Prof. Thomas makes it still smaller. Both these gen-
tlemen seem to forget that the wall on
the ravine side is carried down 30, 40,
and in some j)laces 50 feet from the top.
In some places one can plainly see that
from .")(• feet n]i the angle is very steep,
lieing the fort wall, while from that
point to the bottom the angle is muih
FIG. 32.5. -Copy of MoorelH-ads .station 241. PI, v.. l*''*^"- l^^^-i'-S" » '^ the natural slope.
When the structure was built the earth
was thrown over and down into these ravines to make thi' ascent as steep as possible.
We can easily trace the line of division where the artificial earth ends and the natural
side of the ravine begins. In some eases this line is 40 feet from (below or lower
than) the summit of the embankment. This would give the embankment an aver-
age height of 31 or 32 feet and a 1>readth of 69 feet. The length is one mile less
than that stated by Prof. Thomas. Thus we would have a few hundred more cubic
yards of earth than Prof. Locke states, and many thousands more tlian is given in
Prof. Thomas's statement. This estimate is uuule after very careful consideration,
and is surely not far from the correct figures'' (p. 79).
The fact that Mr. Mooreliead has made an egregious error is apparent to auy one
who has visited the fort. First, because the embankments across the level .space at
THOMAS.]
OHIO.
493
rill', SKIM'KNT MOfNI).
For the purpotse of coiiipiirisoii with otlier publitshed tijiuros of the
celebrated Serpent mound of Ohio, we add here a earefnlly drawn illus-
tration (Fig. 326) made by Mr. W. H. Holmes while visiting this ancient
Fio. 236. — The Serin-nt moiinfl, Adams county, Obio.
work in 18SS. It is given without comment, as our only object is to
place ou record a drawing made by a well-known artist.
the northeast part of the "New Fort" next the " Parallels," which are the highest
ill the entire wall measure, accordiiiii; to Mr. Moorehead, as shown in his section of
Station 4, Plate VI, only 17 feet in heiglit. Second, because the earth necessary to
construct a wall 31 or 32 feet in height and 69 feet wide at the base \\ould form a
ditch or series of excavations of a character and dinieusions of which we find at jircs-
ent no indications, and which, if they ever existed, would still form a marked feature.
At no point is there a ditch exceeding 6 feet in depth and 30 in width.
The error in his method of estimating the contents of the wall is apparent fromhis
calculatiou of the deposited earth cut uj) to form the wall, which is the only portion
that should he included in the estimate. Take, for example, his section of station
241, plate VI, of which we insert here a copy (Fig. 325), adding only a dotted line to
show the line of tlie original surface.
Now, instead of taking the difference between 27.26 and 23.30 feet or 3.96 feet as
the height of the wall, he assumes 27.26 feet— measured perpendicularly down the
outer slope 23.30 feet below the bottom of th<^ inside ditch — as the height of the wall,
and the distance from one perpendicular to the other as the witjth of the base. The
error in this method of estimatiug the contents is so manifest that it needs no further
illustration. A horizontal line drawn from the bottom of the ditch, that is to say
from the top of the perj>endicnlar marked 23.30 feet, would probably give about the
correct heiglit and width of the base, as the amount of the ongiual soil aliove the
line on the left or inner side would about equal the added earth ou the outer slojie
above the dotted line.
494 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
PENNSYLVANIA.
VALLEY OF THE MONONCtAHELA.
Throughout the valley of the MoiioHgahela river are abuudaut e^a-
dences of a former population. ludosiires, village sites of all the dif-
fereut forln^s, togetlior witli numerous dejMisits of mussel shells, bones,
pieces of pottery, and other indicia of a settled population occur fre-
quently. From the river bottoms to the tops of the highest hills, rising
more than fiOO feet above the water, these remains are to be seen. At
a former time the river flowed at a greatei- elevation tlian now, forming
a broad terrace knowu as the " 190-foot level," that being its height
above the present bed at Pittsburg. Along this level, which for dis-
tinction will be called the "upper terrace,"' seemed to be the favorite
place of al)ode of the aborigines, as remains of every kind are found
more plentifully here than on either the bottoms or hill lands.
Several miles back from the river, in either direction — that is, along
the water-sheds between the Ohio and Monongahela and between the
latter and the Youghiogheny — many mounds are reported, but whether
they really exist is a matter for future investigation.
Within a few miles of Monongahela are, or have been, a few mounds
and not less than fifty stone graves. This refers to the part of the coun-
try lying immedintely along the river. Of the mounds, only one was
found to be composed of earth, the others being entirely of stone or
of a stone interior covered with eartli How the stone was arranged
in them it was (with one exception, to be noted hereafter) impossi-
ble to determine. They have been repeatedly disturbed by parties who
took no note of the structure and could tell nothing more than that ''the
rock was down at the bottom and the dirt thrown over it.'' It was only
after several days of search and visits to all the localities of which any
information could be obtained, along the entire eastern margin of Wash-
ington county, that a few could be found intact.
On the upper terrace, within the corporate limits of Monongahela
city, are situated the garden and greenhouses of J\lr. I. S. Crall. Two
ravines on the east and west sides open directly south into Pigeon
creek, and their erosion has lowered the ground until it is surrounded
by higher land on every side except along the bluff next to the creek.
The further side Qf tlie (^reek being bounded by a high hiU, the view
from the level land between the ravines is shut off in every direction,
except through a narrow pass looking up the river; thus the tract is
surrounded on every side by hills close at hand, ranging from 40 to 250
feet above its level. In excavating for foundation walls and other pur-
poses, Mr. Crall has, at different times, unearthed skeletons, some of
them of large size; the gnmnd is strewn with mussel shells, tliut chips,
etc.
THOMAS.] PENNSYLVANIA. 495
On the eastern side of this level, near the break of the ravine, and
dose to a never-failing .sx)ring, stands tlie largest mound above the one
at McKee's reeks, measuring Q feet in height by GO feet in diameter.
Beginning on the eastern side, a Ofoot trench was run in for .'')•"> feet.
At 17 feet from the j)oint of beginning was found a thin layer of char-
coal and burnt dirt, whieli at this point was between 3 and 4 feet from
the original surface. This, which seems to have resulted from burning
weeds and trash that had .sprung nji when the building was temi)orarily
arrested at this stage, continued for 12 feet with an upward sloj)e nearly
corresponding with that of the top of the mound, showing that the lat-
ter had been built from the center upward and outward, and not by a
succession of horizontal layers. This is further shown by the arrange-
ment of the difterent sorts of dirt used in its construction, which show
a central core or nucleus, with the successive deposits extending over
it from side to side. Undcilying the bottom of the mound was a tough
gray clay, varying in thickness. On this the mound had been built up.
At the center a hole measuring 3 feet across the top and 2 feet across
the bottom had been dug down '2 feet into the original soil. In this
were fragments of human bones too soft to be preserved. They indi-
cated an adult of large size. The gray clay was unbroken over tins
hole. Directly over this, above the clay and resting ujtoii it, were por-
tions of another large skeleton, with which was found part of an
unburned clay tube or pipe. About 5 feet southwest of the last men-
tioned skeleton, and on the same level, were a few fragments of Ijoiies,
a copper gorget or breastjjlate, some small pieces of a gorget made
apparently of stalagmite, and pieces of thin copper plate. The copper
gorget was rectangular in form, 3 by 4^ inches in size, with incurved
sides, and had two holes on the longer axi,;. It had been doubled over
along this axis until the opposite sides were in contact and then ham-
mered down flat. These, with some traces of charcoal and woody flber,
were lying flat upon the gray clay, extending over a sjiace 2 feet across.
The layer contained oidy traces of wood, as though the skeleton had
been covered or surrounded by thin slabs or bark, there being no indi-
cation that logs or large pieces had been used. To the large piece of
copper was adhering something like, wood, which was rubbed off before
its nature could be determined, and some fragments of a leather or
buckskin string were preserved with it. On one of the smaller pieces
was some kind of fur. Four feet west of the center, a foot above the
bottom, were fragments of bones and skull.
These four skeletons had either been buried in a sitting posture or
doubled up on the side, or else only the bones liad been interred. All
the fragments were lying confusedly together. It seems probable that
they were either buried in a sitting posture or doubled up. as the size
of the hole at the center of the mound and the space showing traces of
wood (where the copper was found) was more than would have been
necessary to allow the interment of the bones alone.
496 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Over the center of the mound, 5 feet from the bottom, were a few
pii'ces of bone and a tooth worn down nearly to the socket. Four feet
west of this was tlic fraj-nient of :i femur, with its axis toward the tooth ;
by the femur lay a small chalcedony knife. These Avere no doubt
remains of an intrusive burial. One other .skeleton had been placed
at full length, about 3 feet above the bottom and C feet southwest from
the center, with head toward the east; only the leg bones were found.
This, as its depth indicates, could scarcely have been an intru.sive burial :
j'ct none of those at a, greater depth were btiried in the same manner.
A trench was run in from the southwestern side to inteisect the flrst.
One skeleton Mas found about 20 feet from the center, close to the top
of the mound. The skull was completely filled with snail shells. This
was very likely intrusive. Mr. Crall's workmen had ])reviously found
remains of other skeletons near this one.
A small mound northeast of this, but in the same field, was removed
some years ago. Several .skeletons were found in it, also a pipe, which,
from the description given, must have been either <juartz or calcite.
3
I'm. 327. — Mound ami graves near Mououjiabela eity, Pennsylvania.
In the larger mound were several flakes and chips of the tlint found
only in Licking or Coshocton counties, Ohio.
On the farm of Capt. William Parkiu.son, 2| miles below Mononga-
hela city, is along, narrow point bounded on one side by the steep blulf
at the foot of which flows Mingo creek, on the other by the river bottcnn
At the level of the upper terrace is an elevation formed by throwing up
the dirt on both sides toward the center, forming an elliptical mound
110 by 27 feet, 2 feet high, with the longer axis nearly east and west.
On this mound were four stone graves, all on the same general plan
(Fig. 327). Around the graves are bowlders from the river and flat
stones, the latter set on edge, most of them with tops leaning inward;
many, however, have been displaced by the roots of the trees growing
above them. It seems to have been the intention of the builders to
form complete circles inclosed by these stones, though, from the cause
mentit)ned, their symmetry has been impaired. The bottom of each
THOMAS.) PENNSYLVANIA. 497
grave was j)aved with flat stones, averagiug 2 inches in thickness and
from 2 to 4 square feet in area. These were laid so as to fit closely
together and extend to the inclosing circle. Within the circle and
upon the pavement was a large mass of flat stones with the outer ones
overlapping in I'cgular order, just such an arrangement as would result
from leaning a number of boards or other flat objects, one after another,
against a support and then removing it. Above the stones in this posi-
tion were others thrown in regardless of order or arrangement.
The grave nearest the river (No. 1) was 12 feet in diameter within
the circle of upright stones. Above, in the center, had been placed
an adult body, extended with head toward the north. Only a few frag-
ments of bones were found. North of this, close to the edge of the
circle, were a few fragments of a child's skull, the milk teeth still re-
maining in the fragments of the jaw. On the west a number of large
rocks had been piled up against the outer side of the circle ; the object
of this was not apparent. The second grave measured 8 feet in diam-
eter. The circle and pavement were in place, but all the upper rock
had been removed. No bones lemained. The thii^d grave had been
opened by other parties; so no examination of the interior was
attempted. The circle, still undisturbed, was 20 feet in diameter. The
fourth grave measured 24 feet across. Most of the stones in the circle
were bowlders and the pavement was very irregular, owing to the dis-
placement of the stones by the roots of trees. Small pieces of bones
were found, too few and broken to tell much about their arrangement,
though it appeared as if the skeleton had laid with head toward the
east. Two arrow-points were found with the bones.
All the pieces of bones found h.id been broken and mashed flat by
the weight of the overlying rock, and only such small pieces remained
as were under stones which protected them from water. Yellow clay
to the thickness of a foot covered the pavements and filled up the inter-
stices of the overlying stones. All the space on top of the mound out-
side of the graves was covered with a pavement of rocks, the larger
ones being laid flat, the smaller ones thrown in at random.
Grave No. 1 had about 2 feet of stones and clay above the pavement;
grave No. 2, about 10 inches of clay only; graves No. 3 and No. 4, each
about 18 inches of clay and stones.
The appearance of the whole work seems to show that, first, the
mound was thrown up of dirt from its immediate neighborhood ; sec-
ondly, a circle of stone was set up, a pavement laid within it, on which
the bodies were placed, stones set on edge, and leaning slightly inward
were placed around the body and supported in position; thirdly, clay
was placed over these stones, and a lot of stones thrown over all; and,
fourthly, all the space not taken up by the graves was paved with flat
stones. Graves Nos. 1, 3, and 4 were in a straight line ; grave No. 2
was a little to the north.
12 ETH 32
498 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
MOUNDS ON THE FAltM OF CAI'T. SPARR.
Ou the farm of Capt. Sparr, opposite Belle Vernon, on the upper ter-
race, is a level tract comprising several fields, which is bounded ou one
side by the river aud on the other by Maple creek, which here flows
parallel with the river for perhaps half a mile. On this tract are six
mounds or graves nearly iu a straight line and bearing east of south
from the one nearest the point. This, which may be called No. 1, is 3
feet high and 25 feet across, composed entirely of stone. It has been
all torn up.
Fifty feet distant is No. 2, an earth mound 8 feet high and 50 feet in
diameter. This had a trench through it, and a number of flat stones
were scattered about over its sides, which were thrown t)ut by the inves-
tigators ; yet no one could be found who was able to tell anything about
its interior arrangement. Another 50-foot interval occurred between
this mound and the nest.
No. 3 had been considerably disturbed, but uot so much as to pre-
vent its construction from being studied. A circle of bowlders and large
flat I'ocks, measuring 2-1: feet across, had been made, and the iuterioi
paved with flagstones; next, large rocks piled above these; and earth
thrown over and around the whole. Ou the eastern side three rows of
the flat, up-edged stones remained. Any examination of the central
part of the mound was useless, as it had been torn up several times.
Two hundred yards from this is No. 4, a small stone grave, not over
12 feet in diameter. Sixty feet farther is a similar gi'ave. Both of
these had been plowed around and the stones removed to such an
extent that nothing could be ascertained as to their arrangement.
Twenty-five feet fi-om No. 5 is a stone mound, elliptical in shape, 55
feet by 125 feet in its two diameters, 3 feet liigli, with the longer axis
nearly north and south. This was composed almost entirely of water-
worn bowlders of various sizes, some weighing fully 200 pounds. They
were thrown in promiscuously and rested directly on the soil. For
about 8 inches from the top there was no soil, save what had accumu-
lated from the decay of vegetable matter ; below this the rocks were
packed in hard yellow clay; there was a depression on the east side of
the mounds, whence the soil had been removed and the clay thrown
on the mound obtained. Whether this had been done as the work
progressed or whether the dirt had beei> thrown on after the mound
was completed, is iincertain; iu either case it would have settled to the
bottom, leavingthe upper stones clear. The entire mound was removed,
but nothing found; it may have been modern.
It is reported that iu the fields to the south and southwest of these
mounds skeletons have been found iu a sitting i)ositiou, under flat
stones a few inches below the surface. The statement as to the posi-
tion may be considered doubtful, although the rest is quite probable.
There are two such cemeteries about 5 miles from Monongahela city,
on the farms of John Van Vooihis and Lewis Colviu. They are both
THOMAS] PENNSYLVANIA. 499
on level fields overlooking rigeon creek and on the same elevation as
tlie upper terrace. On Mr. Colvin's farm over one linndreil of tliese
graves have been opened, nearly all having children buried in them;
not over a dozen adults have been foxtnd. In most of the graves noth-
ing but bones has been found; in a few, some simple ornaments, such
as beads, wei'e discovered; and from two of them vessels of pottery
were obtained. The general arrangement is the same in all. From 8
to 12 inches under the surface is a large flat stone; on removing this,
which is always upon or just under the yellow subsoil, a hole is
found varying from 12 to 24 inches in diameter and from 10 to 1<S inches
in depth. In this hok' is found the skeleton which had been doubled
up until the knees touch the skull and the feet are brought in contact
with the pelvis. Such was Mr. Colvin's description, and a personal
examination of three graves showed its correctness. In the lirst,
measuring 12 inches across and 10 inches deep, covered by a stone 24
by 28 inches, were found mere traces of bone. In the second, of the
same size, but covered by a stone somewhat larger, were the remains
of a child not over 2 years old; with this were found five canine teeth
of some carnivorous animal, pierced at the roots. In the third grave,
24 inches across and 14 inches deep, was the entire skeleton of a child
about 9 years old. There was a large stone over this grave, as over
the others, and in addition three smaller ones. The latter had fallen
in and broken several of the bones, including the skull.
At Shire Oaks, on a point overlooking the river, are two mounds
which were opened by some miners, a large one on the break of the slope
and a smaller one fartlier back. Both resembled ordinary earth mounds,
but had stone graves inside. Of the larger they could give no account,
but their description of the smaller is as follows:
A quantity of dirt was thi'own out and presently they found a skull;
continuing to dig downward they gradually uncovered the rest of the
body to the pelvis; this was at the original surface. The legs were
extended at right angles to the body. The whole was inclosed by a
boxlike arrangement, G feet in length and 3 feet in breadth at the
widest part, elliptical in shape. Lying across tlie feet were a polished
green syenite celt 7 inches long; a very symmetrical, thin, finely chipped,
delicately tinted knife of chalcedony, 7| inches long; and a slate pipe
carved to represent a catamount, with the bowl opening at the back
of the neck, the stem hole near the lower end of the back and with
shell rings set into deeply countersunk holes to represent the eyes.
"WAERKN COUNTY. /
MOUNDS XEAU IRVIXETON.
The mounds at this place are three in number, situated on the level
bottom half a mile southeast of Irvineton and near the point where
llrokenstraw creek tlwws into the Alleghany river, on tlie Irvine farm.
They are of the ordinary conical type, but much worn down, having
500 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
been uiidei- cultivation for moie than forty years. The spot was long
the site of a Seneca villaj;e known usually by the name of Kuccaloon.
Nothing reliable seems to be known iu regard tiTtlie date of the estab-
lishment of this village, but it was destroyed by Gen. Broadhead in
1781. The Senecas were driven oft, but sought refuge in tlie surround-
ing mountains and for a number of years small parties of them returned
from time to time to hunt and hsh in the vicinity of their old haunt.
When the whites began to settle here in 1809 the ground was covered
with a thick growth of hazel buslies, the removal of which brought to
light abundant evidences of both habitation and cultivation. House
sites were discovered, and fragments of broken pottery, arrowheads,
and other relics were picked up from the surface or turned out by the
plow. With these were also found gun locks, hatchets, and other
weapons. The corn hills, says an eyewitness, were then as plainly dis-
cernible as though' but a single year had passed since they were made.
The house sites, which were rings of earth with a central hearth or
flrebed, were more abunilant along the river about half a mile above
the creek than in the immediate locality of the mounds.
On the right bank of the i-iver, about a mile above the mouth of the
creek, there existed at the time of the settlement sj)oken of a semicircu-
lar earthen wall, then about 3 feet high and including some 8 or 10 acres.
Fig. 328. — Section of Irvineton mound. Warr^-n roiinty. I'enusylvania.
On the same side of tlie river, about half a niUe below the mouth of
the creek, was an ancient burying ground subsequently used by the
white settlers. In digging graves the bones of the ancient buried were
frequently unearthed. This was probably the cemetery of the Seneca
Indians, as no other for the old village has been discovered. Some
bodies, as will hereafter be noticed, had been buried in the mounds,
but these were few iu number.
The smallest of the thiee mounds, which is on the bank just at the
mouth of the creek, was 52 feet in diameter aiul 3i feet high, though
evidently much worn down and expanded by the plow. The chief fea-
tures of this mound, as shown in Fig. 328, which represents a vertical
section of it, are the pit and large central stone vault (No. 1). The
former was found to be 2i feet deep below the natural surfiice line
«/>, and about 40 feet in diameter, the diameter jirobably indicating
the original extent of the mound. The upper portion of the vault had
fallen in, wedging the stones so tightly together that it was somewhat
diflicult to remove them, but the original form and mode of construc-
tion could easily l)e made out without the aid of imagination, as the
lower portion was undisturbed. The builders had evidently miscalcu-
THOMAS] PENNSYLVANIA. 501
lated the proportions necessary for stability, as the outside diameter
was 15 feet, thongli the walls were ^'ery thick near the base (fully -t
feet), while the height could not have exceeded 7 feet; hence, it is prob-
able that it fell in soon after the dirt was thrown over it. The stones
of which it was built were obtained in part from the bed of the neigh-
boring stream and partly from a bluff about half a mile distant, and
were of rather large size, many of them being singly a good hiad fin-
two men. The bottom of the vault was formed of two layers o{ flat
stones, separated by an intermediate layer of sand, charcoal, and remains
5 inches thick at the time it was excavated. It was apjjarent that these
layers had not been disturbed since they were placed there, save by
the pressure of the superincumbent mass. The intermediate layer was
composed in great j)art of decomposed or tinely pulverized charcoal.
In this were found the teeth, decaying Jaws, a single femiu-, and a few
minrrte, badly decayed fragments of other bones of an adult, and with
them the joint of a large reed or cane, wrapped in thin evenly ham-
mered silver foil. The last had been wrapped in soft, spongy bark of
some kind, and this coated over thickly with mud or soft clay. The
weight of the stones was so great that the femur was found pressed
into a flat strip and the
reed split. It was not
possible to determine cer-
tainly whether the burn-
ing had taken place in
the mound or not. The
few bones found did not
appear to be charred, and
.- , y, ,, Flo. :s29. — Pieres of silver from TrTiTiPtoTi Tnoiiml.
the same was true of the
cane joint; on the other hand, the bark, although wrapped in clay,
was very distinctly charred.
A careful analysis of the metal foil has been made by Prof. F. W.
Clarke, the chemist of the IJ. S. Geological Survey, who pronounces it
comparatively pure native silver, containing no alloy. Although
wrapped around the cane, a portion of it appears to have been cut into
small pieces of various shapes, two of which are represented in Fig. 329,
a and b. Where the margins remain uninjured, they are smoothly and
evenly cut. The joint of cane, which has been taken between the nodes,
is 9 inches long and must have been about an inch in diameter. A
small stone gorget was ol)tained fi'om the same layer.
At 'No. 2, on the nortlieast side of the pit, were a few large stones
which may have formed a rude vault, but were in such a confused con-
dition, this being the point disturbed by the first slight excavation
made some twenty years ago, that it was impossible to ascertain their orig-
inal arrangement. Among them were found parts of an adult skeleton.
The person who dug into the pit at this point, finding human remains,
stopped work and refilled the opening he had made.
502
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mound No. 2, situated about one-fourth of a mile northwest of No. 1,
measured 63 feet in diameter and a little less than 3 feet in height.
This, like the other, appears to have been built over a pit. At the
depth of 2 feet the remains of four skeletons were discovered. These,
so far as could be determined from what remained, had been i)laced hori-
zontally at full length, with the heads west. Near the head of No. 1
were several pieces of small, brass wire in close and regnilar coils. At
the feet of No. 4 was a copper kettle, in which were the following arti-
cles: An iron handle for a case knife, an iron lamp, and a wooden ladle;
near the head weie several glass beads. Somewhat to the east of the
center was a pile of very small stones, apparently heaped u]i irregularly,
extending downward to the depth of 3i feet and measuring about S
Fui. 330 Inclosure iiear Pittsiield. Warren county, Pennsylvauiii.
feet in diameter at the bottom. Below these stones was a layer of yel-
lowish sand about 2 inches thick, and below this a stratum of very dark
earth about 10 inches thick, which showed distinct evidence of Are.
The latter rested upon the bottom of the pit. The pit was not very
carefully traced ; hence its exact dimensions can not be given ; the
depth was about 2 feet. Fragments of decayed wood or bark were
found near each of the skeletons, indicating burial in bark wrappings
or rude wooden coffins. Near No. 4, and at the same deiJth, a leaden
bullet was discovered.
These facts render it almost certain that the Indians who resided
here or visited the locality iu more recent times selected these mounds
as burial places.
THOMAS.] NEW YOKK. 503
The accouipauyiug sketch (Fig. ;j30) from a survey by Mr. Middle-
ton represents an inclosure situated on the farm of Mr. Ransom Mead,
lialf a mile north of Pittslield. It consists of an embankment and
exterior ditch, is somewhat oval in form, 340 feet in diameter from
northwest to southeast, and -!80 feet from northeast to southwest. It
is on the lowest terrace, a few feet above the banks of the Little Bro-
kenstraw creek, there being two other terraces between it and the hill.
On the western side, where it has not been disturbed, the ditch is 2
feet deep and 7 feet wnde, with the wall about the same dimensions;
the remainder is nearly leveled by the plow. On the southwest side is
an entranceway about '25 feet wide, but owing to the high grass and
the leveling spoken of exact measurement was impossible. The woik
seems to have been a stockaded inclosure similar to those of western
New York.
No other remains exist in the vicinity, though relics of various sorts
have been found within and around the wall.
NEW YORK.
MADISON COUNTY.
(AZENOVrA TOWNSHIP.
Immediately east of lot 44 of Pompey township, Onondaga county, is
the site of a fort mentioned by Clark,' as on the farm of Atwell. He
gives a plan of it, representing graves within and without the inclosure,
the area of which he estimates at 5 acres. The gateway is placed at the
east. This fort, which has never been described, is so interesting in
some respects that Rev. W. M. Beauehamp, who furnishes this descrip-
tion, accurately surveyed and platted it in 1886, finding the included
area to be only 2g acres. It is remarkably narrow for nearly half its
length and occupies a ridge between two I'avines east of Limestone
creek about a mile west of Gazenovia. No graves have been found so
far as known, but some coarse relics have been exhiuned. The ground
has been cleared, but little of it has been plowed as yet, and the post
holes, in a narrow, shallow trench, can be traced almost all the way
around. They average about 2i feet from center to center. The east
line crosses the ridge, extending nearly to the ravine on the north side,
but not to that on the south, and is 22.") feet long. The north line runs
westwardly 320 feet to a point where the width of the fort is contracted
to about 80 feet (see Fig. 331, which represents a plan of the fort);
thence it pursues a slightly winding course westward 224 feet farther
to the west end. This end curves southward about 100 feet. The
southern side runs eastwardly, slightly curving, to the narrow point,
thence a little south of east, almost in a direct line to the place of begin-
' Hist, of Onondaga, Vol. 2, pp. 268. 269.
504
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
niug. From this smaller t'ud the ridge becomes very narrow, but
extends some distance farther west, comiug to a point. This fort
belongs to the class generally designated prehistoric, but judging by
the relics found is so closely related to other sites near by as to lead to
the conclusion that it may have beeu occupied early in the seventeenth
century. The pottery found has the human faces on the angles, which
characterize that of the other Delphi forts, and the bone and horn
implements are much the same.
Some clay pipes ornamented with
human faces have been obtained,
and here was found the barbed fish-
hook of horn which formed the only
American example of the kind
known when Dr. Eau published his
work on "Prehistoric Fishing."
Since then, the barb of another has
been found on the Seneca river,
and Mr. Twining, of Copenhagen,
has another complete hook of the
kind found at Watertown, N. Y.
As no sea shells have been found
on the more ancient sites of Onon-
daga coirnty, the presence of a scal-
lop shell, a long bead made from
Fiih/iir caricii, and a small iwlished
white bead made from a univalve,
lead to the conclusion that the fort
is comparatively recent, although
no recent relics have been obtained
here.
lENXEK TOWNSHIP.
At a point on jSTichols pond, 6
miles south of Canastota, and 3
miles east of Perry ville, is a village
site of peculiar interest, as it is
claimed that here stood the Onon-
daga town attacked by Champlain
in 1615. A small pond bounds it
on the north, which was dry when
examined and mapped in 1882. The topography, as shown in the an-
nexed diagram (Fig. 3.32), agrees very well with the historical descrip-
tion and the figure as given by Champlain and in The Documentary
History of New York." The figure is also copied into various other
modern works. Gen. J. S. Clark, of Auburn, first drew attention to
Fig. 331. — Ancient fort on Atwell farm, Madison
county, New York.
1 VoL 3, p. 14.
NEW YORK.
505
this site. Tlie relics fouud here are of horn, stone, earthenware, and
shells from Oneida river and other streams.
CHAUTAITQUA COUNTY.
Very many vestiges of aboriginal occupation were found about the
shores of Chautauqiia lake. The first works visited were some mounds
on the farm of Mr. Alonzo Feltou, at Bemus point, on the north shore
of the lake, situated about 100 rods from it. Mound No. 1, 6 feet high
and 39 feet in diameter, was explored with the following results :
Fragments of decayed human bones, some copper beads, a fragment
of a copper ornament and scraps of mica, were found at a depth of 3i
feet. An ordinary brick similar in composition to those in the neigh-
■s? ^Jir-e -places
Fig. 332.— Seat, of ancient Onondaga town, Madison county, New York.
borhood, but only 3 by 7i inches, was discovered at a depth of 4J feet,
and below a channel made by a woodchuck. Five woodchuck holes
were noticed near the apex of the mound. An arrowhead was found 3
feet below the surface; animal bones, with a piece of decayed wood, at
from 2 to 3 feet. The mound was explored to the natural surface with-
out any further results.
Mound No. 2, about 4 rods directly east of No. 1, measured 6.5 feet
in diameter and 5 feet high. ^Nlr. Felton states that seven or eight years
ago this mound was explored, but nothing of interest found in it.
According to Mr. James Sherrard,i of Dunkirk, an ancient canal and
' Smithsonian Eept. 1881, p. 645. (Tlie writer's naijo is given erronpou.sly as Slieward.)
506 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
basin exist at Long point, 2i miles np the eastern shore of the lake
from IJemus i)oint, but this is not artilicial. Faint ti-aces of an aborig-
inal embankment were noticed upon the high land back from this point
overlooking the lake.
MOl'NDS AT WHITNEY'S LANDING.
Three miles from the Gliautaufiua Assembly grounds, at a place
called Whitneys landing, are two mounds, situated upon the Whitney
farm, about 60 rods apart. The land upon which they are situated
rises considerably above the level of the lake. No. 1 is 25 feet in
diameter and 4 feet high. At a depth of 18 inches were four very large
flat stones, placed side by side and forming a perfectly level layer.
The tren(;h was carried down to the original surface of the ground, but
nothing else was found, except some fragments of human bones and the
broken parts of au unbaked clay pipe.
It was afterwards ascertained from Mr. A. W. Whitney that this
mound had been partially esi)loi'ed forty years previously, which
exploration resulted in the finding of one plain stone pipe, seventeen
spear-heads of the long or knife like type, and human bones. Au old
pine tree, 2 feet in diameter, then stood directly on top of the mound.
The second mound measured 38 by :M feet in diameter. It was opened
at the same time as No. 1 by the same party, with no other result than
that they came upon a layer of ashes at a shallow depth. A' little dig-
ging was done in this mound and a biperforated stone gorget found.
BONE PIT AT STEDMAN.
A so-called "Indian pit" was dug into while making some road
improvements near this place. Twenty or twenty five bodies were
uncovered which lay in rows. There were no relics of an aboriginal
character.
Two mounds foi'merly stood upon the land of Mr. Albert Tiffany, a
mile and a half from Jamestown on the Ellington road, but have been
removed, and nothing reliable is known in regard to their conteuts.
While examining the site of these mounds a stone gorget similar to
that found at Wliituey's landing was obtained.
The remains of an ancient earthwork near Falconer's, which fol-
lowed the bank of the stream at this place, were examined. It was
semicircular in form, the length, following the curve, being about 540
feet. It was utilized in the construction of a mill race (now ab.indoued)
and was built up .3 or 4 feet higher than it was originally, and some-
what lengthened.
''OLD FORT," OR "FORT HILL,'' NEAR ELLINGTO.M.
This was figured and described i» 1860 by Mr. T. Apoleon Cheney.'
Although the wall has, to a large extent, disappeared, yet it can be
' New York Senate Document No. 89, 1859, PI. vi. No. 2, p. 43.
NEW YORK.
507
traced throughout. A diiigram showiug its present appearance is
given in Fig. 333. It is on the extremity of a high spur of laud rising
abruptly about 100 feet above the valley, a position which commands
a magnificent view of Clear creek valley to the south and southeast.
This work, as ]\Ir. Cheney states, is elliptical, the diameters 320 and
175 feet, but according to the remeasurements they are 270 and 170.
A north and south fence crosses the work a little east of the center.
The land on the eastern side of this has been cultivated, while that on
the other side has not. A break in the wall 6 feet wide at the south-
.^.-^;^?^';*1^
^*^ . Mill «' ''«l««„,„
.i' ''ill' <,''''■''///
.1
mm
IliiiiiiffiPi'K
Fig. 333. — GUI lort near Elliugtou. Chautauqua couuty, New York.
east may have been a gateway. The wall here was at the time of
examination 2i feet high ou the exterior and 1^ on the inside. The
area covered by the inclosure is treeless, but large trees have evidently
grown on tiie wall, as is shown by indications which remain, and as
averred by old citizens. The people of Ellington, as a rule, believe this
work to be of French origin, and, as they state, much digging has been
done here in search of supposed hidden treasure. The pits they have
made bear evidence of their search, but it could not be learned that
anything of interest had been found except some stone implements
508 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and human bones. A man named Grates diseovered, along witli some
human bones, a piece of an iron kettte. A Mr. Baldwin obtained, near
the surface immediately inside of the southeast wall, what appears
from examination to be an old-fashioned French ankle-cuff or manacle,
with its key in the lock. ^S'^umerous arrowheads, celts, concave disks,
and a stone pipe have been found iu and around the work.
Mr. Baldwin says a circular embankment, 5 feet high, existed on his
place fifty years ago, directly south of the above described earthwork
and on the other side of the creek. It covered about 2 acres, and had
small timber on it.
Mr. Cheney mentions and figures an elliptical inclosure on the south
side of Clear creek, which he says was situated on the first terrace or
gradual rise from the creek. He gives the longer axis as 218 feet, the
shorter, IGS feet, and states that the wall had then " an altitude above
the exterior surface of 9 feet, and above the surface of the interi(n- of
the work of only 5 feet; it was 32 feet iu width." No traces of it now
remain. It was on a farm now owned by Charles Gapleson, 2 miles east
of Ellington, and situated under the shadow of his house and barn.
The site of the large parallelogram, of which Mr. Cheney speaks and
which he represents on PI. vii of his paper, was visited. This work
was situated on the south side of Clear creek, on a high bluff', 2 miles
above Ellington, on what is known as the old Boyd farm. It ran to the
edge of the bluff, which runs about 150 feet above the creek valley, but
no traces of it now remain. Mr. Isaac Stafford, who worked the ground
twenty-six years ago, found about this fort bushels of stone implements,
comprising arrowheads, celts, concave disks, mortars, pestles, etc. Mr.
Hiram Lawrence, who also worked the land, found on the site two curi-
ously shaped i>ipes, one of stone, the other of clay.
INCLOSURE ON THE FARM OF MR. PRANK LAWRENCE.
This is on the other side of the creek, in the woods, on the liigh land
directly opposite the site of theone last mentioned. It is an embankment
or earthen wall, forming an almost perfect circle, 190 feet in diameter, and
now consists only of portions at the southeast and southwest, where
the walls are still standing, ranging in height from li to 2 feet, meas-
uring on the outside. It is shown in Fig. 334. The site is covered with
forest trees, chiefly beech and maple, some of which, measuring from 18
inches to 2 feet in diameter, stand on the wall. This work is on the
farm of Mr. Frank Lawrence. In this same field and almost adjoining
this last is a portion of what nniy have been a similar structure. It
extends across the fence into the cleared field beyond. Here the culti-
vation of the land has rendered it untraceable.
On the farm of Mr. N. E. G. Cowan, near Eutledge, a mound 20 feet
in diameter and G feet high was opened some years since. Xine bodies
were found buried in a sitting posture, in a circle, back to back, with
feet outward. Beneath the bones was a layer of ashes. Twenty-four
NEW YORK.
509
arrowheads, a drilled stoue oniaineut painted red, aud a celt were
obtaiued.
A circular embankment exists ou Elm creek ou the farm of J. N.
Metcalf It is in the forest and comprises about 1 acre. This may be
the one referred to by Larkin iu "Ancient Man in America."'
Mr. Thatcher, of Eutledge, an old man who lived on Clear creek when
a boy, says there formerly existed two semicircular embankments 3
miles west of the village of Ellington and a mile above the two pre-
viously described. Both were situated on bluffs, and each embraced
about an acre and a half. One was double-walled, with a gateway at
which the walls turned outward several feet, and in front of which was
a small mound.
^^^. ^
/-^
l^#
-^S^^^;^
<« ■:
t 9
^4 '^ /
%
'4
$ i
■■■>'- <«
/\^
Fig. 33i. — lucloaure near EUingfou, Chautaiujua county, New York.
INCLOSURE NEAR .SINCJ^AIRVILLE.
This work, situated on the farm of Mr. William Scott, about a mile
and a half south of Siuclairville, is oval, or, in fact, almost truly ovate
in form. It stands partly on lot 30 and partly on lot 38. As the work
stands mostly iu the forest and has suffered but little from the plow,
the wall is quite distinct throughout ; but the ditch, which is outside,
though traceable entirely around and mostly quite distinct, is at some
points almost effaced. A large white pine stump 4 feet in diameter
stands directly in the ditch ou the northwest. About 400 rings of
growth were counted iu it. From the point where the stump stands to
where the wall crosses the line between the lots, it ruus along the mar-
giu of the slope to the brook ou the north. At the northern extremity
there is a gap which was probably a gateway leading down to the creek;
niO MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
there are also at this poiut some iudieatious of a graded way or path-
way down the slope, Imt a slight ravine which has been washed out
here renders it impossible to decide in regard to this with certainty.
The wall in the woodland varies in height from l.i to :i feet, most of it
being over 2 feet high. The width varies from 10 to iiO feet. In the
central portion is a basin-shaped excavation or depression, 40 feet in
diameter and <> feet deep, evidently artificial. No trees are growing
in it.
An inclosure formerly stood on the farm of Mr. B. F. Dennison on
lot 40, Gerry township. It is stated by those who remember it that it
was circular and embraced about .S acres. There is one piece of its
wall 90 feet long yet standing. It is 2 feet high on the outside, and,
in form, the arc of a circle. Other works of a similar character for-
merly existed in the same section, but have all been effaced excei>t two
on Mr. Almy's farm.
ClRCfl.AI! WOUKS (l\ THK AI.MY F.M!M, SOUTH STOCKTON.
On the farm of Mr. John Almy in South Stockton, 4 miles southwest
of Sinclairville, are two circular works. They are in the woods and
the walls have been worn considerably by hauling over them the
heavy timber that grows here. The first measured 132 feet north and
south and 1,129 feet east and west. A fence cuts oft' a small portion
on the south, beyond which the laud descends. If the embankment
were a continuous circle it must have run down this slope, but no traces
of a wall can now be seen here. On the western side is seen a broad,
deep ditch, wliich must have entirely encircled the embankment.
Though the bank can be traced entirely around north of the fence, per-
fect walls are seen only from the north to the west; they measure fi'om
14 to 3 feet high.
The second inclosure lies 103 feet northeast of the first. It is 184
feet north and south by 151 east and west, as near as could be deter-
mined in the absence of a wall on the eastern side. The portions of
tlu' wall standing measure from 2i to ~)i feet high on the outside and
from 0 inches to 3 feet inside. The outside ditch, therefore, is quite
deep. On the east a somewhat steep declivity is seen. To continue
the embankment in the line marked out by the circular wall would
carry it down the declivity. It is not unlikely that this embankment,
considering its circular form, was originally a continuous circle, as well
as the one last described, and that the declivity by washing away in
couise of time encroached ui)on the wall and carried it away at this
l)oint. A steep declivity is also seen near the northeast part of the
embankment. No relics were found here.
A circular inclosure, embracing about 2i acres, formerly stood on
the low land about 80 rods south of the above described works, on the
land of Mr. S. M. Tower. This land has been cleared and plowed, and
numerous stone inqdements and ornaments and fragments of pottery
THOMAS.] NEW YORK. 511
with iucised oruameutation liave beeu pk-ked up ou tlie site of the
work. Mauy of these in Mr. Tower's possession were examined.
Three miles from the village of Forestville, ou the Dunkirk and For-
estville road, on the farm of Mr. J. G. Gould, was formerly a semicir-
cular inclosure of 3 acres. It was uearly on the brow of a blufi' above
Walnut creek, back of which there is a level area that extends many
miles. In the same field, on the oj)posite side of the road, there were
formerly forty or fifty pits, only seven of which can now be seen.
They average about 2 feet in diameter and from 2 to 5 feet in dei)th.
Two of them were dug into and at the depth of 5 feet very fine gravel
was reached. Nothing else was found in them.
In front of Mr. Gould's residence and 80 rods to the east a bone pit
was opened several years ago. Eemains of skeletons of each sex and
of all ages were found ; the number could not be determined. A grave
had been previously opened near the above and five skeletons found
in a circle with the feet outward. The position and size of the bones
corresponded closely with those on Mr. Cowan's place near Entledge.
On the high land within the village of Fredonia a mound 7 feet high
was opened several years ago on the land of Mr. Levi Risley disclosing
some skeletons, a pestle, a mortar, and some arrowheads.
On the road between Sheridan and Pomfret, 2 miles east of Fredonia,
is what is locally known as " the Indian mound." It measures at the
base 274 by 200 feet, and on top 13G by 21 feet, the maximum diameter
being northeast and southwest. It is between 25 and 30 feet high and is
composed of coarse gravel. There is a depression to the south as thongii
the gravel for the mound had been obtained there. The country is per-
fectly level on all sides for miles, giving the mound a prominent and
artificial appearance. No relics have ever been foiind in the vicinity.
It is probably a natural formation.
About 1 mile east of Fredonia, on the road to Laoua, there was formerly
a circular embankment of which no trace remains. Whether it was con-
tinuous or not is unknown. The site is peculiar; it occupied, as is said,
the entire area of an eminence of about an acre, rising precipitously
from Canadaway creek. Directly back of this and in front of which
the work must have been placed was a precipitous blufl' about 25 feet
in height, rendering the i^osition in no wise suited for defense. Many
arrowheads, a large number of pottery fragments with rude incisions,
celts, and other Indian relics have been found on this site. There was
a deep circular pit within the work, in which were some grains of charied
corn and near by were found fragments of human bones very 7inich
decayed.
On the farm of Mr. Joel Button, 2 miles east of Fredonia, on the
road to Forestville, was a work, now leveled, which, from Mr. Button's
description, must have been almost circular and continuous, embracing
3 acres. The wall ran down a steep declivity 12 or 15 feet, making the
land inclosed of different levels. If Mr. Button's description is correct
512 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
tlie work must liavc inclosed a brook, now dry. An artificial depres-
sion which was originallj' simihir in size and shape to that on the Scott
farm in Gerry, though perhaps a little larger, could be seen upon the
higher land within the inclosure, but nearer to the embankment than
to the center. The land everywhere about here is generally flat, the
same level extending to the shore of Lake Erie. A few celts, arrow-
heads, fragments of pottery with rude incisicms (some of which were
dug up with bones very much decayed), a biconcave disk, two chisels,
and a highly polished celt of black stone, which had been picked up on
the site, were examined.
It is stated that an old fort formerly stood on the west bank of Fay's
creek, in the town of Portland, on the central part of lot 38, T. 5. The
Erie road runs through what was the northern portion. It was a heavy
earthwork, slightly elliptical in shape, and embraced about an acre.
Clay and stone pipes and stone implements have been found within and
around the walls.
There was also another, some remains of which may still be seen, on
the farm of Mr. Hugh Neil, half a mile south of West Main street, in the
village of Westfield.
NIAGARA COITNTY.
In Turner's History of the Holland Land Purchase reference is madQ.
to an earthwork near Lockport having a covered way leading to a
spring. This was found upon the land of Mr. Sharpe, 1 mile west
of Lockport. A short examination sufticed to show that it was a long-
natural ridge of limestone. No evidences of Indian occupation coirkl
be found. Near by, however, was the site of a small mound, dug into
many years ago, which was found to consist almost entirely of small
stones.
On the northern border of the Tuscarora Indian Reservation there
was formerly an earth ern inclosure. It was situated on the brow of the
high steep bluff that constitutes the first terrace from Lake Ontario and
thebeaurifnl level countrythatstretchesunbrokeuly lOmilestothelake.
Many pieces of hiimau bones and innumerable flint chips were observed
-scattered about. The embankment inclosed about an acre and a half.
The bluff being a suflicient defense upon the north, no wall existed on
that side. At the southeast portion is a ravine, now dry, but formerly
a considerable stream flowed through it. Mount Pleasant, the Tusca-
rora chief, stated that inside of this work, in Revolutionary tunes, stood
the Seneca " Refuge house," where dwelt a Seneca woman named
Ge-gah'-sa-seh, or Wild Cat. This was the place of safety for criminals
fleeing from the tribes, east or west. Across the ravine and two rods
southwest from it was a small heap of stones where Mount Pleasant
said the Tuscaroras, seventy years before, had a dance of thirty days
and nights around a woman in a trance.
Upon this reservation, a little over half a mile \> est of the inclosure
THOMAS.] NEW YORK. 613
last described and about 20 rods from the edge of the same bluff, was a
large bone pit. It was marked by a low conical elevation, not over a
foot and a half high and 27 feet in diameter. Directly in the center
was a slight depression in which lay a large flat stone with a number
of similar stones under and around it. At the depth of 18 inches the
bones seemed to have been disturbed. Among them was a Canadian
penny. This, Mount Pleasant thought, may have been dropped in
there by a missionary who, thirty years before, had found on the reser-
vation a skull with an arrowhead sticking in it; or by some Indian, for
it is, or was, an Indian custom to do this where bones have been dis-
turbed, by way of paying for the disturbance or for some article taken
from the grave. The bones seemed to have belonged to both sexes and
were thrown in without order ; they were, however, in a good state ot
preservation. Three copper rings were found near finger bones. The
roots of trees that had stood above the pit made digging quite difficult;
yet sixty skulls were brought to the surface, and it is quite likely that
the pit contained as many as a hundred skeletons. The longest diam-
eter of the pit was 9 feet; its depth 5 feet. Therewere no indications on
the skulls of death from bullet wounds.
Two similar elevations, one 18 or 20 feet, the other 10 rods, directly
east of this pit, were opened sufficiently to show that they were burial
places of a similar character. Like the first, these contained fiat stones,
lying irregularly near the top. Charcoal occurred in small pieces in
all. Indian implements and ornaments, and several Revolutionary
relics, were found in the adjoining field.
About one-fourth of a mile directly west of the inclosure, close to the
brow of the bluff overlooking the ridge road and on laud adjoining
the reservation on the north, are one hundred and eighteen small pits,
which seem to be artificial. They extend 50 or GO rods parallel with
the edge of the blufi', which here is little more than 100 feet from the
level land below. They run back 10 or l.'j rods, are mostly uniform
in shape and size, and are from 1 foot to 2^ feet deep, and average 3
feet in diameter, one being o feet. Six of them extend in a straight
line for 10 rods parallel to the edge of the bluff.
WYOMING COUNTY,
INCLOSURE ON THE DUNN FARM.
On the farm of John Dunn, on the west bank of the Genesee river,
4i miles above Portage, is a large embankment on the summit of a
large mound-like hill 125 feet high. The embankment, shown in
Fig. 335, follows the brow of the hill except on the west, where the
hill forms a narrow spnr, extending 57 feet beyond the inclosure
on the same level, and at the northeast, where a point of the hill is
cut off by the embankment. At these places the bank is higher
and the ditch deeper than at other points, the former being 5J feet on
12 ETH 33
514
MOUND EXPLOEATIONS.
the outside, 3 on the iuside, and 14 wide. The ditch averages 3 feet
deep and runs from the western side, around the northern to the north-
east corner. On the north side the hill is less steep than on the other
sides. On the east it is quite steep and there is scarcely a doubt that
the Genesee once washed its base; its present channel is nearly 100
rods away. The wall terminates near the northeast corner, there
being no necessity for it along the east side. The south side being
less precipitous has the wall extending along its edge. A passage-
way (5 feet wide leads through the western end to the level spur,
whence the descent is easy to the land below. There is a similar open-
ing at the northeast corner facing the easier slope at that point. The
length of the work is 272 feet.
*«vi.U!l(![W!l'',',ll!',iiriliiiiMni^
,^iiiSiiii»fca.
^
'I'i.
"'ilV/liii
P
Fig. 335. — Inclosure on DuDn farm, Wyoming county, New York.
Northeast of the center is a cii'cular pit 7 feet in diameter and 3 feet"
deep ; it was originally much deeper and lined with cobblestones, but
has been jjartially filled up. This was partly excavated some years
ago, but without any further results than the finding of a few grains of
corn, which suggest its use as a cache. No relics have been discovered
in the inclosure except a couple of large stone net-sinkers.
It is stated by Mr. Dunn that a mound once stood in the low, flat
meadow, 25 rods north of this hill. A ])estle, a" spoon-like" stone im-
plement, and some fragmentary human bones were found in it.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
An effort was made to find the work at Avon referred to by Col. W.
H. Hosmer in " Yonnondio," but no one in the vicinity seemed to know
anything about it. If it ever existed no trace of it remains to-day.
THOMAsl NEW YORK. 515
EMJiANKMEXT ON THE SWEET-BRIER FAIJ'M.
On Brimmer's "Sweet-Brier Farm," 2J miles from Geuesee, 60 or 70
rods south of the road leading to Jones's bridge across the Genesee
river, -are the remains of an ancient fortification. Two parallel ravines,
the northern about 100, the southern 60 or 65 feet deep, with precipit-
ous sides, cut through the highest portion of the land. From one to the
other stretch two breastworks ; the eastern one is 93 feet long, and there
appears to have been a ditch on each side of it. The western one is 87
feet long, with an exterior ditch. The ravines curve in such a way as
to widen the space between the walls; and the land to the west slopes
gradually for about 80 rods to the bank of the Genesee. No relics have
been found here.
A circular inclosure is reported to have been situated on the flats 30
rods north of the residence of the late Col. Wm. Jones, which was 2 or
3 feet high. No trace of it now remains.
On Wadsworth's "Big Tree farm," southwest of Geneseo, are two
mounds; the first, 40 to 45 feet in diameter, and i feet high, is located
just west of the dairy house. The second is half a mile to the nortli-
west of this, and after having been under cultivation for many years,
is now 40 feet in diameter and 2^ feet high. It is on the level laud of
the flats.
A trench was run through this from north to south. Two feet from
the north end of the trench and 2 feet deep was a bed of black soil filled
with charcoal 4 feet in diameter and 1 foot thick. Directly under this
and lying ^vithin a radius of 2 feet, were the fragmentary remains of a
human skeleton. On the west side of the pieces of skull lay a rudely
made copper bead, nuich oxidized; on the east side, a foot distant, a
similar bead. Mica was found here and there, about on a level with
the bones. Four small sinkers, a flint arrowhead, fragments of some
clay object, and a very small quantity of lime, were also found. The
V)ones crumbled at a touch. Some very small bones seemed to be
charred.
It is reported that a fort of some kind once stood at Bosley's mills,
ou Conesus lake, and that various Indian and European articles had
been found in the neighborhood; whether together or not could not be
ascertained.
A fort is also reported half a mile west of the village of Dansville,
across Oanaseragus creek and a few rods south of the Ossian road. It
is said to be on a bluff overlooking the creek. To the north of it is a
gorge 50 feet deep.
One mile north of Lima, knives, hatchets, and other weapons are
occasionally found along with skeletons; and remains of Indians have
been discovered in a sitting posture holding in their laps i)ots filled
with corn and the bones of squirrels.
516
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
MICHIGAN.
KIFLK ItlVEK l-OKTS.
Near what is kuown as tbe Rifle river bridge on the state road lead-
iTig from West Branch in Ogemaw county to Lake Huron are five
inclosures commonly known as Indian forts. Three are on the east side
and two on the west side of the river, whose course is ahuostdue soutli.
Those on the east side are all in Churchill township, T. 22 N., E. 3 E.
The first one examined is on section 9, three-fourths of a mile below
the bridge, 40 rods from the river and on a level piece of ground about
10 feet above the water level. The land is in heavy hemlock timber
and there stands on the wall a stump 4 feet in diameter.
The heavy timber and dense underbrush made an accurate survej
impossible ; the notes here given are the best that could be obtained by
the Bureau agent with themeans at hand. The work is located at a point
formed by a bend in the river and consists of an iiregularly curved
wall of earth and inner ditch forming an inclosure.
The following measurements were taken, beginning at the southwest
entrance and going toward the south :
stations.
Distance.
Eemarljs.
Feet.
1 to 2
45
To a sliarp turn.
2 to 3
42J
Do.
3 to4
91
To center of outrauee 2.
4to 5
100 ,
Turn, almost a riglit angltr.
5 to 6
135
Center of entrance 3.
6 to 7
68
Center of entrance 4,
7 to 8
86
Sliarp turn.
8 to 1
34
Beginning.
The width of entrance 1 is 12 feet; of entrance 2, 12 feet; of entrance
3, 9 feet ; of entrance 4,12 feet. The bearing from entrance 1 to entrance
2 is S. 81io E.; from entrance 1 to entrances, N. 40° E.; from entrance
1 to entrance 4, N. 22° E.
The wall on the inside is from 3 to 4 feet high and the average width
at bottom is 8 feet.
The width of the ditch is from 16 to 17 feet. From the top of the
wall to the bottom of the ditch is between 7 and 8 feet.
Entrances 3 and 4 are at points directly toward the river; and all
open out on level ground, except 4, which is at a point where the wall
goes along the top of a bank about 4 feet high over a bottom subject
to overflow.
The next work, shown in Fig. 336, is on section 3, about a mile iKnth
of the bridge. It is about 100 rods from the river on land some 40 feet
MICHIGAN.
517
above the water level and higher than auy groiiud in the iiuiuediate
vicinity, witli tlie exception of a narrow strip of the same hillock which
gradually rises for 200 feet to the west, where it reaches a height of 10
feet above the toj) of the wall. At every other part the slope is away
from the embankment.
The inside area is not level, being several feet higher at the south
and southwest sides than at the north.
The ditch is from 3 to 4 feet deep; the wall, which is cut by five
gateways, varies in L eight from 1 foot on each side of entrance d, to 5
feet at «, where it is about 16 feet wide; the ditch at the latter point
being 12 feet wide and from 8 to 10 feet at other parts.
r
^«»^^ """"«^
I-'k;. :t:j6. — Eirie river Tort X(». 2. Ogemaw countj-, Micbii^aii,
The circumference, measured along the top of the wall, is 920 feet,
the diameter east and west 310 feet, and north and south 280 feet.
Thewidtlis of the gates are as follows: a, 12 feet; h, 14 feet; c, 13 feet;
d, 16 feet, and c, 11 feet.
From a point a little north of e to one a little south of it, the wall
crosses a depression or shallow gully, and either from wear or because
it was intentionally made so, is lighter than elsewhere; being not over
a foot high on each side of tlie entrance, but it becomes heavier in either
direction until the points designated are reached, where it acquires its
ordinary size.
The third fort is on section 4, half a mile above the one last described,
20 feet above the water and directly on the river bank, the wall ending
at a point where access to the water is easy.
518 MOUND EXPLOEATIONS.
Like the first, this was covered with a dense growth of brush. The
circumfereuce, iiieasuriug along the top of the wall, was found to be
504 feet.
The width of entrance in every case means the distance across the
opening, halfway between top and base of the wall.
It was not practicable to visit the works on the west .side of the
river.
The statement made that large mounds exist within the inelosures is
an error; there are no mounds anywhere in the neighborhood.
The wall and ditch in each work are still well defined, being appar-
ently very little altered by weather. The works are very much like
those of western New York, which are attributed to the Iroquois, and
it is well known that these Indians made frequent forays to this section.
Two of these works are figured and described in the Smithsonian
Eeport for 1884, by Dr. M. L. Leach.
There are two small mounds in Bellaire, Antrim county, that have
been examined. They are on a point — but not at the highest part —
that slopes southward to Intermediate river, overlooking a lake on one
side and a wide bottom on the other. Both are small, not over 4 feet
high and 20 feet in diameter, and have a small depression or ditch
around the base, as if a small amount of earth had been scooped up
and thrown on the mound after it was about completed. This feature
seems common to all the mounds reported in this section. In each was
a skeleton in a sitting posture, the feet extended. With the largest
was the outer whorl of a BuHycon shell, probably used as a cup, the outer
surface covered with incised lines crossing at right angles. At what
would be the bottom if held level, it was worn nearly through from the
outside. The skull was of unusually fine form and texture.
There are a great many holes on this Mil, both above and below the
mounds; they are from 3 to 4 feet across, nearly or quite filled with
leaves, etc., and some of them have been dug into a depth of 0 feet
without reaching the original bottom. They are probably old caches.
There was no one in the vicinity of the foot of Clam lake who knew
anything in regard to the earthwork repoi'ted there; and the jungle
about the place rendered any examination impossible. Neither could
anything be learned at Eapid river of a similar earthwork. There are
two mounds there, each about 6 feet high and 20 feet in diameter. An
old Chippewa chief says there was a battle between that tribe and the
Sioux a century ago, and that each party erected a mound over its
dead. A number of skeletons was found in each.
From here to Fond du Lac, ^Minnesota (near Duluth), very diligent
search and inquiry failed to reveal anything whatever of an aboriginal
nature, except what is known to pertain to the Indians resident there
within the historic period. There is a mound at Point Iroquois at the
head of Ste. jVlarie river, another at Mille Coquiu, and a third about
THOMAS. J
MICHIGAN. 519
20 miles west of the last, which have been built by the Sioux or Chip-
pewas.
At Little Traverse bay, Beaver islauds, Mackinac straits, Sault
Ste. Marie, Grand island bay, Marqnette, L'Ause, Houghton, Calumet,
Ontonagon, Bayfield, Ashland, and Fond dn Lac, and in the neighbor-
hood of every one of them, are still to be found traders, trappers, and
huntei's who have explored almost every mile of the territory, some of
them having sjient fifty years in such work; and the statement is
unanimous that nowhere about any of these places, uor along the shores
of Lake Superior generally, are any mounds to be found. A few which
have been reported are either the remains of old root houses, or else
due to natural causes.
It may be safely said that at none of the places where the ancient
Jesuit missions were located, in any part of the country included in
the above limits, are any mounds or other earthworks — using the term
in its ordinary meaning and excluding those known to have been made
in recent times, and of these there are but few.
Those reported at Beaver island are only the natural sand dunes or
hills used occasionally like those about the foot of Lake Huron as
burial places.
ARCHEOLOGICAL AREAS AND DISTRIBUTION OF
TYPES.
PRIMARY ARCHEOLOGICAL SECTIONS.
N^otwithstaudiug the uumeious volumes and articles which have beeu
published, relatius' wholly or iu part to the ancient remains and prehis-
toric times of North America, we search through their pages in vaiu
for a chapter on the distribution of the dift'erent forms and types of
the works of the mound builders. We look iu vain for any adequate
reference to these types, or discussion of the evidence bearing upon the
question of ethnic or tribal distinctions. This important branch of our
archeology seems to have been entirely overlooked by these writers. This
is probably due in part to the undeniable fact that the data relating to
North American Archeology are iu a chaotic condition, no adequate
system having been adopted or satisfactory arrangement proposed by
which these may be so correlated as to lead to conclusions generally
acceptable to autiquarians and ethnologists. For this reason consider-
able attention is devoted to this subject which, as can be readily seen,
has an important bearing on the problems that arise in regard to these
ancient monuments. It is chiefly by the study of the distribution of
the types of the works, the forms and features of the vestiges of art,
and of the customs and peculiarities indicated by these, that we can
hope to outline the districts occupied by the different tribes or peoples
of the mound-builders. In carrying out this purpose reference has
not been limited to the explorations of the Bureau, as the published
results of the work of other explorers have been freely used.
Before referring to the distribution of types in the mound area under
consideration, attention is called briefly to the question of primary
archeological sections of North America.
No attempt has so far been made to point out and define the different
primary or comprehensive archeological sections of our continent, a
fact probably due to the scanty data on which to base such an attempt.
Nevertheless an examination of the general works on prehistoric
America will show, by the terms used, a decided tendency to arrange,
or at least consider, the antiquities in a few comprehensive classes per-
taining to different sections; such, for example, as "The works of the
Mound-builders;" the remains of the '• Cliff Dwellers," and of the
"Civilized Races of Mexico and Central America."
521
522 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
In his work on the " Tribes of the Extreme Northwest,'' published as
volume 1 ot the " Coutributious to Xorth Amerieau Ethnology," Dr.
Uall iudieates three archeological sections, and suggests a fourth, as is
inferred from the followiug language:
In our archeology, as well as iu our paleontology, we must break away from
received ideas and uomen<'latiue, whiih fulfill their jiurjiose in accelerating the
study of the successive epochs in Europe, but which, when applied to the ditieriug
conditions of America, to a certain extent at least fetter and confuse. Even in
America the conditions are by no means so uniform as to authorize a single system
of nomenclature iu archeology. For intelligent study we must separate at least
three regions — the Mississippi valley, the Pacific slope, and the Mexican region,
and perhaps to these should be added an Atlantic region, extending from the Chesa-
peake to Labrador.'
It would seem from this that he then was inclined to unite the inter-
montane region and the Pacific coast from California northward into
one grand section. However, iu his article on " Masks, Labrets," etc.,
l)ublished in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau, for the purpose
of his treatise he arranges the west coast into the following divisions:
" Central America and Mexico; New Mexico and Arizona; the region
occupied by Indians from Oregon to the northern limit of the Tlinkit;
the Aleutian islands; the Innuit region from Prince William sound to
Point Barrow."^
It is not my intention to enter at this time into a general discussion
of the number, extent, and boundaries of these primary sections; yet
it is necessary to allude to some of them, in order that the relation
archeologically of the area under consideration in this volume to the
other sections may be understood. The data which have been ascer-
tained can not be considered sufficient to justify the attempt to give
exact boundaries to all, nor, in fact, to any of these more comprehensive
districts; nevertheless the geographical position of the more important
ones may be defined with sufficient accuracy for present purposes.
A careful examination of what has been published in regard to North
American archeology, of the figures which have been made, and the
specimens collected, with special reference to their bearing on the ques-
tion of archeological sections, leads, in the first place, to the followiug
conclusion: That the ancient remains belong, in a broad and compre-
hensive sense, to two general classes. One of these classes is limited
geographically to the Atlantic slope,, the other chiefly to the Pacific
slope, the eastern or Rocky mountain range of the great continental
mountain belt fiom the fifty-fifth degree of north latitude to the vicinity
of the mouth of the Rio Grande where it approaches the Gulf of Mexico,
forming api)roximately the dividing line between the two areas.
While there are manifest and marked differences in the tyi^es and
character of the ancient works and remains of different areas within
these two comprehensive sections, yet when those of the Pacific slope
(in which are included Mexico and Central America), taken as a whole,
1 p. 48. ' P. 9S.
THOMAS.] PRIMARY ARCHEOLOGICAL SECTIONS. 523
are compared with those of the Athmtic slope, there is a manifest dis-
similarity. Commencing' with Nicaragua and moving northward on the
Pacific side, we see a gradual shading of one type or series of types into
another until we reach the Alaskan region. What is particularly
■worthy of notice in this survey is, that at points widely apart a char-
acteristic which has faded out in the intermediate area reappears in a
modified form. There seems, however, to be evidence of an intrusive
element in the region of California, as the types here differ fi-oni those
north and south.
Dr. Brinton, in his late work "The American Race," arranges the
various stocks of North America into three groups, which he names
"The North Atlantic Group," "The North Pacific Group," and "The
Central Group." The primary archeological groups, however, so far as
the data enable us to judge, keeping in mind the facts above stated,
may be in x^art provisionally defined as follows:
1. The Isthmian section, including Costa Eica and the isthmus south-
ward, which .should be arranged with the South American groups, as
the types of its antiquities ally them with those of that continent.
2. The Mexican and Central American section, including most of
Mexico and the Central American states southward to Costa Rica.
This section is less homogeneous as regards its tjqies of works than
the "Mound-builders" district, and in fact embraces two or more toler-
ably well marked subsections or rather classes of types. One is con-
fined chiefly to Nicaragua, the others extend over the remainder of the
section, which reaches northward to Chihuahua.
3. The Pueblo or Intermontane section, embracing New Mexico, Ari-
zona, portions of Nevada, Utah and Colorado, and the extreme north-
ern i)art of Mexico; in other words, the area between the Rocky and
Sierra Nevada mountains from the latitude of Salt Lake southward
to Chihuahua. The distinguishing characteristics of this area are well
marked, and the section is, archeologically, quite homogeneous, the
types being few and not widely variant. Its closest relation is evi-
dently with the Mexican section.
4. The California section. Our knowledge of the antiquities of ' the
Pacific slope north of the Pueblo section is not sufficient to indicate
the archeological districts with any degree of certainty. The most that
can be said is that the remains in the region of California present fea-
tures which seem to separate them from those south as well as north,
but how far northward these peculiar features reach we have no means
of judging. That the ancient remains of Alaska form a class marking
this region as another section, may be taken for granted. I am strongly
inclined, however, to believe that when the antiqixities of the region
lying between the main body of this territory and California have been
carefully examined, it will be found that there are one ortwo more well
marked archeological districts. The works of art, for instance, of the
region occupied by the Haida Indians and the congeneric tribes, pre-
524 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
sent marked tlistiuctious to those of other surrouuding sections, aud
seem to conform mcjre nearly to the characteristics of the works of the
Mexican and Central American district than to those of any other section.
5. The Moundbiiilders' section, embracing that part of the United
States and the adjoining portion of the Dominion of Canada east of the
Rocky nionntains. The northern boundary is, as yet, wholly conject-
ural, but it is quite probable that it exteud.s farther toward the north-
west than toward the northeast. This section, though more homogen-
eous in its archeological features, which are well marked, than the
Mexican and Central American district, is less so than the Pueblo
section.
If we examine carefully the distinguishing characteristics of the
ancient works of these primary sections, we shall find that they relate
chiefly to the culture status or position in the scale of civilization of
the peoples who occupied these different areas. But these characteris-
tics pertain chiefly to the progress made along certain lines of culture.
There are, however, other peculiar features which appear to be the
outgrowth of local or ethnic influences.
When we come to study carefully the works of any one of these pri-
mary or comprehensive sections it is found that there are peculiarities
limited to more restricted areas which justify us in making- a further
division into districts.
The present work relates only to the fifth or last of the above divi-
sions, which is designated the "Mound-builders' section." This section
is fairly well defined, except as to its northern extension, being limited
on the east by the Atlantic ocean (though, as usually given, it only
reaches the coast in its southern portion), on the south by the Gulf of
Mexico aud on the west by the Rocky mountains. The southwestern
line has not been carefully defined, as but few explorations of the
antiquities of Texas have as yet been made. Nevertheless enough is
known to show that the statement, frequently made, that there is a con-
tin nous series of ancient works from the Gulf states, through Texas to
Mexico, is erroneous and without any foundation. The western bound-
ary line, when more carefully traced, will probably be found to bend
rapidly eastward of the range as we proceed southward from the Platte
valley and westward somewhat into the range north of that valley.
The northern limit, on the west, has not been ascertained; it is known,
however, that the section reaches to the Saskatchewan river.
In attempting to obtain a true conception of the ilistribution C)f the
types of the ancient works in this section, it was soon found that the
first step necessary in this branch of the subject was the preparation of
a catalogue of the various localities where ancient works have been
discovered, noting as far as possible the character of these various
works. From this a general maj) was constructed showing the distri-
bution over the whole area, also maps of certain states in which the
works are most numerous. As this catalogue and the maps have been
THOMAS] MAP OF MOUND DISTRIBUTION. 525
published as a bulletin by the Bureau, it is ouly necessary to introduce
here such of the majts as may serve to illustrate the text. PI. xx
is the general map, showing by means of dots the distribution over the
whole area. As each dot indicates the site of one or more, generally
several, ancient works, the relative number of dots in the diflerent
areas will show approximately the relative frequency of these works
in the different sections. On this, therefore, we may study the general
distribution of the antiquities without reference to types.
This study reveals some important facts, but at the same time pre-
sents some features which are calculated to mislead. In the first place
it shows that the ancient works, instead of being distributed uniformly
over the face of the country, are found chiefly along the larger water
courses and in the vicinity of the lakes. The jirincipal apparent excep-
tions to this rule are seen in Wisconsin, Ohio and eastern Tennessee,
but these, when examined on maps of a larger scale, are found to con-
form mostly to the rule and can scarcely be considered exceptions. The
larger groups or masses, as the map shows, are in southern Wiscon-
sin; along the Mississippi river from the southeast corner of Minne-
sota to the mouth of Red river; along the Wabash and extending from
the mouth of that river across western Kentucky into middle Tennes
see; along the eastern side and across the southern portion of Michi-
gan; in southern and eastern Ohio; central and southwestern New
York ; in eastern Tennessee and along the eastern (;oast of Florida,
though the antiquities in the last named section consist chiefly of shell-
heaps.
While this presentation gives a substantially correct idea of the gen-
eral distribution of the works, it must not be accepted as wholly correct,
as it indicates to some extent the more thoroughly exjjlored areas rather
than the true proportion of the ancient works in the different sections.
There is little doubt that when Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia have
been thoroughly explored many localities will be added to those indi-
cated on the map, but it is not likely that the number will be found to
equal those in the area drained by the Ohio and its affluents or in the
immediate valley of the Mississippi.
One somewhat singular feature is found in the lines of former occu-
pancy indicated bj' the archeological remains. The chief one is that
reaching from New York through Ohio along the Ohio river and onward
In the same direction to the northeastern corner of Texas; another
follows the Mississippi river ; another extends from the region of the
Wabash to the headwaters of the Savannah river, and another across
southern Michigan and southern Wisconsin. The inference, however,
which might be drawn from this fact — that these lines indicate routes of
migration — is not to be taken for granted. It is shown by the explora-
tions of the Bureau, and a careful study of the different types of mounds
and other works, that the generally received opinion that the lines of
migration of the authors of these works were always along the princi-
526 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
pal water courses cau uot be accepted as entirely correct. Although
the banks of the Mississippi are lined with i>rehistoric monuments fiom
Lake I'epin to the mouth of lied river, showing that this was a favorite
section for the ancient inhabitants, the study of these remains does not
give support to the theory that this great water highway was a line of
migration during the mound-building period, except for short distances.
It was, no doubt, a highway for traf3Qc and war parties, but the move-
ments of tribes were across it rather than up and down it. This is not
asserted as a mere theory or a simple deduction, but as a fact proved
by the mounds themselves, whatever may be the theory in regard to
their origin or uses. The longest stretch where those apparently the
works of one people are found on one bank is from Dubuque, Iowa, to the
mouth of Des Moines river. As we move up and down we find repeated
changes from one type to another.
This fact must have a sti'ong liearing on the study of this map with
reference to the direction from Mhich the mound-builders entered this
general area and their chief movements after reaching it. The attempt,
however, to follow up this thought would lead us into the domain of
speculation, where we do not desire to enter at present.
In ordec to show tliis distribution more in detail, archeological maps
of several of the states in which large numbers of the works are found
have been prepared. On these symbols are introduced indicating the
different classes of antitpiities. Tliese have been given in the Bulletin
above referred to and need not be introduced here.
Examining these, we see that in Xew York the works are found chiefly
about thelakes which have their outlet through the Oswego river; around
Sackett's Harbor ; along the Genesee ; near the Niagara river and around
Lake Ghautau(pia; in other words, in the drainage area of Lake Ontario,
except a small section at the extreme sonthwest corner of the state.
In Oliio the works are chiefly in the interior and southwestern part
of the state, with the exception of a number in the northeast near Lake
Erie, along the Cuyahoga river, and a few groups scattered along the
Ohio. These may be considered as belonging chiefly to three more
limited areas and river systems, viz: Eirst, the upper basin of the
Muskingum a little east of the center of the state; second, the valley
of the lower Scioto; and third, the valleys of the Great and Little
JMiami rivers.
Examining the maps of Indiana and Illinois, which are given together,
we see that the works are conrtned princii)ally to the eastern portion of
the former and the western border of the latter. In the eastern part of
Indiana the rule of following the streams seems to have been to a large
extent abandoned; especially is this the case with the cluster in the
extreme northeastern corner and the belt commencing a little north of
tlie middle of the state and extending down the eastern border to the
Ohio river. This belt, which pertains to the group in southwestern
Oliio, seems to be connected with tlie Wabash series by lines of works
along the east and west forks of White river. The group along the
THOMAS.] MAP OF MOUND DISTRIBUTION. 627
Wabasii is confined chiefly to the middle and lower portion of the
valley. A short distance west of this, in Illinois, is a small group
which appears to form almost the only archeological mark iu the
eastern half of this state. Turning to the western side we find a con-
tinuous belt along the Mississippi from the northern boundary to the
most southern point. There is an apparent break immediately above
the month of the Illinois river, but this stretch is known to be as well
occupied by ancient works as the valley north of it. The special locali-
ties of these works had been but in part obtained at the time the map
was made, but they have been added on the general map in this volume.
The Illinois river formed another highway along which the mound-
builders located their villages. The groups in Knox and Sangamon
counties, like that in Wayne, are somewhat isolated and probably mark
the dwelling places of weak tribes or separated clans. The small group
in Winnebago county at the northern boundary belongs to the efflgy
series of Wisconsin, which lies along the Rock river.
Turning to Wisconsin, we find that nearly all the works, a large
portion of which are effigy mounds, are situated along the principal
rivers or clustered about the small lakes which dot the southern half of
the state. This rule has, in fact, very few exceptions in this state. The
principal areas arc : A belt along the Mississippi from the mouth of Black
river southward to the southern boundary; another, along the Wiscon-
sin river from the forty- fourth parallel to its mouth; a third, about the
lakes which flow into Fox river.
This mapping of the mound areas is important as indicating the
portions of our country occupied by the mound-builders, and also as
possibly furnishing some indications, when connected with the distribu-
tion of types, of the directions whence came the jjeople who built these
works and of their migrations within the mound area.
Another question connected with the geographical distribution of
these remains is that which relates to the possibility of outlining areas
according to the characteristics of the works; or, in other words, of
determining whether it is possible to designate the geographical range
of works which ajjpear to have been built by one tribe or people. As
a matter of course, the answer to this inquiry involves the discussion
of the question. Are all these remains the works of one people, or are
they due to ditt'erent tribes or peoples ? As this question will be dis-
cussed elsewhere, only the following is added here:
Wilson, in his "Prehistoric Man," affirms that —
Assumiug acommuuity of arts aud certaiu intimate relations in race and social
conditions among the ancient people who worked the mines on Lake Superior and
constructed the various earthworks that reach southward into Indiana, Ohio, and
Kentucky, there is no reason to suppose that they were united as one nation. While
coincidences of a remarkable kind iu the construction, and still more in the dimen-
sions, of their great earthworks j)oint to a common knowledge of geometrical con-
figuration and a standard of measurement,' no two earthworks so entirely correspond
' It is extremely doubtful whether they had .any other standard than the pace and the parts of the
body.
528 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
as to show absolute identity of purpose. The marked diversity between the trun-
cated i>yramidal mouuds of the states on the Gulf, the geometrical inclosuresof Ohio,
and the symbolic earthworks of Wisconsin indicate varied usages of distinct com-
munities. * » » The Scioto and Ohio valleys, it may be presumed, were the seats
of separate states.'
MacLean, who has studied the Ohio works and has had the advan-
tage of living in the midst of them, declares it as his opinion that
"there could not have been a central government, but there must have
been separate, although cognate, nations. * * * if the mounds of
Wisconsin belong to the same era as those of Ohio we have another
distinct nation."^
The idea of one great nation is very fascinating, but the facts and
reason are against it. If allowed to have their due weight on our
minds they must lead us to the more prosaic conclusion that the mound-
builders were divided into diftereiit tribes and peoples, which, though
occupying much the same position in the culture scale, and hence resem-
bling each other in many of their habits, customs, and modes of life,
were as widely separated in regard to their ethnic relations and
languages as the Indian tribes when first encountered by the white
races. The extent alone of the area over which the ancient works are
distributed ought to lead to this conclusion. It is scarcely possible that
there could have been a nation of pre-Columbian times without beasts
of burden or domestic animals, not yet sufficiently advanced in the arts
to build houses of brick or stone, and evidently not above the Pueblo
Indians in their culture status, yet with a central, controlling power,
governing villages and communities so widely separated as Wisconsin
and Florida, New York and Louisiana. Even if due allowance be made
for all the changes and migrations which occurred during the mound-
building period, and for the differences in the ages of the works, it will
not do away with this difliculty.
We are, therefore, forced to the conclusion that the mound-builders
belonged to several different tribes or nations. Analogy also leads to
the same conclusion. History, linguistics, and archeology make it
evident that the area of the section above mentioned as the "Mexican
and Central American" was occupied not only by various tribes, but
by several distinct ethnic stocks or families. The ruins of Nicaragua
and Oaxaca i^resent marked differences to those of Yucatan and Ana-
huac, while the latter offer dissimilarities sufficient without other
evidence to justify us in attributing them to different peoples. In addi-
tion to these broad distinguishing features there are minor variances
which we must attribute to tribal peculiarities or local influences. If
there be just grounds for assigning the works of the section, where
culture had reached its highest grade on the continent, to different
tribes and peoples, is it reasonable to sui)pose that the antiquities scat-
tered over the broad extent of the mound area are attribittable to a
single nation?
' Edition 1870, vol. 1. p. 320. » Mmincl-Biiilili-rs, p. 140.
ARCHEOLOGIC'AL MOUND DISTRICTS. 529
ARCHEOLOGICAL DISTRICTS OF THE MOUND AREA.
Any attempt to mark out and deflue arclieologifal districts nuist be
based upon two assumptions: First, that the mound builders pertained
to various tribes dillering in customs, habits, arts, and beliefs to a suf-
ficient extent to be manifest in their enduring works, and, second, that
these tribes had fixed seats and w(Me comparatively sedentary, occnpy-
iug their respective areas for ijeriods of considerable length. In other
words, it would be scarcely possible to ascertain and mark out such
districts if the aboriginal population which left behind these monu-
ments was constantly shifting. The number and magnitude of the
monuments afford in themselves ample proof that the builders wei'c
•sedentary and long occupied their respective seats. It is because of
this fact that so many writers have rejected the idea that the Indians
could have been the authors, Judging the character of the latter errone-
ously by their life after they had been disturbed by the European set-
tlements.
That the people who built the mounds belonged to different tribes is
being generally admitted by archeologists of the present day, and that
these tribes were sedentary is conceded by all. Nevertheless, the con-
clusions upon these points, to l)e entirely satisfactory, must be reached
by a careful study of the monuments. If they afford data by which
archeological districts can be satisfactorily outlined the just inference
is that the peojde who left behind them these monuments were substan-
tially sedentary and belonged to different stocks.
Although this be true in a general way it does not follow as a neces-
sary conclusion that these districts corresi)ond in all cases with the areas
occupied by different tribes, families of cognate tribes of the different
linguistic stocks. The study of art in its relation to ethnology has
shown too clearly for anyone to doubt the conclusion that lines of art
are not governed wholly by ethnic or racial identity. There are numer-
ous agencies equally potent with racial peculiarities and ethnic charac-
teristics, in directing and influencing these lines; such, for example, as
necessity, environment, materials, vicinage, etc. The mind and require-
ments of man being substantially the same every where and in all ages,
the primitive works of art which relate to supplying these requirements
will be substantially the same where the conditions are alike. Hence
we see the stone ari'ow-point, the stone celt, and the clay vessel commoji
to most uncivilized i^eoples throughout the world. Nevertheless, racial,
tribal, and even more restricted peculiarities will manifest themselves
to a certain extent in the structures, burials, and works of art of all
peoples in a savage, barbarous, or even semicivilized state. There are
minor differences, dependent upon traditional usages or tribal customs,
which in most cases manifest themselves in some way upon the works
of the most savage and barbarous peoples. These may be discovered
by close and careful study.
IL' ETH 34
530 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
THE NORTHERN SECTION.
The aucieut monuments of the Northern states and the minor vestiges
of :irt found in them, considered in the aggregate, differ so materially
from those of most of the Southern states that it will be best to con-
sider them geographically in two sections, the one to be called the
Northern Section arid the other the Southern Section, each to be subdi-
vided into archeological districts, determined by the characteristics of
the works and the indications of differences in customs. Of course the
boundaries of these districts can not be definitely given until the ancient
works have been thoroughly explored and all the data obtainable care-
fully studied, hence all we can do at present is to indicate these areas
in general terms and give provi.sionally their geographical boundaries.
The dividing line between the two sections as fixed provisionally
runs from the vicinity of Kansas City to the confluence of the Missouri
and the Mississippi; thence southeast so as to leave the greater part of
Illinois, most of Kentucky, all of Tennessee, except the western third, all
of North Carolina and, of course, all the States north of these in the
Northern Section ; all south of the line to the Gulf of Mexico forming the
Southern Section. A number of the works, however, of Kentucky, Ten-
nessee, and Southern Illinois a])pear to be more closely allied to those
south than to those north. There is, as might be expected, a mingling of
the two classes of types along this dividing line. The reader must
understand that, although considered in the aggregate, the distinctions
between the works of the two sections are quite manifest, they are not
so marked as the differences between the divisions of the Mexican ancl
Central American Section, heretofore referred to.
The subdivision into districts is of more importance, as this is based
upon differences between the antiquities of different areas, presumed
to have resulted from varied customs and to have some relation to
tribal or ethnic peculiarities. These districts will be noticed and pro-
visionally outlined as we proceed in our review of the various types of
works, reference being made first to those of the Northern Section.
THE DAKOTAN DISTRICT.
This includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
the adjoining portions of Manitoba, the extreme northeastern corner of
Iowa, and a narrow strip along the northern boundary of Illinois.
The distinguishing features of this district are the singular earth-
works made to resemble various animals, to which the name "effigy
mounds " or simply " effigies " is usually applied ' ; the long narrow
'Naidall.ic in "L'Anif-rique PrehistoriqiU'." p. 127, says: " These are found in Iowa. Ohio, llliuois,
Missouri. Indiana, and in general, in all the states comprised in the Far West ; but the principal center
of these singular structures appears ti> bave been in Wisconsin, where they may be counted by thou-
sands."' This statement is erroneous so far as it refers l<i any other section than wbat is included m
this district and (thio. No such works have been found in Nebraska. Missouri. Indiana. orMichiiian.
THOMAS.] THE DAKOTAN DISTRICT. 531
earthen embaukmeuts knowu as " elougate " or " wall-like inoumls ;" the
couneetetl series of low conical mounds; lines or rows of conical mounds,
and the various modes of burial.
The earthen effigies are confined almost exclusively to the eastern
portion of the district and constitute the most noted and chief distin-
guishing feature of the ancient works of that area. Minnesota, except
the extreme southeastern corner, is devoid of works of this tyj)e; but
in tlie Dakotas, especially South Dakota, they are replaced by the
"bowlder mosaics" or surface figures formed of bowlders. Notwith-
standing the fact that the effigies are considered the distinguishing
archeologic feature of this area, yet the ])eculiar oblong or wall-like
mounds to be noticed more particularly farther on, the connected serifs
of low conical tumuli, and the arrangement in rows, are features con-
fined almost exclusively to this district. The peculiarity of the effigy
mounds, as all readers of archeological literature are aware, is that
they are made intentionally to resemble the forms of various animals
known to the builders and apparently, in a few cases, to resemble inani-
mate objects. The supposed " man mounds " are most likely poor
representations of swallow-tailed birds. The animals indicated by
these peculiar works, so far as they can be identified with reasonable cer-
tainty, pertain to the modern fauna of the district. The supposed excep-
tion to this rule — the so-called " elephant mound " — as proven by the
evidence presented in the report of field work, was probably intended to
represent a bear.
The portion of the district over which mounds of this type extend
may be designated by the following boundary line: Starting on the
shore of Lake Michigan a little south ofthe line between Wisconsin and
Illinois, it runs westward to the vicinity of Eock river, where it makes a
sudden curve southward to include an extension down the valley of that
river a short distance into Illinois. Bending northwest, it strikes the
Mississii)pi very near the extreme southwest corner of Wisconsin. Pass-
ing a short distance westward into Iowa, it bends northward, including-
about two counties in this state and the extreme southeastein county
of Minnesota. Thence, recrossing the Mississippi a little north of La-
crosse, it continues in a nearly direct line to the liead of Green bay;
thence south along the shore of Lake Michigan to the starting point.
It is possible the boundary will be extended farther northward when
that portion of the state has been more thoroughly explored. Never-
theless, the indications are that comparatively few effigies will be found
outside ofthe line given; in fact, when we pass north of Fox river on
t- 3 eastern slope, and the latitude of Adams county in the Wisconsin
valley, works of this class are rare.
An examination of their distribution leads to the inference that here
the leading water courses have, to a large extent, determined the lines
and areas of settlement. Much the larger portion of them are found
along the main streams or leading branches of the Wisconsin, Fox,
532 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and Ivock rivers, and aloug the east side of the Mississippi from Grant
to Lacrosse couDties.
There appears to have been no rule in reference to the character of
the ground by which the builders were governed in selecting the locali-
ties for their imitative works, as they are found on the level shore of
Lake Michigan in the vicinity of Milwaukee, on the gentle slopes that
border the lakes about Madison, while at and around Prairie duChien
they are found ft-oni tlie bottoms subject to occasional overflow, up to the
crests of the sharpest ridges which divide the drainage areas of the
streams of that region. Nor is a level spot oftener selected than one that
slopes to a greater or less degree. They occasi( )nally occur on quite steep
hillsides and on sharj) crested spurs where the summit is so naiTow as
to necessitate lapping over from one side to the other. The preference
of the builders, however, seems to have been for the highlands, espe-
cially those bordering upon the rivers and lakes. Even the summits
of the high bluffs which flank the Mississijipi were selected as the sites
of the most complicated groups of eftigies. As a general rule they
are in groups or connected with groups, few being found wholly iso-
lated; and even the groups of a given sectiim, as IJev. S. D. Peet con-
cludes, appear to have been arranged or located with reference to a
village or tribal system of some kind.
The various forms which these works were made to assume have been
disjjlayed so graphically and, for the greater part, so correctly by Dr.
Lapham in his justly celebrated work, "The Antiquities of Wisconsin,"
that but little is left for the archeologist of the present day to do in
this direction, except to multiply examples of the forms there given.
No one who has examined these works will hesitate to acknowledge
that it was the intention of the builders to imitate the forms of partic-
ular animals. Although it is true that in the majority of cases there
may be some doubt as to the particular species intended, yet in very
many instances careful insijection will leave but little uncertainty in
the mind of the observer in this respect. Even the untrained and
careless eye will distinguish the characteristics which mark one as a
bird, another as a quadruped, and another as a reptile. But the care-
ful student will soon learn to detect the features which mark the more
characteristic species, llev. S. D. Peet, who has devoted much time
to the study of these peculiar works, is decidedly of the opinion that
he can determine in most cases the species represented where the
mounds are uninjured. Even the shape and proportions of the body
are often so well imitated as to justify a decision.
One of the most remarkable things in reference to these works, which
has not heretofore been particularly noticed, is the truly imitative curv-
ing and rounding of the body of the animal. Standing at the extrem-
ity and looking over one which has suflered but little wearing, it is
difficult to exclude the idea that the builders had the animal lying
before them when they built the mound.
THOMAS.] WISCONSIN AND DAKOTA. 533
Of course thoy vary greatly in .size aud the relative proportions tliey
bear to the animals re])resented, but tliis variation is greater when the
similar ettigies of different sections are compared than when those of
one locality are compared with each other. Take tor illustration the
following measurements of the spread of the birds' wings, that is. from tip
to tip. Six in Crawford County, Wisconsin, are as follows (two of the
measurements being duplicated): 280, 228,' 230, and 253 feet, while in
other sections they are found varying thus: l-').'?, 1.50, 189, 32, SCO, 412,
aud 325 feet. The sizes of the efiflgies of quadrupeds are indicated by
the following lengths of the body in feet: 110, 60, 115, 83, .50, SO, 98,
70, etc. The elevation varies from a few inches to 4 or 5 feet, though
very few exceed 4 feet.
It is a somewhat singular fact, and one that should be taken into
consideration in the study of these anomalous works, that, as a general
rule, the heads point southward, esiiecially in the vicinity of rivei'S
running in this direction. In several instances entire series of these
effigies, which have been termed not inaptly " droves," are observed
pointing southward or down stream. This general direction of these
structures is mentioned more than once by Lapham and is to some
extent observable in his plates.
Rev. S. D. Peet remarks ' :
It is singular that the emblematic mouuds should be so strictly conliued to the geo-
grajihiial limits of this single state. The imaginary line known as the southern
limit of Wisconsin certainly forms no geographical or physical barrier which should
make a separating boundary between the ancient races. The barriers of nature,
whii'h are presented by Lake Michigan on one side and by the Mississippi river on
the other, might liave separated the prehistoric inhabitants and to a degree isolated
those dwelling in Wisconsin from those to either side, but to the southward
scarcely a shadow of difference cau be discovered. The same soil and scenery extend
iu tliis direction far beyond the limits of the stale, aud the geographical characteris-
tics are nearly the same throughout the several states surrounding.
This fact, therefore, we may presume is owing to some cause which
has disappeared, and what more likely, we may ask, than that in this
s(mthe,rn direction were other tribes which prevented further extension
into the prairie region of Illinois ? The occurrence of a few of the unmis-
takable eh)ngate, wall like mounds as far south as the region of Spoon
ri\'er in the latitude of Peoria, indicates an attempt on the part of the
efflgy builders to push out in this direction, either when entering their
more northern home or after they had established themselves there.
The comparatively few excavations which have been made in these
works indicate that they were not intended for burial purposes, nor has
anything y<'t been observed which would lead to the belief that they
were thrown up for dwelling sites. Severtil theories have been advanced
as to the use and object for which they were built, but these will be
referred to elsewhere.
If the following, by an unknown writer whose article appeared in the
' Ai[i. Aiiliq.. V.il.3.p.2.
634 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
New York Siiu of August 2, 1885, is to be relied upou, the western por-
tion of the district is not devoid of effigy mounds :
Among the Bad lands of Dakota there arc several etByy mounds resemlilinj;
animals and fishes. Along the Lirtle Missouri river, commencing at its liead water,
are 30 or 40 mounds, most beautifully arranged on terraces one above the other.
These are made to resemble birds, fishes, and beasts. Some of the fishes have fins
plainly marked, while in many cases the birds have their wings spread as if about
to fly. On one terrace there are about 50 small round mounds scattered promis-
cuously in every direction. On auother just above it is the effigy, probably, of a
frog that measures nearly 100 feet in length. The next terrace has 16 ordinary
mounds, square and oblong, while the ne.xt one has a pair of beavers side by side
that measure 54 feet from tip to tail. Ou the summit of one of the buttes is a rcil-
dened circle of earth which has been cut down by the continual washing of the
rains, thus exposing some partially burned brick dust or clay. The miuind was
opened some years ago by a party of buftalo hunters passing through the Had lands,
and from all that could be learned from an inspection of the mound it seemed to
have been either au aboriginal crematory or else a place of torture. A mass of
human skeletons was found inside and all the bones were partially burned.
The aceount given by A. Barrandt in the Smithsonian Report foi-
1870' of some ancient wurlvs on the Yellowstone seems to lend color to
the above article. He mentions not only groups of mounds, some of
comparatively large size, but aHudes specially to "elongate mounds,"
■which indicate that the authors pertained to the efiBgy-building tribes.
nOWI.KKI! .MOSAICS.
From the emblematic mounds we pass naturally to the surface bowl-
der ligures, or, as they are aptly named by Prof. Todd, "bowlder uio
saics," of Dakota. According to Mr. T. H. Lewis, antiquities of this
type are found " from western Iowa and Nebraska to IManitoba and
from western Minnesota through Dakota to Montana;" they appear,
however, to be more frequent in South Dakota than in any other
region.
These curious remains consist of animal, human, and other figures
outlined with granite bowlders (occasionally with buttalo bones) upon
the surface of the ground, usually upon elevated positions, and some-
times upon the summits of the highest buttes. The liuman form, the
turtle, and the serpent are the usual and, in fact, almost the only lig-
ures found. They are generally accompanied by numerous stone cir-
cles, which are known to bo old tepee or wigwam sites, in some
iu.stauces long lines of bowlders or buffalo bones and small stone cairns
are also associated with them or found in the same neighborhood.
Like the bowlder circles they are more or less imbedded in the ground,
but this fact does not necessarily indicate any great antiquity. It
should also be observed that, as a general rule, they appear to ))ear
some relation to the tepee circles, since the latter occupy the most
prominent sites and best po.sitions, while the figures are placed in the
midst of them in an area apparently left open for the imrpose, the tepees
I Pp. 406, 407.
THOMAS.] WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, MISSOURI. 535
liaving been previously located. There are, however, exceptions to this
rule. Whether their siguiticaiice be mythical, religious, or totemic is
a question which yet reuiaius to be deteriiiiued. Although of much
smaller dimeusions tliau the massive effigies of Wisconsin, yet there
can be scarcely a doubt that they represent in this more western area
the others in the eastern section, and that they are the latest and com-
paratively modern indications of a long maintained custom abandoned
only when the influence of European civilization began to be felt. This
seems to be proved beyond any reasonable doubt by their association
with other remains which are explained by historical evidence and by
the fact that a few are formed of bones.
KLOXCiATE MorXDS.
The elongate or wall-like mounds form another feature peculiar to
this district; in fact, they may properly be called the peculiar feature,
as the effigies, though more striking and attracting most attention,
are not confined exclusively to this district, a few, as before stated,
being found elsewhere, while true elongate mounds, so far as I am
aware, have not been observed in any other district except those in
northern Illinois referred to and one or two in northeastern Missouri.
Tumuli of this class appear more like sections of earthen walls than
true mounds in the limited sense and are quite different in appearance
from the oblong or elongate oval mounds. They vary in length from
50 to 900 feet, though the usual length is from 75 to 200 feet, the width
from 15 to .35 feet, and the height from a few inches to 4 feet. They
are usually straight, terminating abruptly at the ends; yet in a few
instances they are bent abruptly or are slightly curved, and are occa-
sionally tapered to a point at one end. Examples of the different forms
may be seen by referring to the plates of Dr. Lapham's " Anticjuities
of Wisconsin," especially Pis. 11, 20, 43, 43, 47, 48, and 49; and also
to that part of the preceding "Field Report" relating to Crawford
county, Wisconsin. They are usually connected with groups contain-
ing other forms. Although there is seldom exact uniformity in their
relation to each other in a group, as to dii-ection, that is to say, they
are not always placed parallel to one another, or at right angles, yet
there is a general trend in one direction in each group; the direction
may be quite different in one group from what it is in another but a
short distance away. They are not confined to level ground, as some
are found running directly, or obliquely, up and down quite steep slopes,
as, for example, those represented in Dr. Lapham's plate 26, where the
slope is nearly 40 degrees.
The area over which works of this type extend is somewhat broader
than that to which the eftigies are limited (omitting front consideration
the few of the latter in distant districts), as they are found as far south
in Illinois as the latitude of Peoria, northward along the Souris river,
and westward, if we rightly interpret ^Ir. Barrandt's statement, as far
636 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
as the valley of the Ycllowstoue. Yet there are broad areas within
these bounds where neither effigies uor elongate mounds have as yet
been discovered.
The use of these elongate embankments is a mystery yet remaining
to be satisfactorily solved. That they were not intended as burial
places is proved by excavations, the finding of human remains in them
being of very rare occurrence, and tliese, in some, if not most instances,
being evidently intrusive or subse([uent burials. Kev. S. D. Peet
exi^resses the opinion that they were chiefly used as game drives. He
thinks it possible that a wooden or brush screen of some kind extended
along the top as a means of forcing the animals iu the desired direc-
tion, while hunters hidden behind the earthen ridges could shoot into
the herd as it passed along within the lines. However, the necessity
in such arrangement for the embankment is not obvious.
A somewhat unique variety of this class of mounds occurs nloug the
Souris river in southern Manitoba and the adjoining portion of North
Dakota. These, some of which are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, differ from
the ordinary elongate tumuli only in the fact that they have a mound-
like enlargement at each end. The only example given by Lapliara is
found on his PI. 13. As these terminal expansions do not api)ear to
have been intended for burial purposes they may be considered as in-
termediate forms between the preceding tyi)e and that which follows.
LINES OF CONXECTEI) MOUNDS.
Another class of works which appears to be peculiar to this district
consists of series or rows of low, conical mounds coimected by low,
wall like embankments. Examples of this class may be seen in Lap-
liam's PI. 48, and in some of the figures of the preceding Field Report,
relating to Crawford county, Wisconsin. The walls of Fort Aztalau '
are composed chiefly of connected series of this type, a fact worthy of
special notice, as it justifies us in attril)uting this remarkable group of
works to the authors of the elongate and efiigy mounds. The intimate
relation between the elongate and effigy mounds convinces everyone
that the two classes aie attributable to the same people. The transi-
tion from the simple, elongate form to the connected series is too evi-
dent to be overlooked.
Excavations have been made in quite a number of these connected
tumuli by the Bureau agents, but generally without any other result
than finding them to be simple heaps of dirt with occasional indications
of tire. In one opened by Lapham at Aztalau were found the remains
of two skeletons which he supposed had been buried in a sitting pos-
ture, though it is ([uite as likely they were bundled. In the mounds of
this fort were burnt clay and charred grass, from which it seems prob-
able that they were dwelling sites. In fact the only reasonable sugges-
1 Antiq. WU., PI. 34.
THOMAs.i LINES OF CONICAL MOUNDS. 537
tion which can be offered in regard to the use of these lovr, connected
tnnmli is that they were wijiwani or honse sites. The burnt clay mixed
with charred grass at Aztalan indicates that, in some instances, they
were phistered, probably dome-shaped, or at least earth-walled, as were
many of the residences of Indians in former times. If this supposition,
which is strongly supported by the data, be accepted, we must conclude
that in the northwest some change of custom had taken place, as here
we find but two mounds in a series, connected by embankments fiom ;">0
to ir)0 yards in length.
As will be noticed a little farther on, there are a few conical (usnally
burial) mounds which have narrow, ridge-like embankments extending
from them to a greater or less distance.
ROWS olt MNT.S (l|- COXICAL MOUNDS.
We come now to another feature which appears to be confined almost
exclusively to the works ot'tliis district. This is found in the arrange-
ment of the ordinary conical mounds of the groups in rows, usually in a
single series. That this custom prevailed among the mound-builders of
the eastern portion of the district will l)e seen by referring to the plates
of Dr. Lapham's work and the figures of groups in the preceding field
report. In several instances this seems to be due to the topography of
the locality, such as the margin of a lake or bluff; but there are numer-
ous other cases where the level, open, arid expanded area occupied per-
mitted any arrangement of the mounds and other structures agreeable
to the fancy of the builders. Hence we conclude that lines or rows of
mounds in such localities furnisli evidence of some peculiar custom of
the people who erected them. That they are attributable to the au-
thors of the efflgy and elongate mounds is proved by several facts. One,
which seems to settle the question, is their intimate association with
these types. As illustrations of this statement the reader is referred to
Lapham's jilate 48 and the plat of the Vilas group, Crawford county,
Wisconsin, in this volume. In both cases we see lines of works formed
of the three types, elongate, connected and separate mounds accom-
panied by efiigies, and this on level, open areas, where there is ample
room for any desired arrangement. The intimate relation between
these forms and the propriety of attributing them to one ]»eople nuist,
therefore, be conceded.
Another conclusion which seems to be justifletl by a study of these
works and which has an imjiortant bearing upon their com])arative
ages, is that there has been a gradual transition during the niound-
biiilding age from one form to anotlier. Apparently this change has been
from the more comidicated and massive forms to the simple, conical
tumuli, ending with groups of this type, showing no decided tendency
to any specific arrangement, as in this last type we find evidences of
the most recent construction. The indications of such change were
noticed by Dr. Lapham, who remarks:
538 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Another curious circumstance that may he noticed hy inspection of tlie figures of
mounils accomiiauying this work is the gradual transition, as it were, or change of
one form into auotlier. ICxamides can l)e found of all forms from a true circle [cir-
cular mound], through the oval and elougate-oval, to the oblong mounds and lojig
ridges. Again there is a succession of mounds, from the simple ridge of considerable
size at one end aud gradually diminishing to a point at the other [this form is, liow-
ever, rare] through the intermediate forms having one, two, three, or four jirojeetious
to the "turtle form." In this way, also, we may trace a gradual derelopnieut (so
to speak) of nearly all the more complicated forms.
It is not pretended that this was the order in which the mounds were ei'ected, or
that the aborigines gradually acquired th<! art by successive essays or lessons.
Indeed we are led to believe that the more complicated forms are the most ancient.
The relative ages of the different works in Wisconsin, so far as they can be ascer-
tained from the facts now before us, are probably about as follows :
First and oldest. The animal forms aud the great works at Aztalau.
Second. The conical mounds built for sepulchral purposes, which come down to a
very recent period.
Third. The indication of garden beds planted in regular, geometrical figures or
straight lines.
Fcmrth. The plantations of the pii-seut tribes, who plaut without system or regu-
larity.
Thus the taste for regular forms and arrangements and the habits of construction
with earthy materials seem to have been gradually lost, until all traces of them dis-
appear in our modern, degenerate red men.
The animal-shaped mounds aud accompanying oblongs and ridges, constituting
the first of the above series, are composed of whitish clay or the subsoil of the
country. The mounds of the second series, or burial mounds, Are usually composed
of black mold or loam, promiscuously intermixed with the lighter- colored subsoil.'
liUHlAI. MdlNHS.
As a general rule tlie burial mounds of this district are compara-
tively small, .seldom exceeding 10 feet in height and usually ranging
from 3 to t!. They are in nearly all cases of the simple conical form.
There is, however, one peculiarity in regard to form, which occasionally
occirrs, that is worthy of notice. This peculiarity consists of one or
more ridges or long, narrow eml lankmeuts which extend from the mound
directly outward. These have been noticed in Wisconsin by Lapham^
and by the present writer in North Dakota. What these appendages
signify is unknown; nevertheless it is probable that they are a result of
the custom of building embankments with a mound at each end a.s seen
in North Dakota and Blauitoba.
It seems to have been a custom prevailing to a greater or less extent
over the entire district and to some extent in other northern sections
to tirst dig a shallow, basin-shaped pit in the original soil, bury the
dead in this, and heap the mound over them. In other cases the bodies
or skeletons were deposited on the original surface. lu many instances,
where there are no indications of intrusive burial, they were placed at
different depths iu the mound ; and what is strange, this fre(iuently
occurs where the mounds are unstratified.
' Antiq. Wis., pp. 91, 92. ' ibid., pp. 26, 51, 57.
■iHoMAs.J THE DAKOTAN DISTRICT. 539
The methods of jjlaciiig the bodies were various; sometimes they
were placed horizontally without regard to the relation of one to the
other, but occasionally they were laid regularly side by side. A'ery ofteu
the skeletons were "bundled;" that is to say, the bones were dislocated
and formed into a bundle, the skull being placed on the top or at the
end. Sometimes they were folded as completely as possible by drawing
up the kuees to the chin. In other cases the bones are found in a con-
fused iieap. It is evident that in the latter case, and where bundled,
the burial took place after the flesh had been removed by exposure on
scaffolds, previous burial, or otherwise. The very common opinion that
these confused heaps have resulted from hasty biu-ial after a battle is
erroneous, as it is absurd to suppose that bones would have become
wholly detached from the skeletons to which they pertained and become
mixed in a confused manner in the mass by the mere process of decay.
Instances occur where the skeletons are found in a sitting posture,
sometimes in a circle, with the faces inward. It is probable that some
of the cases of sitting posture re])orted are inferred from finding the
bones in a heap, with the skull on top, when iu fact they were origi-
nally bundled. It is due to Mr. James D. INIiddleton to state that it
was by his study of the methods of burial while exploring mounds in
Wisconsin that siiecial attention was called to this mode of bundling.
In the western or Dakota area, which includes the immediately ad-
joining portion of Manitoba, only three modes of burial appear to have
prevailed: The excavated pit, in which buudled skeletons were de-
posited; burial in a horizontal position on the original surface or in
strata, the mounds in the latter case always being stratified, and the
upper burials being apparently much more recent than the lower ones;
and burial of bones in confused masses. The mounds in this portion
of the district frequently yield evidences of contact with the whites by
the presence in them of glass beads and other articles of European
manufacture.
The burial mounds of central and southern Minnesota have not been
sufficiently explored to justify a discussion of their relation to the
works of the other portions of the district ; however, some of them are
of comx^aratively recent date, as articles of Eurojjean manufacture,
which can not be attributed to intrusive biu-ial, have been found in
them.
In the eastern or Wisconsin portion of the district there is greater
variety in the modes of burial and construction of burial mounds. In
the northwestern part of the state, especially in Barron county, the
burial mounds, which are small, usually consist of two or three layers,
the bottom one, or central core, consisting chiefly of \'ery hard clay.
Lying on the original surface or in an excavation in the original soil
are usually from one to four buudled skeletons. Intrusive buiials,
which frequently occur, are usually above this central core, though
occasionally it has been penetrated to a slight depth.
540 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
In the .soiitlieru or effigy belt the excavated pit is of very comiiKni
occurrence, bnt as a riile tlie mounds, esjjecially tlie small ones, are
unstratilied. The skeletons, however, aic deposited iu all the methods
known to the district — horizontally, bundled, folded, sitting, and in con-
fused heaps. Here, as in the western area, indications of a wooden
covering o^er the skeletons are occasionally I'ounxl; and in the larger
mounds, usually stratified, slight stone walls appear to have been built
in some cases around the skeletons. Charcoal, ashes, and other indica-
tions of tii-e have been frequently observed in the mounds of Crawford
and Grant counties, but to a less extent elsewhere.
Vestiges of art are comijaratively rare in the burial mounds of this
district, yet here and there are found an arrowpoint, a chipped flint
Scraper, or celt (in some instances remarkably tine S])eciniens), a few
copper gorgets, copper beads, copi)er spindles, etc.; but pottery is rare,
though some specimens have been discovered.
Intrusive burials are common, some of which can very readily be
distinguished fi'om the origii.al l)urial, but this is by no means true of
all, as in some of the uustratified mounds skeletons are found at all
depths, the upper ones iu some instances showing unmistakable evi-
dence of having been inclosed in jdank coffins.
THE lirRON-IROQrOIS DISTRICT.'
Throughout the district here termed Huron-Iroquois (see Fig. 337)
are works of a simple kind, many of which are apparently defensive.
These may be banks of earth, sometimes of a rectangular outline, but
oftener of an irregularly circular form, which has an outer ditch, in most
cases, and forms a walled inclosure. Others are simply defensive walls
across points of land, as bluffs, or ridges between ravines. Often the
stockade takes the place of the bank of earth, the interior signs of hab-
itation remaining unchanged. Besides these are camp and village sites
which show no traces of defensive works, though their other remains
may not always differ from those found in inclosures. Burial mounds
and ossuaries occur, as well as simpler cemeteries.
DISTRIIUTIOX.
These monuments are often in groups, in which one or more forms may
be prominent, while a general family likeness may be seen through all.
In Canada walled inclosures prevail in a section of country lying
north of the west half of Lake Erie, but they do not extend far inland.
"Kear the west end of Lake Ontario, and also about Lake Simcoe and
the southeast part of the Georgian Bay, the stockade and ossuary are
as marked ieatures, yet with distinctions which allow of local classifi-
cation. Along the bay of Quintic, in Prince Edward connty. is a series
of burial mounds of a somewhat peculiar type, some of which have been
' This ebapter was prepared by Rev. W. M. Beaucbamp.
THE HUKON-IROQUOIS DISTRICT.
541
reported I'artlier iiortli, uldiii; tin- river Trent. They oeciir in pairs of
equal size, aud are lined witli stones. Tlie St. Lawrence river also
Las mounds, mostly on islands. From the Thousand islands eastward,
defensive walls, earth inclosnres, and undefcMdcd villages occasionally
occur on both sides, but usually at some distance from the river. The
general features of the site commonly called Hochelaga, at ^fontreal,
indicate a stockade, but no certain traces of this remain.
In New York the Mohawk valley is almost limited to the stockade in
its defensive works. The solitary exception, mentioned by Squier in
his Antiquities of Xew York and the West,' as being a litth' west of
Fort I'laiu, is closely connected, by its other remains, with the palisaded
'Kilition 1S51. pji. 82,83.
542 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
towns of tliiit vicinity, some of the liistoric examples of wliicli may
Lave nsed postlioles. The valley is also without burial mounds or Ijone
])its, unless, possibly, at its extreme western end.
Westward of this valley to Canandaigua lake, stockades, earthen
walls, and inclosures are found siuf^lc or in small groups, but mounds
and ossuaries are rare. The monuments of the Susquehanna valley,
reaching south to Wilkesbarre, are connected with these, but are fewer
in number. The detached grouj) about Black river and Sandy creek,
in Jefferson county, New York, with its numerous earthworks, has also
plain relations to the monuments of central Xew York, but small ossu-
aries are more frequent. The ditch and bank are the rule in its defens-
ive works. The low, circular mounds, found near Perch lake, are now
considered hutriiigs.
West of Canandaigua lake, inclosures maintain much of the same
character, occurring singly, in clusters, or in lines, but burial mounds
and ossuaries are much more numerous and inclosures often larger.
The stockade is not rare east of the Genesee river, but earthworks
form the rule thence to the western border of the state. Allusion is
made, of course, to those which luive been obliterated in recent times,
as well as those of which traces remain.
West of New York there are few traces of sedentaiy occupation near
Lake Erie until the ^•alley of the Cuyahoga river is reached, on both
sides of which works occur. Mounds and inclosures of earth extend
south into Summit and Ashland counties and thence westward; most
of the works of Ashland county, however, pertain to the district south
of this. A few monuments, a[)parently of this district, are found in
northeastern Indiana. They closely resemble those of Xew York.
Similar works occur in Michigan, mostly on the eastern side of that
state. The north line of Ogenunv county and thence northwestward
may be taken as a provisional northern line, though indications of
sedentary occupation, such as characterize the district, have been
reported from Aljjcna and Antrim counties. In the extreme northern
part of the h)wer peninsular nothing has been found excef)ting the
ossuary described by Schoolcraft.' This was on Isle Ronde, at the west
end of Lake Huron. The rock region about Lake Superior is destitute
of mounds and defensive works on all sides.
In all this large district the mounds seem almost exclusively intended
for burial purposes, and in a huge part of those opened remains of
several persons have been found. Stockades, earthen walls, and inclo-
sures vary in their outlines according to their situation; cutting off
points of land, following the contour of hills or ridges, or taking more
regular forms where the surface allowed it. Some differences in design
occasionally appear, but their general uniformity makes it unnecessary
to give examples from all parts. Indications of agricultural pursuits
are everywhere found.
' In No. 7 of his "Letters on the Antiquities of the Western Conntry," written in 1843.
THOMAS.] THE HURON-IROQUOIS DISTRICT. 543
Bl'RIAL MOUXDS.
These are fouud over uearly the whole district, though rare iu some
parts. If the term be applied to slight elevations over graves, they may
have been once common, but have been overlooked or obliterated. Iu
many instances, as in Michigan, sand dunes have been mistaken for arti-
ficial mounds, especially where they have been chosen for burial. In 'Sew
York a similar error may often be ibund, where gravel and sand have
taken the form of the tumulus, through purely natural causes. Noneof
the mounds are of great size, and the form is usually a low and broad
lound topped cone.
An exceptional example of the burial mound was described by Mr.
T. A. Cheney.' It was in Conewango township, Cattaravigus county,
and on the brow of a hill. The account is not perfectly clear, but is
here given in Mr. Cheney's own words:
The form of the tumiilns is of intcniiediate character between the ellipse and the
]para]lelogram ; the interior mound, at its base, has a major axis of 65 feet, while
the minor axis is 61 feet, with an altitude aliove the first platform or embankment
of 10 feet, or an entire elevation of some 18 feet. This embankment, with an entrance
or gateway n]>on the east side 30 feet in width, has an entire cirrnmference of
IW feet. * " ' Iu milking an excavation, eight skeletons, buried in a sitting
posture and at regular intervals of space, so as to form a circle within the mound,
were disinterred. Some slight appearance yet existed to show that framework had
inclosed the dead at time of interment. The.se osteological remains were of veiy large
size, hut were so much decomposed that they mostly crumbled to dust. The relics
of art here disclosed were also of a peculiar and interesting character — amulets,
chisels, etc., of elaborate workmanship, resembling the Mexican and Peruvian an-
tiquities.
There is an evident error in the above outside measurement, which
may have been either 370 or 470 feet. Mr. Cheney's observations were
usually accurate; and this work, which consisted of an inclosure and
interior mound, may be considered intrusive iu this section if exactly
described. No other like it has been found in the district.^
Mounds within large defensive inclosures are rare. One near Cary-
ville, Genesee county, New York, was of so marked a character as to
give the inclosure the name of the "Bone fort." It was noted by the
Rev. Samuel Kirklaud in his Journal as an immense mass of bones
slightly covered with earth. Other small elevations elsewhere seem to
have been simide heaps of refuse, left within the walls for convenience,
as in a work in Augusta, Canada, near the St. Lawi'ence. Some small
interior mounds reported in Michigan, if more than this, may have
been dwelling sites.
Many of these burial mouuds are but piles of human bones covered
with earth, a common type in western New Y'^ork. Others show care-
ful arrangement. One, which Squier examined.^ differed internally
from others known. It was on Tonawauda island, Niagara river, and
' "Ancient Monuments in western New York," ISth Ann. Kept. Keg. Univ. N. Y., 1860, p. 40, pi. 3.
2 This mound is now obliteratt'd. ' Antiq. of New York, p. 97.
544 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
was originally about 15 feet in height. At the hase ai)i>care{l to
have been a circle of stones perhaps 10 feet in diameter, within which
were several small heaps of bones, each comprising three or four skele-
tons. The bones are of individuals of all ages and had evidently been
deposited after the removal of the flesh. Traces of fire were to be dis-
covered upon the stones. Some chippings of flint and broken arrow
points, as also some fragments of deer's horns which appeared to have
been worked into form, were found among the bones.
Traces of fire are frequent, and were quite marked in the mound at
Greene, Chenango county, New York, which has been so often described.
In thi.s there was an intrusive burial, but the lower deposits of bones
unarranged are said to have been burned. In a mound recently re-
moved, on a ridge near the (mtlet of Onondaga lake, Xew York, several
skeletons lay side by side in the southwest part. These were much
decayed, some crumbling, and others hardening on exposure to the air.
There were no traces of Are ujjon tliem when the mound was destroj'ed
in 1884, and stone implements and ornaments were found with them.
In opening the center of the mound in 1880 these were not disturbed,
and nothing of importance was then found. There were fragments of
flint, broken earthenware, burned human bones, and stones showing
the marks of fire. As the material was taken from the ridge and as
this had been occupied, it would not follow that the tire had any direct
relation to the mound. This was elliptical, about 4 feet high in 1880,
and must have been built over a natural or artificial depression, as the
original surface was reached at that time at a depth of 7 feet. The
most remarkable mounds in this district are those described by Mr. T.
C. Wallbridge.' They are mostly on the southern shore of the bay of
Quinte, Ontario, Canada, in the township of Ameliasburg, and there
form a group of one hundred or more distinct tumuli. Generally they
occur in pairs of uniform size, and are truncated cones 30 to 50 feet in
diameter and about 12 feet high. A shallow basin is found at the top,
which may be due to the sinking of the interior. Few were found
which had not been opened. Internally there weremany large stones,
and those in the best condition seemed examples of stone burial cists,
with a few liuman remains. The articles found were mostly of bone.
STONK MOUNDS OR HEAPS.
Since the colonizing of New York the practice of casting stones njjon
heaps was continued by some of the Indian tribes in the eastern part
of that state. In the Livingston Manor Patent, New York Document-
ary History," mention is made of " heaps of stones which the Indians
throw upon one another as they pass by, from an ancient custom
amongst them." In 1753 the Rev. Gideon Hawley saw this act by his
IMohawk guide, in the Schoharie valley, and thought it one of supersti-
tion. Other stone heaps have been found within indosures, and are
' Caiuuliiin .lounial. new series, 1860, viil. v., pp. 409-417. 2 Vol. 3, p. 693.
THOMAS.I THE HUKON-IROQUOIS DISTRICT. 545
recognized as defensive aniniunition. Tn other cases they marked
places of burial. Two such instances occurred near Baldwinsville,
N. Y., -where skeletons were found beneath the heaps, and they have
been noted elsewhere. Some have been supposed to mark treaties, but
they are nowhere large in this district.
HUT RINGS.
The best examples of these occur about Perch lake, Jefferson county,
New York. They were at first described as circular mounds, but recent
investigation has proved them to have been the floors of lodges,
gradually raised. They are depressed in the center, and the outer,
circular edge is from 2 to 5 feet high, composed of burnt stone and
camp refuse. No earthenware is found in them, but plenty of flint
chips. The diameter ranges from 20 to 30 feet. A few examiiles in
Onondaga county, New Y'ork, difl'er ft-om these in their lower out-
lines, and in the presence of pottery. In the same county, J. V. H.
Clark' described, in Pompey, "numerous circular elevations made of
stones, some 12 or 14 feet in diameter and about 18 incbes high. They
were arranged in regular rows, some 2 or 3 rods apart, and were proba-
bly the foiiudations of cabins or wigwams."
OSSUARIES.
One mode of burial, known as the ossuarj', is most common about
Lake Simcoe and a part of the Georgian baj', and about the sliores of
the western end of Lake Ontario, in Canada. In this the bodies, the
skeletons, or the bundles of large bones were placed in a common grave
below the surface, which soon regained much of its customary appear-
ance. Mr. A. F. Hunter, of Barrie, Ontario, who has thoroughly studied
Simcoe county, reports over 150 of these, of all sizes, mostly mapped
and described by him. Early accounts of interment in these are well
known and need not be repeated. Ossuaries near Lake Simcoe are
usually circular, but at Beverley, near Lake Ontario, they are quite long
and of considerable width. In the former case there is often a per-
ceptible ring around the edge. This would depend on the amount of
perishable material buried, and the tilling in of the pit. They vary
greatly in size, ranging from a few skeletons to many hundreds. Mr.
Hunter estimated the average number at 300. The copper kettles often
found in these pits usually have a hole in the bottom, revealing a fear
that these graves might be robbed.
An ossuary was opened in Beverley, iu 1886, by Mr. David Boyle,
which was 25 feet long by 12 feet broad. This is about one- fifth of the
superficial area of the one in the same town described by Mr. School-
craft in 1813. Except in outline they do not differ from those of Sim-
coe county. A rude pit of this kind at Ottawa, opened in 1843, is the
' Onondaga, voL 2, p. 261.
12 ETH 35
546 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
uoi'tbenimost known in Canada, east of the Great lakes, but their occur-
rence would not be surprising farther north in the valley of the St.
Lawrence. The New York ossuaries, or bone pits, present no unusual
features, but are usually reported as instances of "promiscuous" or
confused burial. By this is intended interment without respect to the
age of the person or position of the bones, as though these had been
gathered without care and thrown into a common mass. This may
have been done in some cases, but the practice of arranging the bones
in bundles would give the impression of confusion to the casual observer.
lu these the long bones were placed together, with the skull at one end,
and some of the smaller bones were often lacking. If the bundles were
buried singly, they might be taken for sitting or crouching figures.
In some graves recently opened near Cayuga lake. New York, suc-
cessive tiers of skeletons were found, arranged horizontally, the layers
being separated by a thin stratum of earth. In one pit there were four
tiers, with twenty skeletons. The others had less. This was near
Union Springs. Such careful arrangement seems rare. Relics were
found in every pit, but not with each skeleton, and it may be added
that articles in New Y''ork aboriginal graves are usually perfect.
Some ossuaries may be due to hasty burial, as after a severe battle.
A case in point is recorded in the second Esopus war of 1G63.' The
Dutch " came to the fort of the Esopus Indians » * * and there
found five large pits into which they had cast their dead. The wolves
had rooted up and devoured some of them. Lower down on the hill
were four other pits, full of dead Indians." The frequent practice of
giving final burial only when the flesh was removed from the bones may
have originated in guarding against wild beasts.
Usually skeletons in these pits lie horizontally. Mr. T. A. Cheney *
describes three pits, or ossuaries, in Terry township, Chautauqua
county, in which a ditiereut arrangement was found. Within and
about an elliptical inclosure skeletons were found buried in a horizontal
position. Fifty rods away were three rectangular pits 9 feet in diam-
eter and slightly depressed. In these were many skeletons in a sitting-
posture. In an ossuary at the village of Barrie, Simcoe county, On-
tario, many skulls had arrows in the forehead, and were buried face
downward.
There seems, therefore, to have been no settled plan of burial of this
kind, and taste, convenience, or time produced many variations in the
iutei'nal arrangement. In most cases there are no remaining signs of
pi'otection, but in one described by Turner^ piles of sandstone were
placed over the bones. Another instance occurred in Jetferson county,
New Y'ork, and is described by Squier.* Both of these seem interme-
diate between the ossuary and the stone heap or mound.
1 X. Y. Doc. Hist., vol. 4, p. 80.
2 Thirteenth Ann. Kep. of the Regents of the University of the State of J^ew York, ISGO, p. 45.
■* Holland Piircliase, p. 27.
* Antiquities of the state of New York, p. 29.
THE HURON-IROQUOIS DISTRICT. 547
GRAVES AND CEMETERIES.
In single graves and cemeteries burial is by no means uniform. The
sitting or crouching posture is frequent and the horizontal almost as
nuich so. Articles may be found ^\ ith the dead or not. Besides imple-
ments and ornaments, vessels containing food were often placed in the
tomb. Graves are often niiirked by depressions in cemeteries in New
York, and without mentioning this, Mr. Clark alludes to its cause' in
speaking of an early burial place: "The skeletons were universally
found buried in a sitting posture facing the east, with some domestic
utensil or weapon of war between the thigh bones. They are usually
found 2 or 3 feet below the surface. The skull and bones of the body
are uniformly sunk to a level with the legs. From appearances, the
bodies, after being placed in their graves, were covered with brush
previous to casting the earth u^iou them."
A Dutch account, written in 1632,^ says that a dying person was
placed in this position, which was retained after death. Another account
in 1671,^ adds that when the body was thus placed in the ground they
" stow wood all around, which they cover with jjlanks; on the planks,
which are covered with earth and stones, palisades are fastened in such
a manner that the tomb resembles a little house, to which they pay
diviue reverence."
Occasional examples of stone graves are found, and one such was
reported at East Syracuse, New York, in 1879. As described at the
time, flat stones set on edge formed a carefully made vault, but with
no mortar. As the other graves opened were of the ordinary type, this
may be doubfeful. In opening the West Shore railroad through the
Mohawk valley occasional graves were found rei)orted as covered with
large flat stones, and others have been described in Chenango county,
New York, as having layers of cobblestones above and below the
bodies.*
The most remarkable example of this kind in New York was described
by Mr. S. L. Prey in the American Naturalist,^ A group of graves
was opened which contained some curious tubes and other remarkable
relics, still retained at Canajoharie and Palatine bridge. The spot was
on the hUlside, a little east of the latter place. The graves had been
lined with flat stones and varied ft'om 3 to -t feet m depth, bowlders
being placed above the bodies when buried. The position was not the
same in all, and in one case two skeletons were found in one grave.
The peculiar tubes and reddish earth connect this with graves in
Swanton, Vermont.
rNCLOSUEES.
stockades and earthworks both occur, but the latter have naturally
attracted the most attention. If the bank was partly intended to sup-
' Onondaga, vol. 2, p. 257. ^ Ibid., vol. 4, p. 127. » Vol. 13. 1879, pp. 6:i7-(>44.
2 N. Y. Doc. Hist., vol. 3. p. 46. ' Historical Magazine, 1873, p. 13.
548 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
port i)alisade.s, it yet was liigli enougli for a breastwork, and probably
served as such. A single gateway sufficed for souie small inclosures,
but there were usually more. These works vary greatly iu size, some
having an area of large dimensions. Quite larely thej' present no
marks of occupation. While often on conimaudiug spots, they are fre-
quently overlooked by some near eminence, and are occasionally found
on low lands or in swamps. If the situation has natural defenses, as
steep banks, either of ravines or streams, these parts may be left
apparently open.
Stockades and embankments have been found near together, and
palisades may have had supports of earth, piles of wood, or cross tim-
bers, such as the Hurons and Iroquois commonly used when first known.
The first would remain, the last two would leave no trace. There is
little direct evidence that palisades surmounted the earthworks, and
reasons can be given for this. Besides cross timbers, other supports
were sometimes used, suggestive of the bank of earth. The Seneca
village visited by La Salle in 1GG9 had ''])alisades 12 or 1.3 feet high,
bound together at the toj) and supported at the base behind the pali-
sades by large masses of wood of the height of a man."
A well-preserved trace of an oblong stockade near Cazenovia, New
York was recently examined by the writer. The line of the palisade was
a trench a foot wide and deep, in which the posts were set at intervals
of about oO inches from center to center. No holes were dug, but the
space between was refilled. By the settling of the ground and the
decay of the posts the trench became distinct again. With so slight a
hold the need of binders at the top and cross timbers at the sides
becomes evident. With these appliances there may sometimes have
been no digging at all.
As a rule gateways show no signs of defense, though some there
must have been. In a few instances these are found. The double
walled iuclosure in Shelby, Orleans county, New York, has not its
inner and outer gateways opposite, but the inner gateway is protected
by the outer wall. A large earthwork, nearly a parallelogram, de-
scribed by Mr. T. A. Cheney,' had a wide gateway, "with elevated
mounds upon each side, to guard the entrance." These formed really
an outer and inner wall. An overlapping wall, forming a gateway,
occurred in Macomb county, Michigan,, but a simple inside barrier of
wood may have been the usual defense, protecting the approaches
within.
The outside ditch is raiely lacking in earthworks, and rarely found
with stockades, if at all. In one instance, in Michigan, the trench
appears i>artly within and partly without, as though a matter of indif-
ference, and convenience may commonly have governed its position
more than considerations of defense, being simply the places where
earth for the wall was most easily ijrocured.
'Anc. Mon. in western New York, p. 44, PI. vii.
THO.MAS.1 THE HURON-IROQUOIS DISTRICT. 549
I'NINCLOSED VILLAGES AND CAMPS.
Many places which were inhabited show uo signs of inclnsures, and
yet may have had simple defenses of wood. They are known by indi-
cations of occupation, as the blackened earth, collections of burnt
stones, and articles found in the jj;round. Many minor distinctions may
be founded on these, but they are most frequent along lakes and streams,
especially at fords and fishing idaces. They range from single lodges
to considerable villages, and sometimes show indications of successive
occupation. Many yield articles not found within inclosures.
The use of caches is well understood, but tliose of New York and
Canada are among the proofs of the agricultural pursuits of the early
inhabitants. Large quantities of corn are found in them, with occa-
sional remains of other vegetable productions. They are not peculiar
to this district. They appear to have been usually lined with bark.
FISH WEIRS AND POUNDS.
Very few bone fishhooks occur, but the bone harpoon or spear is
more common. Flat net sinkers are abundant in New York, but have
escaped notice in Canada. Stone fish weirs yet remain in some Xew
York streams, though many have been destroyed. In the Vanderkemp
letters of 1792,' published by the Butt'alo Historical Society, is an
account of a voyage down the Oneida river.
"We passed,'' says the writer, "sometimes, through our unexpert-
ness, large rifts with difticulty. It was said here was an ancient Indian
eel-weir, by which this natural obstruction in the bed of the river had
been increased."
Another large one yet exists on the Seneca river, a dozen miles or
more from this. In low water it is partly visible, and what remains
was measured by the writer a few years since. Towards the north
bank it has been removed to allow thd passage of large boats. Com-
mencing on the south shore, a stone wall runs down the stream at a
moderate angle with the bank for 210 feet; then up the river at a simi-
lar angle with the current for 3-tO feet ; then down stream 145 feet,
returning 160 feet. This i)oint is about 100 feet from the north bank,
to which another may have extended. If 350 feet were added for this,
there would be a total length of 1,200 feet by 2 feet deep. There are
others on the same river, also well made of field stones of considerable
size.
Fish pounds of stakes, although used in both ISTew York and Canada,
have proved more perishable. The best known example is at " The
Narrows," Orillia, Canada, which was described at au early day, and
was once called " Hurdle lake." The stakes forming the pound were of
tamarac.
'P. 85.
550 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
GARDEN BEDS AND COKN HILLS.
Many of the garden beds of Michigan fall withiu this district, but
these low mounds extend also into other states. They are mainly dis-
tinguished from the large corntields farther east by their .symmetrical
airangement and accuracy of outline, forms ])ossibly due to ditt'erences
of natural surface. No relics have been found to prove a connection,
and the question of their origin may be deferred.
In several parts of New York very large corn hills remained until a
recent date, and have been described by Schoolcraft, Clark, and others.
They were much larger than those made by the whites, a small mound
being raised sufiflcient to contain several hills, and this was used for
many years. These mounds were arranged in lows, but did not form a
continuous plat, as in the garden beds.
THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS dl' THE lUSTHICT.
In this brief summary no attempt has been made to distinguish the
tribes which may have dwelt in the district or to point out when they
did so. It is sufficient now to say that the constant progress of coloni-
zation ii; New York and Canada jjroduced a gradual change in the arts
of savage life, so that primitive implements, ornaments, and utensils
are found on the same village sites and in the same graves with those
derived from the white man. Those who received European articles
are well known in history, but they had in this district arts like those
found in its graves and inclosures. Its builders of simple walls and
mounds, in such ways, are directly connected with the historic red man,
and the latter transition stages can be fully trai-ed.
THE ILLINOIS DISTRICT.
The limits of this district cast and west have not as yet been satis-
factorily determined; hence it can only be defined as including the
middle and eastern portions of Iowa, northeastern and possibly cen-
tral JMissouri, Illinois as far south as the mouth of the Illinois river,
and the western half of Indiana. Nor are the type characters by any
means so well marked as those of most of the other districts. The dif-
ferences in the featiu-es and types of the works and relics indicate the
presence in the area embraced of different tribes, some of which must
have occupied in succession the same sections. Especially does this
appear to be true of the eastern portion of Iowa and the western jiart
of Illinois. There are certain types of this last-mentioned region
which bear such strong resemblance to some of the works and remains
of southeastern Indiana and southern Ohio as to justify the belief that
there was some relation between the mound-builders of the two areas.
On the other hand, however, t]iere are works in eastern Illinois and
western Indiana which seem to justify the belief that they are attrib-
utable to other tribes than the authors of those last mentioned. The
THOMAS.]
ILLINOIS. 551
autiquities of uortlieastern ]\Iissouri and some of those of Oallioun
county, Illinois, present nuirkecl peculiarities not found in other por-
tions of the district, yet do not seem to be connected with those of the
regions immediately south. The district has therefore been designated
rather because of the want of conformity in types with the works of
sixrrounding ai-eas than on account of indications that they are to be
attributed to a single family or a number of cognate tribes.
As will be seen by reference to the map showing the distribution of
ancient works, they are found in this district chiefly along tlie larger
watercourses, three-fourths of all those noted being situated along the
Mississippi, Illinois, and Wabash rivers. There are, however, a few
interior clusters in Illinois, as the one in and about Kuox county,
anothrt' in Sangamon county, and another in the southeastern part of
the state. Along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers they are found
upon the uplands, ridges, and bluffs as well as on the bottoms which
border the streams. In Calhoun county, Illinois, and northeastern
Missouri, which are more broken than other parts of the district, the
groups generally consist of single lines of tumuli along the narrow
crests. As a general, though not universal, rule the larger mounds ai-e
found on the lowlands or valley levels.
Contrasting the works of this district with the types of the Dakotan
district, it is sufficient to state that (except along the northern border
where there has been an overlapping and intermingling of types) we do
not find here the imitations of animal forms, the elongate, wall-like
tumuli, nor the series of connected mounds. Not does it appear to have
been a custom of the mound builders of this district to arrange the small
tumuli in lines. It is true, however, that series and irregular lines are
found along the margins of the bluft's and on the crests of ridges in,
western Illinois, especially in Calhoun county, and also in northeastern
Missouri, but the arrangement appears to have resulted from the topo-
graphical features rather than from design. Messrs. Hardy and
Scheetz, ' who made some important explorations in the latter section,
were however inclined to believe from tlieir observations that there was
a tendency here to place the mounds in rows even on the level areas.
The works of this district are distinguished from the archeologic re-
mains immediately south chiefly by the absence of pyramidal mounds —
less perhaps than half a score being found within the designated bound-
ary ; by the marked differences in the pottery and other minor vestiges
of art, especially the pipes, and by the differences in the burial customs.
The frequent occurrence here of the "monitor " or broad, curved base
pipe, which is found neither north nor south, is a marked feature.
BURIAL MOUNDS.
As the chief variations in types observed witliin the district are found
in the burial mounds, attention is called to them first. It is necessarj'
1 Smitlison. Rep., J881, pp. 533-536.
552 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to State here, lest an erroneous impression be conveyed to the reader
who may be acquainted Mith the works of the northern ])art of the dis-
trict, that one chiss of mounds found in tlic northeastern part of Iowa
and northwestern part of Illinois, although Avitliin the limits assigned
to the district, is omitted from consideration, as the modes of construc-
tion and burial show this class to beh)ng unquestionably to the Dakotan
types. On the Iowa side these appear to fade out going south by the
time the Maquoketa river is reached, but continue on the Illinois side
into Rock Island and Stark counties.
Excluding these we notice thefolldwing tyi)es as those which appear
to be most characteristic, some of which seem to be limited to particular
sections of the district and to indicate the locations of difl'erent ti'ibes.
In the region of Scott, ^Tuscatine, and Louisa counties, Iowa, on the
west side of the ^lississippi but extending as far south as Calhoun
county, Illinois, on the east side, certain tyjies both of mounds and
specimens of art are found which resemble so closely some of the an-
tiquities of the Oliio and Appalachian districts (hereafter described)
as to indicate some relationship between the mound builders of these
different sections. For example, we find at the bottom of some of the
mounds of the section indicated the basin-shaped clay mass, or more
correctly clay mass with basin-shaped depressioii in the middle, remind-
ing us of the so-called '' altars" of the Ohio mounds. These are usually
the larger mounds of this region, and are generally, though not always,
found on the low lands. They are also in some cases burial mounds,
which is seldom true of the type in Ohio. A description of one is given
here in order that the reader may see upon what evidence this claim of
resemblance is based. A full description will be found in the account
of the field work, and also in Science. '
This mound, which forms one of a group of five located on the spur
of a bluff about 150 feet high, overlooking the Illinois river, stood on
the very brink of a precipice. Roundly conical in form, it measured 95
feet in diameter at the base and about 17 feet in height. From the top
to the depth of 14 feet it consisted chiefly of yellow clay obtained from
the surrounding surface of the bluff. In this, at the depth of 4 feet,
was a horizontal layer of hard, gray earth 8 inches thick and 20 feet in
diameter. Three feet lower was a layer of burnt clay about the same
thickness and extent. Although iiarticles of charcoal were mixed
through it, no ashes were observed on or about it (see Fig. 65).
At the depth of 14 feet was reached what seemed to be a nucleus or
original mound over which the heavy mass of clay had been thrown.
Over this lay a thin covering of whitish material, apparently light ashes,
not more than 2 inches thick and extending entirely over the upper
surface of this nucleus, which was nearly circular in outline, about 40
feet in diameter, and rounded up to a height of a little over 3 feet in the
I Vol. 13 (1889), p. 349.
THOMAS.] THE ILLINOIS DISTRICT. 553
middle. Under the layer of aslies was a single layer of stones extend-
ing over the central portion but not reacliiug the outer margin. When
these were removed it was ascertained tliat a basin-shaped depression,
oval in outline, 10 by 13 feet and nearly 3 feet deep in the middle, had
been made in this central mass. This Mas lined throughout with a layer
of stone and was tilled with the yellow surface soil of the ridge, but
immediately over the stones was a thin layer of white ashes mixed with
charred leaves and grass. Under the stones, resting on the natural
surface of the ridge, was a thin layer of decayed vegetable matter.
Under the center of this, in a slight excavation in the original soil, was
a single skeleton lying at full length on its back — but, strange to say,
the head was wanting. Xot a tooth nor any other part of it could be
found, though careful search was made. As the other bones wei-e com-
paratively well preserved it is presumed that the head was removed
before burial. It is worthy of note that the stones bore evidence of
having remained in position exposed to the air for a considerable length
of time before being covered. The similarity of this structure to the
so-called "altars" of the Ohio mounds is so apparent that it is only nec-
essary to call attention to it.
In other mounds of the section under consideration cubical piles of
stones occur similar to those observed in some of the mounds of west-
ern North Carolina. In one instance a beehive-shaped vault of hard-
ened clay covering a skeleton was observed, remiiuling us of similar
clay vaults in some two or three mounds of Kanawha valley, ^Yest Vir-
ginia, and the little >..tone vaults in the mounds of western 2>orth Caro-
lina and eastern Tennessee. In addition to these resemblances is the
well-known fact that in the section now referred to the curved V)ase or
monitor pipe, so characteristic of the typical mounds of Ohio, is found
in large numbers.
There are, however, other features of the mounds of this region
worthy of notice, some of which indicate the presence of other tribes
than the builders of the mounds alluded to. It is assumed that, as a
rule, the presence of the monitor pipe in a mound may be taken as
evidence that the builders, notwithstanding the differences in the con-
struction of the mounds and mode of burial, were related to the authors
of those referred to or had adopted some of their jieculiar customs from
long, intimate association. It is often the case that different modes of
construction and burial dependent u])on station, condition in life, calling,
achievements, etc., are found in the mounds apparently constructed by
the people of a single tribe or even a single village. For example, the
mounds of the Cook farm group, Scott county, Iowa, from which the
well known engraved tablets of the Davenport Academy of Sciences
were taken, presented the following different features: Some were
stratified, others not ; in some the skeletons were placed horizontally
on the ground, in others they were in a sitting posture, while in others
they were dismembered and in a confused heap; in some there were
554 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
cubical piles of stone which were wanting in others; in some the skele-
tons were covered with a hard layer or mortar-like coating which was
wanting in most of them; and lastly tliere were evidences in one or two
of the use of fire in the burial ceremonies, though not found in the
others. Most of the mounds, though not all, covered a burial pit or
slight excavation in the original soil.
Several instances have been noticed where the mounds examined
were found to contain stone vaults of various forms. In some two or
three cases these vaults were square, or oblong inclosures consisting
of a surrounding wall built up ot unliewn stone to the height of 2 or 3
feet. Within these were found a number of skeletons supposed, from
the position in which the bones were found, to have been buried in a
sitting ])osture. In one case the vault, which was divided by cross
partitions, was covered with timbers from which the bark had been
removed. Another was without a covering, the dirt having been
thrown in on the bodies to All the vault and piled up over it to form
the mound. These vaults vary in size from 7 to 12 feet (m a side, and
have been observed in Jo Daviess and Cass counties, Illinois, and Clay
county, Missouri. Similar shaped vaults, sunk in the natural soil and
not covered by mounds, liave been discovered in Pike and Montgomery
counties, Missouri.
In some instances dome-shaped stone vaults have been observed.
In these cases it would seem that the bodies or skeletons had been
placed on the natural surface in a sitting posture, then inclosed by a
circular wall of rough stones contracted toward the top and covered
with a single flat stone. It must be borne in mind, however, that
mounds of these particular types are usually accompanied by others
l>resenting quite different modes of burial. For example, we are
informed by Dr. 'J. F. Snyder,' who has made a somewhat careful
study ot the antiquities of Cass county, Illinois, where mounds of the
last mentioned type occur, that there are three kinds of burial mounds.
First, those with dome-shaped vaults, as described ; second, those with
oblong or S(iuare cists formed by setting up stone slabs on edge and
covering with similar slabs — apparently the box-shaped stone graves;
and third, small mounds, usually in rows along the crests of ridges,
each containing the bones of several individuals uninclosed. In some
of these the skeletons are folded or sitting up with the feet drawn
under the hips ; in some the bones are in confused masses. A few
have basin-shaped excavations beneath them.
The mounds of northeastern Missouri present some peculiarities
worthy of notice. As to composition they are made wholly of earth, of
<?arth and stones, or wholly of stones. In the latter two the bodies
buried in them are covered by stones thrown over them, or are inclosed
in stone receptacles of various forms. In a few cases these receptacles
are box-shaped stone cists similar to those so common in southern Illi-
1 Smithson. Eep., 1881, pp. 568-573.
THOMAS.] THE ILLINOIS DISTRICT. 555
uois aud middle Tennessee. There are, however, pecnliarities iu the
modes of burial which seeiu to indicate that different i^eoples were the
authors of the works of the different sections. It seems that the mound-
builders of northeastern IMissouri often burned the bodies, then gath-
ered up the charred bones and ashes aud mixed them into amass with
clay. Where the bodies were buried without being thus treated, a flat
stone was sometimes laid on the head.
In the eastern portion of the district, which includes western Indi-
ana, the mounds occur principally upon the small streams emptying
into Lake Michigan and upon tlie lower waters of the Wabash river,
few, if any, being found in the intermediate area.
The mounds of northwestern Indiana are found chietly in Laporte
county. Some of them are of medium or comparatively large size,
ranging- from 10 to 20 feet in height. All are composed of earth aud
are generally burial tumuli. Quite a number of copper articles, such
as celts and awls, some vessels of pottery, aud an occasional carved
pipe, have been obtained from them. In some the skeletons seem to
have been placed in a sitting jiosture, while in others they were placed
horizontally. In some cases there is evidence that after the bodies
were deposited on the natural surface and covered with earth a fire
was kindled on this and the mound heaped over it. A number of the
mounds from 2 to 3 feet high contained no indications of having been
used for burial purposes, but, judging from tlie iire-beds aud refuse
material found in them, were built as dwelling sites.
In the valley of the lower Wabash mounds occur iu considerable
numbers and of various types. Near Merom, on the Indiana side, is
an extensive grou]) partially surrounded by an earthen wall. This
consists largely of hut rings, reminding us of similar groups iu south-
ern Illinois and southeastern Missouri; as iu the latter, there is one
chief mound and a few smaller ones. The former was a burial mound.
Another extensive group is found near Hutsonville, on the Illinois side.
There are, however, no indications that this was surrounded by an
embankment, though some of the large tumuli present the rather un-
common feature in this section of being sitrrounded by a circular
embankment or ridge. Most of the small mounds, as well as some of
the larger ones, appear to have been only dwelling sites, as they con-
tained no indications of having been used for burial purposes. " The
absence of human remains and all refuse in the shape of kitchen heaps,
as well as implements," led the explorers to the conclusion that the
place was not inhabited for any great length of time, and that it may
have been simply a place of resort at special seasons for some particu-
lar purpose.
Numerous "earthworks" are reported in the vicinity of Merom, but,
no description being furnished nor any examination made by tlie
Bureau agents, we are unable to judge of their oharaoter or type. Mr.
Collett, the state geologist of Indiana, who makes the statement, adds
556 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
that they are "of such an extent as to require for their construction
tinie and tlie persistent hibor of many peojjle. Situated on the river
bhifls, their location combines i)icturesque scenery, susceptibility for
defense and convenience to transportation, ^vater, and productive lands."
He also states that there is evidence here that conical knolls of the
loess have been artificially rounded and used for sepulchral purposes.
Other mounds on the Indiana side of the lower AY abash, especially
in Knox county, are of comparatively large size and appear in some
instances to have been truncated, earthen pyramids. Very little evi-
dence of burial has been found in them ; it is, therefore, to be presumed
that they were built for other than burial purposes. They contain
traces of fire, the prevailing feature being the presence of one or more
strata of ashes in which are found fragments of bones. On the Illinois
side of this part of the valley and in the region of Sangamon river
in tlie central part of the state, the mounds, which occur in considera-
ble number, are comparatively small, unstratified, and used only for
burial purposes. Some of them at least are comparatively recent, as
articles showing contact with the whites are found in them where there
are no indications of intrusive burial. The same is true also of a class
of small mounds found in northwestern Illinois. It is frequently the
case that the skeletons found in mounds of this type are in a sitting
posture; occasionally the bones are in a confused heap; however, the
horizontal position is probably more common than any other. As a
rule, but few implements or ornaments are found in mounds of this
class.
In reference to this north and south belt of the district, extending
from the northwest part of Indiana southward and including the
Wabash valley, it may be stated with considerable confidence that its
archeological features indicate the ijresence here of several different
tribes. It may also be afldrmed that these tribes were small ones, or
portions of large ones which remained for a comparatively short period
in this section.
There is a group of mounds in A'anderburg county, Indiana, that
seems out of plaee in the region where it Is found.
Tliese mounds, as will be seen by reference to our " Catalogue of Pre-
historic Works East of the Kocky Mountains," were first noticed by Mr.
John CoUett^ and subsequently briefly described by Floyd Stinson, in
the Smithsonian Report for 1881. Recently I have examined the group
and had a survey made of it. As the descri^jtion is not included in the
report of the field work, it is given here.
This group, commonly known as the "Angel mounds," is situated
about 8 miles southeast of Evansville, in Yanderburg county, near the
W^arwick county line, close to the Ohio river. At this point of its course
the Ohio sends off a branch or bayou which cuts off the " Three Mile
island." It is on the margin of this bayou opposite the lower end of
1 Geol. Surv. Ind., 1875.
THIJMAS.]
INDIANA.
557
the islaud tliat the group, consisting of six monnds and an eaitheu
wall, is located. A plat of the group is given in PI. xli.
Starting from the bank of the bayou and moving northward we first
cross a .strip of low land several rods wide which borders the stream
and is subject to annual ovcrtlows. We then come to a low bluff .some
8 to 12 feet high which forms the break or edge of the terrace or general
level, and which is undoubtedly tlie old bank of the Ohio. Ascending
this and moving north by the mound marked D and
turning our face to the east, we have a full and clear
view of the large mound (A) which is the prominent
feature of the group as .shown in Fig. 338, which rep-
resents the elevation as seen from the west. A plat
of it is given in Fig. 330. It is a flat-toi^ped mound, ^yft.
oblong in form, capped at one end by a c(mical mound,
and furnished at the same end with an apron-like ex-
tension. The height at the northern end (A) is 27 feet,
but this increases as we approach the lower end (D) c
to 30 feet. The height of the apron varies from (! to It) '%
feet. The entire length of the base from north to south \^
is about 520 feet, the width varynig from 130 to 150 feet. %
The length of the top of the upper le\el on the west side f
is 236 feet; of the apron, about 150 feet. The width \
of the top of the ui)per level varies from 03 to 110 feet. %
The conical portion at the southeast corner of the i
main structure rises to the height of 20 feet above the I
upper level, the (•ircumference at this level being 200 .-
feet, giving a diameter of 03 feet. This is, more cor- a
rectly speaking, an addition to the original structure ^
and not simply a su]>erimposed mound, for the slope 3
on the southeast jwrtion extends down to the original '^
surface of the ground and beyond the base of the
main structui'e. This feature, though rare, has been
ol>served in some two or three other cases, as, for ex-
ample, in one of the mounds of the Seip works, in
Ross county, Ohio, and one of the Linn mounds, Union
county, Illinois.
The structure marked li, I'l. xli, is a low, conical
mound about 100 feet in diameter, much worn by the ^
l)low, so that at present it is only some 3 or 4 feet high. It is 665 feet
N. 540 E. of A (measuring from the iioint <l on the top of the latter).
Near by is a small excavation from which part of the earth used in
building the mound was probably taken. The surface of the ground
between these two mounds is strewn with fragments of pottery, broken
mussel-shells. Hint chips, etc.
Moimd C is situated 650 feet N. 86° W. of tlie large mound. It is a
low, conical tumulus, the north and south diameter being 102 feet, and
558
MOUND EXPLORATIONi^.
the east and west 108 feet. It has been explored by Mr. Charles Artes,
who has made a study of the archeology of this region. He found it
to be composed throughout of sandy soil, with no relics or burials
excei>t one stone cist near the southern edge, in which nothing was
discovered.
Mound D (the smallest of the group) lies 425 feet S. 40° W. of A, is
75 feet in diameter and similar iu form and ccmstruction to B and C.
It has also been explored by Mr. Artes, who found near the center a
stone cist 3 feet sqixare containing thirteen skulls. Twelve of these
were arranged in a circle near the sides of the cist, while the other was
lying in the center with two thigh bones
resting by it. No other bones were found.
jSTiiie hundred and sixty-five feet X. 52°
W. of the large moirnd is a flat-topped
circular mound (E), 338 feet in circumfer-
ence at the base. The diameters across
the level top north and south and east
and west are respectively Gl and 52 feet.
It is about 12 feet high.
Undoubtedly the finest mound of the
group (F) is situated 1,480 feet S. 56° W.
of A. It is a flat-topped circular struc-
ture about 15 feet high and very symmet-
rical. The slope is nearly the same on all
sides. The circumference at the base is
550 feet, while the diameters of the top
are 98 feet north and south and 100 feet
east and west. On the southwest there
is a depression in the slope of the side,
resembling an indented or depressed
graded way, but whether it was origi-
FlG. 339.
-Plat of Large mound, Angel
group.
nally so or is of modern origin can not
well be asc'ertained. The top of the mound
has been used as a cemetery by the whites
who have owned it. On the southern side
stands an oak tree 4 feet 3 inches in diameter. The field surrounding
this mound is subject to overflow dm-iug very high water.
An inclosing embankment or surrounding wall may be traced from
mound C in a circular direction around to the eastern extremity of the
bluff skirting the field in whi<'h mounds A, B, C, and D are situated.
This, as will be seen by reference to the figure, includes A, B, and D,
but does not inclose mounds E andF. In width it varies from 15 to 25
feet. Its height, in places where least disturbed, is from 3 to 5 feet on
the west and north and from 4 to 8 feet on the east. The length of the
entire wall is 2,600 feet. At a distance of 1,400 feet from mound C,
following the line of the embankment, and 900 feet northeast of the
_^^ '^s^
THOMAS] INDIANA. 559
large tumulus A, is a gateway (G), the (U-iginal width of which, judging
from i^reseut aj)pearances, was 20 feet. The di'ainage of a iiortiou of
the field is at preseut through this gateway. Along the line of the
embankment, where not effaced by the plow, are buttress-like enlarge-
ments (S), projecting outwards from 20 to 30 feet. The distance be-
tween these enlargements varies, increasing ft-om east to west. Two
measured on the east were 97 feet apart, two on the north 107, and two
on the west 120 feet. Standing on the outer edge of one of these en-
largements a person commands a clear view along the line for some
distance. The eastern portion of the embankment rises 6 to 8 feet
above the level of the adjoining field and the top is nearly level with
the general surface of the field containing mounds A and B.
Careful search was made for an embankment extending to the bluff
on the west, but no indications of such could be discovered. There is
a ridge (shown by hachured lines on PI. XLi) somewhat resembling
the earthwork already mentioned, which was found to extend east and
west for a short distance north of the regular embankment. It is wider
than the other and was traced to the edge of the woods, where all signs
of it were lost, nor could it be found beyond mound E. It is probably a
natiu'al swell of the surface rather than an artificial structuie. No
ditches were found near either of the earth walls, if the latter may be
so called.
There is an excavation of considerable extent, in Mhich large forest
trees are growing, a short distance nortli of the iuclosure. It is from
this excavation that the earth composing the large mound was in all
probability taken, as on the side towards this the slope is very gradual.
Mounds A and B are situated on the farm of Charles Grimm, C, D,
and E on Silas Angel's farm, and mound F on Edward Collius's farm.
The distances between the mounds, measuring from center to center,
are as follows:
Feet.
C to i: 500
C to F 1, 080
D to E 1, 050
D to F 1, 030
E to F 1, 556
A to B
Feet.
665
A to C
650
A to D
425
A toE
965
A to F
1,480
C to D
500
In a few instances both in the eastern and western parts of the dis-
trict mounds have been explored containing stone graves of the regular
box-shaped tyije. Also some instances occur of earth-mounds covered
over with a layer of stones, as mounds in southeastern Indiana and in
the Kanawha valley in West Virghiia are found occasionally to be.
A number of ordinary small burial mounds found on the bluffs and
higher grounds of Pike and Brown counties, Illinois, opened by the
Bureau agent, were constructed in the usual method in this portion of
the district — that is, with a layer of hard mortar-like substance, or clay
and ashes mixed, covering the skeletons or bottom layer. The positions
560 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
of the skeletons found were various aiid the number of intrusive burials
unusually large. Tlie peculiarity observed was that in a number where
there M'ere intrusive burials near the surface no skeletons, or but the
slightest fragments of bones of the original burial below the hard, un-
disturbed layer, could be found, although there were clear indications
that the nnmnds were built and had apparently been used for general
interment.
As yet but comparatively few cemeteries, or burials not iu mounds,
have been discovered, although they are (piite common in southern
Illinois, which, for reasons hereafter given, is included in the Tennessee
district. In the latter, however, the bodies are usually inclosed in
stone graves, which is very rarely the case with those in the northern
part of the state. In some graves discovered on the gravelly point of
a ridge in Lasalle county, among the relics found were rude stone pipes,
shell beads, and a clay vessel made to represent a squatting human
figure. Image pottery of this type is (juite common in southern Illinois
and southeastern ]\Iissouri, but is exceedingly rare in the northern part
of the state, or in fact in any part of the district.
Although as a general rule the conical mounds of this district are
burial tumuli, yet there is a class found in considerable numbers at
certain points which appear to have been intended simply as dwelling
sites. Some of these have already been noticed. Others are found
along the Mississippi in its course between Iowa and Illinois. They
are small, varying from 15 to 50 feet in diameter and from 1 to 3 or 4
feet iu height, flatfish on toj). They are always in groups, occasion-
ally of considerable extent. Excavations have revealed beds of burnt
clay and a.shes and a few burnt stones. It must be remarked, however,
that the tumuli of this type found in northern Illinois appear in several
cases, judging by the accompanying works, to be attributable to the
authors of the effigy mounds. Those last mentioned are found chiefly
in Mercer, Whitesides, and Eock Island counties.
In this district are found also hut-rings or lodge sites marking the
locations of ancient villages. These however are not in so great num-
bers as in the district immediately south, yet they are discovered oc-
casionally from western Iowa to eastern Indiana, thus extending over
an area that must have been occupied in prehistoric times by several
different tribes.
True pyramidal mounds are of rare occurrence in the district; be-
sides those mentioned, two or three have been observed in western
Illinois, one in Iowa, and one or two in the central part of Missouri,
though it is doubtful whether the last mentioned should be included in
this district.
There are Imt few inclosures, the most important being those in Alla-
makee county, Iowa, described in the preceding part of this volume, and
also in the Fifth Annual Eeport of the Bureau. On the banks of Fox
river, in La Salle county, Illinois, there is an irregularly semicircular wall
THOMAS] THE OHIO DISTRICT. 561
forming an iiiclosure of comparatively small size. There are, at oue
point in Louisa county, Iowa, two parallel walls across a bluff point.
As each has a ditch on the side of approach it is evident tliey were
thrown up as defensive works. There are a few inclosures in western
and middle Indiana. In addition to those alluded to, one in Oranji'e
county is worthy of passing- notice. It consists of a double wall and
an intervening ditch ; on the inclosed area are twelve small mounds sup-
posed from the slight exploration made to be dwelling sites.
There have been discovered in Gass and Whitesides counties, Illi-
nois, some rather singular antiquities in the form of stone floors or pave-
ments; some in mounds but others under the surface with no mound
above them. These are describetf as c()mi)osed of flat stones fitted as
closely together as possible without dressing, usually over a space
about 12 by 8 feet and depressed in the middle to the depth of 10 inches.
Some of these floors consist of only one layer of stones, others of two.
The stones are found reddened and cracked by long exposure to heat, and
in one instance were covered with a mass of ashes and coals a foot thick
in the center. Scattered through this mass were the charred human
bones of at least three skeletons, but there were indications that more
bodies than these had been burned here. This mass, however, had evi-
dently been covered with dirt while yet smouldering. Stone floors, so
far as I am aware, have as yet been discovered at but three or four
other points — one iu southern Illinois, another at Fort Ancient, Ohio,
and another in western Pennsylvania. Those, however, of Cass and
Whitesides counties, if we may judge by the description, which is not
very clear, seem to bear a closer resemblance to the basin-shaped clay
beds of the mounds in Little Tennessee valley than to any other re-
mains yet observed.
Several caches of flint implements have been found in the valley of
the Illinois river. In some cases those found iu a single cache amounted
to several hundred. In one instance, where the number hidden away
amounted U> some hundreds, a pit had been dug and the implements
deposited in regular layers with alternate layers of sand between.
This seems to justify the conclusion reached by some archeologists that
the object was to render them more easily worked to the desired finish.
THE OHIO DISTEICT.
Tliis includes, as at present defined, the eastern part of Indiana, all
of Ohio, except the uoi"thern belt along the lake border belonging to
the Huron-Iro(|uois district, and the southwestern portion of West Vir-
ginia. The eastern and western limits are not well marked and no
attempt is made here to give definite boundaries in these directions.
On the south, the Ohio river api)ears to form a pretty well defined
limit, the peculiar features of the opposite districts showing themselves
but seldom on the northern side.
12 ETH 3fi
562 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
As the ])riucipal works of tbis district have beenoftendescribediiiKl
are well kuown, a brief ineutioii of the distinguishing features and
notice of some types not so well known is all that is deemed necessary
here.
IXCI.OsrRES.
The works of this kind found iu the district are generally and justly
considered its distinguishing archeological feature. These may, iu a
general sense, be treated under three heads: First, the hill forts; sec-
ond, the geometrical inclosures; and third, the defensive walls forming
partial inclosures.
The flrstclass, which corresponds with Squier and Davis's '-works of
defense," includes those works built uiiquestionably for defense on ele-
vated and naturally strong positions. The localities selected are usually
bluff headlands, isolated hills, and elevated points defended on eitlier
hand by deej) ravines, leaving only a narrow neck connecting theupi)er
level with the level of the high plateau. The sides of these elevations
are generally steep and difficult of access, in some cases i)recipitous
and apparently inaccessible to any attacking party.
If we examine the works tigured on Pis. iv, V, VI, Vil, Vlii (Nos. 1, .3,
and 4), PI. ix (Nos. 1 and 2), and (No. 3) PI. xii of "Ancient Monuments,"
we find evidence of deliberate and thoughtful attempts to fortify posi-
tions naturally very strong. In nearly all of these instances the posi-
tions chosen are elevated, isolated, or nearly isolated, areas with pre-
cipitous descents on two or more sides. Along the nuvrgin of the descent,
usually following the windings and indentations of the bluff, a wall of
stone, of stones and earth, or earth alone, has been thrown up, a ditch
running along the inner side furnishing the earthy material. In some
cases where the commencement of the descent from the upper area is
not abrupt the wall is carried along the slope a short distance below
the upper level, as, for example, at "Fortified Hill," in Butler county,
Ohio.'
It is true, as the authors of ••Ancient Monuments" state, that works
of this particular type " are never commanded from neighboring posi-
tions," a fact no doubt of some significance when we come to compare
these works with other inclosures which seem to have been intended
for a similar purpose, that of defense. This, however, will be referred to
hereafter.
Some of these works present indications of growth or change subse-
quent to their erection. For example, the smaller area of Fort Ancient,
occupying the point of the bluff, appears to be somewhat older than the
remaining portion, a theory advanced by the author in an article in
" Science," in 1886,^ and adopted by Mr. Moorehead in his "Fort An-
cient," in which he repeatedly uses the terms "Old Fort" and " New
Fort" for the two parts, and in the sense here indicated. The iu-
■ Anc. Mon., PI. Ti. » Vol. 8, Dec. 10, 1886, p. 538.
THOMAS.] THE OHIO DISTRICT. 563
closure sliowii iu No. 3, V\. xi, "Aucient Monuments," where there are
two walls some distanee apart, is probably an instance M'here the in-
closed area was contracted subsequent to its first occupancy. This is
inferred from the fact that the inner wall ])asses over a mound (probably
natural) which it seems would have been avoided in the orij^inal plan
when the line might have been fixed wherever desired. It is also prob-
able that some of the short walls about the chief gateway of " Forti-
fied Hill," Butler county, shown in PI. vi, "Ancient Monuments," are
additions to the original plan. The reasons for this supposition become
more apparent upon a personal examination of the topographical features
of the locality. The easy appr oach at this gateway renders it the weak
point of the fort.
The work with the double wall above mentioned and some others in
central and southwestern Oiiio, similar in character, except that they
usually consist of a single wall and ditch, belong to a slightly different
type than the "hill forts" referred to, and constitute the third class
above mentioned. They occupy peninsulas formed by the bends of the
rivers or larger streams, and the headlands at tlie junctions of deep
ravines or uniting streams, and consist of a curved or irregular line of
wall and ditch across the isthmus, or running trom one bank to the
othei', the precipitous descents at the sides and around the point forming
the defenses at these points of the area. Some of these works bear a
strong resemblance to the works in the northern part of Ohio, which
we have ascribed to the tribes of the Huron-Iroquois district, and, pos-
sibly, may be due iu part to some tribes of this family. It is to be
observed that a few of the same type occur in Kentucky. They may
have been erected by the people who built the more elaborate hill forts,
yet I am rather inclined to doubt this. However, as they are simple in
character and are found at widely separate points in the mound area,
it is unsafe to consider them of ethnic significance without further
proof. We will probably be justified in assuming that they can not be
ascribed to the builders of the geometrical works which constitute our
second class of inclosures.
The works of this second class are usually more or less regular in
form and are located on level areas, generally in the river valleys.
The leading types of this class are the well known circles, squares, and
octagons, or, as they are collectively termed, " geometrical works," found
chietiy iu the Scioto valley and about i^ewark, Ohio. Others which
may be included in the class, though varying from the typical forms,
are found in the Kanawha valley, West Virginia. Most of those of
southern and central Ohio are figured with comparative accuracy by
Messrs. Squier and Davis in "Ancient Monuments." But when deduc-
tions are to be drawn depending upon accurate measurements, it will
be necessary to take into consideration certain errors in their work
pointed out by the present author in a bulletin entitled "The Circular,
Square, and Octagonal Earthworks of Ohio," published by the Bureau
564 MOUND EXPLOUATIONS.
ill 188!). This iiifcaiitioii is necessary because impDrtant inferences in
regard to the orijiin and authors of these works have been drawn from
the measurements given in "Ancient Monuments" and the assuring
statement of tlie authors that these were made by thein in person with
great care. Notwithstanding this and tlie undeniable fact tliat a few
of the circles and squares approximate very closely to true geometrical
figures, and that some three or four are found to corrcsjiond pretty
closely in size and form, yet the apparent errors in this respect mani-
fest in their work and shown by a resurvey of some of the groups,
render it necessary in making close comparison to have recourse to a
more exact survey. The Bureau has endeavored to have this done, the
result of which is shown in the bulletin referred to and in the preced-
ing part of this volume.
The statement by the above named authors in regard to the general
character of the «'orks of this type, condensed as follows, may be
accepted as correct :
They are mostly legul.ir in their stnictuie :in(l occuiiy tlie broad and level river
bottoms, seldom occurring upon the tablelands or where the surface of the ground
is undulating or broken. They are usually square or circular in form; sometimes
they are slightly elliptical. Sometimes we find them isolated, but more frequently
in groups. The greater number of the circles are of comparatively small size, vary-
ing in diameter from 150 to 400 feet, and having the ditch, when present (as is usu-
ally the case), interior to the wall. Tliey have, as an almost universal rule, a single
gateway. Apart from these, numerous little circles 30 to 50 feet in diameter are
observed in the vicinity of large works. (These hut-rings, for such undoubtedly
they were, have nearly all been obliterated, scarcely a single one remaining at this
time.] The larger circles are oftenest fouud in combination with rectangular works
connected with them directly or by avenues. Some of these circles are of great
extent, embracing 50 or more acres, though generally from 15 to 25. They seldom
have a ditch, but whenever it occurs it is interior to tlie wall. The connected square
or rectangular works never have ditches exterior or interior. The walls of these
iuclosurcs are comjiosed of earth taken up evenly from the surface or from large
shallow pits near by. They vary in height (with one or two exceptions), where not
worn down by the plow, from 3 to 7 feet, and in widthat base from25 to45 feet. The
"Fair-Ground Circle "E at Newark, however, has a wall which, at some points,
reaches a height of from 15 to 17 feet above the ground level. In one or two instances
the circles are formed by two walls with a ditch between them, as the one at Circle-
ville described by Atwater.
These authors express the belief that the works of this type were
not erected for defensive purposes, but were designed for sacred or
religious uses and as places for performing superstitious rites. This
theory has been acce]ited by a large portion of sub.sequent wi-iters
upon this subject, among whcnn we may name as prominent Dr. Daniel
Wilson. There are, however, exceptions worthy of notice. Baldwin,
ill his Ancient xVmerica, expresses no decided opinion on the question,
but suggests " that a portion of them, it may be, encircled villages or
towns." Foster (Prehi.storic Eaces), although a decided opponent to the
theory of the Indian origin of the mounds, objects to the suggestion that
these valley inclosures were built for religious purposes, basing his
THOMAS.) THE OHIO DISTRICT. 565
opinion largely upon his knowledge of the Indian modes of defense. His
remarks on tins point have so much force in them that we quote i he
following paragraph :
Those works iu northern Ohio anil Western New York, which exliiliit the trenches
ou the outside of the jiarapet, are also classed as defensive, while those which occupy
level plateaux in the valley of the Ohio, with the trench inside, which are by far
the most numerous [?] are classed as sacred inelosures. I do not recognize the im-
portance of this distinction. Man.y writers, who have speculated upon this feature,
seem to have adopted the idea that the enemy, whoever he may have been, settled
down before these works, as did the Greeks under the walls of Troy, and engaged
in a protracted siege. Now, every one acquainted with Indian warfare knows that
it consists in surprises. A blow is struck, a massacre ensues, and a retreat follows.
Savages have not the means of subduing a fortification by regular approaches, nor
the accumulated provisions to sustain them while awaiting the result. A company
of infantry ou the plains, protected by an enclosure of palisades, trunks of trees set
upright and sharpened to a point, may defy the comliined jiower of the Indians
indefinitely, or until their supplies give out. The mound-builders, if th<'ir enemies
were like luoderu Indians, had only to guard against sudden attacks, and a row of
pickets, without reference to whether the trench were inside or outside, would be
eft'ectual. Catlin has shown that the Mandans, in fortifying their villages, con-
structed the ditch inside, the warriors using the embankment as a shelter while they
shot their arrows through the interstices of the pickets.'
Short^ carefully avoids any discussion of the question, which fiict may
be accepted as a clear indication that he did not feel inclined to give
his assent to the view advanced by the authors of "Ancient Monu-
ments." Nadaillac,^ on the other hand, is disposed to adopt it in a
modified sense. But iu the American edition, the following words
introduced by the editor. Prof. Dall, express an entirely opposite
view: " It is more reasonable to suppose them to have been fortified
villages, according to a usage met with in various parts of the Missis-
sippi valley by the first explorers."*
Lewis H. Morgan^ remarks that " with respect to the large circular
inelosures adjacent to and communicating with the squares, it is not
necessary that we should know their object. The one attached to the
High Bank Pueblo contains 20 acres of land, and doubtless subserved
some useful purpose in their plan of life. The first suggestion which
presents itself is, that as a substitute for a fence it surrounded the gar-
den of the village in which they cultivated their maize, beans, squashes,
and tobacco. At the Minuitare village a similar inclosure may now
be seen by the side of the village surrounding their cultivated land,
consisting partly of hedge and partly of stakes." This is the most
likely explanation of these works that has yet been presented. Whether
these dirt walls were mere supports to stockades is a question not yet
settled; Jievertheless, as they were intended as a protection not only
against wild beasts, but also against human foes, it is probable that they
• Letters and notes * * " on the N. A. Indians, ^ L'Ain^rique Prehistoriqne.
London, 1844, vol. I, p. 81. Prehistoric races. 4 P 101.
1881, pi>, 174-175. ^ Houses and House Life of the American Abo-
=* North Americans of Antiquity. riginese.
5G6 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. '
were surniounted by stakes or supported a woodeu fence or screen of
some kind. Tlie fact that the ditcli, when present, is on the inside, is
not an inijiortant factor in reaching a couchision, as this is quite con-
sistent with the Indian mode of warfare, as suggested by Foster.
In addition to the types of inclosurcs and defensive walls mentioned,
there are some other varieties that deserve a passing notice. The
lines of parallel walls, as those at Newark and Portsmouth, Ohio, are
well known examples of one peculiar type. Some of the singular works
described and figured in Ancient Monuments and elsewhere are to a
large extent imaginary. Of these we may name Nos. 1 and 2, PI. xxxiv
of that work. The wing to No. 1 is not only imaginary, but, according
to the Bureau assistant who visited the locality, was made impossible
by the topography.
In the Kanawha valley the forms seem to be related to the regular
works of Ohio, though much changed. We see hill forts here as there,
and circular inclosures with a single gateway; but, instead of the com-
bined circle and square, we see here elongate figures with parallel sides
and semicircular ends. But it must be remembered that here the space
is much contracted, rendering the constrncticm of such extensive and
elaborate works as those of the Scioto valley imiwssible. Moreover,
these mountain valleys could only have been temporary retreats for
large tribes or oidy for those devoted to hunting.
NEWARK AND HIGH HANK CIRCLES.
We insert here figures of the "Observatory" (PI. xxi) and "Fair
Ground" (PI. xxii) circles at Newark (Pis. xxxi and xl), and of the
"High Bank" circle (PI. xxiii) near Chillicothe from a recent survey
made by Mr. Henry Gannett, Geographer of the U. S. Geological
Survey, in iierson, with use of plane table, in order to show the form
of the walls. The dimensions and form as found by this survey are
in such close agreement with that made by Mr. Middleton that they
may be considered practically the same.
BURIAL MOUNDS.
The peculiarity of the mounds of this region which has been most
frequently referred to as a marked characteristic is the presence in
those of comparatively large size of a basin-shaped mass of clay at
the bottom, to which the term " altar" has been applied; but as this is
limited to a particular class, a more general description is necessary in
order to throw light upon the customs of the mound-builders of this dis-
trict. We therefore refer first to the buiial mounds.
The conclusion reached by the authors of Ancient Monuments in
regard to the burial tumuli of this region is given in genera! terms as
follows :
Moiiiuls of tbi.s cla.ss arc very numerous. They are generally of considerable size,
varyini; from (5 to 80 feetin lieiglit, Iiut liaviug an average altitude of from 15 to 20 or
25 feet. Tliey stand without the walls of inclosures at a distance more or less remote
THOMAS.] THE OHIO DISTRICT. 567
from them. Many :ire isolattnl, with no other monuments near them ; but they fre-
quently oceur in group.s, sometimes iu close connection with each other and exhib-
iting a dependence which was not without its meaning. Tliey aredestitute of altars,
nor do they possess the regularity which characterizes the " temple mounds." Their
usual form is thatof a simple cone; sometimes they are elliptical or pear-.shaped.
These mounds invariably cover a skeleton (in very rare instances more than one,
as in the ca.se of the Grave creek mound), which at the time of interment was envel-
oped iu bark or coarse matting, or inclosed in a rude sarcophagus of timber, the
traces and, in some instances, the very casts of which remain. Occasionally
the chamber of the dead is built of stone, rudely laid up without cement of any
kind. Buri.il by fire seems to have been frequently practiced by the mound-lmild-
ers. Urn burial also appears to have prevailed to a considerable extent in the South-
ern States. With the skeletons in these mounds are found various remains of art,
comprising ornaments, utensils, and weapons.'
These conclusious can not be accepted as generally applicable even
ill the region iiow being considered. Instead of the average altitude
being from 15 to 25 feet, it is less than 10 feet. N'or is the statement
that they very rarely cover more than one skeleton to be taken as a
general rule, but as applicable only to those examined by these authors.
The mounds of this class in this district (which, as before stated,
includes West Virginia) present the following types:
(1) Those containing a vault or sarcophagus constructed of timber,
iu which the body or bodies were interred. This is in most cases at the
bottom of the mound, resting on the original surfaceof theground, though
it is occasionally at some distance up in the mound, and a few instances
occur where it is sunk in the original soil. The bodies interred in
these were usually wrapped in bark. These vaults are either round or
quadrangular, the latter sometimes built up of logs laid lengthwise,
but iu other cases, as are the former, of posts placed perpendicularly
side by side. In a few instances those iu which the logs are laid hori-
zontally are strengthened by upright posts at the corners, and in one
or two instances one circular vault stood immediately above another.
Some of these dififerences are slight, but important from the fact that
they are not common and, so far as known, found in no other district,
being limited to a comparatively few mounds; but most of these are
important ones. They al.so form connecting links which indicate some
relation between the builders of the works of Ohio and West Virginia.
In some cases tire-beds occur within the larger vaults, while in
cases of some smaller ones there are indications that lire was kindled
on top of the vault after being completed. Prof. E. B. Andrews
describes one of the latter, which he opened in Athens county, as fol-
lows :
This is a low mound, about G feet high, with a broad base, perhaps 40 feet iu
diameter. It has for years been ploweil over and its original height h,as been con-
siderably reduced. My attention was drawn to this mound by the burnt clay ou
its top. A trench 5 feet wide was dug through the center. On the east side much
burnt yellow clay was found, while on the west end of the trench considerable
black earth api)eared, which I took to be kitchen refuse. About 5 feet below the
'P. 161.
568 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
top we came upon largo (jiiantitics ol' charcoal, especially on tUe western side.
Underneath the charcoal was found a skeleton with the head to the east. The
body had evidently been inclosed in some wooden strnctnre. First, there was a
lilatform of wood placed \i\mn the ground on the original level of the plain. On
this wooden tioor timbers or logs were placed on each side of the body longitudi-
nally, and over these timl>ers there were laid other jiieces of wood, forming an in-
clcsed box or loffin. A jiart of this wood was cmly <harred; tlie rest was burnt to
ashes. The middle part of tlie body was in the hottest lire, and many of the verte-
brip, ribs, and other bones were burnt to a black cinder, and at this point the
inclosing timbers were burnt to ashes. The timbers inclosing tlie lower extremities
were only charred.
I am led to think that before any tire was kindled a layer of dirt was thrown over
the wooden structure, making a sort of burial. On this dirt a tire was built, but by
some misplacement of the dirt the fire reached the timbers below, and at such points
as the air could penetrate there was an active combustion, but at others, where the
<lirt still remained, there was only a smothered fire, like that iu a charcoal pit. It is
difficult to explain the existeuce of the charred timbers in any other way. There
must have been other fires than that immediately around and above the body, and
many of them, because on one side of the monnd the clay is burned even to the top
of the mound. In one place, 3 feet above the body, the clay is vitrified.
It is possible that fires were built at different levels and that most of the ashes
were blown away by winds wliich often sweep over the plain. I have stated that
there was first laid down a sort of floorof wood, on which the l)ody was placed. Ou
the same floor were placed about 500 copper beads, forming a line almost around the
body.'
(2) Mounds containing structures of stones. These structures are
of two or three different types, which are apparently of ethnic signifi-
cance.
The two principal varieties are the box-shaped cist and the dome-
shaped vault. The latter are seldom found of the usual form in this
district; some iu the extreme southern portion of Ohio which seem to
be of ethnic significance and to belong to a small separate district,
mostly in Kentucky, are made of angular stones arranged in succes-
sive series from the base to the top. In a few cases these cover other
little vaults of various forms made by setting stone slabs on edge or
leaning them together so as to form a roof-shaped structure.
Stone vaults and cists are usuallj^ found in earthen mounds, yet they
occasionally occur iu tho.'^e of stone. Atwater says:^
I saw one of these stone tumuli which had been piled on the surface of the earth,
on the spot where three skeletons had been Iniried in stone coffins, beneath the sur-
face. * * » The graves appear to have been dtig to about the depth of ours iu
the present time. After the bottoms and sides were lined with thin, flat stones, the
corpses were placed in these graves.
In some cases a low stone wall, a foot or so iu height, is built around
the outer margin of the mound, but so as to be within the outer line
and covered by the earth of the mound. But these do not appear to be
in all cases burial mounds.
In oue or two instances the floor of the mound has been found cov-
ered with stones placed in from one to three regular layers. A stone
layer in the body of the mound or over the burials, in other words a
< Tenth Eep. Peabody Mus., Vol. n, pp. 59-60. ^ Tr.ins. Amer. Antiq. Soc, Vol. i (1820), p. 18t.
THOMAS.] THE OHIO DISTRICT. 669
stone stratum, is not rare, but floors of the kind 7ueutioned are exceed-
ingly uncommon.
A soniewliat singular type occurs sparingly in the Indiana and West
Virginia portions of the district. In this variety, instead of the stones
being inside, they form a covering over the outside, usually in the form
of a single layer.
(3) Mounds in which the skeletons are inclosed neither in wooden
nor in stone vaults, nor in pits in the original soil. As the characteris-
tics of this class are negative, a few examples will convey a better idea
of them than any attempt to give a general description.
Messrs. kSijuier and Davis' describe a mound (»o or 70 feet in diame-
ter, 15 feet high, unstratified, and composed of earth taken from the
surrounding plain. Nothing worthy of remark was found until the
base was reached. Here a single skeleton was discovered, lying hori-
zontally, which had been simply enveloped in bark. The burial in this
case they sui)posed to have been as follows:
The surface of tLe ground was iirst carefully Irvekil and j)acked over an area
perhajis 10 or 1.5 feet square. This area was then covered with sheets of bark, on
which, in the center, the body of the dead was deposited, with a few articles of
stone at its side, and .a few small ornaments near the head. It was then covered
over with another layer of bark and the mound heaped above.
A mound in the Kanawba valley. West Virginia, opened by Col.
Norris, and described in the preceding part of this volume, presented
jirecisely similar features.
Atwater, speaking of a mound at Chillicothe, says:^
Its perpendicular height was about 15 feet and the diameter of its baseabont 60. It
was couiposed of sand aud contained human l)ones belongiuij; to skeletons which were
buried iu dilfereut parts of it. It was not uutil this pile of earth was carefully removed
aud the original surface exposed to view that a prolialile conjecture of its original
design could be formed. About 20 feet scinare of the surface had been leveled aud
covered with liark. On the center of this lay a human skeleton, over which had
been spread a mat manufactured either from weeds [reeds t] or bark.
Other mounds of this class .show no preparation of the original sur-
face nor indications of bark wrapjiings, the bodies having been simply
laid upon the surface of the ground and covered with earth. In other
ca.ses the bones, partially charred, are found in a.shes, the earth beneath
and about them burned. In a few instances the bones are in a confused
heap, more or less charred, and ashes are about them, but no other in-
dications of heat, the burning having been done before depositing. In
some cases of burial on the original surface and in excavations in the
original soil, some of the skeletons are folded, though this method of
arranging the body does not appear to have been i)racticed to any
considerable extent in this district.
(4) Mounds wholly or partly of stone. Some rather singular mounds
have been described as found in different parts of Ohio, but unfortu-
nately they have nearly all been removed and the descriptions are based
1 Aiic. Mod., p. 164. 'Traos. Amer. Antiq. Soi-., Vnl. i, p. 181.
570 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
largely on memory and secondhand statements and hence do not have
that stamp of accuracy and authenticity desirable. For example, a large
stone mound, which formerly stood a short distance from Newark, is
described' as circuhir in foiin, 182 feet in diameter and some 40 or 50
feet high, composed of stones. These, when removed, were found to
cover some fifteen or sixteen small earth mounds. In one of these were
human bones and river shells; in another was a layer of hard, white,
lire clay, and 2 or .'! feet below this was a wooden trough covered with a
layer of small logs, in which was a skeleton tliat appeared to have been
wrapped in some kind of coarse cloth. With it were fifteen copper rings
and a breastplate (gorget) of the same metal. The clay above it being
impervious to water, the wood and bones were well preserved. The
wood bore what appeared to be the marks of some hard, metallic
tool. Another of these earth tumuli contained a large number of human
bones.
A mound near Madisonville opened on behalf of the Peabody Museum
was found to cover a stone heap 5 feet high and 90 feet in diameter.
In this the remains of 71 skeletons were found. " In addition to the
outer stones of the mound, each body had been surrounded with stones
at the time of burial," some set on edges, others simply piled around
the bodies. A small mound in the Kanawha valley, covered with a
layer of stones, was found to be composed of stones and clay mixed.
In the center was a single skeleton in a cist formed of stone slabs.
Simple stone cairns, some of which cover Imman remains, and others
that show no indications of having been used for burial purposes,
although not common, are found at various points in this district.
A singular variety of stone mounds, though not generally used for
burial purposes, has been observed in Kanawha valley. These are
usually sharply conical, built uj) generally by placing layer after layer
of stones shingle fashion around a central space, so that when complete
a well-like hole is left in the center. In a few instances two of these
holes are found in one mound.
Of the tumuli supposed to have been erected for other than burial
purposes the most noted are those which Messrs. Squier and Davis
have designated "sacrificial mounds," but are more commonly known
at the present time as " altar mounds." They are usually compara-
tively large in size and conical in form, often having a top layer of gravel
and ])ebbles. At the bottom, on the original surface of the ground, is
usually a regularly shaped mass of burned clay, with a basin-like depres-
sion in the middle, to which the authors above named have applied the
term " altar," supposing it to liave been used as a place to offer up pro
pitiatory sacrifices. This mass of clay is circular, square, or oblong in
form, varying in diameter or length from 4 or 5 to 50 feet and in height
from 1 to 2 feet. The basin-shaped depression in the top is always circu-
' Smitlisoil. Rpp.. 1866, p. 359.
THOMAS.] THE OHIO DISTRICT. 571
lar and the outer margins of the mass are usually much sloped. Be-
tween the top layer of gravel and the clay structure at the bottom there
are generally from one to four thin layers of sand. This type is co;itined
almost exclusively to the southern half of Ohio, the exceptions, so far
as known, being in Illinois and West Virginia.
Some of the monnds of this type, as has been shown by the explora-
tions of the Bureau agents and others, were certainly used by the build-
ers as places for depositing the dead.
Other mounds not used for bnrial purposes are quite generally sup-
posed to have been erected as signal stations. While many of them
are undoubtedly well situated for this purpose and no other explana-
tion can now be given for their use, yet I must confess to consider;'ble
doubt of the correctness of this conclusion. Of all those see-i by the
writer the one best situated for this purpose is found in Knox county,
Ohio, and described in the preceding volume as the Staats mound. It
was opened by Mr. JNliddleton, of the Bureau, and found to contain a
large amount of ashes, but no indications of burial. The outer border
was surrounded by a low stone wall. From this, which is located upon
a high bluff point that projects into the valley, the oj)posite range of
hills and the valley, in which we may sup])ose the aboriginal village
to have been situated and where an Indian village was actually located
in early pioneer days, may be clearly seen for some miles both above
and below. It is more than probable that the point where the mound
is situated was selected as a signal station, and that the mound was
in some way connected therewith; nevertheless the idea that mounds
on such elevated points were built to add to the height, to extend the
view, seems to the writer preposterous.
PYHAMIDAL MOt:N'DS.
Structures of this class, though not common in this district, are not
entirely wanting. As examples we may refer to those forming part of
the Marietta group so frequently described and figured in works relat-
ing to American archeology. Besides these we notice mounds of this
class in connection with the Cedar Bank works and one with the Baum
works, a description of which is given in the preceding part of this re-
port. The exploration of the latter proves that in some cases mounds
of this class were used as depositories for the dead.
STOXK UliAVKS.
The fact that these are occasionally found in mounds has incidentally
•been noticed. Others, however, of the box-shaped type not in mounds,
have been discovered in limited numbers in various parts of the dis-
trict. These have perhaps been observed in the greatest number in
Ashland county, Ohio, at points where old Delaware villages were
located. Others occur in eastern Indiana, especially in Franklin
county; in the Kanawha valley, West Virginia, and elsewhere.
572 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
CEMETERIES AND ASH TITS.
A somewhat remarkable cemetery, in comiection with which are
numerous ash pits, has been discovered by the agents of the Peabody
museum in the vicinity of Madisonville, Ohio. This cemetery extends
over an area of 15 acres. It seems to consist of bodies simply buried
in the earth to the depth of 2 or 3 feet below the surface. Under the
leaf mold, scattered among the graves and almost as abundant, are
small, well like pits from 3 to 4 feet in diameter and from 4 to 7 feet
deep. From the fact that most of them contain ashes they have been
designated "ash pits." The ashes found in them are generally mixed
with kitchen refuse or the remains of cached material, such as maize.
In some of them corn, sometimes yet on the cob, has been found, and,
in a few, human boiit>s.
It is said that the hilltops bordering the Mad river valley "are lit-
erally sown with the dead." In these cases " a pit has been dug and
the remains interred below the surface," but the surface indications
are obliterated. " The bodies occur singly, or in graves grouped
together, or crowded promiscuously into large trenches, and are in
almost every position, prostrate and sitting." Sometimes the parts of
the skeletons are separated, having been thrown in without order or
arrangement.
An instance was observed in Butler county, Ohio, in -which a num-
ber of bodies buried in a natural mound had been jilaced in a circle
with the heads toward the center, a mode of burial noticed in middle
Tennessee.
Shell and refuse heaps are rare. One, however, of considerable size,
has been discovered on Blennerhasset island, containing shells and
refuse materials. A small refuse heap was found beneath a mound in
West Virginia.
Some remarkable inscriptions or sculptured tigures occur on rocks
in the vicinity of Earnesville, Belmont county, Ohio. These con.sist of
footprints, serpent figures, face outlines, and various other forms.
Other inscriptions have been found in Cuyahoga county, near Newark,
in Licking county, and elsewhere.
Burial caves are of rare occurrence in this district, two or three only
having been discovered.
The most extensive series of ancient tlint quarries in the United
States is found in the central part of Ohio, along what is known as
"Flint ridge," extending across the southern part of Licking and west-
ti'u part of Muskingum counties. "Its most western point is on the_
road leading from Newark to Zanesville, about 8 miles from the former
place and half a mile from the eastern line of Franklin township. From
here it extends eastward across Hopewell township and about 2 miles
into Muskingum county, making its entire length very nearly 8 miles,
counting by section lines, and fully 10 miles following the turns of the
road. At about 2 miles from its western end, north of the village of
THOMAS.) THE APPALACHIAN DISTRICT. 573
Brownsville, it reaches its greatest breadth, 2i iniles.'" Pits are found
iu great numbers over this area. At one point 10 or 12 acres have
been dug over, at another 6, at another 2, and so on. In some places
the pits extend in continuous lines for half a mile or more. Ancient
''work-shops" are abundant here. Of tliese Mr. Smitli distinguishes
two classes or varieties, the "blocking-out shops" and the "finishing
shops." "At the first kind, which are always near the pits, it seems the
Hint blocks were brought to a size and shape convenient for dressing
into such imi)lemeuts as were desired. In them are always found the
largest hammers, though smaller ones are sometimes picked up as well.
* * * These finishing shops are characterized by the smaller frag-
ments, tliiu flakes, and broken or unfinished implements, very seldom
found in the blocking-out shops. The hammers found in them are
generally of small size."-
The peculiar features of the district are to be found in the form, size,
and regularity of the lowland inclosures, the size and character of the
hill forts, the so-called ''altars" in the ty]iical mounds, some certain
forms of vaults, the presence iu large luimbers of monitor pipes, and
certain ornamental lines and figures of pottery. Yet these features
apidy more particularly to the central and scmthern portions of Ohio
than to the whole district. Nevertheless they are so intimately related
to what seem to be but modifications of these types in eastern Indiana
and West Virginia that there can be but little doubt that they are
attributable to the same people. There are, however, clear indications
of the presence of three or four ditt'ereiit tribes of mound-l)uilders or
dift'ereut waves of population iu this district.
THE APPALACHIAN DISTRICT.
This district includes east Tennessee, or that part of the state east of
the Cumberland mountains; the western part of North Carolina; the
extreme southwestern part of Virginia and a strip along the northern
l>art of Georgia. The portion of Georgia mentioned is also included in
the " Tennessee district," and perhaps should also be included iu the
Gulf district, as there appears to be an intermingling liere of the types
of the three districts.
The ancient works of this district present some marked ])cculiarities
in the construction of the mounds, the modes of burial, and the forms
of the jiipes. As these peculiarities have been brought to light through
the explorations carried on by the Bureau of Ethnology, the descrip-
tions of the numnds will be found in the preceding part of this volume
and hence need only be referred to here. They are also jiartly described
and contents noted in the paper by the present writer entitled " Burial
Mounds of tiie Northern Section," iu the Fifth Annual Report of the
Bureau of Ethnology, and iu a work entitled "The Cherokees in i)re-
Columbian Times."
1 C. M. Sniitli, Smitbaon. I!i.p., 1884, p. 853. ^ Ibid.. ]ip. 864-86S.
574 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
BUBIAL MOUNDS.
As the most characteristic archeologic features of the district are
found in the form of the burial mounds, their contents <ind the modes
of burial, reference is made to the mounds of this class first.
They are of several different types, but apparently the work of one
people.
A type confined chiefly to Caldwell county, Xorth Carolina, presents
some peculiar and interesting features. In this a pit, usually circular,
but in one case triangular, is dug in the original soil 30 to 40 feet in
diameter and to the depth of 2 to 3 feet. On the level bottom of this
pit the bodies (or skeletons) are placed, generally separately, some sit-
ting and covered over by little beehive-shaped vaults of cobble stone,
others without any such covering. Some of these skeletons are in a
sitting posture, others lying horizontally on the back or side. Over the
whole, dirt is thrown to fill up the pit and raise a slight mound. In
some cases a number of skeletons are found together in one part of
the pit. Buried with these skeletons are numerous stone pipes, polished
celts, engraved shells, copper beads, and small, rude discoidal stones.
Another feature worthy of notice is the presence, in some of these
mounds, of altar-shaped piles of stones.
In one instan<!e in east Tennessee, instead of a pit there was a circu-
lar stone wall some 2 or 3 feet high, the little vaults being in this and
the mound built over all.
Some of the burial mounds along the Little Tennessee river are of
comparatively large size, each usually marking the site of an ancient
village. In most of these was found a series of basin-shaped fire-beds
placed one above another. Scattered through the mound, except in
the lower stratum of from 2 to 6 feet, were numerous skeletons placed
horizontally in various directions. In some cases as many as ninety
skeletons have been found in one mound.
Of other tyiies we may mention the following as occasionally occur-
ring: Comparatively small mounds in which the skeletons are lying on
or near the original surface, side by side, with heads in one direction, or
in two series, the heads of the two series in difterent directions. In
some cases a mound contains a rude stone vault built up to the height
of 1 or 2 feet in a square or circular form in which are the remains
of one or more individuals. A most singular tyjie has been observed
in western North Carolina, though it can not be stated positively that
it was erected for burial purposes. One of these, which will illustrate
the type, was a mound about 45 feet in diameter and 0 feet high. In
the center of this, resting on the original surface of thp ground, was a
conical mass of charcoal and ashes, 16 feet in diameter at the base and
5 feet high. The outer portion of this mass consisted of Miarcoal, evi-
dently the remains of pine poles, which had been placed in several
layers sloi)ing toward the apex; the inner portion consisted of ashes
and coals mixed with earth, in which were found some burnt human
THOMAS.) THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT. 575
boues, and a few accouipauying articles, among which were two stones
with holes drilled throngh them. Fragments of bones and some relics
were at the base, in the center.
Another type, which is fonnd also in other districts, is the simple
bnrial mound heaped over bodies laid upon the original surface. In
this section they are generally stratified; the bodies, however, in these
mounds are often jilaced with evident reference to relative position,
contrasting in this respect with burials in the large mounds, where
skeletons are fouyd with heads in various directions.
An imi)ortant fact regarding the large mounds of this region, most
of which appear to have been used for burial i)uri)oses, though some
but incidentally and not as the primary object of their construction, is
the frequent occurrence of the lemains of upright jjosts. These are
so placed as to leave no doubt that they formed parts of buildings
erected ou the mounds. In some cases they are in sufficient numbers
to indicate the form of the structure, which is generally circular, though
occasionally rectangular.
STONK (iliAVKS.
Stone graves of the regular box shape are found in the valley of the
Little Tennessee and in the iiiountains through which it passes, as well
as in certain portions of northeastern (ieorgia. The last mentioned,
however, are embraced in the Tennessee district, that and the present
district overlapping at this point. The graves of this type in the valley
of the Little Tennessee river are probalily due, as will be shown here-
after, to an intrusive element which temporarily obtained a foothold in
this part of the district. A single stone-grave mound has been discov-
ered in the district; this was also in the valley of the Little Tennessee.
One of the cists in this tumulus, the only one described, presented the
unusual feature of a roof-shaped covering.
ARTKLKS FdlNP.
The most characteristic articles found in the mounds of this district
are shell masks; engraved shells, usually bearing the conventional
serpent symbol ; conical copper ear pendants ; cylindrical copper beads ;
stone pipes, usually with stems; polished celts; discoidal stones and
shell beads. A few articles indicating contact with European civiliza-
tion, such as fragments of iron implements, hawk bells, and glass
beads, have also been discovered in mounds of this section.
THE CENTRAL OR TENNESSEE DISTRICT.
This district, which is irregular in form, is governed in its limits, ex-
cept perhaps at its eastern extremity, by no geographical or topograph-
ical features ; commencing on the west at or near the Mississippi between
the mouths of the Missouri and the Ohio, it extends southeast to the head-
waters of the Savannah. It includes that ijart of Illinois south of the
576 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
month of the Illinois river; all of Kentncky except the extreme north-
eastern portion; all of middle and most of west Tennessee and a strip
across the northern jiart of Georjiia; and probably that portion of north-
ern Alabama lying north of the Tennessee river.
There is strong evidence of an intrnsive element, or, as apjiears
more likely, a preceding and independent element, in the northern por-
tion of Kentncky and the extreme sonthern portion of Oliio, which area
shonld perhaps constitute a separate district, were it not for the over-
lapping and inteimingliug of tyi)es characteristic of the adjoining por-
tions of the neighboring districts.
The characteristics which distinguish the antiquities of this district
as a whole from those of most of the southern districts as well as from
those of the more northern areas are the following: The general dis-
tribution and large number of stone graves herein designated the "box-
shaped" type, showing that this was the usual mode of burial practiced
by the aborigines of this area, and the occurrence of certain types of
copper articles and engraved shells. These may be considered as the
peculiar features. The other characteristics, which also prevail to a
greater or less extent in one or more adjoining districts are the forms,
character, and comparative abundance of pottery, the long-necked wa-
ter jar being a typical variety — southeastern J\Iissouri and eastern Ark-
ansas being the only rivals in this respect; the occurrence of hut rings
found ill e(iual abundance only in .southeastern Missouri ; the engraved
shells and shell masks of certain varieties, which seem to be confined
chiefly to this and the Appalachian districts, and the scarcity of carved
stone pipes, which is true also as to some southern sections. As serv-
ing further to mark the district it may be added that here we find a
much larger proportion of pyramidal mounds than in either of the other
northern districts, though not so many as in Arkansas; also numerous
iuclosures. Stone walls, stone inclosures, and burial caves are perhaps
more frequent here than in any other area except West Virginia.
The boundary of the district can not be well defined geographically,
as there is in some parts such an intermingling of forms and types,
and in others such gradual changes from one variety to another, as to
leave the investigator in doubt whether to include' certain areas of con-
siderable extent. Especially is this true in regard to the western exten-
sion. Therefore I have been governed in my decision chiefly by the
limits of the stone-grave area and the occurrence of certain varieties of
monuments which appear usually to accompany them and certain classes
of articles found in them.
INCLOSURKS.
Inclosures or embankments of earth abound in the central counties
of Tennessee, and while not confined exclusively to this portion of the
state, are of more ft-equent occurrence here than elsewhere in the lim-
its of the region denominated " The Central or Tennessee district."
THOMAS.) THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT. 577
Located ou a map, they form a series extending in a northeast and
southwest direction through the central portions of Kentucky and
Tennessee. They occur most frequently, however, along the Big Har-
peth river and its branches, but are scattered in an irregular line
through the eastern and southern counties surrounding Davidson and
Williamson, with a few outlying posts to the northwest and southwest,
reaching in the former direction as far as Union county in Illinois and
in the latter to the southern border of Tennessee. Thougli aboriginal
remains, as mounds, stone graves, hut rings, cemeteries, etc., are prob-
ably more abundant in Davidson county in and around Nashville than
in any other section of tlie district, there is a noticeable absence of any-
thing like fortifications in that immediate vicinity. Dr. Joseph Jones
mentions traces of an ancient earthwork in connection with stone graves
and hut rings on a hill 9 miles to the north of Nashville, and remains
of a similar character about the same distance to the south of that city,
near Brentwood, in Williamson county.
The works of this kind bear a general resemblance to each other,
though there are some minor points of difference and a few strongly
marked exceptions to the usual type. The inclosures are generally
more or less circular or semicircular in form, and situated on a bluff or
steep bank of a stream or river. In many instances this bluff, where
very steep, forms the protection for one side of the inclosure, the ends
of the wall terminating on the edge of the bluff. They are almost
invariably accompanied by stone graves, hut rings, and ditches, the
latter generally inside, following the line of the inclosing wall. The
mouuds are mostly of the conical type, but each inclosure contains one
and sometimes two that are decidedly larger than the others, and usu-
ally pyramidal and flat-topped, though not generally symmetrical in
form, most of them being oblong. Occasionally a I'ound one is found,
but as a general rule they are truncated. The smaller mounds and
hut rings are scattered irregularly over the inclosed area, and not
infrequently are found outside the wall. The works near Sandersville,
in Sumner county, those near Lebanon in Wilson county, theDe Graf-
fenried works near Franklin, in Williamson county, and others on the
Big and West Harpeth rivers, are good types of this class of works. In
Jackson county near Floyd's lick, and in Henry county in tlie vicinity
of Paris, similar inclosures have been discovered. Tliere are a few
instances, as in the northern districts, where the embankment is merely
a straight or slightly curving wail thrown across a spur or ridge of land
at the junction of two streams where the banks are of sufficient height
to prevent surprise from that quarter, and the wall is thrown across to
guard the landward or moi-e easily .accessible side. A work of this
kind was found about 12 miles below Carthage, on the Cumberland
river, in ymith county. The wall was accompanied by an interior ditch,
and had an entrance way, opposite which, and about C feet from it, on
the inside, were the remains of a wall so placed as to form a rear guard.
12 ETH 37
578 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
A siniihii work is reported iu Hickman county at the intersection of
Duck and Piney rivers, near Centerville, and another in La Eue county,
Kentucky. An embankment of earth and stone in tlie fork of Duck
river, in Coffee county, near Manchester, though niucli more elaboiate,
really belongs to the latter class, the wall having been thrown from
blutf to bluff across one end of a narrow strip of land between the east
and west branches of Duck river. Across the other end is a similar
wall; beginning where the bluffs terminate on each side of the strip of
laud, and diverging from the streams, it forms an angle about midway
between the two. This work also has a guarded entrance, a short
wall extending inward on each side of the main entrance forming a
parallelogram. The right wall, extending a little beyond the other,
bends at a right angle across the end of the space thus inclosed,
leaving room for an inside gateway between it and the end of the left
wall. Two stone mounds, some 3 feet higher than the general wall,
guard the main entrance from the outside. This work is an exception
to the general rule, as no mounds, graves, hut rings, or other remains
of archeologic interest are found in or about it, except a single large
mound, ellii)tical in form, and built of earth and loose stones, which
stands about half a mile from the main entrance.
It is not unusual to hud along these walls slight elevations or pro-
jections, supposed by some to have been the foundations for towers or
some such works for observation or defense. The indosure near San-
dersville, in Sumner county, before mentioned, furnishes an example
of this kind; also that in Wilson county, near Lebanon, which is a cir-
cular earthwork having an interior ditch. Slight elevations occur at
regular intervals along the inside of this wall. They are somewhat
higher than the embankment and sloi>e to the bottom of the ditch.
This slope is divided into two parts by a level bench nearly 3 feet wide.
Another indosure in Williamson county, on the West Harpeth river,
is of this type, the irregularly circular embankment being wider at
intervals as if some tower or defensive structure had occupied each of
these points.
The most remarkable examples of this class of works, however, are
found in Hardin county, iu the neighborhood of Savannah. On the
east side of the Tennessee river, on the high grounds adjoining the town,
are extensive earthworks inclosing a group of mounds. The embank-
ment is live-sided, the ends terminating on the high bluff' of the river.
At intervals of 80 yards along this wall are the remains of bastions
which extend about 20 yards to the front along the main line and
30 yards at the main angles. About 5.5 yards in advance of this line,
and parallel to it, is a similar but less elevated embankment, now
])artly obliterated, but still traceable. The bastions of this latter line
l)roject 40 feet in front and alternate with those of the main line.
Three miles below Savannah, iu the same county, a similar system of
THOMA!^.) THE 'I'ENNESSEE DISTRICT. 579
eaitliwmks is Ibuiid at tlie foot of a bluif which rises 50 feet above the
bottom hinds of the Tennessee river. Tliere is in this instance, how-
ever, only a single line of wall with the bastions projecting to the front.
In the constrnction of the walls these works bear a remarkable resem-
blance to those of "Aztalan" in Jefterson connty, Wisconsin. The work
in Vanderburg connty, Indiana, in the gronp known as " the Angel
mounds,'' heretofore described, evidently belongs to this type and was
probably built by the same people.
" Covered ways," or passages, protected by embankments leading down
to an adjacent stream or spring, are found in some of the inclosures of
Tennessee, and open gateways through the walls, as well as raised
passageways over them, afford the common means of entrance.
A few inclosures in Kentucky may be noticed as being within the
linats of this district. In Fayette county, on a slight hill nea- North
Elkborn creek, is a circular inclosure, consisting of a ditch from which
the earth was thrown up to form an embankment. Near this is another
work of similar construction, but diflering slightly from the usual type.
The circular platform defined by the ditch is on a level with the top of
the outside wall, and seems to have been raised above the natural surface
of the ridge. A raised pathway on a level with the platform interrupts
the ditch on the northwest side. In a hollow between the two last-
mentioned works is a shallow ditch inclosing an area of about 82 feet
in diameter. An inclosure in the form of an irregular polygon,
resembling chjsely those in western New York, is mentioned in Collins's
History of Kentucky as existing in this county. In ^Montgomery
county, in what is denominated the -'Old Fort Woods," there are three
circular inclosures, each having the inner space excavated.
Pyramidal mounds, with which are classed all rectangular and trun-
cated tumuh, are to be found in most of the inclosures, the usual ar-
rangement being as follows: A large truncated mound around which is
a space clear of other remains, while scattered through other portions
of the inclosed area are smaller conical mouiids, stone graves, hut
rings, and sometimes pits or excavations. There are occasionally two
or three mounds of a larger size in each group or system of earthworks,
but there is, as before stated, almost always one that exceeds all the
others in its dimensions, and that often contains beds of ashes and
hearths of hard-burned earth, indicating that it had been used as a.
residence site rather than as a burial mound. Isolated groups of
mounds, or groups not connected with embankmeuts or any system of
works, are of frequeut occurrence. A group of this kind, containing
between 40 and 50 mounds, is noticed near the mouth of Lost creek,
opposite Wabash island, in Union county, Kentucky. Three such
groups occur near Uniontown, in the same county. Some of the latter
were burial mouuds; others were witliout human remains, but contained
580 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
other relics. About 2 miles from the ferry landing, opposite Saawnee-
town, is a remarkable grouj) of mounds, consisting' of three subgroups,
each of which has its principal mound superior iu size to others of its
group.
The large truncated mound, though a leading feature of almost every
group of mounds or system of earthworks, is not always of the regu-
larly square or even of the rectangular form, being sometimes pear-
shaped and sometimes oval. These are most numerous in the middle
and southwestern portions of Tennessee, though those at Mount Ster-
ling, Kentucky; one in Yanderburg county, Indiana; the great Cahokia
mound, in Madison county, Illinois; the Linn mound, in Union county,
of the same state, and the celebrated Etowah mound, in Bartow county,
Georgia, all included in this district, show a distribution (jf this type
over a considerable area. The true pyramidal mound is found most
frequently in Davidson, Williamson, and some adjacent counties.
There are a few cases where roadways have been found leading to
the top of some of these large mounds. A mound connected with the
peculiar embankment a few miles from Savannah, iu Hardin county,
Tennessee, had three arms running out from it, apiiarently pathways,
afibrding means of easy ascent to the top. A mound in Montgomery
county, Kentucky, has an inclined way leading to the top; the roadway
to the Etowah mound is pecnliat in winding up the side instead of
approaching at right angles.
Stone-grave mounds are found iu connection with most of the ancient
works in the valleys of the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers and along-
many of their tributaries, also in some of the southern counties of
Illinois and in northwestern Kentucky. One or two have been found
in northern Georgia and also in southern Indiana.
There seems to be no particular rule observed in depositing the dead
in these mounds. Sometimes the graves are placed irregularly through
the mound, no systematic arrangement being observed; sometimes they
are found in tiers, one above another. A group of five mounds in
Davidson county, Tennessee, about 4J miles southwest from Nashville,
presents this latter arrangement. The mounds contained the bodies
of from 600 to 800 people arranged in regular layers or tiers. Frag-
ments of pottery, stone implements, and other articles were found on
the covering stones and beside the graves. On the original soil be-
neath the graves were several beds of ashes. One mound of this group,
conical in form, had apparently been built up by the accunuilation of
stone graves, placed in five tiers, the one above having fewer iu number
than the one beneath it. No regularity was observed in placing the
bodies. One body was buried here without the stone cist.
A stone grave mound about 10 miles from Nashville near Brentwood
presents a good example of this arrangement, being one of the most
perfect in its construction. The stone graves, especially toward the
ce;iter of the mound, were placed one upon another, forming in the
THOMAS.] THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT. 681
central and highest part of the mound three or four I'anges. The old-
est and lowest graves were of the small square variety similar to the
well known type found near Sparta, thought at first to be pigmy graves,
and like them containing detached bones or bundled skeletons, while
those on (ir near the summit were of the natural length and width of
the inclosed skeleton. The lids of the upper stone cists were so placed
as to form a uniformly rounded slojiing rock surface. In one of the
graves of this mound was an inner compartment containing the bones
of a child.
A mound inside the inclosure near Lebanon, iu Wilson county, Ten-
uessee, presented a different mode of construction, the graven being
arranged about the outer portion of the mound in the form of a hollow
square in two or three irregular rows and in three tiers. In this mound,
as in the one near Nashville before mentioned, one body was found
buried without a cofdn. Pottery, relics of copper and stone, and pieces
of mica^were found in these graves.
Another method of arranging the stone coffins was by placing them
with the heads to the center, the feet extending toward the circumfer-
ence of the mound like the radii of a circle. Stone graves disposed in
this manner have been found in a mound in Davidson county, Tennes-
see, on the bank of the Cumberland river, opposite Nashville. In the
center of the mound, the point from which the sarcophagi radiated,
was a large vase or basin-shaped vessel composed of clay and pulver-
ized river shells. It still retained the impression of the basket or cloth
in which it was molded. The rim was a true circle and was covered
an inch thick with ashes from some incinerated matter. There were
two rows of stone coffins ranged around this central basin, the circle
of graves being constructed with great care and all the bodies orna-
mented with beads of bone and shell.
A mound in Williamson county, Tennessee, on the West Harpeth
river, and another in Sumner county presented the same arrangement
of stone graves like the spokes of a wheel.
A number of mounds discovered iu Union county, Kentucky, show
a remarkable blending of different modes of sejiulture which is worthy
of notice. For instance, in one mound of the Lost creek group, oppo-
site Wabash island, some of the earlier burials were without stone cof-
fins and unaccompanied by relics of any kind, while others were cov-
ered by stone slabs set up " roof shaped " over tlm bodies. Iu the later
burials the bodies wer . arranged in the form of a wheel, with the heads
to the center and accompanied by clay vases or pots. With one body
were found two copper bells. In this mound, at a depth of 6 feet from
the summit, was a circular pavement of limestone, and a foot above
this a layer of clay. Bones were found in all parts of the mound.
Another mound in the same county contained a number of stone
graves and two layers of bodies without tlie stone coffins, but having
pots buried with them. Tlie stone grave burials appeared to be more
582 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
recent than others aud the hitter were luiieh disturbed by them.
Where not disturbed these earlier burials presented the wheel-like ar-
rangements before noticed. Two stone i^ii^es aud a few burial urns
witli seven ears were found in the disturbed portion of tliis mound.
In the Lindsay mound, near Raleigli in the same county, the bodies
were arranged in a circle on their backs with heads to the center, faces
turned to the left side, and feet toward tlie margin of the mound.
The circle was extended toward the circumference by an additional
row of bodies. On the west side the bodies were live layers deep.
The regularity in placing the bodies was somewhat broken toward the
margin on the east side. In the earlier burials, or those at the bottom
of the mound, the bodies were laid on the surface of the ground, whic'li
had been scraped clear of vegetable matter. No relics were dejiosited
with these. With the later burials were found burial urns or pots.
In this mound were two or three deep pits or excavations filled witli
mixed or discolored earth, at the bottcmi of which were human remains.
One of these, in which only a few animal bones were found, was shaped
like an inverted cone. Some of these pits reached into the original
surface. Thus there were three ditferent modes of burial in this mound :
Those where the bodies were laid on the surface without the accom-
paniment of vases or other works of art, and covered with yellow
sandy loam; those of a later date, with which l)urial urus had been de-
posited, three or four tiers of which were covered with clay; and those
of the deep pits or excavations. Another mound in the vicinity of
llaleigli, explored many years ago, displayed an unusually systeniati<-
arrangement in its internal construction. In all cases, without excep-
tion, the bodies were laid on the left side with heads turned to a com-
mon center. At the head of each was an earthen vessel, and these
were graded in size according to the age or size of the individual. The
bodies were laid on the original surface of the ground, aud on the fore-
heads of some was placed a single valve of a Unio shell. The heads of
some of them were artiflcially compressed. This mouud contained no
stone cists, though there were many in the neighborhood, of the short,
square variety, lined with black bituminous shale and containing
folded or bundled skeletons.
In some of the tumuli classed as "stone- grave mounds" the graves
are not of the regular box-shaped type, being sometimes, as in the one
in Union county, Kentucky, " tent" or " roof shaped," that is, the stones
are set uj) on their edges on each side of the bi dy and slanted so as to
meet above it, thus forming a triangular covering.
Another variety was found in a mound in Allen county, Kentucky,
which consisted of a vault 10 feet deep and 8 feet in diameter, round,
and walled up with stones like a well. Tlie bottom was made of stones
laid edgewise and keyed in with smaller stones. At every 2 feet in
this well was a layer of large flat rocks, and between these layers were
human remains. Stone graves of the roof shaped variety were found
THOMAS.] THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT. 583
ill tlio vicinity, varying' in Icugtli from lii to S feet. Occasionally a
nioiiud is found the internal eoiKstruction of which differs so materially
from the usual type as to be worthy of notice. One of these anomalies
is a small, double mound within the inclosure at Savannah, Hardin
county, Tennessee. This contained three furnaces or trenches, with
rude arches thrown over them of irregular masses of hardened clay.
From these a number of small flues 8 or 10 inches in diameter went up,
some of them directly toward the surface of the mound, others twisting'
and winding about through it in all directions. Large logs completely
charred, in both upright and horizontal positions, the ends burned off
by Are, human bones, and ashes were found in it.
Another type is the stratified mound built up of layers of different
materials, as sand, clay, ashes, stones, etc. Examples of this kind are
found in several localities in the central portions of Tennessee and
occasionally in Kentucky. One in Union county, Kentucky, was con-
structed in a peculiar manner, having a hard central core of sand, over
which the mound was built by depositing loads of earth of about half
a bushel each ; these were distinctly marked in sections in the mottled
layers. A few stone cairns or rock piles are noticed throughout this
region, some of them covering ashes and charred bones.
Sometimes the remains of wooden posts are found in the mounds in
such a position as to indicate that they upheld or formed part of a
building or structure of some kind, as those in one mound of the Leba-
non group, and remains of wooden vaults have also been discovered,
though they are rare. A mound already mentioned in LTnion county,
Kentucky, near Raleigh, appeared to contain a vault or chamber of some
kind, from the presence of the remains of charred logs, both in an
upright and a horizontal position. A wooden structure was found in
the earth in the vicinity of an aboriginal cemetery in Williamson
county, Tennessee. It was traced about 10 feet in length and 5 in
width, but no graves were found in or under it.
BURIAL CAVKSi.
Cave burials occur in this district in the following counties: In
Grayson, Hart, Edmonson, Barren, Warren, and Fayette coiTnties,
Kentucky ; Smith, White, Warren, Giles, Marion, and Fentress counties,
Tennessee, and Bartow county, Georgia. These localities lie mostly in
a belt extending in a north and south direction through the center of
the district.
In most of these caves, both in Kentucky and Tennessee, the bodies
appear to have been laid on the floor of the cave, sometimes in beds of
ashes, sometimes on a pavement of flat stones. Tliere are, however,
some instances in which the bodies have been found incased in stone
slabs, and afterwards imbedded in clay or ashes. In Smith and War-
ren counties, Tennessee, and in Warren and Fayette counties, Ken-
tucky, the flesh of the bodies was preserved and the hair was yellow
584 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
and of fine texture. In some ca.ses the bodies were enveloped in sev-
eral thicknesses of coarse cloth with ail outer wrapping of deer skin.
Some of the bodies were wrapped in a kind of cloth made of bark fiber,
into which feathers were woven in such a manner as to form a smooth
surface. In two cases the bodies, placed in a sitting or sfjuatting pos-
ture, were incased in baskets. In one of the caves in Smith (Mninty the
body of a female is said to have been found, having about the waist a
silver girdle, with marks resembling letters.
A cave was discovered iu Giles county which bad several rooms and
was entered by a concealed passage. A fiat stone partly closed the
entrance and other stones were rolled in to fill up the mouth. In
Bartow county, Georgia, a human skeleton was found in a cave iu a
limestone bluff walled in, in a similar manner.
In some localities, as in Fentress, Grayson, and Marion counties,
caves have been discovered which, in the great quantities of ashes, the
numerous fragments of pottery, animal bones, implements, and orna-
ments of various kinds, bear evidence of having been used as dwell-
ing iilaces.
These cave burials are found along the rivers and streams in the
vicinity of fertile valleys and cool springs.
STONE GRAVF.S.
The stone grave cemeteries are found on the hill slopes and in the
valleys, along the rivers, and scattered over the richest and most fertile
lands of Tennessee and Kentucky. They occur in connection with
nearly every system of earthworks, but are not confined to them, as
large cemeteries exist where there are no mounds or embankments iu
the vicinity. When connected with fortifications they are usually
within the embankments, though sometimes a few are scattered out-
side. The rectangular, box-shaped stone cist is the prevailing type,
both iu the cemeteries and in the stone grave mounds. These often
vary iu size from the small square grave 2 feet in length and the same
in width to 7 feet in length and 3 in width. There are, however, a few
variations from this type which merit description. The roof-shaped
grave has already been alluded to. These are made by setting large
pieces or slabs of rock on edge and slanting them toward each other
until tliey meet above the body, forming a covering like the roof of a
bouse. Graves of this type are found in widely separated localities
both in Kentucky and Tennessee and are met with in mounds as well
as in cemeteries. They are not always of a uniform size, but vary in
length from 2^ to 8 feet.
On a bluff near Newport in Campbell county, Kentucky, were two
graves which were formed bj' placing a curbing of regular fragments
of stone of consideralde size so as to foiin a circle of 10 feet in diame-
ter, from which flat stones were inclined outward shingled one over the
other so as to form a band 6 feet wide. Bones were found beneath the
stones of this band. It has been suggested that these graves were
THOMAS.] THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT. 585
more receut tliau the box-shaped cists, but this is doubtful. Otliers
somcwliat similar have been observed in southern Ohio.
(xraves of a peculiar character have been discovered on the brow of
a hill near Pageville, in Barren county, Kentucky. These were circular
in form, between 4 and 5 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep. Slabs of
limestone about 3 feet long and from 1 to 2 feet wide, brought from some
distance, had been placed on end around this pit and the bottom cov-
ered with thin shale brought from the creek a quarter of a mile away.
Bodies of adults were placed in a sitting posture against the upright
slabs. Earth had been thrown over all and a few flat stones placed ou
the toi>. A few bones of children were also found, but their position
could not be determined. The bodies were evidently all placed in this
grave at the same time. There were about thirty graves of this kind
at this i)oint.
Besides these variations there are a few minor diflerences, such as
graves lined with large pieces of broken pottery neatly fitted together;
a pottery burial case made in two sections, or a case with a cover;
rectangular cists large enough to contain several bodies, etc.
HUT RINGS.
Hut rings are frequent adjuncts of mound groups, and are often
found inside the inclosures and also scattered about outside the earthen
walls. Floors of hard-burned earth are sometimes found in the center
of these rings, underneath which are human bones and sometimes
stone graves.
liELICS.
Of the relics found in the mounds and graves of this district, the
most characteristic is the pottery, which is found in greater abundance
here than in any other section of the United States, excei)t southeastern
Missouri and Arkansas. Like that of the last-mentioned two areas,
which it resembles very closely, the chief types are the narrow-necked
water bottles and the image pottery. Another distinguishing feature
is found in the engraved shells, some of which are peculiar to this dis-
trict, while other types are found elsewhere only in the Appalachian
section. Engraved or stamped copi:)er plates of a jjeculiar type have
also been found in limited numbers. These are important, not only
because of the figures they bear, but also because they api^ear to be
limited exclusively to the stone grave area.
Other articles not confined exclnsively to the district, but occurring
more frequently here than elsewhere, are the copper spool supijosed to
have been woi'u in the ear, and wooden ornaments probably used as
ear jieudants, covered with thin plates of copper. The latter, however,
are comiiaratively rare, having been found only in southern Illinois
and in the vicinity of Nashville. A few stone idols have also been
found in this district, and, what is strange, they have been discovered
at the extreme eastern and western ends of it — in northern Georgia,
and southern Illinois.
586 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
THE SOUTHERN SECTION.
This sectiou is limited, as at present arranged, to the Arkansas and
Gulf districts, though it is probable that future investigations will
show that it should be further subdivided.
THE ARKANSAS DISIKKIT.
This district includes the southeastern counties of Missouri, the state
of Arkansas, and the northern jiart of Louisiana. The ancient works,
however, are confined chiefly to the eastern portion of the area included
in these bounds. Although embraced in the district, a large portion
of the groups of works and types of pottery of southeastern Missouri
resemble those of southern Illinois and the Cumberland valley so closely
as to leave no definite marks of distinction between the two classes.
This strong resemblance between the works of these sections, which
has been repeatedly noticed, iH)ssibly indicates the ])reseuce for a time
in this region of some of the same people who occupied the Tennessee
district, though the important characteristic of the latter — the box-
shaped stone grave — is wanting here.
The chief distinction between the archeology of southeastern Missouri
and the rest of the district is found in the numerous groups of hut
rings marking village sites, often surrounded by earthen walls, usually
forming quadrangular inclosures.
The distinguishing features of the district as a whole, especially
when compared with the archeology of the northern areas, are the large,
oblong, terraced, pyramidal mounds, and the low, flattish, domiciliary
movmds or house sites, which seem to take the place in Arkansas of
tlie hut-rings in southeastern Missouri. Other characteristics are the
occasional remains or marks of rectangular dwellings, the forms and
ornamentation of the pottery, and the forms of the few pijjes which
have been discovered.
A brief notice of the leading tyi^es, based almost exclusively on the
results of the exi)lorations carried on by the Bureau of Ethnology, the
details of which have been given in the preceding part of this volume,
is presented here that the reader may judge of the propriety of consid-
ering this a separate district.
IIOUSK SITES.
The remains of this tyi)e consist of low, tiattish mounds, from 1 to 5
feet high and from 15 to 100 feet in diameter. In opening them the
strata are usually found to occur in the following order: First, a top
layer of surface soil irom 1 to 2 feet thick; next, a layer of burned day,
varying from 4 to 12 inches (though usually from -4 to 8 inches thick),
and broken into lumps, seldom in a uniform unbroken layer; immediately
below this is a layer of ashes and charcoal, in which are usually found
THOMAS.) ARKANSAS. 587
fiiigineuts of pottery and occasioually whole vessels, stoue chips, broken
hones of animals, and other refuse material; immediately below this
is sometimes a layer of hardened mnek or dark elay; at this deptli
there is often found, in the eastern part of the state, a skeleton, or
sometimes two.
The burnt clay often contains impressions of grass or small twigs,
and sometimes is ornamented on one side by being stamped apparently
with an implement made of split reeds of large size. Hard-burned
fragments of this clay have given origin to the statement often made
that brick is found in southern mounds.
That this clay is plaster from the houses of the mound-builders is
shown by the fact that remains of the upright posts and of the cane
lathing forming tlie walls of the building have been found, and from
other fticts mentioned hereafter.
These remains of the liouses of the mound-builders of Arkansas are
not confined to the small mounds of the type mentioned, as they fre-
quently occur in the larger mounds, both of the pyramidal and conical
form. Sometimes the repeated building, burning, and covering on the
same spot results in forming a mound of considerable size, as, for
examjile, the one in Butler county, southeast Missouri, explored by Col.
Norris and heretofore described in this volume. So far as the explora-
tit)ns which have been made indicate, these small, domiciliary mounds
api>ear to be conflued chiefly to the low alluvial sections of Arkansas,
and seem to have resulted from the following customs: First, that of
forming an earthern j)latform a foot or two in height on which was
j)laced a dwelling, and, second, that of burying the dead in the floor,
then burning the house over them and covering the ruins with earth.
Examples illustrating these statements will be found in the first part
of this report.
Remains of ancient houses, apparently of the mound-building age,
and connected with or pertaining to mound groups, but not in mounds,
were discovered in a few Localities. These were some 2 or 3 feet
beneath the surface of the ground with the usual mass of burned clay
plastering, remains of the posts of the walls, etc. In the two or three
cases observed, the buildings consisted of two or three rooms, each
about 10 or 12 feet square.
The ordinary conical burial mounds of Arkansas and also of Mis-
sissijipi present marked differences from those of southern Missouri.
These are fully illustrated by the examples given in the reports of the
Bureau assistants. The chief variations were found in the condition
of the skeletons; in some groups nearly or quite all were closely folded up,
though seldom in a sitting posture ; in other localities they were found
chiefly lying at fiill length. In a few instances promiscuous masses,
like those of the northern section heretofore described, were found, but
these appear to be comi>aratively rare in the south. In some cases,
especially in the graves, remains ot the bark wrapping (apparently
588 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
oliii) were observed. Stone gi'aves seem to be entirely unknown in this
section.
The eastern portion of Aricansas is noted for the number and size of
its pyramidal mounds, many of which are terraced and very regular in
form, as maybe seen by reference to the figures in this volume, part 1.
Others, precisely of the same form, are found in all of the Gulf states,
but not so numerous as here, unless possibly in the central part of
Alabama, a region that has been but partially explored. The oblong-
is the prevailing form, the square pyramid being comparatively rare.
In addition to the oblong and square truncated pyramids, there are
found here and there truncated mounds of several different forms. For
example, the^liogers mound,"' Phillips county, Arkansas, flg-ured in
the first part of this volume, which is oval in outline, the longer diam-
eter at the base 247 feet, the shorter nearly 200 feet, height 20 feet. On
top of this is a small hemispherical mound .50 feet in diameter and 5 feet
high. Excavating the small tumulus, Col. Norris found near the sur-
face a very heavy fire-bed. Other similar beds were found at various
points near the surface of the terrace or main mound.
Another found near Osceola, Mississippi county, same state, is of the
form shown in Fig. 132.' The dimensions of this somewhat unusual,
though not unique, structure are as follows: "Altitude of the first ter-
race 11 feet, width 129 feet, length loS feet; altitude of the second ter-
race 3 feet 7 inches, width GO feet, length 93 feet; altitude of the third
terrace (! feet, width 63 feet, length 78 feet." As the writer makes the
whole length 375 feet, it is probable the measurements given apply to
the upper levels. Excavations brought to light, near the surface, a
layer of burnt clay, broken, as usual, into fragments, which Mr. Evans
denominates brick. At the depth of 8 feet some human bones Mere
found in an advanced state of decay, but no skulls were observed.
Messrs. Squier and Davis ■* make the statement that the principal
mound of the group at the junction of the Washita, Tenzas, ;nid Cata-
houla rivers (now Troy ville), Louisiana, has a spiral pathway winding
around it from bottom to top. An examination of it was made by a
Bureau assistant in 1883, at which time no indication of such a path-
way was visible. It is true much of the top had been removed and the
mound much defaced during the late war, but sufficient remained
to indicate such a pathway if it existed. A description and figure
of these works will be found in the preceding jiart of this volume.
They also state, in a note on the page of their work above referred to,
that "mounds with spiral pnthways are frequent at the south and are
occasionally found at tlie north." .Later investigations have failed to
confirm this assertion; in fact, they prove it to be entirely erroneous, as
not one such has been discovered.
There is no intention of entering at this point into a discussion of
the object and rises of these pyramidal and truncated mounds, yet we
' S. B. EvauB, iu Chicago Times, Ajiril 9, 1881. = Anc. ilon. ii. 117.
THOMAS.] MISSOURI. 589
venture the assertion, wbicli is borne out by history and explorations,
tliat iu the south as a general rule they were the sites of council houses,
residences of the chiefs, and possibly of temples.
INCLOSURES.
Though not numerous in the district, inclosures are by no mean
wanting. They occur, however, in the largest proportion in south-
eastern Missouri. The latter, as heretofore remarked, are usually
quadrangular and inclose groups of hut-rings, with an occasional
mound. These, I am inclined to believe, should be considered a dis-
tinct type, due probably to one or more tribes different ffom the
authors of the Arkansas works. The few inclosures found in Arkansas
and Louisiana and two or three in southeastern Missouri are usually
irregularly semicircular, abutting on water courses or swamps. As a
general rule they inclose one, rarely two, large and from two or three
to several smaller mounds. It is to be remarked that the large mound
is seldom if ever a regular j)yramid. This fact, though seemingly of
slight importance, may prove of value in studying the archeology of
this region, as the same fact is found to be true of some groups in
southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and middle Tennessee. It is
scarcely necessary to state that the walls as well as the mounds are iu
all cases built wholly of earth. In or immediately cadjoining some of
the inclosures are irregular excavations, a few of which are of consid-
erable size, whether for other purposes than obtaining earth for the
mounds is a question yet undecided.
GRADED WAYS AND UAMP.S.
These occur in connection with a few of the large mounds of Louisi-
ana and southeastern Missouri, but very tew are found in Arkansas.
The best examples of these appendages are seen in a group in Stoddard
county, Missouri, known as the " Rich Woods moimds," figured iu the
first part of this volume, and the Mooreliouse group of Louisiana, fig-
ured in ''Ancient Monuments." The former is, in some respects, one
of the most remarkable groups in the entire district. The very large
number of mounds it contains, the fact that three different series of
these are united by ramps, the various forms presented (one of which
is unique), and the large area over which the group extends, render it
exceedingly interesting and worthy of more careful study. The only
true crescent-shaped mound observed during the explorations carried
on by the Bureau, is found here.
The pottery, which is found in great abundance, affords one of the
chief archeological features of the district. As has been repeatedly
remarked, the pottery of southeastern Missouri — the necked jar or
water bottle, and vessels ornamented with bird, animal, or human
heads, being prominent types — resembles so closely that found about
Cahokia, Illinois, and in the vicinity of Xashville, Tennessee, as to be
590 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
generally iiidistiuguisbable from it. But as we pass southward into
Arkansas and apjjroach the mouth of the Arkansas river we observe a
change in the quality and color of the ware, it being of a finer grade and
lighter color; it is also more highly ornamented, with colored or incised
lines and figures. New and peculiar types are also found here; in fact,
the finest collections of ancient pottery of the mound region have been
made in Arkansas. It is here alone that full-faced globular jars, or
ollas, have been obtained, which may be supposed to be genuine attempts
to portray features. As tiiese and other characteristic specimens are
sh(jwn by Mr. Holmes in his various papers, further mention here is
unnecessary.
One thing which appears somewhat remarkable is the very small
number of pipes which have been found in this district. It is true that
some three or four of the finest specimens of stone pipes yet discovered
have been obtained here, but these are large and evidently those used
only on ceremonial occasions. On the other hand, those for individual .
use are comparatively rare, usually of clay and rudely made.
THE GULF DISTRICT.
This district, as at present defined, includes the Gulf states east of
the Mississippi (except a narrow strip along the northern boundary of
Alabama and Georgia) and South Carolina. It is probable, however,
that more thorough explorations will lead to the separation both of
South Carolina and peninsular Florida each as a separate archeological
division.
As the archeology of this southern area has been admirably and
somewhat fully written by Mr. C. C. Jones in his work on the Antiqui-
ties of the Southern Indians, it will be unnecessary for us to present
at this point more than a very brief outline of some of the leading
types.
The works of this district are distinguished from those of the north-
ern section chiefly by the large proportion of truncated pyramidal
mounds, the occurrence of extensive ditches and canals, and the large
uumber of shell heaps, the last being confined to the coasts of Florida
and Alabama.
I'YRA.MIDAI, MOUNDS.
All varieties of this type are represented, though the simple four-
sided structure is the most common, those of other foi-ms being of rare
occurrence. One or two pentagonal and hexagonal pyramids have
been noticed, but these are of such rare occurrence that they can not
be considered as types. A few truncrated cones, which are included
under this head, have also been observed. Pyramidal mounds with
terraces occur here and there, but are far less frequent than in Arkan-
sas. They also differ from tlie latter in having frequently one or more
THO.MAS.I GEORGIA AND MISSISSII'PI. 591
graded ways or ramps. Few niouiids witli these ai)peiidages have been
observed iu this or in tlie Arkansas distriet, tbe " Eicb Woods"
group in southeasteru Missouri being exceptional. In one instance
(as is true also of the Rich Woods group) a series, consisting- in this
case of five pyramidal mounds, is formed by connecting ramps or
graded ways. The graded ways leading uj) to the summit of mounds
usually proceed from a point opijosite a side, directly toward the center
of the mound or middle of the side, the only instance known of one
winding up the side being that of the large mound of the Etowah
group, Bartow county, Georgia, which, though not included in this
district, was probably built by the ancient inhabitants of it. Mention
is made by several authors of winding ways up mounds, but so far the
Bureau explorations have failed to confirm these statements.
Explorations in mounds of this type have been carried on only to a
limited extent and baverevealedbutlittleof interest, though the nega-
tive evidence furnished on one xjoint is valuable, to wit : That they were
not built for burial purposes, though there are a few instances in which
human remains have been found in them. In some instances layers of
burnt clay, charcoal, and ashes have been observed. In other cases
burnt clay in fragments, showing the marks of twigs or grass, and
pieces of charred wood, most likely the remains of plastered wooden
stiuetures, have been observed. In short, the evidence obtained, though
scanty, points to tlie correctness of the generally received opinion that
these structures were erected as sites for the public buildings of the
tribe or village and for the dwellings of the chief's or leading personages.
Some two or three mounds of peculiar form ha\'e lieen discovered in
Mississippi and the Arkansas district that have not been observed
elsewhere in the mound area. These may be described as earthen plat-
forms surmounted by a conical mound or a conical mound surrounded
by a terrace. Sometimes the conical mound is small iu proportion to
the platform and is not central, in which case the first definition best
describes the work ; in other cases the platform appears only as a narrow
terrace ruuning around the mound. These, however, are very rare, only
three or four being known. A double mound of this type, or mound
with two apices, has been observed iu western Mississippi, which is
described and figured in the previous i)art of this volume.
HUUIAI, MOUNDS AN1> MDUKS (II' lilRIAL.
One distinguishing feature between the modes of burial in this dis-
trict and those immediately north is the absence of stone graves and
wooden vaults. Of the former none have been noticed, so far as known,
in the entire district, except where it is overlapped by the Tennessee
district in northern Georgia. Of the latter very few, if any, examples
have been observed. Sometimes indications of a bark wrapping or
wrapping made of cane matting are noticed. It is also the case that
592 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
remains of leather arefouurt in swh relation to the skeleton as to show
that the body liad been wrapped in buckskin and this surrounded by
cane matting.
The skeletons as a usual tiling are found in a horizontal position, but
generally without any rule in regard to direction. Exceptional cases
occur in which all the bodies in a mound, or most of them, are placed
with the head in one direction or in a circle. For example, in a mound
of western Florida there were three groups of skeletons, from 7 to 14
iu a group, those of each group forming a circle, the heads being toward
the center. This would indicate that the burial had taken place after
the flesh had been removed, or, in other words, that they were brought
here at a general burial from other depositories. Examples of bundled
skeletons sometimes occur, but these are confined principally to the
Florida peninsula. One mound in which the burials were of this type
has been observed in Alabama. Burials iu a sitting posture are com-
paratively rare, the only examples known being those mentioned by
Joues in his Antiquities of the Southern Indians. Burials in con-
fused masses or ossuaries are also comparatively rare. The somewhat
singular fact was noticed in Yazoo county, Mississippi, of extended and
bundled skeletons and round heads and compressed heads in the same
mound, which was of comparatively large size. Indications of fire are
found iu a large portion of the burial mounds of this district.
An ancient cemetery has been discovered here and there, but the
explorers have foiled to give sufficient details by which to make com-
parisons with the graves of other sections. So far as observed they
are mostly in the vicinity of mounds ; in some, undoubted indications of
contact with the whites have been found, showing them to be of com-
paratively recent date.
BURIAL CAVKS.
Some burial caves have been discovered in northern Alabama. In
one of these the bodies appear to have been laid in wooden troughs aud
covered with matting aud these placed in crevices of the rock. In the
same cave were several wooden bowls and trays. The floor of another
cave was covered to the depth of 4 feet with fragments of human bones,
earth, ashes, and stone chips. From this debris two or three sj)ool-
shaped, copper ear ornaments were obtained. Around the middle of
one of these was a porti(m of the string with which they were probably
wound when in use.
INC'LOSURES AND WALLS.
Notwithstanding the freciuent mention by the early writers of walled
villages in this district, the number of inclosures is much less in pro-
portiim to the other works than in Ohio. Nor is there sufficient uni-
formity to indicate any particular form as the prevailing type; yet we
can say confidently that there is nothing iu the form or size of these
structures to indicate relation to those of the more northern districts.
THOMAS.] GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. 593
Stone walls, which Col. Jones thinks were made for defense, are found
ou Stone mountain. Mount Yona, and other peaks of northern Georgia.
These, however, are in the area overlapped by other districts, and hence
can not be attributed with certainty to the authors of the works of the
district now under consideration. Tl ley are, however, of much interest as
indicating a state of bitter warfare, as this only will explain the neces-
sity of retiring to these mountain fastnesses and fortifying them. There
is, however, one of these fortified hills on the line between Bibb and
Twigs counties, same state, which must be included geographically in
this district.
Of the earthen inclosures sonu' are semicircular, resting on the banks
of streams; some are circular, bnt these are of comparatively small
size, and a few are irregularly quadrangular. The regular forms both
of inclosures and mounds of the southern states figured by Squier and
Davis chiefly from Rafir.esque's M8S. are to a large extent works of
imagination. The groups, it is true, exist or did exist, but so far as
they remain correspond in few respects with the figures or descriptions.
CANALS <)U DITCHES.
In addition to the ditches which usually line the walls of inclosures,
a few instances occur where the surrounding defense consisted of a ditch
only. This is true in regard to the celebrated Etowah group, and some
two or three other groups in Georgia.
Canals of considerable extent which are considered prehistoric are
found at several points. One of these is said to be 14 miles in length.
POTTKHV AXI> OTHER MINOR VESTICES OF ART.
The prehistoric remains of this kind found in this district have been
so thoroughly described by C. C. Jones, that it is unnecessary to do
more here than refer to a few prominent types. The chief variations
from the more northern and trans-Mississippi types are found in the
forms of the i)ij)es and the forms and ornamentation of the pottery.
Pipes, however, are not abundant among the archeological collections
from this district, and a large portion of them approach in form the
modern type, or type in use subsequent to European colonization. One
peculiar type of pottery is the large vase with conical bottom. These
are found chiefly in Georgia and South Carolina. Another form pecu-
liar to this region is the more elongate vessel with rounded bottom, to
which the name "burial urn" has been applied, because in a few
instances human bones have been found in them; these, however, are
comparatively rare, as urn burial was a mode of disposing of the dead
but seldom practiced in any part of the mound region.
The finest specimens of polished discoidal stones, supposed to have
been used in the game of " chnnkee," have been found in this district,
chiefly in (Georgia.
12 ETH 38
THE MOUND-BUILDERS.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
Having given the results of the mound explorations carried on by
the Bureau, and a review of the types of the works with reference to
their geographical distribution, we propose to discuss under the above
title some of the questions relating to the authors and uses of these
works. The chief object in view, however, is to determine if possible
whether or not the Indians were the authors. The reasons for this
course can be stated in a few words.
If the explorations of the ancient monuments of the mound area under
consideration should prove that the authors were Indians, the investi-
gations in regard to the objects a.nd uses of these works will be greatly
limited; will in fact, be merged into the study of the habit's, customs,
arts, etc., of the Indians as they were before being moditied by contact
with European civilization. If, on the other hand, the opposite conclu-
sion should be reached, the field of investigation will nevertheless be
much restricted, as one very important factor will be eliminated, and
the attention of students will be turned in a different direction.
There is, however, the possibility, as maintained by some authorities,
that an intermediate result may be reached; that is to say, that part
of these works are attributable to the Indians, while the remainder
must be attributed to another or other races.
Even should this conclusion be reached after careful examination of
all the data obtained, the result Avill tend to limit greatly the field of
investigation. For it will be impossible to reach such conclusion with-
out having determined the characteristics which distinguish these
classes of works from one another. This, as will be admitted, will be a
very important step toward the solution of the chief problems pre-
sented by these remains.
Such being the case, a discussion of the question "^'^ho were the
niouud-builders!" or, as we prefer to put it, "Were the mound-build-
ers Indians?" should not be considered out of place in this connection,
particularly as this is the pivot on which the conclusions in I'eference
to all the other problems relating to these works must turn.
Doubt has been expressed by some archeologists as to the sufficiency
of the data so far obtained to justify a conclusion on this subject. This
is owing, in ijart at least, to the fact that the wealth of material obtained
by the Bureau of Ethnology bearing upon this question had not, at the
595
596 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
time this doubt was expressed, become geuerally known. It i.s prob-
able that tlie evidence i)resented in the preceilinj;' l>art of tliis report,
together with the reports of recent explorations made by others, will
serve, to some extent, to dispel such doubt. In any case the propriety
of undertaking the disc\ission of the question attliistime will lie deter-
mined by the result.
As difterent conclusions are often reached because of the dilfereut
senses in which the principal terms used are understood, it may be well
to define at the outset the sense in which they are here used. In the
present case the terms that need to be most clearly defined are " Indians,"
as referring to the former inhabitants, and ■' mound area," as referring
to the geographical district alluded to.
As already stated, the term "mound area," as herein used, is lim-
ited to that iiortion of the United States east of the Rocky mountains,
and the adjoining sections of the Dominion of Canada. The name
"Indians," although generally used in a much broader sense and as
embracing the entire American race, is, in this discussion, limited to
the aboriginal tribes found occupying the above described area when
first visited by Europeans, and to their imnu-diate ancestors. This re
strictiou is, of course, an arbitrary one, but is ado]>ted here to avoid
confusion.
Within these limitations the tirsT and <'hief (piestion tube considered
may be stated briefly as follows:
Were all the mounds and other ancient works of the mound area as
above defined, constructed by the Indians, in the restricted sense above
mentioned, or are they wholly, or in part, to be attributed to other and
more highly cultured races, as the Nahuatal tribes, the Mayas, the
Pueblo tribes, or some lost race of which there is no historical mention ?
No one believes it possible to ascertain tlK^ histtny of the construc-
tion of each mound and earthwork; the utmost that can be hoped for
is that we may be able to determine with reasonable certainty that
works of a particular class or locality were built by a known tribe or
peojile; or negatively, that works of a given type can not be attributed
to any people of whom we possess historical information.
One step, therefore, in the investigation, and a very imiJortant one,
too, is to reach the general conclusion whether all classes of these
remains in the region designated may be justly attributed to thelndians,
in the sense stated above, or whether there are some types which must
l)e ascribed to a difl'erent race; to a people who had attained a higher
position in the scale of civilization than the Indians. This the author
believes is possible, although we may not be able to determine cou-
clusively what tribe or people erected any given work. Nevertheless,
the conclusion will be strengthened by every proof that the works of
particulai- sections, or certain types, are to be ascribed to particular
tribes or stocks.
The author's position in regard to tlie (luestion, as above stated, will
appear further on.
THOMAS.)
THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 597
DIFFERENT OPINIONS.
Before euteriug upon the discu.ssiou of the question propounded, it
will be best to present a brief review of the different opinions which
have so far l)een published to the world.
It was not until about the close of the eighteenth century that the
scientific men of the eastern states became fully impressed with the fact
that remarkable antiquities were to be found in our country.
About this time President Stiles, of New Haven, Dr. Franklin, Dr. Bar-
ton, and a few other leading minds of that day, becoming thoroughly
convinced of the existence of these antiquities, and having received
descriptions of a number of them, began to advance theories as to
their origin. Bartram had come to the conclusion, fi"om personal obser-
vations and from the statements of the Indians, that they knew nothing
of the origin of certain monuments; that these belonged to the most
distant antiquity.' Nevertheless, it is an error to infer from this, as
some have done, that he attributed these works to a highly civilized
people who had become extinct, or, in fact, to any other than the Indian
race. Schoolcraft remarked truly :^ " Bartram, a writer and traveler
of eminent merit as a naturalist, and close observer of the Indian arts
and society, who, in 1773, passed through their territories from Florida
to the Mississippi, speaks often of the 'Indian mounts or tumuli and
terraces, monuments of the ancients,' terms applied by him to Indian
nations who had preceded the then existing stocks. Tradition among
them had denoted such prior occupants, with manners and customs
like themselves, whom they had displaced. The great Muscoge or
Muscogulgee confederacy was then at its height. Tlie Natchez had
fallen forty years before. The Utches had been conquered, and, with
the Goosidas and Alabamas, had become a part of ' The Nation,' a term
commonly applied to them in the South. He had observed some works
of this ancient race of tribes, and particularly a stone sepulchre at
Keowe, of which tradition ascribed the origin to these ' ancients.' Yet
he closes his travels with this observation : ' Concerning the monu-
ments of Americans, 1 deem it necessary to observe, as my opinion,
that none of them that I have seen, discover the least signs of the arts,
sciences, or architecture of the Europeans, or other inhabitants of the
old world ; yet evidently betray every mark of the most distant anti-
quity.'"
He might have added also that in speaking of tlie works at " Apa-
lachucla, old town," he says : " Thoselndiaus have a tradition that these
lemains are the ruins of an ancient Indian town and fortress." ^
Dr. Franklin in reply to the incpiiry of President Stiles suggested
that the works in Ohio might have been constructed by De Soto in his
wanderings. This suggestion was followed up by Noah Webster with
■ Tr:ivi-ls (1V91)," jip. 307 and :i<)(i. ■' Uist. ImV.m Trilii-s (1856), Vol. 5. p. 115. ^ .. Travels," p. 522
6 '18 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
an attempt to sustain it,' but subsequently this able lexicographer
entirely abandoned this position and attributed these works to the
aboriginal Indians. Capt. Heart, in reply to tht^ inquiries addressed
to him by Dr. Barton, gives his opinion that the works could not have
been constructed by De Soto and his followers, but belonged to an age
preceding the discovery of America by Columbus; that they were not
due to the Indians or their predecessors, but to a people not altogether
in an uncultivated state, as tJiey nuist have been under the subordina-
tion of law and a well governed police.-
This is probably the first clear and distinct expression of a view
which has subsecjuently obtained the assent of so nuiuy of the leading
writers on American archeology.
About the commencement of the nineteenth century two new and
important characters appear on the stage of American archeology.
These are Bishop Madison, of Virginia, and Eev. Thaddeus M. Harris,
of Massachusetts. " These two gentlemen," as remarked by Dr. Haven, ^
* * * " are among the first who, uniting opportunities of personal
observation to the advantage of scientific culture, imparted to the pub-
lic their impressions of western antiquities. They represent the two
classes of observers whose opposite views still divide the sentiment of
the country; one class seeing no evidence of art beyond what might be
expected of existing tribes, with the simple difference of a more numer-
ous population and consequently better defined and more permanent
habitations; the others finding i)roofs of skill and refinement, to be
explained, as they believe, only on the supi)osition that a superior native
race, or more probably a peojde of foreign and higher civilization once
occupied the soil."
Bishop Madison was the representative of the first class. Dr. Harris
represented that section of the second class maintaining the opinion
that the mound builders were Toltecs, who, after residing for a time in
this region, moved south into Mexico.
As the principal theories which are held at the present day on this
subject are substantially set forth in these authorities, it is unnecessary
to follow up the history of the controversy except so far as is required
in order to notice the various modifications of the two leading views.
Those holding the opinion that the Indians were not the authors of
these works, although agreeing on this point, and hence included in one
class, differ widely among themselves as to the people to whom they are
to be ascribed; one section, of which Dr. Harris may be considered the
pioneer, holding that they were built by the Toltecs, who occupied the
Mississippi valley previous to their appearance in the vale of Auahuac*
' American Magazioe Dec. 1787. Jan. and Felt., 1788. Am. Museum. Also referred toby Haven,
Smitbson. Contri., vol. VIM, pp. 24, 25.
' Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. vol. in, 1793, pp. 217-218.
' Arclieolugy of the United States, Smithson. Contri. vol. viii, p. 31.
* In alluding hero and elsewhere to the Toltecs. we do ui)t intend to assert thereby a belief in the
reality of such a peojtle, nor do wo wish to be understood by this note as denying their existence, as
this is a question that does not enter into the present discussion.
THOMAs.l THK MOUND-BUILDERS. 699
Among" the more receut iidvocates of this view may be classed the
following authors: Messrs. Sqnier and Davis iu their "Ancient Monu-
ments of the Mississippi Valley" (though Mr. Squier subsequently
changed his opinion so far as it related to the antiquities of New York,
which he became conviuced should be attributed to the Iroquois tribes) ;
Mr. John T. Short in his " North Americans of Antiquity;" Dr. Daw-
son in his "Fossil Man," who identifies the Tallegwi with the Toltecs;
Eev. J. P. McLean in his "i\Iouud Builders, " and Dr. Joseph Jones in
his "Anticjuities of Tennessee."
Wilson, iu his " Prehistoric Man," modifies this view somewhat, look-
ing to the region south of Mexico for the original home of the Toltecs
and deriving the Aztecs from the mound-builders.
Another section of this class includes those who, although rejecting
the idea of an Indian origin, are satisfied with simply designating the
authors of these works a "lost race," without following the inquiry into
the more uncertain field of racial or ethnical relations. To this type
belong most of the authors of recent short articles and brief reports on
American archeology, and quite a number of diligent workers in this
field whose names are not before the world as authors.
J. D. Baldwin, in his "Ancient America," expresses the belief that
the mound-builders were Toltecs, but thinks they came originally from
Mexico, or further south, and after occupying the Oliio valley and the
Gulf states, probably for centuries, were at last driven southward by
an influx of barbarous hordes from the northern region, and appeared
again iu Mexico.' Bradford, thirty years previous to this, had sug-
gested Mexico as their original home.'^ Lewis II. Morgan, ou the other
hand, supposes that tLe authors of these remains came from the Pueblo
tribes of New Mexico.' Dr. Foster * agrees substantially with Baldwin.
In this general class may also be included a number of extravagant
hypotheses, such as those advanced by Ratinesque, George Jones, Dela-
field, and others.
The class maintaining the view that these monuments are the work of
Indians found inhabiting the country at the time of its discovery or
their ancestors, numbered, up to a recent date, but comparatively few
leading authorities among its advocates; in other words, the followers
of Bishop Madison are, or at least were until recently, far less numer-
ous than the followers of Dr. Harris. The differences between the ad-
vocates of this view are of minor importance and only appear when the
investigation is carried one step further back, aud the attempt made
to designate the particular tribe, nation, i^eople, or ethnic family to
which they pertained.
The tradition of the Delawares, as given by Heckwelder, having
brought upon the stage the Tallegwi, they are made to i)lay a most
important part in the speculations of those inclined to the theory of an
' Ancient America, pp. 70-75.
* American Antiquities, p. 71.
■' Beach, Indian Miscellany, p. 170. Also, Xortli American Review, October, 1888.
« Prehistoric Races, pp. 3^-342.
GOO MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Indian origin. And as tbis tradition agrees very well with a number
of facts brought to light by anticiuarian and philological researches, it
has had considerable influence in shaping the conclusion even of those
who are not professed believers in it.
One of the ablest early advocates of the Indian origin of these works
was Dr. McCulloh; and his conclusions based, as they were, on the
comparatively slender data then obtainable, are remarkable, not only
for the clearness with which they are stated and the distinctness with
which they are defined, but as being more in accordance with all the
facts ascertained than perhaps those of any contemporary.
Samuel G. Drake, Henry Schoolcraft, Dr. Haven, and Sir .John Lub-
bock are also disposed to ascribe these ancient works to the Indians.
Among the recent advocates of this theory are the following, who have
made known their position in regard to the question liy their writings
or addresses :
Judge C. C. Baldwin, in a paper read before the State Archeological
Society of Ohio, expresses the belief that the mound-builders of Oliio
were village Indians. Col. F. M. Force expresses a similar opinion in
his paper entitled "The Mound-Builders," read before the Cincinnati
Literary Club. Dr. D. G. Brinton brings forward, in an article inib-
lished in the October number, 1881, of the American Antiquarian, con-
siderable historical evidence tending to the conclusion that the Indians
were the authors of these ancient works.' Dr. P. E. Hoy, in a paper
entitled "Who built the Mounds?" published in the Transactions of
the Wisconsin Academy of Science,^ brings forward a number of facts
to sustain the same view. Mr. Lucien Carr, of Cambridge, Mass., in a
paper entitled " The Mounds of the Mississippi Valley, historically
considei-ed" (contained in the memoirs of the Kentucky Geological
Survey), has presented a very strong array of historical evidence, going
to show not only that the Indians east of the Mississippi, at the time
they were first discovered by Europeans, were sedentary and agricul-
tural, but also that several of the tribes were in tlie habit of building
mounds. Several articles and two small volumes have also been i)ub-
lished by the author of this volume, taking the same view. The arti-
cles will be found in the "American Antiquarian," "Magazine of
American History," "Science," "American Anthropologist," and else-
where. The two small works are " The Cherokees in pre-Columbian
Times," and " The Shawnees in pre-Columbian Times."
These recent papers may Justly be considered the conmiencement of
a rediscussion of this question, in which the Indian, after a long exclu-
sion, will be readmitted as a possible factor in the jjroblem.
Prof. Dall has likewise taken an advanced step in this direction in
the excellent American edition of Manxuis de Nadaillac's "Prehistoric
America," boldly accepting the results of later investigations; and the
same is true in regard to Prof. N. S. Shaler's " Kentucky."
' Compare Hist. Mag., Feb., 18G6, p. 35, Am. Aiitiq.. 1881, vol. 4. p. 9 and American Race, p.
»Vol. VI, lS81-'83, p. 84.
THOMAS] THE MOUXD-BUILDERS. 601
One reason why so little progress has been made in unraveling this
riddle of the American Sphinx is that most of the authors who have
wiitteii upon the subject of American archeology have proceeded upon
certain assu.mi)tions which virtually closed the door against a free and
unbiased investigation.
Even the most intelligent writers on this subject commence or inter-
lard their discussions with such expressions as the following:
All aucieut aud niikuDwii i)eoi)le left remains of settled life and of a certain degree
of civilization in the valleys of the Mississippi and its tributaries.'
Among those nations who are without recognized descendants are the Mound-
builders, who lived east of the Mississippi. '
The evidences of the former existence of a prehistoric race known as the Mouud-
builders, who at one time occupied the principal affluents of the Mississippi, the
Gulf coast, aud the region of the Great Lakes, are too conclusive to admit of doubt.
These evidences consist of tumuli symmetrically raised and often enclosed in mathe-
matical figures, such as the square, the octagon, and circle, with long lines of cir-
cunivallation ; of pits in the solid rock, and rubbish heaps formed in the prosecu-
cution of their mining operations; and of a variety of utensils wrought in stone or
copper, or molded in clay, which cvhife ii knotoleclye of aii ond mcthvdical labor foreiyn
to the rud iiian.'^
An ancient rare entire!;/ distinct from the Indian, possessing a certain degree of civil-
ization, once inhabited the central portion of the United States.^
The monuments described arc not the work of the Indian tribes found in the countrt/,
norofani/ tribe rcseinliJing them in institutions.^
The only evidence we have of the existence of a people conventionally called the
Mound-builders, ^cocerfiHiy the modern Indians in the occupancy of this continent,
consist of material relics."
The professor [alluding to Dr. Joseph Jones, author of The Antiquities of Ten-
nessee] has clearly shown that the Mound-hnilder people and the Indians were distinct,
and has set at rest a question upon which some doubts were still entertained by a
certain school of archeologists which has really never been very strong.'
And so on in the same strain through most of the works relating to
this subject, thus virtually deciding the question before, or without,
properly discussing it. A few have ventured the suggestion that po.s-
sibly these ancient works were due to the Indian race found in pos.ses-
sion of the country at the time of its discovery by the Europeans.
But this suggestion, instead of receiving serious attention and being
properly and thoroughly investigated, has generally been thrust aside
as unworthy of consideration. For exami)le, one writer dismisses it
with the remark :
I am not aware tliat the opinion that the reil men were the authors of the most
extensive works, though maintained by some scholars of high repute, is held by any
who have given them personal and thorough examination."
Another unfortunate and unwarranted assumption which has been a
serious stumbling block in the way of the solution of this jnoblem is,
that there is such a general similarity in these aucieut monuments as
' Baldwin, Ancient America, p. 14. •'Farquharson, iu troc. Davenport Acad. Sci., Vol,
* Lewis H. Morgan, Beach's Indian Miscellany, II, p. 103.
V- '.^3. ' Short, North Americans of Antiquity, p. 65.
•fFiisier's Preliistoric Races, p. 97. '*Conant. Footprints of a Vanished Race. p. iv
*McI.ean. Mound Builders, p. 13. (preface).
'Bancroft. Native Races, iv, \i. 787.
602 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to justify the coudusiou that they are the works of oue people, of cue
great nation. Seattei'ed through the hirge majority of works where
allusiou is made to tliis subject are tf) be found such expressions as the
following:
The (liiierences which have already heeii |iointi'il out l)etwceu the inoniimeuts of
the several i)orti(ins of the valley, of the northeru, central, and southern divisions,
are not sul'llcieutly marked to authorize the belief that they were the works of sejia-
rate nations. The features corauiou to all are eh'inentary and identifi/ them as npper-
la'tninfi to <t siiKjln iiraml ai/nleiii.'
While the character of these structures, as tra(:ed over wide areas, diii'ers in minor
particulars still there is a general uniformity ifhicli staiiijiis the authors as one people,
the sKhjectt of one eonlroUinfi (lovcriimiiit.-
Thie ancient people, whose remains indicate unity and civilization, must have been
organized as a nation irith a central administration which all recognised.^
They [the mound-builders] were probably one people; that is, composed of tribes
liviug under similar laws, religion, and other institutions. Such variations as are
observed in the monuments are only those that would naturally occur between cen-
tral and frontier regions, althoufih the animal mounds of the northwest present
some ilifhculties.*
Short, in liis " North Americans of Antiquity," proceeds upon the
same theory as, in fact, do the large majority of those who have written
upon the subject. Yet, as will soon become apparent to any one who
will study the different forms of these works with any care, the only
similarity between the extremes of form and construction is the fact
that they are built of earth. Between these extremes, if the earth-
works of the world were classified, would fall much the larger portion
of both hemispheres. The conical tumuli bear a far more striking re-
semblance in form to the mounds of Japan, Siberia, and northern Eu-
rope, and some of the burrows of the British isles than they do to the
efBgy mounds of Wiscon.sin, the circles and squares of Ohio, or the
pyramidal and truncated tumuli of the Southern States. It is proba-
bly not going too far to say that if the most skillful engineer of the
present day were to undertake the task of building as many different
forms of earthworks as his skill could devise, it would be difticult for
him to exceed the variety now found. So varied are they that it has
been found impossible to classify them according to form, except in a
very loose and general way.
Almost every animal their builders were acquainted with has served
as a model, and almost every geometrical form from a spiral to a pyra-
mid has been imitated. Examining their internal structure, they are
found to be equally varied.
That there are certain types in form and construction which prevail
in certain sections is true, but the claim that there is throughout a
general similarity which stamps their authors as one people, unless
this term is used as denoting one race, is wholly without foundation.
It is admitted that these works and the minor vestiges of art found
1 Squier .aud Davis, Anc. Mon., p. 301. s B,qldwiii, Ancient America, p. 57.
' Foster. Prehistoric. K.ices, p. 97. » KnnoToft. N.itive Races, iv, 785.
TI10MA9.I THK MOUND-BUILDEKS. 603
in tlieiii iudicate that their autliois beluuged to oue race, and differed
but little from each other in regard to tlie position reached in the grade
of culture; but the inference to be drawn from the expressions and
statements referred to, and in most cases intended to be conveyed by
them, is that the mound-builders belonged to one great nation, one
people connected together by one system of government. Even where
these writers are most guarded their speculations in reference to these
monuments are based upon this theory, and their exi>ressions are con-
stantly revealing the fact that their minds are pervaded with this idea.
The thought that once a mighty nation occupied the valley of the
Mississippi with its frontier settlements resting on the lake shores and
gulf coast, nestling in the valleys of the Appalachian range and skirt-
ing the broad plains of the west; a nation with its systems of govern-
ment and religion, but which has disapjieared, leaving behind it no
evidences of its glory, power, and extent, save these silent, forest-cov-
ered remains, has something so fascinating and attractive in it, that
once it has taken possession of the mind it warps and biases all its
investigations and conclusions.
There seems to pervade the minds of many explorers, and in fact of
some American archeologists, no doubt under the spur of this enchant-
ing thought, the hope and expectation that some great and astounding
find will yet be made which will confirm this theory.
One reason why this view has so generally prevailed is, that the con-
clusions of later authors have been based mainly on the descriptions
and characteristics of the Ohio mounds. For instance, the work enti-
tled " The Monnd-Builders " by the Eev. .T. V. McJjean, is— with the
exception of the appendix — based almost wholly on the statements of
Squier and Davis, although the authoi' resided in the ^•ery heart of the
mound area, and, as his "Archeology of Butler County'' shows, was
familiar with the works of this region.
Yet in the face of all this is the undeniable fact that, wherever
these remains are found we see, as is well known even to the writers
who express these views, evidences of warfare, of precautions against
attack and surprise, of attempts at defense; not along the borders
alone of the mound area, but in every section of it; proving beyond
any reasonable doubt a conditicm of tribal warfare, and hence of tribal
divisions.
It is strange that these writers shoidd so press this idea of a single
nation, when in the same work they speak of numerous fortifications
scattered over the mound regions, of signal mounds and lookout sta-
tions on numberless hills, and of other indications of warfare. To
suppose that all these could be accounted for on the idea that they
were constructed as a defense against incoming hordes of savages
by a j)eople whose "settlements were widespread as the extent of
their (the Mound-builders) remains indicate."' is preposterous, for they
'Short; North Americans til' Antiquity, p. 97.
(104 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
accompany, to a greater or less exteut, almost every village site
tbrougliout tlie vast area eiiibraeed.
A third serious bindrance to legitimate progress is found in the no
menclatnre whicli has come into use, a number of the terms commonly
employed being nothing more nor less than theories crystallized into
names; such, for example, as " Sacred Enclosures," " Temple Jlounds,"
"Altar Mounds," " Sacrificial Mounds," etc. So deeply have these
become embedded in the minds of most writers on American arche-
ology, that in alluding to our ancient earthworks they are used as
though no question could arise as to their correctness. In fact, many
writers on this subject seem to proceed upon the theory that the mound-
builders devoted most of their time to religious ceremonies. A charred
bone or an ash bed in a tumulus suggests to them sacrifice, a mound-
covered stone heap or hard mass of clay is at once construed into a
sacrificial altar, and in every truncated mound they behold the site of
a temple, where the people, led by their priests, assembled to perform
their religious rites and ceremonies. Even the plates of mica, found
so frequently in these structures, are supposed by some to have been
used by the priests as reflectors to concentrate the rays of the sun for
the purpose of igniting the fuel on the altar, thus causing the people
to believe they had called down sacred fire from the sun, their supreme
divinity.
Take, for example, the expression of a no less able and conscientiims
writer than Ur. Lapham. Speaking of the masses of burnt clay and
other evidences of fire found in the walls of the earthworks at Azta-
Ian, Wisconsin, he remarks: •' From all the facts observed it is likely
that the clay was mixed with the straw and made into some coarse
kind of envelope or covering for sacrifices about to be consumed. The
whole was probably then placed on the wall of earth, mixed with the
requisite fuel, and burned. The promiscuous mixture of charcoal,
burned clay, charred bones, blackened j)ottery, etc., can only in this
way be accounted for." '
Examining the facts as given in his most excellent work on the
Anti(iuities of Wisconsin, we are astonished to find how small a basis
he had upon which to build such a theory.
The Aztalan i-emaius consist in part of surrounding walls, which
have mound-like enlargements:
Whether these walls are only a series of oriliuary mounds, such as are Ibuud all
over the western country, dift'erin.ij;' onlj' in being united to one another, it may, per-
haps, be difficult to decide. They may, possibly, have been designed for the same
and for other purposes. On opening the walls near the top it is occasionally found
that the eartli has been burned. Irregular masses of hard, reddish clay, full of cav-
ities, bear <listiuct impressions of straw, or rather wild hay, with which they had
been mixed before burning. These places are of no very considerable exteut, nor
are they more than 6 inches in depth. Fragments of tlie same kind are found scat-
tered about, and they have been observed in other localities at a great distance
'Antiquities of Wisconsin, p. 44.
THOMAS] THE MOUND-BUILDKRS. 605
from th<'se. ancient ruins. * As indicating' the origin of tliis burned clay, it
is iuiportant to state tliat it is usually mixed with pieces of charcoal, partiiilly
burned boues, etc. Fragments of pottery are also found in the same connection.'
If these embankments are true walls, the places selected for cremat-
ing bodies would seem to be very unusual and wholly inappropriate.
Moreover, we find on the next page of his work proof that burial was
practiced by the occupants. At the bottom of one of the mound-iike
enlargements were found the remains of two bodies which he judged
had been buried in a sitting posture. Near the surface of the same
mound were found fragments of pottery, charcoal, half-burned human
bones, and masses of burned clay. If the theory advanced be correct,
we woirld have here evidence in the same mound of two methods of dis-
posing of the dead. If the object were to consume the body, it would
be very strange that it shoiUd be first inclosed in a mass of clay and
the burned remains afterward left uncared-for.
It is much more probable that the clay mixed with wild grass was
used as plastering for winter houses which were built on these enlarge-
ments or mounds, ov for wooden palisades. Tiie presence of partially
burned human bones may be easily accounted for without resorting to
the theory of human sacrifice or intentional cremation, as will here-
after be shown.
I am inclined, from personal examination, to accept Dr. Lapham's
suggestion that these supposed walls are only a series of mounds
united by embankments. Simdar series are found in Crawford county,
ill the same State.
In the latter case they seem to have been used only as house sites.
Dr. Lapham was, beyond question, one of the most careful and con-
scientious students of "our anticpiities, yet this idea of the ju'cdomi-
nance of religious ceremonies in the customs of the mound-builders
had taken such strong hold on his mind that the evidence of tire, even
in the inclosing walls, was sufficient to bring sacrifice forward as an
explanation of the condition observed, notwithstanding that he was in-
clined to the opinion that the mound- builders and Indians belonged to
tlie same race.
Messrs. Squier and Davis in the explanation of tlieir reasons for
designating certain works "sacred inclosures" remark-' as follows:
Thus, when we find an inclosure containing a number of mounds, ail of which it
is capable of demonstration were religious in their purposes, or in some Avay con-
nected with the superstitions of the people who built them, the conclusion is irre-
sistible that the inclosure itself was also deemed sacred.
Hf)w are we to demonstrate that a mound was intended for reli-
gious purposes? The answer given by these authors is to be gathered
from their chapter on "altar or sacrificial mounds," and is in substance
as follows: If it has a (so-called) "altar " in it and is stratified, it has
been built for religious purposes, though the altar alone would doubt
•Lapham. Antiquities of Wiscnnain, p. 43. 2 ^m-^ion.. p. 47.
606 MOUND EXI'LORATIONS.
less have sufficed with them to place a lucjuntl in this category. Even
the character of the sacrifices is supposed to be clearly indicated, as
they remark that —
The inferenee that human sacrifices were made here ami the remaius afterwards
thus collected and deposited, or that a system of burial of this extraordinary char-
acter was practiced in certain cases, seems to follow legitimately from the facts and
circumstances here presented.'
According to Short, " Prof. E. B. Amlrews has shown that the sup-
])osed uniformity of stratification in altar mounds is a fallacy. In many
instances the earth has been dumped together indiscriminately."^
The Bureau explorations also tend to throw doubt upon the tlieory of
the authors of "Ancient Monuments" in this respect, and also on the
supposition that "altar mounds" are never used for burial purposes.
Although there will be occasion hereafter to allude to this subject,
it will not be amiss to notice here some reasons tor ])rotesting against
the use of terms implying sacrifice.
It is evident that the use of thetei-ms " sacred linclosures" and "sac-
rificial mounds " by Messrs Squier and Davis hinges upon the object and
use of the so-called " altars." If they are in error in this respect their
whole theory falls to the ground and the use of these terms is unwar-
ranted and misleading.
If these altars were used for sacrificial purposes in a religious sense,
or in any true sense of the terra, as these authors evidently imply, and,
moreover, for human sacrifice, it is remarkable that so many of them
(some ten or twelve) should be found in the single indosure denomi-
nated " Mound city;" that a single village should have nearly a dozen
difierent places of offering sacrifices. It is very strange that true sacri-
ficial altars used by the same people, by the inhabitants of a single
village, should have varied so gi-eatly that while some were circular
and some elliptical, others were squares or parallelograms ; some but
2 feet across, while others were 50 feet or more in length, by 13 to 15
in breadth. A basin-shaped mass of clay -15 or 50 feet long, 12 feet
wide, and not more than 18 inches high, with broad, sloping margins,
would be an unusual altar.
Passing by these serious objections, let us examine thee\adence upon
which Messrs. Squier and Davis base their conclusicms respecting these
structures. It appears that they examined some forty or fifty of these
altar-containing tuinuli: their statement is, "of one hundred mounds
examined, sixty were altar or temple mounds."^ Allowing ten of this
number for temple mounds, the number belonging to the other class
would be fifty. Of these, they describe and figure as types ten or
eleven, seven of which were on the restricted and inclosed area of 13
acres, designated " Mound city."
The altar basin of one was filled to the brim with fine dry ashes,
intermixed with which were some fragments of ornamented pottcy
' Anc. Mon., p. 159. 'North Americans of Antiquity, p. 83, note. ' Anc. Mon., p. 142.
THOMAS.) THK MOUND-BUILDERS. 607
aud a few copper ditsks, and opaipie iiiiea in sheets so laid as to over-
lap one another. Resting on these were some charred human bones,
probably those of a single skeleton.
There certainly is nothing in this to indicate that there had been a
sacrifice. The facts might warrant the conclusion that cremation had
been attempted; but to base the theory of sacrifice on these facts is
unjustifiable. It was apparent that the mica and bones were care-
fully placed there after the fire had died out, and with the evident
intention of sepulture. Moreover, as the authors inform us, " the lay-
ers of mica and calcined bones * * * were peculiar to this indi-
vidual mound, and were not found in any other of the class."
In the basin of another was " a deposit of fine ashes, intermixed
-with charcoal, 3 inches thick." lu these ashes were some fragments of
pottery and a few shell and pearl beads. The basin of another con-
tained nothing more than a mass, i or 5 inches thick, of something
like lime mortar, apparently made from calcined shells, fragments of
the shells being intermixed. It will scarcely be claimed that these
contain any indications of sacrifice.
The basin of another of large size was tilled with relics, chiefly
articles of stone and copper, and fragments of iwttery mixed with coal
and ashes. A single fragment of a partially calcined bone was found
on the altar; it was the iiatella of a human skeleton.
In the basin of mound No. 8 was found the collection of articles which
has become so noted in works relating to American archeology. This
deposit, we are informed, consisted of " not far from 200 pipes carved
in stone; many pearl and shell beads; numerous disks, tubes, etc., of
copper, and a number of other ornaments of copper covered with silver,
etc.," intermixed with miu-h ashes.
The altar of mound 18 ''contained no relics, but was thinly covered
with a carbonaceous deposit resembling burned leaves."
The altar of mound 7 was nothing more than '• a smooth, level floor
of clay slightly burned, which was covered with a thin layer of sand an
inch in thickness. A small portion of one side was covered with a
layer of mica, the rounded pieces overlapping as the scalesof a fish."
The basin of a small altar in another mound was rich in relics con-
taining "several instruments of obsidian;" " several scrolls tastefully
cut from thin sheets of mica;" traces of cloth made of doubled and
twisted thread; a number of bone implements; a quantity of iJearl
beads, and some fragments of copper in thin, narrow slips.
The altar of one was simply a mound-shaped mass covered with
stones; that of another consisted of sand with a median stratum of
charcoal, and a dished surface paved with small cobblestones.
These are all the examples of the type designated "sacrificial mounds"
which these authors describe, and they furnish the evidence upon which
archeologists are expected to accept the theory that these structures
were built and used for sacrificial purposes. If this be suflicient to
608 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
warraut .sucli a tlieory, what is to In/ the conflusion iu reference to the
Imudieds of biirued clay beds of the mounds described in the preceding
descriptive part of this report ? Are we to suppose tliat all were intended
for sacrificial purposes? Is it not far more probable that the inhabi-
tants of the little village iu the inclosurc made use of lire for some other
purpose than for human sacrifices, which seems to be virtually implied
by the theory advanced! Nor is this said in jest, for every evidence
of fire mentioned as being found in this inclosure is sup])osed to have
been connected with religious ceremonies. Even a deposit of chipped
flints is supposed to be a religious or sacrificial ofl:ering. Speaking of
this deposit or cache, these authors say :
If they were thus placed as an offering we can form some estimate, in view of the
facts that they must have been bronght from a great distance and fashioned witli
great toil, of the devotional fervor which induced the sacrifice, or the uiagnitude ot
the calamity which that sacrifice was intended to divert. ♦ * * There is little
doubt that the deposit was final, and was made in compliance with some religious
requirements.
As caches of stone implements have been discovered iu different
localities, sometimes where no mound has been raised over them, it is
more likely that in this case the workman adopted this plan of con-
cealing his treasirre to prevent its being disturbed.
Sir John Lubbock^ remarks as follows in regard to the opinion ex-
pressed by Mes.srs. Squier and Davis respecting these constructions:
This conclusion does not seem to us altogether satisfactory, and although these
altar-coutainiug mounds differ in so many respects from the above described tumuli,
wo still feel disiioscd to regard them as sepulchral ratherthan sacrificial. Not having,
however, had tlu^ advantage of examining tliiMii for ourselves, we throw this out as a
suggestion rather than express it as an opinion. We confess that we feel much difii-
cnlty in understanding why altars should be covered np in this manner. We call to
mind no analogous case.
Had this aiithor been aware of the fact that there are hundreds of
mounds stratified much after the manner of those described by Messrs.
Squier and Davis that are true burial mounds; many others which
have no altar and yet are not burial mounds ; and others that have been
explored as widely apart as Iowa and North Carolina which contained
true, altar-shaped masses built of cobblestones, some of which showed
no indications whatever of fire, while others were covered with layers
of charcoal and ashes in which were imbedded skeletons or human
bones bearing no marks of heat, he would probably have expressed a still
more decided dissent.
It may not be possible, at the i>resent day, to decide with certainty
as to the object and use of those so-called altars, but the theory that
they were used for sacrificial purposes seems to be wholly gratuitous
and without the shadow of evidence in its favor. There are some
grounds, as will appear further on, for believing that some of these clay
beds were used as places for torturing prisoners of war, the chief sacrifice
the Indians were accustomed to make.
1 Smitbsou. Rept. 1862, p. 328. Also Prehistoric Times, 4th eilu., 1878, p. 276.
THOMAS.) THE MOUNU-IiUILDERS. (i09
There are perhaps sufficient data on which to base a theory of cre-
mation, as has been done by Dorman,' wliose remarks on the subject
are a])propriate in this i^lace :
It is extremely doubtful whother a great error has not been made by many
able American archeologists in deuomiuatiui^ a class of artificial mounds " altar
mounds." Many tilings have tended to lead them into this error. The burial cus-
toms of the aboriginal Americans have not been thoroughly investigated. A suii-
jiosed great antiquity has been ascribed to them, and a special race of mound-
builders has been created to furnish builders for the great monuments of what has
been calleil an extinct race. Whence they came and where they have gone has puz-
zleil the brain of many an antiquarian. This imaginary people, with an elaborate
ritual of sacrifice ofl'ered on the altars so carefully covered with an abundance of
earth to protect them from the sacrilegious hands of barliarian intruders, will, how-
ever, eventually be resolved into a very primitive people and tlieir sacrificial altars
turned into cremation pyres, where the bodies of the dead were burned with their
worldly efi'ects and a tumulus erected over their reuuiins. Upon most of these sup-
posed altars human bones have been found;' in a few, however, their absence is
noted by explorers. They may have been reduced to ashes, but it is not necessary
to account for their absence in this way alone, for tlie custom, as we have seen, was
very prevalent of jireserving the bones after cremation and removing them, and
among many of the tribes they were reduced to a powder, which was used in some
liquid as a drinking potion for the relatives. The altar-mound theorists have had
to account for the presence of liuman bones by the horrible rite of human sacrifice.
The conclusion that the mounds of this class were devoted to this superstitious rite
does not appear to be satisfactory. They rather appear to indicate that cremation
was practiced. The sacrificial origin of these mounds has been inferred from the fact
that articles of only one class occur in them. This would only indicate that a divis-
ion of labor was established, because with their belief in a future life and a contin-
uance of all the employments of the present life many of the products of any skillful
person and material for new labor would be deposited with such .a jierson. On this
subject of sacrifice, running as it does through all their ceremonial life, I would refer
the reader to that part of this work devoted to that subject. Evidences have been
found of cremation in Florida mounds.
Notwithstanding the opinion in regard to cremation so confidently
expressed in this quotation, there are some strong reasons for doubting
its correctness, as will hereafter be shown.
The term "mound-builders," although adopted from necessity, is an
unfortunate one, as its constant use has accustomed the mind to look
upon the authors of these ancient works as one people, thus fixing in
the mind an unproven theory and checking to some extent that inves-
tigation of the subject which is necessary to a correct conclusion.
It is not asserted, nor does the author wish to be understood as now
maintaining, that all these expressed and implied theories are incor-
rect. Whether the nioitnd-builders devoted much of their time to
religious ceremonies, whether they were accustomed to make religious
sacrifices, whether there were sacred inclosures, sacrificial and temple
mounds, etc., are questions to be settled, if possible, by careful inves-
tigations and legitimate deductions. The protest expressed is against
the method which has been so generally followed of taking them for
granted, and then,, without any proof of their correctness, proceeding
' Origin of Primitive Superstitions, p. 187. ^ This is an error.— C. T,
12 ETH 39
610 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
to build up theories and arrive at conclusions based upon them; and
also against tlie pernicious practice of grafting into our archeological
nomenclature terms which involve these assumptions.
For example, it has been assumed that the mound-builders were sun
worshippers, and this theory is given such prominence and inHuence
tiiiit legitimate conclusions from material data a-e set aside because
tliey seem to contradict it. So .strong is the hold that these assump-
tions have taken upon the minds of many students of American arche-
ology that it is well nigh impossible to persuade tbem to examine care-
fully a theory which seems to contravene them.
OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
As it is necessary to a proper and legitimate discussion of the ([ues-
tion before us to free ourselves, as far as possible, from the unwar-
ranted assumptions mentioned in the previous pages, it may be well
to examine briefly a few of the more important ones — which are ])re-
sented as objections to the theory that the authors of the mounds were
Indians — before entering upon the direct discussion.
It is proper to state at this point, however, that the author believes
the theory which attributes these works to the Indians (using this term
in the limited sense heretofore explained) to be the correct one. Ex-
cluding such remains as pertain to civilized P^uropean races of a date
subsequent to the discovery of America by Columbus, he attributes al
the ancient artificial works found in the Mississippi valley and Gull
states, or in that part of the Ignited Stales east of the Rocky mountains,
to the Indian tribes found in pos.session of this region at the time of
its d).scovery, and their ancestors. This limitation excludes from con-
sideration the cultured tribes of JNIexicoand ("eutral America, and also
the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and Arizona. That there may have
been intercourse between some of the tribes who occupied this region
and the people of Mexico and Central America and the Pueblo tribes
of the southwest is not only possible, but very probable. It is to be
understood, therefore, while the position the author takes on this ques-
tion does not exclude the idea of such intercourse, it does exclude the
supposition that these works are due in wlnde or in part to the more
cultivated people of Mexico or Central America, as well as all theories
which attribute them to any other people than the Indians in the limited
sense heretofore mentioned. That some of the tribes may have become
extinct or merged into others in the past is more than probable, but
this in no way affects the proposition.
One reason why the Indian has been so generally, so persistently,
and so unceremoniously refused admission as a possible factor in this
problem is because of the opinion, which seems to be almost univer-
sally held, that when first encountered ou our continent by the European
THuMAs.l OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 611
explorers lie was the same restless, roving, unsettled, unhoused, and
unagrieultural savage, wherever found, as we have learned to consider
him in more modern times.
As it is conceded that the mound-builders, judging by the extent
and magnitude of their works, must have been to some extent a seden-
tary people, ha\'ing fixed villages and depending very largely for sub-
sistence ui)on the products of the soil, it is assumed as a necessary
inference that they could not have been Indians, as these were nomads
depending for subsistence almost wholly upon the chase, spurning the
restraints of settled life and agricultural pursuits.
Althouginthis idea had been advanced previous to his time, yet Gal-
latin may be considered the father of the theory, as he was the first to
clearly formulate it, and it is largely through the influence his writings
exerted upon the scientific world that it has taken such hold on the
minds of subsequent writers.
It is apparent that Messrs. Squier and Davis took the work of this
author as their chief guide in forming their theories, so far as they re-
late to the points on which he touched. As most authors of general
works on American archaeology, written since the. publication of the
" Ancient jMonuments," have taken therefrom the larger iiortion of their
material as well as their conclusions in regard thereto, so far as these
relate to the region under consideration, Gallatin may be considered
the father of the theory to which we have alluded. Even in one of
the latest works on Ameriiran archeology — Nadaillac's "Prehistoric
America" — this statement occurs: '
Between 1845 and 1847 more tliau two hundred mounds were excavated by tbem
[S(|uier and Davies],aud the ileseription they give, published by the Smithsonian
Institution, is still our best guide with regard to these remains.
Attention is therefore called for a moment to Gallatin's reasons for
concluding that the Indians could not have been the mound-builders,
as these are based almost wholly on the theory above mentioned.
1 quote the following from the general observations in the " Intro-
ductory Essay" to his justly celebrated " Synopsis of the Indian Tribes
of North America." '^
But we know that nortli of the latitude of the Rio Gila there is nothing west of
the Rio Colorado but a sandy desert, nothing between that river and the Rio Norto,
but accumulated ridges of mountains; nothing east of the last river but the buft'alo
plains. In fact we find in no part of the country, whether east or north, adjacent
to the northern civilized iirovince.s of Mexico, any trace or any probability of the
former existence of an agricultural people. But we may easily understand that the
civilization of Mexico gradually extended its influence, as from a common center,
northwardly as well as southwardly ; that the northerly tribes, as far north as the
thirtieth degree of latitude, and perhaps the Rio Gila, without having made the
same progress in arts or attained the same degree of wealth as the ancient inhabit-
ants of Mexico, may have been gradually converted into an agric ultural people, and
that, like the German nations in Europe, they may ultimately have concpiered their
less warlike southern neighbors.
1 Am. Ell. 18S4.il. 81. ^ Traua. Am. Aiitin. Soc. (1838) Vul. 2, pp. 146-131.
612 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Tho next and more immediate subject of inquiry is, how we shall account for
those ancient tumuli, fortifications, and the remnants, both east and west of the
Mississijipi, the origin of which is entirely unknown to the Indians, who in the
seventeenth century were the sole inhabitants, and still continue to occupy a part
of that country.
On this, as on many other subjects relative to our Indians, we are still in want of
facts. We are not yet sutticicntly acquainted with the extent of the country over
which the monuments are spread, or how far they ditfer in character, extent, or num-
ber in the diiTerent sections of the country. They only appear to have been more
numerous and of greater inqiortance in the vicinity of the Mississipjii and the valley
of the Ohio. There is nothing in their construction or the remnants which they con-
tain indicative of a much more advanced state of civilization than that of the present
inhabitants. But it may be inferred from their number and size that thej' were the
work of a more populous nation than any now existing ; and if the inference is cor-
rect it would necessarily imply a state of society in which greater jirogress had been
made in agriculture. For whei-ever satisfactory evidence of a greater populati(ui is
found this could not have existed without adequate means of subsistence, greater
than can be HUi)plied by the chase alone.
Those monuments seem, in two resjiects, to differ from any erections that can be
ascribed to the Indians, such as they were first found by the first French or English
settlers. Some are of a character apparently different from those purely intended
for defense. It may be douljted whether those extensive mounds, so regularly
shaped and with a rectangular basis, such as that near the Mississii)pi on which
the refugee monks of La Trappe had built their convent, 100 feet in height, facing
the four cardinal points and with those platforms designated by the name of apron,
are entirely the work of man, or whether they may not have been natural hills
artilicially shaped by his hands. But, if they have been correctly described, they
have a strong family likeness to the Mexican pyramids, as they are called, and were
probably connected with the worship of the nation. Of these, for there appears to
be at least two more, and of other inclosures or works which can not be accounted
for by a reference to military juirjio.ses only, we want full and precise descriptions.
But, if considered only as fortifications, ramparts of earth in a forest country
strike us as a singular mode of defense against savage enemies and Indian weajions.
All the defensive works, without exception, that were used by the Indians east of
the Mississippi, from the time they were first known to us, were of a uniform char-
acter. The descriptions of Mauvillc, at the time of De Soto's expedition, and of
Hochelaga, by Cartier, agree entirely with the Indian forts within our own knowl-
edge, with that of the Five Nations in the siege of which Chamj)lain was engaged
in 1615, and of which he has left a correct drawing, and with every other description
given by tho early writers. They all consisted of wooden palisades strongly secured,
with an inf i rnal gallery, from which the besieged party might umler cover repel
the assailants with missile weapons. And they were also of a moderate size, and
such as could ha defended by the population of an Indian village. Wood affords
the natural means of fortification against a savage enemy, where the material is
abundant. It can not indeed be understood how these works could have been
properly defended, unless they were surrounded not only by the rampart but also
by a palisade. And it is, on any supposition, extremely difficult to account for works
containing 500 acres, such as that on thv banks of the Missouri, which was correctly
measured by Lewis and Clarke.
The only conjecture I can form, and it is but a conjecture, is that the people who
erected those works came from the west, and that it was during their residence iu
the prairie country that they were compelled to resort to that species of defensive
works. They may, as is often the case, have i)ersisted in the habit when there was
no longer occasion for it. From the Colorado on the Rio Norte, the way to the Mis-
sissippi was easy by the river Platte or the Arkansas. The conjecture is entitled to
THOMAS.) OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 613
consiileration only in case further investigation should sliow a probable connection
between the nionuineuta of the valley of the Mississipjii and those of Mexico. The
extensive tract of alluvial land along the Missi8sii)])i opposite St. Louis, now called
the American Bottom, is the place in which are found the stnmgcst indications of
a concentrated population.
Although lie admits that "there is nothing in the constructiou of
the.se [ancient] works or the character of the articles foxiiul in them in-
dicative of a much higher civilization than that of the Indians," yet he
ascribes them to a different people. The process of reasoning by which
he reaches this conclusion need not be quoted, as it can be briefly
summarized as follows: The number and magnitude of ancient works
indi(-ate a dense population, hence a people dei)ending to a large ex-
tent upon agriculture for subsistence — ergo, they could not have been
Indians, as Indians relied but little upon agriculture for subsistence.
Although admitting that agriculture was ]n'acticed to a limited extent
by Indians, he insists that the population was scattered and sparse
because the food supply derived from the chase had not reached its
maxiimim limit at the time they became known to Europeans. This
may have been true in regard to the buffalo region of tiie Northwest,
but can not be correctly aflftrmed of the southern section, as will here-
after be shown. Moreover his own statements, found cl.'^ewhere in the
paper referred to, refute his argument, so far as it, relates to the .south
and some other sections.
Compare, for example, the following:
Whatever opinion maybe entertained of the respective population of tlio four
greatsouthern nations three hundred aud one hundred and tifty years ago, it appears
certain that their habits and social state had not, during that interval, undergone
any material alteration. They were pro1>ably as ferocious, but less a<ldieted to war
than the northern Indians. Those of New England, the Ix'oquois tribes, the Sauks
and Foxes, had perhaps made equal progress in agriculture; but, generally speaking
the southern depended more on the cultivation of the soil and less on hunting th.an
the Algonkiu Len.ape tribes. We find the Sjianiards under De Soto feeding .almost
exclusively on maize and complaining of the want of meat. Two hundred years
later, Bernard Rouiaus says, that near one-half of the Choctaws have never killed a
deer during their lives, and that, whilst in their country, he had but two or three
opportunities of eating venison in as many months. Those southern tribi^s have
also remained respectively united together as one nation. The Choctaws and Cliic-
asaws are the only exception of .any import.ance; .and the Muskbogees, .as has been
seen, incorporated, instead of extermin,atiug subordinate tribes." '
It is evident from this and abundant proof which can be adduced,
not only that the maximum supply from the chase had been reached in
the southern sections, but had long since ceased to afford even a moiety
of the food necessary for subsistence. He adds, that the Indians " of
New England, the Iroquois tribes, the Sauks and Foxes had perhaps
made equal progress in agriculture." That the entire argument is with-
out foundation will appear further on.
But this is not the only inconsistency into which this able author
' Trans. Am. Ant. Soc, Vol. 2, pp. 107, 108.
614 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
runs in consequeuoe of bi.s position in regard to tlie mound-builders.
His statement in the quotation made from liis jjaper, that " we find in
no part of the country, whether east or north adjacent to tlie northern
civilized provinces of Mexico, any trace or any pro])iibility of the former
existence of an agricultural people," is not only incorrect as shown by
subsequent explorations and even by earlier historical evidence, but is
inconsistent with his supposition in regard to the former home of the
mound buililers. For, as will be seen by reference to the extract from
his "synopsis" — it is from this same desert, barren western country
which he pronounces void of any indications of former cultivation that
he derives the agricultural mound-builders. In this hcagrccs with Lewis
H. Morgan, who looks to this area as their former home because, as he
says, "the evidence of Indian occupation and cultivation throughout
the greater part of this area is sufficient to suggest the hypothesis that
the Indian here first attained to the condition of the middle status of
barbarism and sent forth the migrating bands who carried this advanced
culture to the Mississippi valley, to Mexico, and Central America and
not unlikely to South America as well.'"
Turning to the more recent authorities we take the following as
specimens of the usual method of disposing of this question:
A broad chasm is to be spauue 1 before we cau link the mouud-builders to the
Nortli American Indians. They were essentially different in their form of govern-
ment, th(ur habits, and their daily pnrsiiits.
The latter, since known to the white man, has spurned the restraints of a seden-
tarylifewhichattach to agriculture, and whose requirements, in his view, are ignoble.
He was never known to erect structure* which would survive the laps.e of a gener
ation. His lodges consist of a few poles, one end planted in the ground and the
other secured with withes at the top, and over which were stretched plaits of mat-
ting, or of birch bark, or of the skin of the buflfalo.'
The proofs hereafter presented will show how far this is from being
correct, and that this writer, though of acknowledged ability, was igno-
rant of the evidence bearing on this subject, or, carried away by a pre-
conceived theory, wholly disregarded it.
As a single item, we give here a statement from the account of " the
first voyage of Raleigh (1584:) to Virginia: " ^
After they had been divers times aboard our ships myself with seven more went
20 miles into the river that runneth toward the city of .Skicoak, which river they
call Ocam, and the evening following we came to an island which they call Roanoke,
distant from the harbor which we eutcred seven leagues; and at the north end there-
of was a village of nine houses built of cedar and fortified round about with sharp
trees to keep out their enemies, and the entrance into it made like a turnpike very
artificially. When we came toward it, standing near to the water side, the wife of
Granganimo, the king's brother, came running out to meet us very cheerfully and
friendly. ' * ' When we were come into the outer room, having five rooms in her
hou.se, sh<i caused us to sit down by a great fire, and after tuok off our clothes and
washed them and dried them again ; some of the women plucked off our stockings,
' Oontrib. X. A. Etlin.. Vol. 4, p. 192: ;tl.so Beach's Indian Miscellany, pp. 2:J5.
' Foster: Prehi-storic Races, p. 347.
3 Haklnyfa Voyages. London Ed., IBOO, Voi. 3, p. 3(14.
THoMAs.l OBJECTIONS a>;swKred. 61/)
washed tliem, somo washed our feet in warm water, aud she herself took great pains
to see all things ordered in the best manner she could, making great haste to dress
some meat for us to eat. » * • Their vessels are earthen pots, very large, white,
and sweet; their dishes are wooden platters of sweet timber.
Yet the writer above quoted adds :
To suppose that sueh a race threw up the strong lines of circumvallation and the
symmetrical mounds which crown so many of our river terraces is as preposterous
almost as to suppose that they built the pyramids of Egypt.
Another says :
There is no trace or probability of any <lire(t relationship whatever between the
mound-builders and the barbarous Indians found in the country. The wild Indians
of this continent have never known such a condition as that of the mound-builders.
They had nothing in common with it. lu Africa, Asia, and elsewhere among the
more uncivilized families of the human race there is not as much really original bar-
barisms as some anthropologists are inclined to assume, but there can be no serious
doulit that the wild Indians of North America were original barbarians born of a stock
which had never at any time been either civilized or closely associated with the in-
fluence of civilization. » » • It is absurd to suppose a relationship or a connec-
tion of any kind between the original barbarism of these Indians and the civiliza-
tion of the mound-builders.'
Why this opinion has prevailed in the minds of the masses who have
learned it from the history and tradition of Indian life and Indian war-
fare since the establishment of European' colonies in this country, can
easily be understood, but why writers should so speak of them who
had access to the older records, giving accounts of the habits and cus-
toms of the Indian tribes when first observed by European navigators
and explorers, is difficult to conceive, when the records, almost without
exception, notice the fact that although addicted to war, nun^h devoted
to the chase, and often base and treacherous, they were generally found
from the Mississippi to the Atlantic dwelling in settled villages aud
cultivating the soil.
In fact, when first visited by Europeans there was scarcely a tribe
from the Atlantic to the borders of the western plains but that had its
fixed seat, its local habitation, and subsisted to a very large extent
upon the products of agriculture.
DeSoto found all the tribes he visited, from the Florida peninsula to
the western part of Arkansas, cultivating maize and various vegetables.
The early voyagers along the Atlantic shore found the same thing true
from Florida to Massachusetts. Capt. John Smith and his colony, and
in fact all the early colonies, depended very largely for subsistence upon
this fact. Jacques Cartier found the inhabitants of old Hochelaga
cultivating maize. Cliamplaiu testifies to the same thing's being true of
the Iroquois. La Salle and his companions observed the Indians of
Illinois, and from thence southward along the Mississippi, cultivating
and to a large extent subsisting upon maize.
The truth of these statements has been so thoroughly demonstrated
by Mr. Lucleu Carr in his " Mounds of the Mississippi Valley Histori-
' Baldwin, Ancient America, pp. 60,61.
616 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
cally Considered," that but little is left for others to ofifer on this sub-
ject. Nevertheless a somewhat fuller ])reseiitation of some of the state-
ments of the early authorities beariiiy on the subject is given here.
Thomas Hariot, a very intelligent and reliable observer, gives the
following notes in regard to the method of cultivating maize and other
vegetables by the Indians of the Virginia coast:
Pagatowr, a kind of grain so called by the inhabitants ; the same in the West Indies
is called May/.e, Englishmen call it Guiny-wheat or Turkey-wheat, according to the
names oj the couutriis Inim whence the like hath been brought. The grain is aliout
the bigness of our ordinary English peas and not much dili'erent in form and 8ha|ie;
but of divers colors, some white, some red, some yellow and some blue. All of these
yield a very white and sweet flour, being used according to his kind, it maketh a
very good bread. We made of the same in the country some malt whereof was
brewed as good all^ as was to be desired. So likewise by the help of hops thereof
may be made as good beer. » « «
Okindgier, called by us beans, because in greatness and partly in shape they are
like the beans in England, saving that they are flatter. • » *
Wickonzowr, called by us pease, in respect of the beans for distinctions sake,
because they are much less although in form they little differ. » • •
Macoqwer, according to their several forms, called by >is Pompions, Melons, and
Gourds because they are of like forms as tho.se kinds in England.
All the aforesaid commodities for victual are set or sowed, sometimes in gi'ounds
apart .and severally by themselves, but for the most part together in one ground
mixtly : the maniier thereof with the dressing and preparing of the ground, because
I will note unto you the fertility of the soil, I think good briefly to describe.
The ground they never fatten with muck, dung or anything, neither plow nor dig
it as we in Englanil, but only prepare it in sort as folio weth: A few days before
they sow or set, the men with wooden instruments made almost in the form of mat-
tocks or hoes with long handles, the women with short i)eckers or parers, because
they use them sitting, of a foot long, and about five inches in breadth, do only break
the upper part of the groimd to raise up the weeds, grass, and old stubs of corn-
stalks with their roots. The which after a day or two days drying in the sun, being
scraped up into many small heaps, to save them labor for carrying them away, they
burn to ashes. And whereas some may think that they use the ashes for to better
the ground, I say that then they would either disperse the ashes abroad, which we
observe they do not, except the heaps be too great, or else would take special care to
set their corn where the ashes lie, which also we find they are careless of. And this
is all the husbanding of their ground that they use.
Then their setting or sowing is after this manner. First, for their corn, beginning
in one corner of the plot with a pecker they make a hole wherein they put out four
grains, with care that they touch not one another, (about an inch asunder) and cover
them with the mould again; and so throughout the whole plot, making such holes
and using them after such manner, but with this regard, that they be made in ranks,
every riink difteriug from the other half a fathom or a yard, and the holes also in
every rank. By this means there is a yard of spare ground between every hole;
where, according to discretion here and there, they set as many beans and pease; in
divers places also among the seeds of Macocqwer, Melden and Plauta Soils. » » »
There is an herb which is sowed apart by itself, and it is called by the inhabitants
Uppowoc; in the West Indies it has divers names according to the several places
and eouutries where it groweth and is used ; the Spaniards generally call it tobacco,
the leaves thereof being dried and brought into powder they use to take the fume or
smoke thereof by sucking it through ]>ipes made of clay, into their stomach and
head, from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame and other gross humors, and open-
eth all the pores and passages of the body ; by which means the use thereof not only
THOMAS.1 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 617
preserveth the body from obstructioD, but also (if any be so that they have not been
of too long contiunance) in short time breaketh them: whereby their bodies are
notaldy jneservedin health, and know not many grievinis diseases, wherewithal we
in England are oftentimes afflicted.'
This, we. must bear in mind, was written in 1587, nearly twenty years
before the first permanent European settlement in Virginia. Another
point worthy of notice as indicative of considerable experience in cul-
tivation is that there were in use in tbe section visited by Mr. Harlot
four varieties of maize.
Beverly, in his History of Virginia,^ says:
Besides all these, onr natives had originally amongst thini, Indian eorn. Peas,
Beans, Potatoes (Sweet Potatoes) and Tobacco.
This Indian Corn was the staff of food upon whicli the Indians did over dejiend;
for when si('l<ness, bad weather, war or any other accident kejit them from hunting,
fishing and fowling, this, with tlie addition of some Peas, Beans and such other
fruits of the Earth, as were then in season, was the family's dependence and the
support of their women and children.
There are four sorts of Indian Corn, two of which are early ripe, and two late
ripe, all growing in the same manner. Every single grain of this when planted pro-
duces a. tall up-right Stalk which has several ears hanging on the sidi^s of it, from
six to ten inches long. * * " The late ripe corn is diversify'ed by the shape of
the grain only, without re8i)ect to the accidental ditferonces in colour, some being
lilne, some red, some yellow, some white and some streak'd. That therefore which
makes the distin<tion is the ])Iumpness or .shrivelling of the grain ; the one looks as
smooth and as full as the early ripe corn and this they call Hint corn : the other has
a larger grain and looks shrivell'd with a dent on tlie liack of the grain as if it had
never come to perfection, and this they call ahf-coni.
All these sorts are planted alike in rows, three, four or five grains in a hill, the
larger sort at four or five foot distance, the lesser sort nearer. The Indians used to
give it one or two weedings and make a hill about it, and so the labor was done.
They likewise plant a bean in the same hill with the corn, upon whose stalk it sus-
tains itself.
The Indians sow'd peas sometimes in the intervals of the rows of corn, but more
generally in a patch of ground by themselves. * » •
Their potatoes are either red or white, about as long as a boy's leg, and sometimes
as long and big as both the leg and thigh of a young child, and very much resem-
bling it in shape.
How the Indians order'd their tobacco I am not certain, they now depending
chietly upon the English for what they smoak.
This long exi;ract from Beverly has been given, as it furnishes addi-
tional evidence of the long cidtivation of maize, the varieties being
the same now chiefly in use in the South.
Marquette, speaking of the Hlinois Indians as seen by him on his
first visit,^ remarks:
Tlicy live by game, which is abundant in this country, and on Indian eorn (bled
d'iude), of which they always gather a good cro]i, so that they have never suffered
by famine. They also sow beans and melons, which are excellent, especially those
with a red seed. Their squashes are not of the best; they dry them in tlfce sun to
eat in the winter and spring.
iHariot (Thomas)— "A Brief & True Report," etc., of Virginia, Reprint, N. T., 1872, pp. 13-10.
sSBConcleiln., London, 1722. pp. 125-128.
3 Voyages anil Discov., English trans. Hist. Coll. La., 1852, vol. IV, j). 33. Original French, p. 24G.
CAS MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
lu the "Relation," by V'imoiit,' twenty-nine tribes living south of the
lakes are mentioned as sedentary and cultivators of the soil. Le (Jlercq
says^ that "The Algoiiuiuiiis, Irociuois, Hurons, Nipsiriuieiis, I^euters,
and Five Natious were indeed sedentary."
Du Pratz says :
"All the nations I have known, and wlio inhahit from the sea as far as the Illinois,
and even farther, which is a space of abont 1, .">()(• miles, carefully cultivate the maize
corn, whi(-h they make their principal subsistence."''
According to Jacques Cartier, who visited Canada as early as l.^Sf),
and was, so far as known, the first European explorer who passed up
the St. Lawrence, the Indians of Hochelaga (now Montreal) " had good
and large fields full of corn, • * * which they preserve in garets
at the tops of their houses."^
Chauiplaiu,^ A. D. ICIO, speaking of the Indians immediately around
Lakes Erie and Ontario, says that most of them cultivated corn, which
was their princii)al article of food, and whicli they also exchanged for
skins with the hunter tribes living to the north. They stored it in the
tops of their houses, and cultivated it in quantities so that they might
have on hand a supply large enough to last thiee or four years in case
of failure ot the croii.''
The wheat (Indian corn) being thus sown in the manner that we do beans, of a
grain obtained only from a stalk or cane, the cane bears two or three spikes, and
each spike yields a hundred, two hundred, sometimes 400 grains, and some yield
even more. The cam' grows to the height of a man and more, and is very large (it
does not grow so well or so high, nor the spike as large nor the grain so good in
Canada nor in France, as there) in the Huron country.
The grain ripens in four months and in some places in three. After this they
gather it and bind it by the leaves turned up at the top and arrange it in sheaves,
which they hang all along the length of the cabin from top to bottom on poles,
which they arrange in the form of a rack (rattelier) descending to the front edge
of the bench. All this is so nicely done that it seems like tapestry hung the whi>le
length of the cabins. The grain being well dried and suitaVde to press (or pound),
the women and girls take out the grains, clean them, and juit them in their large
tubs or tuns made for this purpose, and jilaced in their porch or in one corner of the
cabin."
The amount of corn of the Iroquois destroyed by UenonviUe in 1687
is estimated at more than a million bushels." According to Tonty,
wlio took part in the expedition, they were seven days engaged in cut-
ting up the corn of four villages.'
It is unnecessary to allude to the testimony given by Mr. Carr in
I Jesuit ReLations fur 1640 (Reprint 1858) vol. i, p. 3.').
'-Estab. of the Faith. Shea'.s trausl. (18S1), vol. i, p. 110.
^Uu Pratz, Hist. La., vol. u. p. 2;i9 (London, 1763.) Fren<li ed., Paris, 17.''>S, vol. in, p. 8.
'Hakhi.vt's Voyages (London. 18UI), vol. in, p. 272.
'Voyages do Ch:implaiii, liv. iv, cap. 8, Pari.s, 1632.
'Voyages de Champlain, !>. 301. Sagard, Voyagess do jiays des Hurons, I'aris. 1632. p. 1.34. Edn.
186.1, p.lrt l,p. 92.
'Sagard, Voyages des Huron.i (edn. 186.5), pt. 1, p. 93.
« Charlevoix, Hi.st. Nouv. France, Paris 1744, v. n, p. 355. Doc. Hist. X. T. lat series, 1849, p. 238.
»Hist. C.dl, La., v.d, I, p. 70.
THOMAS.] OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 619
regard to agriculture among the Algonquin tribes east of the Hudson
river, as this is a part of the history of the early Pilgrim settlement,
and is too well known to need rejjeating here. Had it not been for the
corn furnished this settlement in its early days by the Indians willingly
or through force, there would be few if any descendants of the Pil-
grim fathers to write their history or sing their praises.
So far as history tells us anything in regai'd to the Indians of Penn-
sylvania and New Jersey in reference to this subject, it shows them to
have been cultivators of the soil.
The evidence in regard to the agriculture of the Virginia Indians has
been given in part, to which may be added thefact that the Jamestown
colony depended entirely on the natives for corn during the first few
years of its existence.
The evidence that ihe tribes of North and South Carolina were
largely dependent upon agriculture for subsistence is found in Lawson's
" Carolina " and Adair's " History of the American Indians." From
the former we learn that the tribes toward the coast cultivated many
kinds of "pulse" (by which term he means chiefly corn), part of which
they ate green in summer, keeping great quantities for their winter
supply.'
It is from the southern Indians that the farmers of today derive the
method of constructing cribs on posts to secure their corn against ver-
min, as is evident from the fallowing passage in Lawson's History.
These Santee Indians • * » make themselves cribs after a very curious man-
ner, wherein they secure their eoru from vermiu, which are more frequent in these
warm climates than countries more distant from the sun. These pretty fabrics are
commonly supported with eight feet or i)Osts about 7 feet from the ground, well daubed
within and without upon latlis with loam or clay, which makes them tight and tit
to keep out the smallest insect, there being a small door at the gable end, which is
made of the same compositiou.-
In regard to the Grulf States east of the Mississippi and also Arkan-
sas, the evidence on the point under consideration is so abundant that
we can not give space here for more than a mere summary. Corn was
gi'own everywhere in great abundance. De Soto and his Spanish fol-
lowers, amounting at the outset to more than 000 men, 200 horses, and
a drove of hogs, subsisted during the four years they were traversing
the country almost wholly upon the products of the natives' fields.
The amount of game taken during this time would scarcely have sufliced
them for a single month.
Such expressions as the following are abundant in the narratives of
the chroniclers of this ill-starred expedition:
"In the barns and in the fields great store of maize. * * * Many
sown fields which reached from one town to the other." ^ "The maize
that was in the other towns was brought hither; and in all, it was
'London ed. 1718, p. 207.
2 Raleigh ed. 1860, p. 35.
^ Gentlomau of Klvas, Hist. Coll. L;i., \(il. n, p. 152.
620 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
esteemed to be six thousand hauegs [fanegas]. " ' " As soon as
they came to Gale the governor commanded them to gather all the
maize that was rii)ein the field, which was sufficient lor three months. "^
When we remember that this was sufficient for GOO men, 200 horses,
and a hundred or more hogs, and that it was taken from the field of a
single Indian town, we can more readily appreciate the fact tliat these
natives were agriculturists, notwithstanding the statements of modern
archeologists to the contrary.
It is stated in Barnard de la Harpe's " Journal'" that M. le Sueur
" sent two Canadians to invite the Avavois and thcOctotatas to settle
near the fort because they were good farmers and he wished to emi)loy
them in cultivating the land and working the mines."
M. Thaumerde la Source,'' speaking of the Tounicas, says they live
"entirely on Indian corn; they do not hunt like other Iiulians."
It is unnecessary to add further testimony, as Mr. Carr's summary
of evidence which apjtlies to the entire mound area, unless it be the
Dakotau region, leaves no ground on which the doubter can find a
foothold.
Such is the testimony of the older authorities and of those who have
studied the history of the discoveries of our continent and the early
European intercourse with its aborigines.
Marquis de Nadaillac, reviewing Mr. Carr's work, admits that " at
numerous points in North America the Indians were much more advanced
than their numerous descendants,"^ but he contends that the evidence
dates from the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, and
hence leaves a break unclosed and the chain incomplete. Such an
objection is, to say the least, out of place in the writings of so able an
author. The evidence reaches back to the first contact of Europeans
with the natives of the dift'erent sections, and shotvs their habits and
customs before being affected by European civilization, and, as the
reader will observe, it applies generally and almost without exception
to the tribes living east of the Mississipin.
In the American edition of his "Prehistoric America," edited by Dr.
Dall, the jjosition taken by the author on the questiou now under con-
sideration appears to be abandoned, but this is probably due to the
editor of this edition.
The evidence adduced seems conclusive that, excepting a few unim-
portant cases, the tribes from the Atlantic to the prairies of the west
and from the lakes to the gulf were cultivators of the soil, which is
sufficient proof, if other evidence were wanting, which is not the case,
that they must have been sedentary, or at least had fixed villages and
determinate localities.
That from time to time, as was the case with the more civilized
■ Gentleman of Elvaa, Hist. CoU. La., vol, ii, p. 203.
'Ibid., p. 130.
'Hist. Coll. La., vol. in, p. 26.
* Shea's Early Voyages up and dowu the Mississippi, p. 81.
'Kevue d'AatUropologle, Jan. 15, 1885.
TIIOHIAH.]
PREHISTORIC AMERI(;A.
621
nations of Mexico iiiid Central America, tlie fortnnes of war may liave
compelled a tribe to change its location is niidoubtedly true, bnt this
does not warrant the belief so generally entertained that they were
nothing more than wandering hordes of savages without any fixed
1*'IG. 340.— Tlio village of Secotau.
abodes. It is also trne that the dwellings of some of the tribes were of
a primitive and very simple character, easily destroyed and easily re-
built, but in most cases each prominent village had its public house or
houses, such as a council house, temple, and barracoa or grain house.
622 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
indicating pcimaiieLicy. In the .soutlierii region, and even in some
northern sections, the buildings, although of perishable materials and
jmrnitive architecture, were more substantial: and, as will be shown
further on, fortifted villages were not uncommon in both sections.
A few references to the statements of early explorers and travelers
will be sufficient to substantiate the above conclusions in regard to the
houses of the siborigines.
We present first a ligure from De Bry,' drawn by Le Moyne de
Morgues, the artist of Laudonniere's expeditions to the coast of Florida.
(See PL XLii.)
This, which represents ii scene on the Fhnida or Sjtith Carolimi
coast about 1585, was drawn by the artist to show one phase of the
burial ceremonies of a deceased chief. In one part we observe a few
of the houses of the native village.
We also give a second sketch (Fig. .UO), drawn by John Wyth, au
artist who accompanied Sir Eichard (Irenville's expedition in 1585. We
copy this also from De l^ry: '-Some of their towns," says the artist,^
"are not inclosed with a palisade, and are much more pleasant; Seco-
tan, for example, here drawn from nature. The houses are more scat-
tered, and a greater degree of comfort and cultivation is observed, with
gardens in which tobacco (E) is cultivated, woods filled with deer, and
field of corn. In the fields they erect a stage (F) in which a sentry is sta-
tioned to guard against the depredations of birds and thieves. Their
corn they plant in rows (H), for it grows so large, with thick stalk and
broad leaves, that one plant would stint the other and it would never
arrive at maturity. They have also a curious place (C) where they con-
vene with their neiglibors at their feasts, * * * and from which
they go to the feast (D). On the opposite side is their jilace of prayer
(B), and near to it the sei)ulcher of their chiefs (A). * * * They
have gardens for melons (I) and a place (K) where they build their
sacred fires. At a little distance from the town is the pond (L) fr-om
which they obtain water."
Although the artists may have brought together what were observed
at dift'erent times, there is no reason to qiu'stion the reality of what is
pictured. If so, no one who looks at these pictures can doubt that the
people whose homes are represented were sedentary and cultivators of
the soil.
In order to show the interior of an Indian house we i)resent this cut
(Fig. 341) from Oapt. John Smith's "History of Virginia."^ Morgan,
speaking of this figure, says :*
The engraving is probably an iuijirovenieut ujion the original house in the sym-
metry of the structure, but it is doubtless a truthful representation of its mechaniKm.
It seems likely that a double set of upright poles were used, one upon the outside
I Brevis Narratio (1591) Tab. XI.
''Contributions to North Am. Ktli. \n]. l\\ ji. 117.
sKicLiuond ed., 1819, p. 130.
'Honscs and House Life of the Anieriiiin Aliorij;iiies. Coutrihutioii.s to North American Ethn.
Vol. 4, pp. 117, 118.
THOMAS.]
POWHATAN.
(i23
and one ou the inside, between which the mattings of canes or willows were secured,
as the houses at ]'onieiock and Secotan are ribbed externally at iutcrvals of about
eight feet, showing four, five, and six sections.
As tlie writer la.st mentioned made a careful study of all the evidence
relating to the Iroquois houses, his conclusion in regard to their size,
form, and mode of construction is given rather than extrac'ts from the
original autliorities:
The ''long house" of the Iroquois » » * was from fifty to eighty and sometimes
oue hundred feet long. It consisted of a strong frame of upright poles set in the
1-^^^ POA\^HATAX
Meld thisJlaCe &LjiMmi u//ien Capt^Smitli
-tvas defwe/vd to fi/mjin/dner
1607
T"r(i.341. — Interior of hniisi' of Yirj:iiiiM Tlnli:nis. I''r4)iii Siiiithrt History,
ground, which were strengthened with horizontal [loles attached with withes, and
surmounted with a triangular, and in some cases with around roof. It was covered
over both sides and roof with large strips of elm bark tied to the frame with strings
or splints. An I'xternal frame of poles for the sides and of rafters for the roof wore
then adjusted to holil the bark shingles between them, the two frames being tied
together. The interior of the house was comparted at intervals of six or eight feet,
leaving each chamber entirely open like a stall upon the passageway which passed
through the center of the house from eiul to end. At each end was a doorway cov-
ered with sus2ieiided skins.
624 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The foll()win,ir IVoiii Sagard's " Voyaije.s dcs llurous" ' relates to the
dwellings of the Hurons :
These twenty-five cities and villages are inhabited by two or three thoiisauil men
of war, at the most, without including the entire population, which uunibers per-
haps thirty or forty thousand souls in all. The principal town had formerly two
hundred large cabins, each one containing a number of households. » • * Their
cabins, called by them " Ganonchia," are built, as I have said, in the shape of arbors
or garden bowers, covered with the bark of trees, of the length of 25 to 30 toiscs [50
to 60 yards] more or less, for they arc not all of the same length, and six [12 yards]
in width, leaving in th<^ center a. hall ten or twelve feet wide extending from one
end to the other. On each sidi^ there is a sort of bench or jilatform four or five feet
high.
Amoiij^ the ''tracts aud utlier papers relating to the origin, .settle-
ment, and progress of the colonies in North America, collected by Peter
Force," is "A Eelation by William Ilitton of a discovery iiiade on the
Coast of Florida." In this'' is the following statement:
That which we noted there was a fair house, round, two liuudred feet at least,
completely covered with palmetto leaves, the wall plate being twelve feet high or
thereabouts, and within, lodging rooms and forms. Two pillars at the entrance
and a high seat above all the rest.
This was probably a council house, but at that early day little was
known of the Indian customs.
Mariiuette, speaking of the Illinois Indians, says:
Their cabins are very large; they are lined and floored with rush-mats.^
Grravier, who passed down the Mississippi in 1700, speaks as follows
of the customs and cabins of the Arkansas Indians living near the
mouth of the Arkansas river :^
The men do here what the peasants do in France; they cultivate .and dig the earth,
plant and harvest tlu* crops, cut the wood and bring it to the cabin, dnss the deer
and buft'alo skins when they have any. They dross them the best of all Indians that I
have seen. The women do only indoor work, m.ake the earthen pots and their clothes.
Their cabins are round and vaulted. They are hitlied with canes and pl.astered with
mud from bottom to top, within and without, with a good covering of straw. » • •
Their bed is of round canes raised on four posts three feet high, and a cane mat
serves as a mattress. Nothing is neattrthan their cabins. « « » Their grana-
ries are near their cabins, made like dove-cotes, built on four large posts, 15 or 16
feet high, well put together aud well i)olished, so that mice can not climb up, and
in this way they protect their corn and squashes, which are still better than those
of the Illinois.
As reference will be made hereafter to the Indian forts and fortifica-
tions, it is unnecessary to mention tliem here. Nevertheless we give
the following quotation from Jacques (Jartier's account of his second
voyage np the St. Lawrence :
Wo went along and about a mile aud a half farther. ^^■e began to iinde goodly and
large iields, full of such corne as the countrie yieldeth. It is even as the Millet of
'Paris cd., 1805, pp. 80, 81.
2 Page 5.
^Kdation (if Voyages .iml Discoveries of Slarquette. by Dabloii. Hist. Coll. La, vol. 4, p. 33.
■^Journal of the Voyage of Tatlier Gravier in 1700, Shea's Early Voyages up aud dowu the Missis-
sippi, p. 134.
THOMAS.] OTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 625
Brasil as great and somewliat bigger than small peasou wherewUh they live even as
■we doe with ours. lu the midst of the fieldes is the citie of Hochelaga [site of Mon-
treal] placed neere and as it were joined to a great mountain that is tilled round
about very fertill, on the toj) of which you may see very farre, we name<l it Mount
Eoiall. The citie of Hochelaga is round, compassed about with timber with three
courses of rampires, one within another, framed like a sharpe spire but laide acrosse
above. The middle most of them is made and built as a direct line, but perpendicu-
lar. The rampires are framed and fashioned with peeces of timber, layed along on
the ground, very well and cunningly joined together after their fashion. This
enclosure is in height about two rods. It hath but one gate m- entree thereat which
is shut with piles, stakes and b.irres. Over it, and also in many places of the wall,
there be places to runne along and ladders to get n)>, all full of stones for the defence
of it. There are in the towne about fiftie houses about flftie paces long and twelve
or tifteene broad, built .all of wood covered over with the barke of the wood as broad
as any boord, very finely and cunning joined together. Within the said houses there
are many roomes lodgings and chambers. In the middle of every one there is a great
court in the middle whereof they make their fire. '* * * They have also on the
top of their houses certaine garrets within which they keep their corn to make their
bread withall.'
Further reference to the houses of the Indians will be made when we
come to speak of the dwellings of the mound-builders.
It is evident, therefore, from the abundant evidence relating thereto,
that the statement in regard to the habits and customs of the Indians,
found in most works on the archeology of the United States, and on
which the objection to the theory that the people of this race were the
mound-builders is foiinded, are incorrect and not justified by the facts.
That most of the tribes were savage and cruel in some of their customs
and practices must be admitted; but this is equally true of the more
civilized people of Mexico and Central America.
OTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.
Another objection which was formerly urged, but is now giving way
before the light of more recent investigatiou, is the supposed great
antiquity of the mounds and other ancient works, as indicated by the
assumed fact that they are always found, when near streams, on the
upper or older river terraces. This assumption, which has been fol-
lowed by most writers on the subject of our antitpiities down to a very
recent date, was first clearly stated by Squier and Davis in the closing
paragraiih of their oft-quoted and standard work on the " Ancient
M()numents of the Mississippi Valley," but was hinted at by Atwater
as early as 1820.' The theory, as given by Squier and Davis, is as fol-
lows:
The fact that none of the ancient monuments occur upon the latest formed terraces
of the river valleys of Ohio, is one of much importance in its bearings upon this
question (the antifiuity of these works). If, as we are amply warranted in believ-
ing, these teri'aces mark the degrees of subsidence of the streams, one of the four
which may be traced has been formed since those streams have followed their present
I Hakluyt, vol. 3 (London ed., 1810), p. 272. ' Trans. Amer. Antiq. Soc. vol. i, p. 219.
12 ETH 40
626 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
courses. Tlurc is no good ii^ason for supposing that the uiountl-liuilders would have
avoided bnildiug upon tliat terrace -wliile tliey erected their works i)roniiscuou6ly
u]ion all the others.
Wliik' it uiay be true that few (for there are some) ancient works
oeciir on the last formed river terrace in Ohio, for the very good reason
that the bnilders had learned, probably by sad experience, that this
lower terrace was snbject to repeated nvertlows, it is well known that
in other sections, as, for examijle, along the sonthern and middle Mis-
sissippi, where this arrangement of successive terraces is not found, the
mounds as a rule are on what is known as the "bottom" or tlat valley
which borders the river throughout most of its course. In fact, they
are so common on levels sulyect to overflow as to lead many who are
cognizant of this to believe they were built for the purjiose of raising
the dwellings of tlie inhabitalits above tlie tloods. Xor is this belief
without some foundation if credence is given to the following state-
ment of Garcilasso tie la Vega.' Speaking of the inundation which
occurred when Moscoso was preparing to go down the Mississippi, he
says:
During similar inundations or risings in the great river, the Indi.ans contrive to
live on any high or lofty ground or hills, and if tliere are none they build them
with their own hands, principally for thi' dwellings of the caciques; they are 3 or 4
" estados " high from the ground, built on heavy timber firmly fixed in the ground,
with .stakes intervening, and on top of these they place other timber, all of which
is roofed over and divided into fonr ])art8 to contain their i)rovisions, tlii-ir valuables,
etc.
This description, which is somewliat confused, appears to a])ply to
tlie mound and dwelling on it, or a kind of scaffolding. Tiuoughout
eastern Arkansas, and at some points in southeast Missouri, the
mounds are often the only retreat for cattle and other stock in time of
high water. One great hindrance to the mound explorations carried
on in this legion by tlie Unit&l States Bureau of Ethnology has been
the unwillingness of the owners of mounds, on this account, to have
them opened.
A foolish idea lias prevailed in the minds of many per.sons tliat the
Indians and mound-builders were wiser in this respect than the peojile
of the jjresent day, and would never plant their villages where they
were subject to overflow. In addition to the evidence already given it
happens that in one of the old anthinities there is mentioned an inci-
dent bearing on this question which concerns both mound-bnilders and
Indians, if the two peo[)le be distinct.
Herrera, who generally follows Garcilasso, but who certainly had
access to other data which are not now extant, states ^ that when .Mos-
coso, who was placed in command of the Spanish expedition after De
Soto's death, returned to an Indian town named Amenoya, situated on
'Higt. Fla., p. 2:n. Edition hi^fore mentioned.
^Decadi! iv. lik. x, Cliaii. li, vi>l.vi. ]>. 18, Stevens's Kn';. IransL (1726); Decade vn, Bk. vil. Clia)!. V,
p. J:t6, ol'oriy:. S]i.
THOMAS.] OTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 627
the banks of the Mississiijpi, probably uot far distant from Helena in
Arkansas, and there prepared for his descent of the Mississippi, "An
old Indian woman who conld not make her escape with the rest' asked
them why they staid there, since that river overflowed every fourteen
years, and that was the year when it wonld happen." The prediction
proved true, as " the river began to rise on the lOtli of March and
increased so much that on the 18th the water broke in at the gates of
the town so that there was no going along the streets two days after
without canoes. This inundation was forty days in rising to the height —
that is, to the 20th of April — the river extending itself above 20 leagues
on each side, so that nothing was to be seen in all the country about
but the tops of the highest trees, the people going about everywhere
in canoes."
The expression " broke in at the gates " shows that this town was
surronnded by an earthen wall, and the fact that the people conld go
from hou.se to house in canoes i>erhaps shows that they were on mounds.
We have, moreover, the statement in the same work that in a town on
the same side of the river, a short distance below, some of the houses
were on mounds.
^Notwithstanding the fact that the opinion on this point advanced by
Squier and Davis, Baldwin, and others, seems to have been generally
abandoned, it is repeated in Baiu'roft's " j!Native Races "^ and Maclean's
" Mound Builders." ^
Another argument used to snpport the theory of the great antiquity
of these works, and hence that which holds that the Indians were not
the authors of them, is drawn from the supposed great age of trees often
found growing on them. It is stated that from one in Ohio a tree was
cut (species not given) which presented eight hundred consecutive rings
of growth, indicating that at least eight hnndred years had elap.sed
since this work was abandoned. That on another, a chestnnt, 23 feet
in circumference and having about six hundred rings, was observed.
From these and numerous other similar cases which might be men-
tioned, though but one or two others have been found equal to these in
girth and number of rings, it is taken for granted as beyond contro-
versy that the mounds of the region mentioned must have been aban-
doned at least seven or eight centuries ago, and as several generations
of trees must have preceded these giants of the forest, the reasonable
inference is that they were abandoned one or possibly two thousand
years ago.
Recent investigations have served to destroy confidence in thi.s
hitherto supposed certain test of age, as it is found that even within
the latitude of the northern half of the United States from one to three
rings are formed each year ; and that there is no certainty in this respect,
even with the same species in the sanre latitude.
' Herrera speaks of this persiin as a inao, but Garcilasso says expressly ' ' a woman."
■> Vol. IV. p. 789. ' Page 13,').
628
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Nor will size furiiisli a sure auil satisfactory iiidicati(ju. We are tliere-
tbie at sea, as yet, on tliis question, and niu.st be until botanists take
hold of the subject and work out some better rule for deterniiniiis" the
age of trees than has heretofore been given. Dr. Lapham undertook a
few years ago to reach a conclusion on the point at issue by an investi-
gation of the trees of Wisconsin. The result as given by Dr. Foster '
is as follows :
By iilaciug the eilge of ii sheot of paper across a uewly felled tree iu the direction
of the radius, one may with a sharp jjcncil mark the tliickness of the several rings of
growth, and by measuring a number of such rings we may find the average increase
of wood each year. It was thus that the items were collected for the following table,
showing the number of rings measured, their aggregate width, the average annual
growth thus found, and the nimiber of years re«iuired for au increase of 1 foot iu
diameter of a number of our common forest trees:
Growth of native forest trees of Wisconsin.
Number
of rings
meas-
ured.
Width in
inches.
Growth
in one
year, in
inches.
Ximiber
of veara
for 1 foot
of
growth.
94
5.70
2.45
2.03
...45
10.09
9. 00
.60
.1212
.1166
.0922
.1056
.1172
.1124
.1000
99
103
130
114
102
107
120
54
102
94
R7
68
89
123
Suj^ur maple (Acer aaccharinum)
Wild cherry (Prmms serotiiia)
Elm (Oiiuis Americana)
White ash (Fraxinii-s Auu-ricana)
White oak {Qiu-nua alba)
Burr oak (Quercus niacr(nari)a)
83
44
179
172
160
12
62
160
Yellow birch (Betula excelsa)
.... 1
20 1.28 i .1280
Hemlock (Abies Canadensis)
Tamarack (Larix Americana) -.
White.cedar (Thuja ocoidelltali^s)
42
192
82
3.72
12.95
4.00
.1770
.1344
.0976
98
A more thorough an<l systematic investigation of the annual growth of trees
would lead to results of greater certainty ; but tlie measurements already made aud
embodied in this table are sufficient to show that there can not be any great age
assigned to the average trees of our jiresent forests.
It will be seen that it reiiuires the lapse of from fifty-four to one hundred and
thirty years for trees to increase their diameter 1 foot, and with the a\erage of
the trees measured the time is less than one hundred years.
Three or four feet diameter is a large tree ; few exceed that size ; and hence we may
infer that few of the trees now growing iu Wisconsin can antedate the discovery of
this continent by Columbus. Au occasional tree e.'iceeds these dimensions, Ijut they
are e.Kceedingly rare.
Perhajis the largest and ohlest tree in the state is the one noted liy the goveru-
meut surveyor near Manitowcx-, a white cedar 22 feet in circumference. By tliis
table it will be seen that this tree is one of the slowest growth, requiring one hun-
dred and twenty-three years to add 1 foot to its iliameter.
' Prehistoric Baces, pp. 373-375 note and table.
THOMAS.] OTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. C,2[)
Seveu times tliis ijnautity, or eiglit Uuudred and sixty years, is therefore tho ajje
of this exceptionally large tree.
Further south, where trees attain a larger size, they have had, at the .same time,
owing to the more genial climate and more fertile soil, a much more rapid growth,
so that they probahly do not exceed the trees of Wisconsin in age.
There can he no means of determining how many successive forests may have pre-
ceded the present, and occupied the soil since any given epoch, a.s that of the Mound-
builders, all traces of the former trees having been long since eftaced. A few years
suffice to convert a fallen trunk into humus that can not be distinguished from the
other portions of the accumulating soil.
This result, as will be seeu, is based eutirely ou the theory of one
riug per year. It is somewhat strange that the uumber of years for
one foot of growth given in his table is, as a rule, about double that
given by English botanists. The following is given here as possibly
throwing some light ou this subject in reference to the growth of trees
of one kind in the latitude of southern Illinois.
Old Fort Chartres, of Monroe county, Illinois, situated on bottom
land, was finally abandoned in 1772.' In 1S02 it was visited by Gov-
ernor Eeynolds, who states that, at that time, " Large trees were grow-
ing in the houses which once contained the elegant and accomi»lished
French officers and soldiers."^ Maj. Stoddard visited it in 1804, when,
according to his statement, "the enclosure was covered with trees from
7 to 12 inches in diameter."^ This was but thirty-two years after its
abandonment, hence the rate of growth of the largest trees must have
been 1 foot in thirty-two years, or 0.375 inch per year. As the species
of tree is not mentioned, this leaves the matter somewhat indefinite.
But there is another witness who is more explicit. In 1S20 Mr. Beck,
the publisher of the " Illinois and Missouri Gazette," not only visited
the ruins, but made a careful survey of them.
He states that at that time he found " in the hall of one of the houses
an oak growing, 18 inches in diameter." ' As this was forty-eight years
after the abandonment, the late of growth of this tree was 1 foot in
thirty-two years, or 0.375 inch per year, precisely the same as the
largest ti-ee mentioned by Maj. Stoddard. As the tree measured by Mr.
Beck was growing in the hall of one of the houses, it must have sprung
from the acorn after the premises were abandoned.
This probably affords one of the best tests for the latitude indicated
that has been, so far, placed on record. Supposing the growth of the
large chestnut, 23 feet in circumference, heretofore mentioned as stand-
ing ou one of the Ohio works, to have been at the same rate, its age
was 233 years, instead of 600, as the rings indicated. This, it is ad-
mitted, is little better than mere guessing, but taking for granted, as
recent investigations show, that the rings of growth cannot be relied
•E. G. Mason. "Old Fort Chartres" in Fergus' Hist. Series. No. 12. "Illinois iu the 18tli Cen-
tury," p. 42. (Paper read before Chieatro Hist. Soc., -Tune 16, 1881.)
'Hist. Illinois, ed. 1879, p. 26.
^E. tl. Mason. loc. cit.
' Beck's Gazetteer of rilmois imd Mis.souii. Alliauy. 182:!, p]i. 109-111).
630 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
on as a sure indicatiou of age, tlie eouclusiou readied is as likely to be
correct as that based upon any other data we now possess.
Dr. Hoy, whose testimony will be accepted without question, states
in a little pamphlet, entitled "Who built the moundsT'^ that white
ehus planted in the streets of Eaciue, Wis., in 18-t7 and lSi8, measured
in 1882 from 6 to 8 feet in circumference, 2 feet from the ground.
Maples ijlanted at the same time measured from 4 to ~> feet in circum-
ference; black and golden willows, 8 feet; poplars, 8 J to !• feet. He
also makes the following statement:
At the time Dr. Laphaiu autl I surveyed the large group of mounds near Raciue, in
September, 1850, there was a pin oak sapling growing on the center of a small uiouud
situated near the house of William Bull. That sapling Is now (1882) 56 inches in
diameter, although that species of tree is ordinarily not a rapid grower.'
As will be seen from this statement, the time requii-ed for the growth
of one foot in this case was less than one- fourth that gi\en by Dr.
Lapham.
We may suppose that generation after generation of trees have
grown to maturity on the mounds, and crumbled to dust before those
now found on them began their existence. Such a supposition, however,
is wholly gratuitous, unless based upon some evidence. But no such
evidence has been found during the explorations carried on by the
Bureau, nor has any been adduced by any other exi>lorers. On the
contrary, there are some reasons for believing the reverse of this sup-
position to be true. The roots of oaks and some other trees found
growing on mounds will often penetrate to a great depth in search ot
moistui'e. One instance was observed in southeastern JNIis.souri, where
the roots of an oak ran down more than 10 feet, most of the distance
through a solid mass of clay so hard that it had to be cut with an ax.
These roots, after the tree is dead, will, as a matter of course, decay;
but they will often leave traces of their existence, especially where
they pass through clay or earth of any other color than that into which
they are con^'erted.
It is not likely that several generations of trees would have grown
to maturity on the mounds without some of them being blown down
and leaving the little mound and depression so often seen in forests
from this cause. Had this occurred, it is not probable that the indica-
tions would have been obliterated much sooner than the little depres-
sions and rings marking the ancient dwelling sites.
These facts, alone, it is admitted, would not furnish a satisfactory
test of age, yet they have some beaiing on the question and are worthy
of consideration. Notwithstanding the opinion of botanists, we are
jastifled in the conclusion that the age of trees has been much over-
rated, especially as there is much error in counting rings by those not
thoroughly acquainted with the subject, the number given often being
2 Page 16.
I See also aaiuf paper in Trans. Wis. Acad. Scl., Arts, and Letters, vol. vi (1881-8;!). pp. 84-86.
THOMAS.] UNSATISFACTORY THEORIES. 631
double the true count, and that the oue with 800 rings was more likely
under than over 400 years old. Botanists apparently neglect the only
satisfactory test, which is, to examine the rings and measure the growth
of trees of different species whose age is known. No other test can be
accepted by the other branches of science.
It is also contended that the magnitude of some of the earthworks
indicates a much higher culture and a more systematic government
and centralized power than have been found in Indian history. That
there must have been suflQcient intelligence to i)lan the works is evi-
dent; that there must have been some means of bringing into harmony
the views of the people and of combining their forces is also apparent.
But the fac;t that at the discovery of the country several of the tribes
were accustomed (as will hereafter be shown) to build villages, surround
them with palisades and moats, and in some cases to erect just such
mounds as we now find, shows, beyond contradiction, that they had the
necessary intelligence to plan such works and the means of combining
forces to build them.
The supposition of a lost race, or of a migration from the more cul-
tured i)eople of Central America, aids but little in explainingthe means
by which they were built, as it does not supply them with beasts of
burden nor metallic implements to assist them. There is nothing found
in these monuments or elsewhere to indicate that the mound-builders
had any other implements or any other means of conveying earth or
of building these works than the Indians possessed.
It is rather strange that most writers who claim for these remains
such high antiquity contend at the same time for a much more advanced
culture than that attained by the Indians. It is true that when we
stand at the base of the great Cahokia mound and study its vast pro-
portions, we can scarcely bring ourselves to believe it was built with-
out some other means of collecting and conveying material than that
possessed by the Indians. But what other means could a lost race
have had ! The Indians had wooden spades, baskets, skins of animals,
wooden and clay vessels, and textile fabrics; they also had stone imple-
ments. Moreover, the fact should be borne in mind that this great
mound is unique in respect to size, being more than treble in contents
that of any other true mound in the United »States. i^or has it yet
been ascertained with satisfactory certainty that it is entirely artificial.
The very large mounds are the exceptions, there being but four or five
of them in the entire area under consideration, the contents of the
largest, save of the single exception noticed, being less than 5,000,000
cubic feet. In fact, when they are measured accurately the height is
found in some cases to diminish to half that usually given, as in the
case of the one near New Madrid, Missouri ; and as a general rule the
labor necessary to build them could not have exceeded that which has
often been performed by Indians. It is also more than likely that all
the people of a tribe, both men and women, aided in the work, and that
632 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the large works were built by additions made during successive genera-
tions. But the best evidence that they could build such structures is
the fact that they did build them, that in truth they made every form
of ancient works known to exist in the bounds of our country, even to
the large canals of which there are yet traces. Nor should this astonish
us, since it is known that tliecyclopean works of the old world, the dol-
mens, great stone circles, etc., were built by the earliest inliabitants of
these countries, who had not advanced beyond the stage of barbarism,'
INSCRIBED TABLETS.
Another objection to the Iiulian origin of these ancient monuments
is based upon certain inscribed tablets bearing supposed letters or
hieroglyphs, which are claimed to have been found in m(iunds. For
example, the " tablet of the Grave creek mound," over which School-
craft exercised all his linguistic knowledge, and after corresponding
with Prof. Page, of Copenhagen, and M. Jomard, of Paris, arrived at
the conclusion that, though uuiinly Oeltiberic, the twenty-two alpha-
betic characters include four corresponding with ancient Greek letters,
four witli Etruscan, five witli old northern runes, six with ancient
Gaelic, seven with the old Erse, ten with the Phoenician, foui teen with
the Anglo-Saxon, and sixteen with the Celtiberic. Prof. -Jomard, after
a laborious investigation, pronounced the inscription Lybian, and Mr.
W. B. Hodgson, Numidian.
The folly of relying upon such relics as this Grave creek tablet as
evidence of a written language is apparent from the above conclusions.
That Schoolcraft and the other savants mentioned could have believed
the inscription to be alphabetic, and a genuine mound-builder's relic,
and yet made up of several alphaltets, would be inconceivable but for
the undeniable evidence. This simple fact ought to be sufBcieut to
cast it aside as unworthy of consideration. However, it may be added
that since Dr. Daniel Wilson's sharp criticism,' and Prof. Read's critical
examination of the evidence,'' tliis relic is discarded by most archeolo-
gists.
Other tablets have been accepted by some of our archeologists and
linguists as conclusive evidence that the mound-builders had a written
language, one author even going so far as to give to the world a (sup-
posed) translation of an entire inscription."*
If the marks upon these tablets are true letters or alphabetic signs,
and are the work of the veritable mound-builders, it must be admitted
that those who made them were not Indians, but a people much further
' Tbis, being the point at issiie, must of course he maintainerl -with satisfactory evidence, which
will be attempted further on.
2 Prehi.storic Man. 3d ei. (1876), vol. Ti.pp. 1110-102.
'Am. Antiq., vol. I, pp. 139-149.
«Ibid., vol. IV, 1882, pp. 145-153.
THOMAS.] INSCRIBED TABLETS. 633
advanced in tlie arts of civilized life than most of the known aborigines
of the continent.
As the decision on this point appears to hinge almost entirely on the
conclusion reached in regard to the inscribed plates known as " the
Davenjiort tablets," our report would be incomplete and unsatisfactory
to archeologists without some expression of opinion in regard to the
claims of these relics to genuineness and antiquity. These tablets,
which are deposited in the Museum of the Davenport Academy of
Natural Sciences, Davenport, Iowa, have become so well known to the
world through the publications of that society that it is unnecessary
to give here the history of their discovery, as it is given in full in these
publications.
There are three of them, two of shale found in one mound, known as
Xo. 3 of the Cook farm grouj), and one of limestone from mound ISTo. 11
of the same group.
In order that some references made herein may be understood, we
must refer the reader to Pis. i, ii, iii, and vii of the second volume of
the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Sciences. In speaking
of these, the inscription on the shale tablet showing the arcs and per-
sons dancing around the fire (PI. i) is designated, as the finders term
it, "the cremation scene;" that on the reverse (PI. ii), "the hunting-
scene;" the smaller tablet (PL iii), " the calendar; " the other (PI. vii),
" the limestone tablet."
The two shale tablets, being found in the same grave of mound No. 3,
and side by side, miist of necessity stand in the same category. What-
ever conclusion is reached in regard to the antiquity, authenticity, and
origin of one must apply to the other. Is the limestone tablet so inti-
mately related to these that it must also be placed in the some cate-
gory? It was found in a mound of the same group, which presented
no characteristics different from the rest; in fact, it was an almost
exact copy in every detail of mound No. 10, which is described and
figured by Mr. Gass.'
Examining the excellent albertypes (Pis. i and vii, Proceedings,
Vol. 2 — "the cremation scene"), the reader will observe that there are
three Arabic S's on the former, one of which is so much like that on the
latter as almost to lead to the belief that the two were made by one
hand. Moreover, there are, as stated by the huder of the latter, four
other characters on it identical with characters in the "cremation
scene." It is also stated in the proceedings that the bird figures on
the limestone tablet " have each a bit of quartz crystal set in for an eye
like the eyes of the animal figure from mound No. 3, * * * and,
like those, they are held in place by white cement of some kind."
While this fact is calculated to excite suri)rise, it renders it almost
impossible to avoid the conclusion that all these tablets belong to the
same category and to the same age and that what is true in regard to
' Prooeetlinirs. vol. li. p. 141.
634 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the autlienticity of one is true of all. We shall therefore proceed upon
this basis.
At the outset, doubts of their autheuticity are raised in the mind by
their anomalous character; nothing- in any respect like them having
been found which has stood the test of criticism for a moment save,
perhaps, the Grave creek tablet, and even this, since the examination
by Whittlesey and the scathing criticism by Dr. Wilson, heretofore
alluded to, can no longer be considered an accepted antiquity. This
doubt is somewhat intensified by the fact that the discoveries are made
in one locality, in quick succession, and through the same instrumen-
tality which brought to light other anomalous relics. This feeling of
doubt and uncertainty seems to have been entertained at first by mem
bers of the Academy, if we may .judge by the language of one of their
leading and ablest scientists. Dr. Farquharson,' who says:
It is objected, and seriously, too, that this discovery comes too aiJBopos, too pat, iu
fact, and so partakes in the mind of some too much of the nature of a stage trick, a Dens
ex maehina. However, if it is a true, a bona fide discovery, some one else among
the great army of searchers, in the course of time and from the very necessity of the
case, must have made the same or a like one ; nor need we fear that our find, remarka-
ble as it is, will long remain unique and solitary, for, as Mr. Haven truly says,
" Science and civilization do not leave scditary monuments."
But it is proper to remark that, notwithstanding these seeming
doubts at the outset, Dr. Farquharson and all the other members of the
society (with possibly one exception), after examination and discus-
sion, settled down into the firm belief in the autlienticity and genuine-
ness of the tablets as veritable mound relics, and as entitled to accept-
ance on the part of archeologists.
The characters on these tablets render it absolutely certain that they
can not be ascribed to any American tiibe or people of ante-Columbian
time of whose work and art we possess any knowledge. A few of the
inscribed characters and several of the figures can be found in the
inscriptions and rock carvings by Indians, but there are others which
can not be attributed to them unless after long intercourse with Euro-
pean civilization. It will doubtless be admitted by all that, if genuine
relics of the mound builders of pre-Columbian times, they must be
attributed to a lost race or people of whom we possess no knowledge,
or that they are waifs from the eastern continent.
A still more serious objection to their acceptance as genuine is the
fact that the characters on the " cremation .scene," if true letters, nuist
belong to not less than half a dozen alphabets.
Dr. Seyttarth, in his attempt at an explanation, published in volume
3 of the Proceedings, was forced to go to at lea.st half a dozen dift'erent
alphabets to find the letters given in this single short inscription. The
remarks of Di. Wilson in regard to the Grave creek tablet- are so
applicable here that we can not retrain from quoting them:
1 Tro.-. I)!iv. Aciid. Xat. S.i., Vdl. n. ]i. 1113.
2 rn.li. Miili, -M i-il., vol. II, 11. 10(1.
THOMAS.] INSCRIBED TABLETfe. 635
It thus appears that this iugenious little stone is even more aceommotlatiug than
the Dighton rock in adapting itself to all couceivalile theories of ante-Colnmljiau
colonization, and, in fact, constitutes an epitome of the prehistoric literature of the
ncTv world. Had Sir Henry Rawlinson dug up such a medley of languages at one of
the corners of the tower of Baliel it might have less surprised us. This curious
analysis, so contrary to all previous philological experience, does not seem to have
staggered the faith of the elucidator.
Nor does the same fact appear to have staggered Ur. SeylBtartli,
undoubtedly an excellent linguist, who made an analysis of the char-
acters, or the Rev. J. Campbell, who presented a translation of the
Davenport tablets.
Taking them up one by one, let us examine them somewhat critically.
In doing so, the excellent albertypes prepared by Bierstadt and pub-
lished in volume 2 of the Proceedings, which are all that could be de-
sired in this respect, will be taken as the basis.
We will consider tirst the limestone tablet found in mound No. 11.
It will be seen that this plate has carved upon it, too plainly to be
misunderstood, figures of two "Monitor" pipes. This is admitted by
Mr. Harrison in his description, ' as he says : " At each of the upi^er
corners is cut a complete figure of a bird pipe, such as are found
carved of stone in these mounds, and nearly of full size." In addition
to this there is cut, immediately over the head of the ijersonage lejjre-
sented, a figure in the usual form of the copper "axes" found in the
mounds, or of the ordinary axes of the ])resent day. There is, there-
fore, no escape from the conclusion either that this is a genuine relic of
the mound-building age, or that it was made since the explorations of
recent times have brought these axes and i^ipes to light.
The representation of the sun with a face and rays is au anomaly in
mound-builders^ art. The circle with denticuli, probably intended to
represent the sun, is found occasionally, carved on shells, and stone
disks somewhat of the same form have been found. Shell and even
stone masks with the human face outlined are not uncommon, but it is
believed that nothing like the figure on this stone is to be found else-
where on mound relics of this country. Nevertheless, as it is somewhat
common among barbarous and civilized people, and is occa.sionally found
among the rock etchings of the Indians,^ it would not excite siu-prise at
bemg represented here, were it not for the connection in which it is
found. But it is impossible to avoid surprise at finding to the left of
the "ax" a regularly formed Arabic S, made as is customary with
writers of the present day, and near the upper right-hand corner the
Roman numeral VIII or VI and II, the middle space being slightly
wider than between the other strokes. These, be it remembered, are
not museum marks, but parts of the original inscription on the stone
when found.
Comparing the Arabic S on this stone with that on the cremation scene
■ rioi . Duveiiiiort Acad. Sci., \ ol. u. ii. 22:i. 'First Ann. Eept. Bureau Ethn., p. 371.
636
MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
near the upper right-band corner of the phite, the resemblance is
found to Ije so strong- as to indicate that both were made by one hand.
As they were found iu mounds of the same group and apparently of
the same age, it is not improbable that tliis is the case.
The facts as to the finding, given by the members of the Academy
and published iu the ]>roceedings, are not calculated to strengthen
belief in its genuineness. In the first place, although situated in the
iumiediate vicinity of, and in the triangle formed by, Nos. 1, 9, and 10,
this mound seems to have escaped notice until the latter part of 1877.
In the sec(md j)lace, although constructed like some of the other mounds
of the group, it seems to have been the only one not used as a place of
sepulture. No. 10, which it resembles in almost every particular, con-
tained comparatively few human bones, though enough to show that
one individual had been buried there.
Yet in this case the whole object in view in digging the pit, build-
ing the stone heap, and throwing up the tunmlus seems to have been
to make a resting or hiding place for this tablet. Still, this is not im-
FlG. 342. — Section uf moiiiul 11. (.'ook farm j;roup. Iowa.
possible, as one of the Ohio mouiuls mentioned by Messrs. Squier and
Davis seems to have been intended simply as a cache for tiint imple-
ments.
In the third place, the condition of the tablet and immediate sur-
roundings, when found, seems so contrary to all experience iu refer-
ence to ancient mounds as to lead to the belief that it was recently
made or recently meddled with.
The account by Mr. Harrison' is accompanied by a cut. Fig. 17. of
which our Fig. 'M2 is an exact copy. By reference to this, it will be seen
that there was an excavation in the original earth, T T indicating the
line of the original surface and H H the original earth forming the sides
of the i)it.
This pit, as we are informed by Mr. Harrison, extended down to the
clay, the floor being a level and very compact stratum of yellow clay,
such as has been frequently noticed and described In reference to other
mounds of this group. In this excavation, resting on the floor, was the
stone pile X, o\'er which tlie mound of earth was thrown. This earth,
after passing through the frozen crust, was, as we are told, "easy to
' Proc. Dav. Acad. Jfat. Sci., pp. 221-223.
THOMAS.] INSCRIBED TABLETS. 637
handle, being composed of dark soil with some admixture of clay;"
moreover, there appears to have been no indication of stratitication.
At the bottom, and just under the stone pile, was a miniature vault,
A, 5 inches in depth and a " little larger than the tablet," probably
about 13 or 14 by 8 or 9 inches, the bottom of the excavation forming
the bottom of the vanlt.
This vanlt appears to have been Mailed around by the outer lower
stones of the pile and covered by a single flat slab. In the bottom of
it, immediately under A, lay the tablet, an inch and a half thick, on
which were four arrow jjoints, a little (|uartz crystal, and a Uiiio shell.
With the exception of these, which occupied considerably less than
half the space, this little vault was empty; for it is stated in the jmb-
lished account that, ''on raising the flat stone, an irregularly rectangu-
lar engraved tablet was suddenly exijosed to view as it laj' face up in
a walled vault evidently built for its reception."
But, in order to be certain as to this inference, the following inquiry
was addressed to Mr. W. H. Pratt, the curator of the museum of the
academy, who was familiar with all the facts : " Was the cavity A, Fig.
17, Proc. Dav. Acad. Sci., p. 222, Vol. 2, tilled with dirt when first dis-
covered ?" — to which he kindly returned this answer: "Mr. C. E.
Harrison, who assisted in the work, states that the cavity in which the
limestone tablet was found contained scarcely any dirt when the tlat
stone with which it was covered was raised, exposing it to view."
That there should have been an untilled space in the base of a pile
of loose or "uncemented" stones, standing in an excavation beneath a
heap of comparatively loose dirt which had stood there for centuries,
is certainly most extraordinary. The excavation in which the pile was
placed would necessarily gather about it the water that percolated
through the earth above and the layer of compact clay below would
have prevented its rapid escape downwards.
The interior of mounds has frequently been found comparatively dry
when there was opportunity for drainage and the body was composed
of hard, compact, mortarlike material. A stone grave has occasionally
been found only partially filled with eartli where well covered, and stand-
ing high enough in a mound to shed the water. But here the conditions
are entirelj' different. The jnouud was so low that for three years it
had escaped the trained eyes of eager searchers, was composed of com-
paratively loose earth, and had been plowed oxer for years; l)eneath it
was a pit wliich acted as a reservoir into which the water gathered, and
at the bottom was compact clay to i)revent its ready escape. The stone
slab over the little vault and loose unmortared stones at the sides
would not prevent the water from entering at the sides. Moreover it
must also be borne in mind that there was no side drainage except as the
water soaked into the earth. It follows, therefore, that all the sedi
meiit carried down by the water would have been deposited in this little
vault and the excavation anmndit.
638 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
In a letter wi'itteu iu 1882 by Mr. A. S. Tiflauy to Col. Is'orris, and
siilisequently, in a letter to the pre.sent author, avowed by him, before
the academy, to be genuine, is the following statement:
The limestone tablet I am certain is a fraud. Mr. Gass was assisted in digging it
out by Mr. Harrison and Mr. Hume. Mr. Hume informs me that there was a wall of
small bowlders around the tabk't. On the tablet there were some arrow points, a
ijuart/. crystal and a Vnio shell tilled with red paint, the whole being covered with
a rougli limestone slab, the space between it and the tablet not tilled with earth,
and the paint bright and clean.
Mr. Tiffany wa.s one of the founders of the academy and, as appears
from the proc(;edings, was long one of its most prominent, active, atid
trusted members and wiis still a member at the time the letters referred
to were wi-itten. It is proper to state that he accepts the shale tablets
as genuine, but stands by the tibove statement in regard to the lime-
stone tablet, and did so in a meeting of the academy iu i)re.sence of
all the members.
If tlie.se statements concerning the conditions under which this
tablet was found be correct, which we have no reason to doubt, as they
are made by the jiarties concerned, there are strong reasons for sus-
pecting that it was a " plant " made probably by .some unknown person,
to deceive the members of the academy. The simple fact that the
little vault under the pile of rough, uncemented stones was empty,
save for the relics, appears absolutely to forbid the idea of age; for
under such conditions as in this case it would, unless hermetically
sealed, have been filled, in the length of time, with earth from the sides,
carried in by the infiltrating water.
THE SHALE TABLETS.
As the evidence in regard to the limestone tablet seems not only to
preclude the idea of any great age, but also to indicate that it was a
"plant" made to deceive the members of the Davenport Academy, we
are led to inquire whether the authenticity of the shale tablets rests on
any better foundation.
If the conclusion in regard to the f(n-mer be correct, and the reasons
given for considering them all as belonging to the same category be
deemed conclu.sive, the question is settled and i-equires no further dis-
cussion. But the object at present is not merely to make a point in
argument, but to arrive at truth ; therefore the following suggestions
in regard to the latter are presented. As the two were found in the
same grave, they will be considered together, conclusions reached in
regard to the age of one necessarily applying to the other.
Some blunders made b.\' the society and its members in bringing
before the jjublie the facts in reference to these relics and their discov-
ery, though readily accounted for, excite a fear iu the mind that proper
care was not taken at the time to verify statements and guard against
imposition. Compare, for example. Fig. 3, PI. iL Proceedings, Vol. i,
THOMAS.] INSCRIBED TABLETS. (139
with Fig. 8, p. !•-, Pioccediiigs, Vol. ii, both purporting to be flgures
of mound 3, Cook farm group, in ^Yhich these relics were fouud. The
former, it is true, was made when only the southern part of the luoirnd
containing the grave, or pit, a, had been examined. It shows neither
the layers of shells nor the jiit in which the skeletons were found, and
only one skeleton is indicated in the supplemental plan. As the com-
plete exploration of this part was made in 1S7-1, these facts must have
been known at that time, and Mr. Gass, the explorer, was at hand to
refer to at any time ; yet, here is a flgui'e presented to the public, which
is evidently to a large extent, if not wholly, imaginarj% but still pur-
liorting to be given to a scale. .Moreover, attention appears to have
been called at the time to the possibility of error, as Dr. Farquharson
says:' " Of this [mound 3] the Kev. Mr. Gass (the explorer) says ' the
outer and inner urranjicnientu icerc quite similar to the first: But his
further description shows that it was not, no layers of stones ov of
shells being mentioned." The italics are his own. In the subsequent
description of the whole mound, by Gass, the portion relating to the
south half is based entirely on the tirst exploration made in 1874, and
not only are the shell-beds and the pits mentioned, but he goes on to
say:
The fact that the bottom of this grave sloped upward and outward, iu all direc-
tious, confirmed our opiuiou that all the contents of this mound had been discovered,
and a fnrtlier search would be useless. Messrs. Farquharson, Tiffany, and Pratt, to
whom full permission was given to prosecute a further research, concurred in this
opinion, and did not think it advisable to avail themselves of the opportunity. The
work on this mound was therefore discontinued. -
Notwithstanding all these facts, a figure is presented iu the Proceed-
ings A'ol. I, PI. II, purporting to represent a section of this mound,
which is erroneous in every particular, in fact is purely imaginary.
What are we to infer from this in regard to the flgures of other mounds,
on the same i^late ? As a rule, the illustrations by the Academy appear
to be not only correct, but very well done; bnt we feel constrained
to express a fear that those on Pis. ii and m of Vol. i have been made
without proper care. We feel it a duty to express this fear, because,
relying upon their correctness, not having carefully studied their his-
tory, we copied them into a preceding work and based conclusions on
what they show.
The description by Mr. Gass leaves the impression that the layers of
shells over the two graves w^ere undisturbed, though he does not posi-
tively assert this to be the ca.se. Nevertheless, the following facts
which he meuthms are somewhat ditiicnlt to account for on this suppo-
sition. Scattered through the soil above the tirst layer of shells over
grave B, in which the tablets were found, were a number ot human
bones, but no entire skeleton, while in the corresponding jjosition over
A were two entire skeletons. Stones were also found here, correspond-
1 Proc. Davenport Acad. Kat. Sci., Vol. i, p. 119. « Op. cit., p. 95'J.
640 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
ing with thoise. found in connection with the skeletons. "Associated
with these bones," says Mr. Gass, "which, like those on tlie other side
of the mound, were doubtless of moderu times, we found a few glass
beads and fragments of a brass ring." Behnv the second layer of shells
and within the pit or grave B "was a stratum of loose, black soil or
vegetable mold of IS or 20 inches. * * * In this soil were discov
ei'ed fragments of human bones and small pieces of coal slate or bitu-
minous shale."
In this grave there was no entire skeleton, but "south of the tablets,
i. e., in the southwest corner of the grave, were found a few pieces of
skull bones, one piece of which was saturated with the green carbonate
of copper. Also, several pieces of human cervical vertebra'. * * *
In this grave were a great number of bones of the body, and also in the
northeast corner, as in the southwest corner above mentioned, some
pieces of skull and bones of the week. It seems probable that here had
been two skeletons, lying one with the head to the west and the other
to the east, but this can not positively be determined."
It is difticult to account for this condition of affairs on the supposition
that there had been no disturbance subsequent to burial, more espe-
cially as it contrasts, so strongly with the condition of grave A. The
copijer ax found in B bore no indication of having been wrapped in
cloth; here were also crystals of " dog-tooth spar." In all parts of the
grave were many pieces of rotten wood.
The tablets were not discovered until '• about 5 o'clock in the after-
noon" (January 10). ^^ They were covered on both sides with clay, on
removal of irhich the iiKirl-infis were for the fir at time discovered.'''' Yet
we are informed which side of each lay upward. Possibly tliis may have
been determined in the case of the one by the spade mark ; but how it
could have been ascertained in reference to the other is an enigma.
Attention is called to these things because they indicate a want of
proper care in the observation, or an unintentional weaving of theory
into the description, and, though doubtless made in good faith, tend to
lessen in the opinion of archeologists the value of the statements of the
discoverers.
An inspection of the albertypes of the "Calendar tablet" (PI. in,
Vol. II) is sufficient to satisfy anyone that it is based upon the idea of
dividing the year into twelve parts or months and the four seasons.
This is admitted by Dr. Farquharson, who says:
If, again, we consider it as zodiacal, the signs in tlie outer circle being symbols of
the constellations along the sun's path, then, though the signs are different, yet the
resemblance to llie common zodiac is so great as to siiggest contact with one of the
many nations or races which have adopted that very ancient delineation of the sun's
pathway through the heavens.'
1 )r. S. Seyffaith, who seems to have full faith in it, has no hesitancy in
expressing the same opinion. " This," he says, " is, no doubt, the most
Proc. Bavenport Acad. Xat. Si-i., vol. n. p. 109,
THOMAS. 1
INSCRIBED TABLETS. 641
interesting and most important tablet ever discovered in North Amer-
ica, for it represents a planetary confignration, the twelve signs of
the zodiac, known to all nations of old, and the seven planets, conjoined
with six different signs." '
It mnst, therefore, be postCohimbian or have been obtained in some
ancient time through contact with jieople of the eastern hemisphere,
as it corresponds with no native American system of which we have
any knowledge. The fact that the diameter of the inner circle is
exactly 2 inches, of the next 3^ inches, and the next to the outer one
5 inches, "certainly has a modern look," as Dr. Farquharson readily
admits. The circles have every appearance of having been made with
compasses or dividers of some kind, though the hole made at the center
by the stationary point has been erased by grinding out a broader
depression, seemingly for this very inirpose.
Turning next to the large tablet on which are found the "Cremation "
and " Hunting " scenes (Pis. i and ii. Vol. ii, of the Proceedings), it is
impossible to avoid surprise, mingled with strong suspicion of a trick,
at the incongruities of the inscriptions, especially when taken in con-
nection with the " Calendar." As a whole, except the lettering, the
two scenes remind us at the first glance of the rock etchings of the
Indians, and have what may be termed " an Indian look." Probably this
is mainly due to the form of the dancing figures and sun figure in the
cremation scene and the S([uatting figures in the hunting scene. But
the letter inscription (for that they are intended for letters can not be
doubted) dispels any such idea. Nor could it long be entertained, even
without this, for, inspecting them closely, we notice that the large tree
on the one side and the smoke on the other side are not like the usual
representation of these things in Indian pictography, but more like the
rude efforts of a civilized life.
There can be little doubt that the aninnil figure under the large tree
was intended for an elephant; hence it must have been drawn either
long ages ago or else since this animal has been brought to America
in modern times, or the tablet nmst be a waif from the Eastern conti-
nent. The two figures facing each otlier near tlie upper right-hand
corner, same scene, bear a better likeness to pigs than to any thing else,
and the middle one at the top is more like a cow than like a buffalo.
It may be said these variatitins are too minute to be worthy of notice.
Alone perhaps tbey are, but, when they constantly vary in the direction
of animals known at the present day and are taken in connection with
the numerous other causes for susi)icion, they become valuable in mak
ing up a verdict. The interrupted bar across this scene appears to be
a stream or waterway, as the animals in it are aquatic, one of them
being a seal or possibly a manatee.
It may not be out of place to call attention to the fact that nearlv
' Proc. nnveiiport. Acad. Nat. Sci., vol, in, jt, 77.
12 ETH 41
642 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
all the letter characters of the " cremation scene," as represented on
the albert J pe, may be found on page 1706 of Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary, edition of 1872, where the letters of the ancient alphabets
of the Old World are tioured. A few, it is true, are reversed, and in
some instances the form is slightly varied but the resemblance in most
cases is very apparent. The reader can make the comparison for him-
self, but special notice may be taken that in the upper of the two trans-
verse curved lines, near the right hand end, the two forms of the "Gal-
lic O " appear together just as given on the page referred to. He will
also observe that in some instances a number of characters in closer
relation on the tablet are found near together in the dictionary. Here
also we find the " 8 " so often repeated on the tablet. A photograph
or the albertype must be used for this comparison.
It is true that on this page of the dictionary may be found letters of
almost every form; but this comparison not only confirms the state-
ment heretofore made, that the inscri])tion must have been made up of
letters pertaining to half a dozen difterent alphabets, but tends to
streng then the suspicion that these tablets were prepared and"plauted"
in order to deceive the members of the academy.
The theory that the mounds were the work of a lost race of compara-
tively civilized i)eop]ewho occupied this country in the far distant past,
had taken hold of a large portion of our archeologists. There have long
been a hope and belief that at some time discoveries would be made to
conflrm this. It was also further believed that the mannnothor Amer-
ican elephant was still in existence when this civilized race inhabited
the country, but satisfac tory evidence on these points was wanting.
The objects and uses of the so-called " altars " found chietly in the
Ohio mounds were unsettled questions.
Suddenly the archeological world is suri)rised at finding itself in
])Ossessi(ni of proof on all these points. A tablet is taken fi-om a
mound under the very shadow of one of our leading scientific acad-
emies on which is an inscription of sufficient length to silence all doubt
as to its being alphabetic, and immediately under it is the altar with
the smoking sacrifice or burning body on it. Nay, more, on the reverse
is the figure of the ele]thant. Nor is this all: In the same mound is
another tablet with markings for the zodiacal signs, a calendar in fact.
But good fortune, not satisfied with this generosity, throws into the
hands of the same individual two elephant pipes, so distinct that there
can be no doubt as to the animal intended. To clinch this evidence
and show that it relates to the true mound-builders, the fairy goddess
leads the same hands to a mound which contains a tablet bearing fig-
ures of the veritable mound-builders' pipes and cojiper axe, some of
the letters of the other tablet and the sun symbol. Thanks to the
energy of one jierson the evidence on all these questions is furnished,
which, if accejited as credible, must forever settle them.
A consideration of all the tacts leads us, inevitably, to the conclu-
sion that these relics are frauds: that is, they are modern productions
THOMAsl OTHER TESTIMONY. 643
made to deceive. It is by iiu means a pleasaut task to present this
subject to the public in what we believe to be its true Iij;ht. It is
proper, however, to add that the members of the Davenport Acadeiny
are, with the single exception named, so far as known, firm believers
in the genuineness and authenticity of these finds.
Mr. Gass, the finder, we understand, has always, in the sections
where he has lived, been considered a man of honesty and truthful-
ness. If these have ever been questioned, it has been in regard to
his archeological transactions. Nor is there any reason to doubt that
these tablets were taken from the mounds substantially in the manner
recorded. Admitting this to be true (and It is the evidence on which
members of the Academy seem to hang their faith), it falls far short of
proving them to be genuine mouiid-builder relics.
Such remains should therefore be i)ut aside as not entitled to any
other consideration than as simple curiosities, unless supported here-
after by other and well authenticated finds of a similar character.
Whether found as stated or not. they ought not to have any weight in
determining the status of the mound-builders unless more like them are
discovered. There is an immense mass of undoubted data to be stud-
ied, upon which our conclusions may be safely based.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
Another objection to the theory that the mound-builders were Indians
is based ui^on the oft-repeated statement of the Indians that they know
nothing of the origin of these works; that when they first entered the
territory they found them already built and abandoned. This objection
has already been sufficiently answered by others, by calling attention
to the fact that these same Indians have not the faintest tradition of
some of the most important events in their own history dating back
less than two centuries. For exami)le, De Soto's expedition, althougli
it must have been the most remarkable event in the past histoiy of the
southern tribes, seems to have been forgotten by them when the French
adventurers, one hundred ami thirty years later, appeared on the scene.
It is proper, however, to state that Thomas S. Woodward, in his " Eem-
iniscences of the Creek or Muscogee Indians," asserts that the Indians
of this tribe did have a traditionary remembrance of this expedition.
Other similar instances have been referred to by recent .authorities and
need not be repeated here. However, as will be shown herealter, the
Indians were not wholly without traditions in regard to the mounds.
It is apparent, therefore, that when the real facts are ascertained most
of these objections will disappear as being without foundation.
The historical evidence is clear and umlis])ut('d that when the region
under consideration was discovered l)y Europeans it was inhabited by
Indians only, of whose previous history nothing is known except what
is given in vague and uncertain traditions and what has been gleaned
by a study of their languages, customs, folklore, and beliefs.
644 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
On the other hand, there is no historical or other evidence, unless it
be derived from the antiquities themselves, that any other race or peo-
ple than the Indians ever occupied this region or any jiart of it pre-
vious to its discovery by Eurojieans, at the close of the fifteenth century.
The discovery in the eleventh century by the Northmen is not denied,
but, as this left no permanent result, it can have no bearing upon the
question, and hence is not taken into consideration.
We enter the discussion, therefore, with at least a presumption in
favor of the view that theseworks were built by the Indians, apresump-
tion which has not received the consideration it is entitled to, as every
fact ascertained by the exploration of these works which indicates a
similarity between the "mound-builders "and Indians in customs, arts,
religion, government, or mode of life is an argument in favor of the
theory of an Indian origin. In fact, the presumption is so strong, that
it can be overcome only by showing that these works, or the specimens
of art found in them, which are umiuestionably the work of the build-
ers, are beyond the capacity of the Indians before their habits, cus-
toms, etc., were modified by contact with Europeans. Even should a
few specimens of art of undoubted ante-Columbian origin be found in
them, which are evidently beyond the capacity of any of the tribes
known to have inhabited this section, this will not be sufficient to
establish the theory that these works, or any of them, were built by a
" lost race," or by the cultured races of Central America or Mexico, as
they may have been obtained by intercourse with these cultured races,
or may be relics wafted by winds and waves, in wrecked vessels, from
the eastern continent.
Suppose, for example, that a mound is found in Tennessee, which in
ai)pearance, construction, and contents — with a single exception — is
in every respect precisely like those attributed to the so-called " veri-
table mound-builders," and that this single exception is an ordinary,
old-fashioned, steel-bladed "case knife" with a bone handle, found at
the bottom of the tumulus, wheie it could not reasonably be attributed
to an intrusive burial, must we conclude that the " veritable mound-
builders " manufactured knives of this class? Yet a case precisely of
this kind in every particular occurred during the investigations carried
on by the Bureau of Ethnology in 1881.
Unless there should be corroboratory proof to connect them with the
mound-builders, and other evidence indicating a corresponding advance
in art, these anomalous waifs, such as the tablets with letters engraved
upon them, even if genuine, are of no value in the question now under
discussion. The whole of the testimony furnished by an examination
of these ancient works and the specimens of art contained in them
must be taken into consideration and must decide the question.
THOMAS.] REVIEW OP THE HISTORY. 645
THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE.
One serious objection urged against the theory that the Indians
were the authors of the aiifient works is that the great number of them,
the magnitude of some of tliem, and the art displayed in their con-
struction, iudicate a centralized and systematic form of government
and a skill foreign to and entirely above the culture status of the
Indians.'
This opinion is based largely upon the statemeuts made in regard to
these works and their contents, which a more careful examination has
shown to be in many cases erroneous and overdrawn.
For examjile, the estimates as to size, where given without careful
measurements, are, as a very general rule, largely in excess of the true
dimensions. The statement so often made that many of these monu-
ments have been constructed with such mathematical accuiracy as to
indicate not only a unit of mea.sure, but also the use of instruments, is
found upon a reexamination to be without any basis, unless the near
approach of some three or four circles and as many scpiares of Ohio to
mathematical correctness be sufficient to warrant this opinion. As a
very general, and in fact almost universal, rule the ligure.-i are more or
less irregular, and indicate nothing higher iu art than an Indian could
forni with his eye and by pacing. Circles and squares are simple
figures known to all savage tribes and easily formed ; hence the fact
that a few, and a very few, approach mathematical accuracy is not
suflicient to counterbalance the vast amount of evidence on the other
side.
The size of a few of the mounds and extent of some of the works
are therefore the only difficulties to be exx)lained in attributing these
monuments to the Indians, unless the specimens of art or remains found
in them are incompatible with such a conclusion.
If it can be shown that any of the tribes found occupying that pai't
of the country where these works are located did, at the time they
were first visited, occupy and use mounds of the same kind as those
now seen, as though accustomed to them, and also did in many in-
stances build them, we shall be justified in ascribing all these struc-
tures to the same race. At least this will be a fair and reasonable in-
ference until some fact is presented which is irreconcilable Avith such
conclusion, or some certain proof is brought forward showing that
other races have, at some time in the past, occupied this region.
As has been justly remarked by jNIr. Lucien Oarr,- " In j>ursuing this
branch of our inquiry the only method open tons is to proceed by com-
parison." Should evidence be produced showing that Indians did erect
'Squitr and Davii, Ancient Mouunii'nls, ))]>. 45 aud 301 ; Foster Prebistoric Races, jip. 97 and 300;
Baldwin Anc. America, p. 34; McLean. Mound Builders, pp. 88. S9; Conant. Footprints of a Vanished
Race, p. 14 : Biincroft. Native Races, vol. IV. p. 780; Nadaillac, Revue de Antbrop.
'^Mounds of the Mississipi)i A' alley, p. Cu.
646 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
sucli .structures, It is not likely that it will be possible, except in a few
cases, to identify the pai'ticular works alluded to by this evidence, nor
to fix upon the i)recise time when they were erected. The utnio.st that
can be hoped for in this dii-ection is that by a more careful and thor-
oirgh study of the remains it may be found ijossible in some cases to
determine the peculiar characteristics which mark them as the work of
certain tribes. If this can be done the mound problem will be solved,
and it will be jjossible with this ba.sis to commence the reconstruction
of the hi.story of the mound -builders and the mound-building age.
Let us, then, turn to the historical evidence bearing on this (piestion,
and compare the monuments which have come down to the jtresent
time with the statements found in this evidence.
Commencing with the history and monuments of the southern sec-
tion of our country, the well known narratives of the expedition of the
unfortunate Adelantado, Hernando De Soto, are the tirst authorities
to which reference is here made.
It is probable that six original chronicles of this famous expedition
were written,' only three of which are now in existence. These are,
first, a brief narration by Luis Hernandez de Biedma; second, a more
lengthy relation by a "Fidalgo of Elvas," a Portuguese;''' and, third,
a second-hand account by Garcilasso de La Yega, made uj) from the
manuscript of Alonzo de Carmona, and information furnished by John
Cole and other survivors of the expedition. The first and second nar-
ratives are by eye-witnesses of the events they describe. In each of
these are frecjuent mentions of mounds and other works similar to
those now found scattered over this section.
Biedma, in his "Narrative," states that "The caciques of this coun-
try make a custom of raising near their dwellings very high hills, on
which they sometimes build their houses. On one of these we planted
the cross.'"
The descriptions of mounds given by Garcilasso are so exact, and
correspond so perfectly with the remains found in the southern states,
that, although his work is looked upon by many as a semi-romance, we
' In addition to the tliree named in tlie text there was, as we learn from Garcilasso, a "'Relacion" Iiy
"Alonzo de Carmona," of which he made use when preparing his "Florida." According; to Bucking-
ham Smith (Bradford Club Series. Vol. v., p. xxvill), an account was written by Roderigo Rangel.
the private secretary of the Adelantado, "which aiforded the material for the chapters, now incom-
plete, of Oviedo." Also, that another account was composed by a captain who remained in America,
"for which pictures in colors, of the battle scenes with the Indians of Florida, were at one time in the
^^abiuet of Philip II." Smith also affirms that the last named was the source from which Herrera drew
sujiidies. It may be true that this was one of the sources from which he drew, but it is certain that
Garcilasso's "Florida" was his chief reliance. There were several individuals named Alonzo who
returned from the cxjiedition, but it is probable the one alluded to by G-arcilasso is the Alonzo men-
tioiUMl in the list of the survivors as from Seville.
■■'Buckingham Smith is inclined to believe this Fidalgo was Alvaro Fernandez, but for reasons not
ueceHsar_\' to be presented here I take this author to be Antonio Martinez Segurado. But it is possi-
ble the Alonzo de Carmona of Garcilasso is the author, as one of the returned Portuguese bore the
name of Alonzo Gutierrez, which name, strange to say, is repeated three times in the list of survivors.
^English Transl. ill French's Histor. Coll. La. II, p. 10'>. Bradford Club series, v. 5, p. 2r>l.
THOMAS] THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 647
are forced to the coucliisiou that hi.s iuforination was derived from par-
ties who had seen them. Take for example the followiug' passage:
The town and the houses of the cacique Ossachile are like those of other caciques
in Florida. » * » The Indians try to place their villages on elevated sites; but
inasmuch as in Florida there are not many sites of this kind where they can con-
veniently build, they erect elevations themselves in the following manner: They
select the spot and carry there a quantity of earth, which they form into a kind of
platform two or three pikes in height, the summit of which is large enough to give
room for twelve, fifteen, or twenty houses, to lodge the cacique and his attendants.
At the foot of tliis elevation they mark out a square place, according to the size of
the village, around which the leading men have their houses.' » * » To ascend
the elevation they have a straight passageway from bottom to top, 15 or 20 feet
wide. Here steps are made by massive beams, and others are planted firmly in the
ground to serve as walls. On all other sides of the platform the sides are cut steep.-
The geiitleman of Elvas, speaking of the town of Ueita, where De Soto
first hiuded in Florida, which was undoubtedly some point on Tampa
bay, says ^ " The town was of seven or eight houses. The lord's house
stood near the beach upon a very high mount made by hand for
strength.'' It is quite probable that tradition is correct in fixing the
final landing place at Phillippi's point, near the head of what is known
as " Old Tampa bay," as it is stated by the authority last quoted that
after the horsemen had been lauded " the seamen only remained on
board, who going up every day a little with the tide, the end of eight
days brought them near to the town."^
Xow it so happens that, at this point of De Soto's fruitless expedi-
tion, which can be determined with greater certainty than any other,
the shore is lined with mounds and shell heaps ; for full description and
plats of which the reader is referred to the report of Mr. S. T. Walker.^
Speaking of a mound at Phillippi's point, he says:
This is one of the largest mounds on Tampa, bay, and it is unfortunate that there
are impediments in the vray of exploration. The structure is nearly half an acre in
extent and four ditt'erent men claim an interest in it, a, land corner being located on
it; besides this, it supports an orange grove. The location is beautiful, the land
fertile, and fresh water abundant. Some years ago a storm drove the waters of the
bay against it, carrying away a portion of the eastern base and exposing its internal
structure. It is built of sand and shell in alternate layers. It is said that many
bones were washed out of it at the time ; but its structure and general apjjearance
indicate that it was designed as a domiciliary mound like others of its class."''
Jlr. Walker found on opening another mound, 8 miles south of the
one just mentioned, a mass of human bones disposed in three strata or
layers :
In the lower stratum I found no ornaments and but little pottery, but in the mid-
dle and top layers, especially the latter, nearly every craniiim Wiis encircled liy
■ The open area or square here spoken of is still very frequently observed in the village sites of the
nicfund-buiUlers, as noticed several times on the preceding field report.
' Histoiia de la Florida, Edition 1723, Lib. I, Ft. I, cap. XXX, p. 69.
'Bradford flub Series. Vol. 5, p. 23. Hist. Coll. La. vol. 2. p. 123.
« Op. cit. p. 23, Hist. Coll. La., vol. 2. p. 123.
' Smithsonian Report, 1873. p]i. 392-422.
liOp. eit.. pp. 4111-411
648 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
strings of colored beads, brass aud copper ornaments, trinkets, etc. Amou;.; other
curious objects ■were a pair of scissors aud a fragment of looking-glass. By using
patience and care I obtained many strings of beads in the order they were wurn by
their owners. In two cases fragments of string remained in the beads, preserved by
the copper. The beads, many of them being of cut glass and of various colors, were
very beautiful.'
Tliese facts form a chaiu of evidence relating to the authors of these
works so complete as to leave no donbt regarding the conclusion to be
drawn. Some at least of these mounds were there when De Soto
landed and were then occupied by the Indians who evidently informed
the Spaniards that they had built them.
In one low mound but 3 feet high are found three tiers of skeletons,
the mode of burial alike in all and similar to that in other neighboring
mounds, but during the time that elapsed between the deposition of
the lower and middle tiers the Europeans had appeared on the penin-
sula and brought with them the implements and ornaments of civilized
life.
Turning again to the chronicles, let us examine what further is said
in them in reference to mounds.
It is quite probable that where Biedma says, speaking of what was
seen at Outifachiqui, "the governor opened a large temple built in
the woods, in which were buried the chiefs of the country, and took
from it a quantity of pearls amounting to six or seven arrobes, which
were si^oiled by being buried in the ground," ^ he really alludes to a
burial mound opened by the Spaniards. The Gentleman of Elvas, men-
tioning the same transaction, states that ' "the lady [of Outifachiqui],
perceiving tliat the Christians esteemed the pearls, advised the gover-
nor to send to search certain graves that were in the town, and that he
would tind many; and that if he would send to the dispeopled towns he
might load all his horses." These two statements together probably
justify the conclusion that burial mounds are alhtded to.
The extravagant aud probably somewhat imaginative description,
given by John Cole to Garcilasso, of the temple at Tolomeco (the
adjacent " dispeopled town " mentioned by the Gentleman of Elvas)
doubtless relates to whatth<^ Fidalgo calls the " harbacoas," in which
he says " were large quantities of clothing, shawls of thread made from
the bark of trees, and others of feathers, white, gray, vermillion, and
yellow, rich and proper for winter; * * * also many well-dressed
deerskins, of colors drawn over with designs, of which had been made
shoes, stockings, and hose."^ There is, however, one statement in this
fancy sketch worthy of notice in this connection. "It [TolomecoJ is
'Log. cit.
^Hist. Coll. La., n, p. 101. But-kiugham Smith's translatiim varies slightly from that ffiveu here.
He uses the word "mosque" instead of "temple,'" aud adds after " burial iu the grouud," the words
** and in the adipose substance of tins dead."
3 Hist. Coll. Louisana, 11, 144; Bradford Club Scr. 5, p. C3.
* Bradford T'luh Series, 5, p. 63.
THOMAS.] THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 649
situated on the high land above the banks of the river. * * * At
a distance were seen the dwellings of the chiefs situated on an emi-
nence, and were conspicuous for their size and the work which had been
bestowed upon them." '
That the pearls here alluded to were in part at least nothing more
than shell beads may be assumed without any doubt. Had they beeu
genuine pearls it is not likely De Soto would have left them there so
willingly. Moreover, nothing is heard afterwards, when other adven-
turers visited this region, of its wealth in pearls. Shell beads are com-
mon in southern ni(mnds, often occurring in great numbers, while pearls
are comparatively rare.
This Portuguese gentleman (Gentleman of Elvas) also frequently
mentions towns surrounded l)y "walls" and "palisades."^ These he
describes as follows : ^
The wall, as well of that [town] as of others which afterwards we saw, was of
great posts thrust deep iuto the ground and very rough, and many long rails as big
as one's arm laid across between thcni, and the wall was about the height of a lance,
and it was daubed within and without with clay and had loop-holes.
He speaks of another town " where the cacique used to reside,
which was very great, walled, and beset with towers, and many loop-
holes were in the towers and walls. * * * Within a league and
half a league were great towns all walled. Where the governor was
lodged was a great lake that came near unto the wall, and it entered
ijito a ditch that went round about the town, wanting but little to
environ it round." ■"
If the reader will compare this description with the works on
Etowah river, Georgia, figured by C. C. Jones,^and also from a resur-
vey in the preceding part of this volume, with the works of Moorhouse
parish, Louisiana, figured by Squier and Davis,'' the works at the Knapp
place near Little Eock, Arkansas, and those in Catahoula parish, Lou-
isiana, figured in this volume, he can not fail to observe the close corre-
spondence between the narrator's statement and these remains.
Sfieaking of the arrival of De Soto at the province of Guaxule, evi-
dently in the northern part of Georgia, and probably on the headwaters
of the Coosa river, Garcilasso says:
The chief, whose name was also Guaxule, came out with 500 men to meet him and
took him in the village [pueblo] in which were 300 houses, and lodged him in his
own. This house stood on a high luoiind [cerro] similar to others we have already
mentioned. Round about was a roadway sufficiently bioad for six men to walk
abreast.'
There are good reasons, as will hereafter be shown, for believing that
this refers to the celebrated Etowah mound near Cartersville.
The town. of Talisse is described as "strong in the extreme, for,
'Hist. Florida, Lib. 3, cap. XIV, p. 130. > P. 72.
'Hist. Coll. La., n, pp. 153, 158. 159, 162, 165, 172, = Antiquities Southern Indians, pi. 1.
186. anil 203. <'• Ancient inomiuients, pi. xxxvui, fig. 4.
' P. l.W. ' Hist. Florida, i-d. 1723, lib. ni, cap. xx. p. I.i9.
650 MOUJSID EXPLORATIONS.
besides the iiiclosiue of timber and eartli, it was neai'ly surrounded by
a great river." '
He describes the Indian fortress called Alihanio as being ''quad-
rangular, the four fronts of equal length, built of jointed timbers, each
front being 400 paces. On the inside there were two other palisades
from side to side. The front wall had three small gates, quite too low
for a horseman to enter. One door or gate was in the center of the
li-ont and two others at the sides, nest to the corners. On the right
[rear] of those three gates each front has three other walls, so that if
the Spaniards should gain the tiret the second would be defended, and
so with the third and fourth. The gates of the posterior front (or face)
opened upon a river which flows by the rear of the fort. This river
though narrow is very deej), and the banks very high and difficult to
ascend.'" It will be observed that this fort, between 1,000 and 1,200 feet
square, corresponds very well with the average size of the mound-
builders' inclosures. The method of strengthening the main entrance
by inner walls was also followed in some instances by the mound-build-
ers, as is shown in some of the Ohio works, as, for example, " Fortified
Hill," Butler county. Other quotations of a similar tenor to those
already given might be made from this book, but these will suffice.
Herrera's account of De Soto's wanderings is taken chiefly from Gar-
cilasso's work, which he says he consulted, still, as it is possible, in
fact certain, that he had access to documents not now obtainable, the
following quotations are given from Steven.s's English translation :
Some made their escape to the Lord's house, which stood on a ridge to which there
was no way up hut hy stairs.^ • * » -pjjg frontier town to Casfjniu was fortified
with a Ditch * * ' full of water, conveyed to it througli a canal from the great
River, being tlic distance of three leagues. The Ditch enclosed three jparts of the
town, the fonrth being secured with high and thick Palisades.'
Having entered the province of Amilco they traveled 30 leagues through it to a
town of 400 houses, and a large s(iuare, where the Cacique's house stood upon a
mount made by art on the bank of the river."
Entered upon a woody desert, and came into the ])rovince of Guachacoya; the
first town they came to being the capital thereof, seated on hillocks by the great
river's side, on one of which was the Lord's house.'^
As heretofore stated the town which Moscoso and his companions
occupied on their return to the Mississippi, which was 17 leagues above
Guachacoya and in the province of Aminoya, must have consisted of
houses placed on mounds and surrounded by an earthen wall as it is
stated that "when they were at the procession of Palm Sunday * * *
the water brol-e in at ihe gates of the town so that there was no going
along the streets two days after without canoes.""
The next evidence is found on a plate by Le Moyne, in the Brevis
Narratio.^ Here a small mound is figured in the scene which is repre-
I Lib. m, cap. xxin, p. 144. s Vol vi. p. 5. Orig. Sp., Vol. iv, Dec. vn, p. 132.
' Lib. IV, cap. I, p. 173. « Vol. vi. p. 6. Orig. Sp.. Vol. iv. Dec. VII, p. 132.
3 Vol. V. p. 3:'4. Orijr. S]i.. Vol. iv. Di'c. vn, p. 31. ' Vol. vi, p. 18.
•• Vol. v.]i. :i:iO. Orig. Sp.. Vol. IV. Dec. Vll.]>. '.i:!. ' I'ais. l, T:ili. Nl
THOMAS.) THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 651
sented (in our PI. xlii) ; on top is placed a single univalve shell and
around the base of tlie mound there is a circle of arrows thrust into the
ground. The accompanying note states that this represents the sepul-
ture of a chief or ruler of a province, and that the cup from which he
was accustomed to drink was placed on the " tumulus," and that many
arrows were ijlantcd about the " tumulus." It is true the mound
appears so small that it is scarcely worthy of the name. But it is i>os-
sible this is the core on which additional layers are to be idaced, as is
often found to be the case with mounds. It is not an unusual thing to
find large univalve shells, especially Busycon pcrrersum in southern
mounds, and occasionally one of very large size converted into a drink-
ing cup is found, as for example that represented in Fig. 133.
Another important fact observable in this picture is that the large
building, which was undoubtedly the dwelling of the deceased chief,
and others, whi ch probably belonged to the members of his family, are
on fire. As is well known, it was a custom among some tribes to burn
the houses of tliose who died. As no mention of this is made in the
accompanying note, we have proof in this fact that the artist has tried
to represent faithfully what he saw.
We have taken for granted that the interested reader will make the
comparison, as we jiroceed with these extracts, between the customs of
the Indians mentioned in them and those of the mound-builders as re-
vealed by the exploration and study of the mounds. Still it may not
be amiss for us to call attention from time to time to some facts which
have special bearing upon the question under consideration.
The frequent statements in the chronicles of De Soto's expedition
that houses stood on " mounts made by art," or hand, the positive as-
sertion that the natives were in the habit of building mounds, and the
total absence in these chronicles of any word or hint referring them to
any former inhabitants or other yieople, leave no doubt that De Soto
and his followers understood clearly and beyond question that the
people they found occupying the country were the builders of these
mounds.
The resemblances in many respects of the fortifications and other
works of the Indians mentioned by these chroniclers to the works of
the mound- builders, are so many arguments in favor of the theory of
the identity of the two peoples. That such resemblances do not neces-
sarily imply relationship is admitted. But in this discussion we must
constantly bear in mind the fact that the only people known to history
as inhabitants of the region under consideration, other than those
derived from the eastern continent in post-Cokimbian times, are
Indians in the limited sense heretofore noted. It follows, therefore,
that each of these resemblances is a fact that must be explained away
by those who deny the Indian origin of the mounds.
After the ternuuation of De Soto's fruitless expedition, but few and
slight glimi)ses are obtained of this southern region until the French
652 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
iidventui'eis begau t(» appear uixm tlic scent' oue liundrecl and thirty
years afterwards, in the latter ])art of the seventeenth eentury. The
numerous narratives and accounts of their voyages which have been
left furnish comparatively few notices of these mounds aiul earthworks,
so few, as has been supposed, tliat modern investigators hav(^ exi)ressed
astonishment at the fact, as it is evident that in many instances they
-were upon the spots where these W(u-ks are now found ; as, for example,
the Cahokia group; those near the mouth of the Arkansas, those in
the Chickasaw country and in northern Mississippi, and elsewhere.
But a more careful examination of the riMords brings to light a number
of corroborative items.
.Toutel, in his account of the return Journey of his x>arty after the
death of La Salle, speaking of their halt among the Arkansas Indians
at the mouth of the Arkansas river, says:
Tho house wo were then in was Ijiiilt of pieees of cellar hiid one upon .another and
rounded away at the corners. It is seated on a small eminence half a musket shot
from the village in a conntry abounding in all things.'
The French as given by ^largry ^ is as follows : " Celuy (village^ dans
lequel nous estions, estoit sur une i)etite hauteur oix la dite riviere ue
desborde point. La maison est post6e, a irne demi port^e de pistolet
du village, sur un lieu un x>eu (^leve." It is true that this may have been
a natural elevation, and there is nothing in the statement to warrant
the positive conclusion that it was not, l)ut the generally level area of
the locality in which it was situated, the manner in which it is alluded
to, and tlie fact that mounds are found there, lead to the belief that it
was an artificial mound.
Father Gravier, m the account of his voyage down the Mississippi,
notes the following fact, which probably refers to the earthworks that
mark the sites of abandoned towns. Speaking of the Akansea he says:
''We went out aud cabined a league lower down, half a league from the
old village of the Akansea, where they formerly received the late Father
Marquette and which is discernible now only by the old outworks, there
being no cabins left."'' As there were no cabins left what were tlie
" old outworks" to which he alludes ? Speaking of the " Tounikas " he
says: "They have only one small temple, raised on a mound of earth.'' ^
M. Thaumer de la Source, in a letter included by St. Cosme in the
account of his voyage, alluding to the manners and customs of the same
people (the ToiLiiicas) says that " their houses are made of palisades
and earth and are very large; they make tire in them only twice a day
and do their cookery outside in earthen pots," and that they " have a
temple on a little hill."^
M. de la Harpe, speaking of the Iiidians located ulnng tlie Yazoo
1 Journal in Hist. Coll. La., 1, p. 176.
' Dfcouvertes. Vol. .I, p. 442.
3 Shea's Tmns. in Early Frfucli Vi)yaf:t*s on ilit^ MiHsissi]ijti, \i r_'0.
' Ibid, p. 136.
^.Shea's E;irly I-^renrli Yovaut's mi llir MissUsippi, p]).^0-Sl.
:^r*c'"WFv7
iiiiiiiliir t (luijiiliii ilirTiiiNiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiuiiijiiii Liiwiu' 1 1.1 m
THOMAS] THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 653
rivei at the comineiiceiuent of tlie eighteenth ceutury, says: "The
cabius of the Yasous, Couiois, Offagoula, aud Ouspie are dispersed
over the country upon mounds of earth made with their own hands,
from which it is inferred that these nations are very ancient apd were
formerly very numerous, although at the present time they hardly num-
ber two hundred and fifty ])ersons.''
This language would seem to imply that at this time there were
numerous mouuds unoccupied, otherwise there could Ije no grounds for
the inference drawn by this author.
Dumout'^ notes the fact that in one of the Natchez villages the house
of the chief was placed on a mound.
La Petit remarks that " the temple of the Natchez iu shape resembles
an earthen oven 100 feet in circumference," and " to enable them better
to converse together they raise a mount of artificial soil on which they
build his [the chief's] cabin, which is of the same construction as the
temple, * * * and when the great chief dies they demolish his
cabin and then raise a new mound, on which they build the cabin of
him who is to replace him in this dignity, for he never lodges iu that
of his predecessor." ' This will account in part for the seemingly large
number of mounds compared with the supposed Indian population.
Le Page Du Pratz, who visited the Natchez nation in 1720, lias given
the following notice of the mound ou which their temple was placed:
As I was an intimate friend of the sovereign of tlie Natchez lie showed me their
temple, which is about thirty feet square, aud stauds on an artilicial mount about
eight feet high, by the side of a smiill river. The mound slopes insensibly friim the
main front, which is northwards, but on the other sides it is somewhat steeper.'
He also states that the house of the Great »Suu, " not less than thirty
feet on each face and about twenty feet high, is like that of the temple,
upon a mound of earth about eight feet high and sixty feet across." ^ The
size given here aud elsewhere of the mouuds should not be overlooked,
as they cori'espond closely with those now found in the same sections.
He also mentions tlie following mode of defense, which may serve to
explain the origin of some of the isolated circular walls occasionally
met with :
When a nation is too weak to defend itself in the field they endeavor to protect
themselves by a fort. Tliis fort is built circularly of two rows of large logs of wood,
the logs of the inner row being opposite the joining of the outer row. These logs
are about fifteen feet long, five feet of which are sunk iu the ground. The outer
logs are .iliout two feet thiclv aud the inner about half as much. At every forty
paces along the wall a circular tower Juts out, and at the entrance of the fort, which
is always next the river, tlie two ends of the wall pass each other and leave a side
opening." '■
• Historical Journ. in Hist. Coll. La., lU, p. 106.
■ ^Memoires Hislorique (le la Louisiana, Tome ll, p. 109.
'Hist. Coll. La., ni, 141-2 (notr) ; also Lettres Ediflante.s et Ciirieuses, Touif I, p. 260-1.
•■ Hist, of La., EDg. Tr.iiia., new ei\., 1774, p. :i,'i^; ed. of 1763, vol. u, p. 211. Original cd., 17.i8, vol.
ni.p. 16.
>0p. cit.. i-il 17,')S, vol ii,p.:i6i.
"£(1.1774. p. ;!7.-..
664 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
If tliis description be eoinpared with tlie tigiireof the inclosure near
Evansville, {^iven in tiie second part of tliis volume, the stron};- re-
sembhince will be seen at once.
Adair, in his "History of tlie .Vmericau Indians." says tlie Inilians
daub their houses witli " tough mortar mixed with dry grass ;" that they
build winter or hot houses after the manner of Dutch ovens, (•o\ered
with clay udxed with grass, and, as "they usually build on risiny (/round,
the floor is often a yard lower than the earth, which serves them as a
breastwork against an enemy, and a small peeping window is level with
the surface of the outside ground to enable them to rake any lurking
invaders in case of an attack." In reference to the town house he says:
" The only dift'erence between it and the winter house, or stove, is in its
dimensions and application. It is usually built on the top of a hill.'''' '
There is scarcely any reason to doubt that he refers, by the exjjres-
sions italicized, at least the last one, to artificial mounds. Further ref-
erence will hereafter be made to some of his statements in this connec-
tion, as they give at least a hint as to the explanation of some things
found in the mounds.
Following up the recorded accounts of these works in the order of
time, we next refer to the notices found in William Bartram's notes of
a journey through the southern states made in 1773. In this work fre-
quent mention is made of mounds, but notice will be taken of those
only which appear to connect them in some way with the Indians then
occupying that region, or that indicate their recent tlesertion.
He makes the following remarks in regard to a mound on Lake George r
At about lifty yards itistaiice from the lauiling place stands a magnificent Indian
mount. About fifteen years ago I visited this place, at which time there were no
settlements of white people, but all appeared wild and savage; yet in that nmulti-
vated state it jiossessed an almost inexpressible air of grandeur which was now
entirely changed.
At that time there was a very considerable esUiit of old Jiehh round about the
mount ; there was also a large orange grove, together with palms and live oaks, extend-
ing from near the mount along the banks downwards. » » » Butwhat greatly con-
tributed to wards completing the magnificence of the scene was a noble Indian highway
which led from the great mount on a straight line, three-quarters of a :nile, first
through a point or wing of the orange grove and continuing thence through an awful
forest of live oaks, it was terminated by palms and laurel magnolias on the verge of an
oblong artificial lake, whiidi was on the edge of an extensive, green, level sa^■anna.
This grand highway was about fifty yards Avide. sunk a little below the common
level, and the earth thrown up on each side, making a bank of about two feet high.-'
The condition observed here certainly does not warrant the belief
that the place had been abandoned for centuries before this intelligent
traveler visited it. Yet the historical records relating to the region
reach back two centuries and a half previous to that visit. Had any
people of superior culture to that of the Indians inhabited the region in
that time or within a century previous thereto, some notice of the fact
would be found in the somewhat abundant literature relating to the
l'|). 417-J21. ■' Baitranrs Travels, ]>. 99.
THOMAS] THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 655
section. As all the facts are easily explaiued upou the veiy natural
and reasonable supposition that the Indians were the authors of these
works, it is incumbent upon those who hold a different theory to give
a satisfactory explanation thereof in accordance with such theory.
At another point he found the ground covered with small tumuli,
which Tuarked the burial places " of the Yamassees who were here slain
by the Creeks in the last decisive battle, the Creeks having driven them
into this point between the doubling of the river, where few of them
escaped the fury of the conquerors. Tliese graves occupied the whole
grove, consisting of 2 or 3 acres of ground ; thei'c were near thirty of
these cemeteries of the dead, nearly of an (-(pial size and form; they
were oblong, 20 feet in length, 10 or 12 feet in width and 3 or 4 feet
high, now overgrown with orangi^ trees, live oaks, laurel magnolias, red
bays, and other trees and shrubs." '
In the midst of his poetical description of the Cherokee country about
the sources of the Tennessee river, he pauses to record the following
(jbservation (the italics are ours):
On these towering liills ajjpeared tlie ruins of the ancient famous town of Sticoe.
Here was a vast Indian mount or tiimiilus and great terrace on which stood the council
house, with banks encompassing their circus; here were also old peach and plum
orchards.*
The council house of the Cherokees at Cowe he describes as a "large
rotunda, capable of accommodating several hundred people; it stands
on the top of an ancient artificial mount of earth, of about twenty feet
])erpendicular, and the rotunda on the top of it being above thirty feet
more gives the whole fabric an elevation of about sixty feet from the com-
mon surface of the ground. But it may be proper to observe that this
mount on which the rotunda stands is of a much aucienter date than
the building, and perhaps was raised for another purpose. The Chero-
kees themselves are as ignorant as we are by what people or for what
purpose these artificial hills were raised." ^
He describes the ancient town of Apalachucla as follows:
It had been situated on a, peninsula formed by a doubling of the river, and indeed
appears to have been a very famous capital by the artificial mounds or terraces, .and
a very populous settlement from its extent and expansive old fields stretching beyond
the scope of the sight along the low grounds of the river. We viewed the mounds or
terraces on which formerly stood their town house or rotunda and square or areojia-
gus, and a little back of this on a level height or natural step above the low grounds
is .a vast artificial terrace or four square mound, now seven or eight feet higher than
the common surface of the ground; in front of one square or side of this mound
adjoins a very extensive oblong square yard or artificial level ])lain. sunk a little
lielow the common surface, and surrounded with a bank or narrow terrace I'ormed
with the earth thrown out of this yard at the time of its formation. ^
In the following quotation he states exjiressly that the Choctaws
were in the habit of raising mounds over their communal graves :
As soon as a person is dead they erect a scaffold eighteen or twenty feet high, in
a grove adjacent to the town, where they Lay the corpse, lightly covered with a
' P. 139. ' P. 345. 3 p. 367. > P. 390.
65(j MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
iiiautle; here it is suffered to remain, visited aud protected by tlie friends and rela-
tions, until the flesh becomes jjiitrid, so as easily to part from the bones, then under-
takers, who make it their business, carefully strip the flesh from the bones, wash
and cleanse them, and when dry and purified by the air, having provided a curi-
ously wrought chest or coffin fabricated of bones' and splints, they place all the
bones therein, wliich is deposited in the bone-house, a building erected for that pur-
pose in every town. And when this house is full a general solemn funeral takes
place. When the nearest kindred or frieuds of the deceased, on a day appointed,
repair to the l)one-house, take up the respective cofiSns, and following one another
in order of seniority, the nearest relations and connections attending their respective
corpse and the multitude following after them, all as one family, with united voice of
alternate allelujah and lamentation, slowly proceeding to the place of general inter-
ment, where they place the coffins in order, forming a pyramid, and lastlj' cover all
over with earth, which raises a conical hill or mount. When they return to town
in order of solemn procession, concluding the day with a festival, which is called
the feast of the dead." -
Remains of coffius or wrappings of cane matting have frequently been
found in sontliern mounds.
The description of the walls connected with the chunk yards as given
iu the Bartravn MS.^ is familiar and need not be repeated here.
These statements, mostly mere incidental mentions in works of travel-
ers and explorers, whose minds and thoughts were intent on things
more directly appertainingto i)ractical life than archeological researches,
made without regard to their bearing on the questions relating to the
origin of these works, are entitled to credit; and, although they do
not prove positively that all ancient monuments of the mound region
are to be attributed to the Indians, they do prove beyond contradiction
that some of them were built by Indians and tliat at the first advent of
the white man they were in common use among this people in the
.s( Hithern section. In other words, this evidence makes out a prima facie
case, which must be rebutted by facts which are, or appear to be
inconsistent with this conclusion.
How soon are things familiar to a preceding generation relegated
to the domain of antiquity! A century after the close of the forego-
ing testimony these remains, long forsaken and forgotten, begin to be
discovered one by one, and are looked upon by the new generation
tion which has arisen, as strange and mysterious mementos of a "long-
lost" and "unknown race,'' and are das.sed, according to modern
archeological nomenclature, as "prehistoric remains." Where the plow
has not invaded them the oak, walnut, and beech, taking root in the
rich, rank soil, have grown to full stature, and their size and numerous
riugs of growth are taken as indications of the vast antiquity of these
strange works. The imagination, having once obtained the rein, runs
back over the ages until it is lost in the haze of the past. Is it strange
that the " untutored savage," without writings or records, should in a
few — a very few — generations lose sight of the past when our own civi-
lized race forgets in the same time?
' Boups IH cvitU'iitly ;i riiispriiit Cor " cines." ' Sqiiier & Davis, Anc. Mon.. p. 12, and Sqtiier
^Ibiil.. i>. 516. Aborig. Miin. of New York, p. 135.
THOMAS] THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE. 6'57
Turning to the older records relating to the northern section of the
country, we are surprised at finding in them so few references to the
artificial mounds of this region. I have succeeded in finding, after a
somewliat laborious and careful examination, but one mention or indica-
tion of them in the Jesuit Relations and none in the writings of the
Recollects (though there are several mentions of southern mounds). Yet
one of the missionaries must have passed a good portion of the winter
of 1700 in the very midst of the Cahokia group, as Father Gravier says :
" Une de nos missionaires les doit visiter durant tout I'hyver de 2 et 2
jours, et en autant aux Kaowikia qui ont pris leur quartier d'hyver a 4
lieues plus hautque le village." '
One of the early notices of mounds in this section is by Cadwallader
Oolden, in his " History of the Five Nations," in which he notes the fact
that " a round hill " was sometimes raised over the grave in which a
corpse had been deposited.'^
Carver noticed ancient earthworks on the Mississippi near Lake
Pepin, but knew nothing of their origin.^
Heckwelder observed some of these works near Detroit, of which Dr.
Steiner published an account in a Philadelphia periodical in 1789 or
1790. This description was afterwards given briefly in his history of
the " Manners and Customs of the Indian Nations," and is quoted in
other papers.
Althoixgh so little relating to mounds is to be gleaned from the older
records, they do mention some facts which aftbrd a reasonable explana-
tion of some of the ancient monuments found in the northern section of
our country.
As, for example, the communal or tribal burials, where the bones and
remains of all the dead of a village, region, or tribe who had died sub-
sequent to the preceding general burial (usually eight or ten years) were
collected together and deposited in one common grave. This method,
which, as we have seen, was also followed by some of the southern
tribes, has lieen frequently described; among others, by William Bar-
tram in the quotation already given ; by Dumont," and by Barnard
Romans.'' But the fullest and most vivid description is that by Jean
de Breboeuf, in his account '' Dcs Ceremonies quHh [lea Hurunx) [/(orient
en leur sepulture et de lenr deidl,'" and " De la Feste solemuelle des
niorts." ''
Although it is stated in reference to these burials by the southern
tribes that they closed by heaping a mound over the grave, so far no
statement has been found that such was the case in regard to those in
' Rel. oil Joiirn. Aa Voyage, by Jaques (Iravier. orig. Fr.. p. 8.
introduction, p. 16, London. 1747.
^Travels, ed. 17516, Phila., pp. 35, 36; cd. 1779, London, p. 57.
< Me.nioirts, Hist. La., T. 1, p. 246.
6 Adair, quoted by Dr. Brinton and C. C. Jones, "Antiq. Soutbern Indians," p. 190, does not describe
or mention at tbe i>Iace referred to, or elsewliere, that I can lind, tbe comuumal burial.
6 Jesuit Relations for 1636, pp. 129-139, translation 5tb Ann. Kept. Bureau Etbn., pp. lUl-119. See
also Lafitau, "Moeurs des Sauva<;fe8," ll. pp. 447-4.35.
12 ETH 42
658 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
the nortliein section. That this method prevailed can ouly be inferred
ft'om the southern custom and from what is found in the mounds nf the
northern region, which will be noticed hereafter.
Another item under this heading furnished by history is the well
attested fact that it was a very common custom among the northern as
well as the southern tribes to erect palisades around their villages for
defense against attack. As there wi]\ be occasion to speak of these
again, further reference to them at present is omitted.
Although there are so few references to mound building by the north-
ern tribes in tlie older authorities, we are not without evidence on this
point, as is shown by the following statements made by comparatively
modern writers :
Lewis C. Beck, in his Gazetteer of the States of Illinois and Missouri,
affirms that '-one of the largest mounds in this country has been thrown
up on this stream (the Osage of Missouri) within the last thirty or forty
years by the Osages near the great Osage village in honor of one of
their deceased chiefs.'" It is probable that this is the mound referred
to by Maj. Sibley in his statement to Featherstouehaugh, in which he
says that "an ancient chief of the Osage Indians informed him whilst
he was among them that a large conical mound, which he (Maj. Sibley)
"was in the habit of seeing every day whilst he resided amongst them,
was constructed while he was a boy. That a chief of his nation unex-
pectedly died while all the men of his tribe were hunting in a distant
country ; his friends buried him in the usual manner, with his weapons^
his earthen pot, and the usual accompaniments, and raised a small
mound over his remains. When the nation returned from the hunt
this mouud was enlarged at intervals, every man assisting to carry
materials, and thus the accumulation of earth went on for a long period,
until it reached its present height, when they dressed it off at the top
in a conical form. The old chief said he had been informed and believed
that all the mounds had a similar origin." ^
Lewis and Clark, as is well known, mention not only the erection of
a mound over a modern chief, but also numerous earthworks, includ-
ing mounds, which were known to be the work of njodern Indians.^
Gen. L. V. Bierce, in his " Historical Reminiscences of Summit
Couuty" (Ohio), states that when Nickasaw, an old Wyandot Indian
of that county, was killed, " the Indians buried him on the giound
where he fell, aud according to their custom raised a mound over him
to commemorate the place and circumstances of his death. His grave
is yet to be seen."''
The author of the History of Wisconsin states that " it is related by
intelligent Indian traders that a custom once prevailed among certain
I p. 308.
^ Excursion tbroiigli tht* Slave Stetea. p. 70. It i.s proper to state that Mr. Collet, of St. Louis, says
he made a search for this mouDd, hut was unable to find it.
' Travels, Dublin ed., 1817, pp. 30, 31, r», 67, 115, 117, 118, 122, etc.
" r. 128.
THOMAS. I MOUND-BUILDERS AND INDIANS. G59
tribes, uu the burial of a i biff or brave of distinction, to consider bis
grave as entitled to the tribute of a portion of earth from each passer-by,
which the traveler sedulously carried with liini on his journey. Hence
the first grave formed a nucleus around which, in the accumulation of
the accustomed tributes of respect thus paid, a mound was soon formed.'"
According to the same author^ the tumulus at the Great JButte des
Morts (" great hill of the dead ") was raised over the bones of Outaga-
mie (Fox Indian) warriors slain in battle with the Fiench in 1700.
In 1706 au expedition, under Capt. Morand, was sent from ilicliiliniackinack
against them, and in the attack upon them by surprise at this their stronshold
more than 1,000 of their warriors perished, and tlie "great hill of the dead" was
raised over their hones by the survivors, who, a few years afterwards, leit this part
of the country and removed further to the west. Other accounts differ in regard to
the time when the great battle ^'as fought which nearly destroyed the trilie and
caused their removal; but all agree that the mound was raised and received its sig-
nificant name from such an event.
There is given in the first report of the Wisconsin Historical Society '■'
a Winnebago tradition, in which it is stated that mounds of certain
localities in the state were built by Wiunebagoes and others by the
Sacs and Foxes.
There is also an Indian tradition, app.arently founded on fact, that
the Essex mounds, Clinton county, Michigan, are the burying places of
the dead killed in a battle between the Chippewas and Pottawatomies,
which occui-red not many generations ago.*
Other instances of Indians, both of the northern and southern sec-
tions, erecting mounds over their dead in modern times might be
referred to, but the evidence adduced is sufficient to show that history
bears out the assertion that the Indians found inhabiting this country
were in the habit of building mounds.
A COMPARISON OF THE WORKS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS WITH
THOSE OF THE INDIANS.
The historical evidence adduced is apparently siitiflcient to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that some Indian tribes inhabiting the
southern portion of the country at the time it was first visited did
erect mounds and construct walls for defense. Nevertheless, as this
evidence does not appear to be wholly satisfactory to a number of
archeologists, and aj)plies almost exclusively to one section, it is neces-
sary, in order to clear the question of doubt, to present such other
proofs as the subject will admit of. From the character of the subject
these proofs must consist, to a great extent, of comparisons.
As has already been stated, every similarity shown between the
works, art, customs, etc., of the UKmnd-builders and the Indians is an
' Smith's History of Wisconsin, vol. in, pp. 245, 246. ' Pp. 88, 89.
' Loe. oit., ui. p. 262. . « Smithson. Rep., 1884, p. 848
660 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
evidence in support of the view here maintained, a fUct which the
reader should constantly keep in mind as he proceeds. Every c(mi-
parisou and every fact which tends to eliminate from considcrati«m, as
the possible authors of these monuments, the Mexican and Central
American peoples, is, to this extent at least, an argument in fiivor of
the theory that they are due to Indians in the sense in which this term
is here used.
ARCBITBCTURE OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS.
One of the first things which strikes the mind of the archeologist
who carefully studies these works, as being very significant, is the
entire absence in them of any evidence of architectural knowledge and
skill approaching that exhibited by the ruins of Mexico and Central
America, or of that exhibited by the structures of the Pueblo Indians.
It is true that truncated, pyramidal mounds of large size and some-
what regular proportions are found in the region designated; and that
some of these have ramps or roadways leading up to them. But when
compared with the teocalli or pyramids of Mexico and Yucatan the
differences in the manifestations of architectural skill are so great and
so fundamental, and the resemblances so faint and few, as to furnish
no grounds whatever for attributing the two classes of works to the
same people. The fact that the works of the one people consist chiefly
of wrought stone, and that such materials as worked stones are wholly
unknown to the other, forbids the idea of relationship.
Mexico, Central America, and Peru are dotted with the ruins of
stone edifices, but in all the mound building area of the United States
not the slightest vestige of one attributable to the people who left
these earthen structures, is to be found. The utmost they attained to
in this direction was the construction of stone cairns, rude stone walls
and stone vaults of cobblestones and undressed blocks. This fact is
too significant to be overlooked in this comparison and should have its
weight in forming a conclusion, especially when it is backed by numer-
ous other corresponding ditterences.
If, as some authorities uuxintain,the mound-builders came from Mex-
ico or the Pueblo region, where the custom was to use stoue in their
structures, it is remarkably strange that they should so suddenly and
completely abandon the use of this material as to leave not a single
edifice to bear testimony to their knowledge of its use. If, on the other
hand, as maintained by others, the mound-builders, after abandoning
the Mississippi valley passed into Mexico and Central America, it is
strange that they should have so suddenly become proficient masons
without leaving in their original home or marking their line of march
with some indications of their budding architectural proclivities. It is
true that the same question may be raised in regard to other customs
which seem to have developed, flourished, and died out in particu-
THOMAS.) MOUND-BUILDERS AND INDIANS. (iGl
lar areas. But the change in thi.s case is so radical that it would seem
we ought to find some remains of their earlier aud ruder efforts; and
if we accept the generally received opinion of the migration of the
Nahuas from the Northwest, so strongly and, as I believe, successfully
argued by numerous authors on linguistic, traditional, and other
grounds, we should find some examples of their earlier efforts. Atten-
tion is called to an article by Becker, which seems to have been geuer-
allj' overlooked.'
Though hundreds of groups of mounds, marking the sites of ancient
villages, are to be seen scattered over the Mississippi valley and Gulf
states, yet in none of all these is there a single house remaining. The
inference is, therefore, irresistible, that the houses of the moundbuild-
ers were constructed of perishable materials; thatthe people who made
the mounds were not yet sufficiently advanced in art to use brick or
stone in building; or that they lived a roving, restless life that would
not justify the time and trouble necessary to erect such permanent
structures. Vs the latter supposition is at variance with the evidence
furnished by the magnitude aud extent of many groups of these
remains, we are forced to the conclusion that the former is the true
explanation of the fact observed. One chief objection to the Indian
origin of these works is, as already stated, that their builders must
have been sedentary, depending largely ujxju agriculture for subsisteuce.
It is evident, therefore, that they had dwellings of some kind, and as
remains of neither stone nor brick structures are found, which could
have been used for this purpose, they must have been constructed of
perishable materials, such as was supplied in abundance by the forests
of the region in which they dwelt.
It is apparent, theiefore, that in this one respect, at least, the dwell-
ings of the mound-builders were similar to those of the Indians. But
this is not all that can be said in reference to the houses of the former,
for there still remain indications of their form aud character, although
no complete examples are left for inspection. In various places, espe-
cially in Tennessee, Illinois, and southeast Missouri, the sites of thou-
sands of them are yet distinctly marked by little circular depressions
with rings of earth around them. These remains give the shape and
size of one class of dwellings common in the regiojis named. Excava-
tions in the center usually bring to light the ashes and hearth that
mark the place where the lire was built, and occasionally uneaith frag-
ments of the vessels used in cooking, the bones of animals on whose
flesh the inmates fed, and other articles pertaining to domestic use.
The fornr and size of these rings and the relics found in them would
seem to be sufficient to justify the inference that they are the remains of
the houses of the authors of the ancient works with which they are
connected; and such was the conclusion reached by Prof. Putnam, who
' Coug. Intern. AmcricanistCB. Luxembourg, 1877, pp. 325-350.
662 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
found many of tliese hut riugs or lodge sites during his explorations in
Tennessee. He writes as follows concerning them:
Scattered irregularly within the inulosure [the earthen wall which inclosed the
area] are nearly one hundred more or less di'tiued circular ridel's of earth which are
from a few inches to a little over three feet in height, and of diameters varying from ten
totiftyfeet. • ♦ • Auexamiuationof those numerous low mounds or rather earth
rings, as there could generally be traced a central depression, soon convinced me that
I liad before me the remains of the dwellings of the peoi)le who had erected the large
mound, made the earthen embankment, buried their dead in the stone graves, and
lived in this fortiticd town, as I now feel I have a right to designate it.'
The foi'ce of this conviction can be felt only by those who carefully
examine these ancient works in person; words can not convey the im-
pression, in this respect, that is carried to the mind through the eye.
Further testimony as to the meaning of the circular remains of this
kind is found in the fact that they are seldom, if ever, met with except
on the site of an ancient village, and often one that was defended by
an indosure. For exami)les of this class the reader is referred to the
illustrations and descriptions given in the previous part of this volume of
works in Tennessee, southern Illinois, and .southeastern Missouri. For
proof that these are similar to Indian villages at the time the latter
were tirst known to the whites, see the preceding historical evidence.
Some of the villages described by the early travelers and explorers would
have left precisely such remains as some of those herein described and
figured. The want of regularity in the arrangement of these hut-rings,
their size and circular form; the central tire, and the perishable mate-
rials of which they were made furni.sh evidences of customs and modes
of life too strongly resembling those of the Indians in the earlier his-
torical days to be overlooked.
But the testimony in regard to the dwellings of the mound-builders
is not yet exhausted, meager as it has generally been supposed to be.
During the progress of explorations by assistants of the Bureau of
Ethnology in southeast Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi, especially
in Arkansas, in numerous instances, probably hundreds, beds of hard-
burned clay, containing impressions of grass and cane, were observed.
These were generally found 1 or 2 feet below the surface of low flat
mounds, from 1 to 5 feet high, and from 15 to 50 feet in diameter,
though by no means contined to tumuli of this character, as they were
also observed near the surface of the large flat-topped and conical
mounds. !So common were these burnt clay beds in the low flat mounds
and so evidently the remains of former houses that the explorers gen-
erally speak of them in their reports as "house sites."
As a general rule, in opening them, the strata are found to occur in
this order: tirst, a top layer of soil from 1 to 2 feet thick; then a layer
of burnt clay from 4 inches to a foot thick (though usually varying from
4 to 8 inches) which formed the plastering of the walls. This was
• Eleventh Kept, Peabody Mus., vol. 2, pp. 347..348.
THOMAS.] MOUND-BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 663
always broken into lumps, never in a uniform unbroken layer, showing
tbat it had fallen and was not originally placed where found; immedi-
ately below this is a thin layer of hardened muck or dark clay, though
this does not always seem to be distinct ; at this depth, in the mounds
of the eastern part of Arkansas are usually found one and sometimes
two skeletons.
Take for example the following statement by Dr. Palmer' in refer
euce to these beds. Speaking of the slight elevations which here are
not rings, as farther north, but low, flat mounds, he says:
As an almost universal rule, after removing a foot or two of top soil a layer of
burat clay in a broken or fragmentary condition would be found, sometimes with
impressions of grass or twigs which easily crumbled, but was often hard and
stamped apparently with an implement made of split reeds of comparatively large
size. This layer was in places a foot thick and frequently brirued to a brick red or
even to clinkers. Below this, at a depth of 3 to 5 feet from the surface, were more
or less ashes, and often t3 inches of charred grass immediately covering skeletons.
The latter were found lying in all directions, some with the face up, others with it
down, and others on the side. With these were vessels of clay; in some cases one
sometimes more.
At another place, in a broad platforui-like elevation not more than 3
feet high, he found and traced, by the burnt clay, the outlines of three
rectangular houses. The edges of the upright walls were very appar-
ent in this case, as also the clay which must have fallen from them, and
which raised the outer marginal lines considerably higher than the
inner area. "The fire," Dr, Palmer remarks, "must have been very
fierce, and the clay around the edges was evidently at some height
above the floor, as I judge from the irregular way in which it is scat-
tered around the margins."
Excavations in the areas showed that they were covered with a
layer of burnt clay, uneven and broken ; immediately below this a layer
of ashes 0 inches thick, and below this black loam. On these areas
were growing some large trees, one a poplar (tulip tree) 3 feetin diameter.
Below one of these floors were found a skeleton, some pottery, and a
pipe. A large oak formerly stood at this point, but has been blown
down. Close by these dwelling sites is a large mound, 10 feet high,
in the form of a truncated pyramid. A plan of these houses is shown
in Fig. 136. Subsequently the remains of another dwelling of precisely
the same form — that is, two squjire rooms joined and a third of the
same size immediately behind these two — was found in the same region
by Col. Norris. In this case the remains of the upright posts and reed
lathing forming the walls were found, also the clay plastering. The
sides of the room varied in length from Hi to something over 12 feet.
These are represented in figs. 117, 118. Numerous cases, similar in
character, differing only in details, will be found in the preceding part
of this volume, but it will be necessary to refer particularly only to
two others.
I Anti- p. 227.
664 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Mr. Thing, digging luto tlie summit of a medium-sized mouud in
soutlieastern Missouri, where there was a slight circular depression iu
the top, found at the depth of 2 feet a layer of burnt day similar to
those already mentioned, which he describes as follows: "In the top of
the mound, in a small, ciicular depression, I dug down about two feet,
when I came to a sort of jilatform of burnt clay. It seemed to be made
of irregularly shaped pieces, one side being smooth and the other rough ;
and, what was peculiar, the smooth side was down." It is easy to
account for this on the supposition that it had been the plastering of
an upright wall, which, when the wooden support gave way before the
flames, had fallen over in a broad sheet, thus carrying the smooth
outer side downward. In contirmation of this view we may state that
down the slojje, on one side, were also found loose fragments of the
burnt clay which had evidently broken loose from the mass and rolled
down the side.
Our next illustration is from the report of Ool. Norris; the locality,
Butler county, Mo.; the group consisting of an inclosure and ditch,
two large outer excavations, and four nwrnnds inside. The largest of
these four mounds measured about 150 feet in length, 120 in width, and
20 feet high at the highest point. A longitudinal section is shown
in the figure.
The description by Col. Norris, made on the ground, leaves but little
doubt that the poles and burnt clay which he describes were the re-
mains of houses, the tire having been smothered by dirt thrown over
the burning heap before the timber portion was entirely consumed.
Prof. Swallow describes a room formed by poles, lathed with split
cane, plastered with clay both inside and out, forming a solid mass,
which he found in a mound in southeastern Missouri. This plast-
ering was, as he says, left rough on the outside but smooth on the
inside, and some of it was burned as red and hard as brick, while
other parts were only sun dried. Some of the rafters and cane laths
were found decayed, some burnt to coal, and others all rotted but the
bark. The inner plastering was found flat on the floor of the room as
it had/V(//eH in, and vndcr it were the bones and pots.'
The discoveries made by Prof. Swallow, Col. Norris, Mr. Thing, and
Dr. Palmer all harmonize and show beyond a reasonable doubt that
the layers of burned clay so frequently found in southern mounds are,
in part at least, the plastering of houses which have been destroyed by
fire. The numerous instances of this kind which have now been brought
to light, and the presence of skeletons under the a.shes and clay, render
it piobable that the houses were abandoned at the death of a mem-
ber or members of the family, burned over them after they had been
' Eiglitb Rep. Peabudy Mus. pp. 17-18. I may as well add here tliiit. I have examined in person one of
tbese flay beds found near tlie surface of a large mound, and tliat sjjecimeua of those found by three
liureau assistants are now in the National Museum, also specimens of the charred gra.ss or straw of
which Dr. Palmer speaks.
THOMAS.] MOUND-BUILDERS AND INDIANS. 665
buried (II- covered witli earth (for the bones are very rarely (•iiarred).aiid
that immediately a mound was thrown over tlie ruius. The mode of
burial in houses was common among the Muskoki or Creeks' and the
dhickasaws.^
C (-". Jones says that the Indians of Georgia " ol'teu interred beneath
the floor of the cabin and then burnt the hut of the deceased over his
head.''" In PI. xlii, copied from De Bry, the houses of the deceased, as
before stated, are being burned, although the burial appears to be tak-
ing place outside the village iuclosure. It also appears that in some
cases the mound so made was afterwards nsed as a dwelling site by the
same or some other people, as it is not unusual to find two, and even
three, beds at different depths.
That the houses of the Indians occupying this region, when first vis-
ited by whites, were very similar to those of the mound-builders is evi-
dent from the statements of the early writers, a few of which are given
here.
La Harpe, speaking of the tribes in some parts of Arkansas, says:
" The Indians build their huts dome-fashion out of clay and reeds."
Schoolcraft says the Pawnees formerly built similar houses. lu Iber-
ville's Journal'' it is stated that the cabins of the Bayagoulas were round,
about 30 feet in diameter and i^lastered with clay to the height of a
man. Adair says " They are lathed with cane and plastered with mud
from bottom to top, within and without, with a good covering of straw."
Henri de Tonty, the real hero of the French discoveries on the Mis-
sissippi, says the cabins of the Tensas were square, with the roof
dome-shaped; that the walls were plastered with clay to the height of
12 feet and were 2 feet thick.^
A description of the Indian square houses of this southern section by
Du Pratz"^ is so exactly in point that I insert a translation of the whole
passage :
The cal)ins of the natives are all perfectly square, none of them are less than fifteen
feet in extent in every direction, but there are some which are more than thirty.
The following is their manner of building them : The natives go iuto the new forest
to seek the trunks of young walnut trees of four inches in diameter and from
eighteen to twenty feet long ; they plant tlie largest ones at four corners to form the
breadth and the dome; but before fixing the others they prepare the scaffolding; it
consists of ibur poles fastened together at the top, the lower ends corresponding to
the four corners; on these four poles others are fastened crosswise at a distance of a
foot apart; this makes a ladder with four sides, or ibur ladders joined together. This
done, they fix the other poles in the ground iu a .straight Hue between those of the
' Bartrara's Travels, 1791, p. 515.
2 Barnard Romans, "A Concise Nat. His. of East .and West Florida." n, p. 71.
^ Antiq. Sontliern Indians, p. 203.
^ Relation in Margry, Dceouvertes, 4tli part, p. 170.
''Kelation of Henry de Tonty in Marjory, Decouvertes. vol. l. p. 60C. "L'on nous fit d'abord entrer
I'ans line cahane de 40 pieds de face; les niurailles en soul de bouzillage, ^'spaisses de deux pieds et
liautes de douze. La couverture est faite en dome, de nattes de Cannes, si bien travaillees que la pluye
ne perce point a travers."
«Hist. Lii. 11. p. 173. (Frenelicd.) Eiiglisli ed. 1764, ji. :i:9.
666 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
corueis; when they are thus jjlautuil thciy aix- lightly hound to a polo which crosses
them on the. inside of each side (of the house). For this purpose large splints of
stalks are used to tie them, at the height of five or six feet, according to the size of
the cabin, which forms the -walls; these upright poles are not more than abimt
lil'tcen inches apart from each other; a young man then mounts to the end of one
of the corner poles with a cord in his teeth, fastens the c<u(l to the pole, and as he
mounts within, the pole bends because those who are below draw the cord to bend
the pole as much as is necessary ; at the same time another young man fixesthe pole
ol'the opposite corner in the same way; the two poUis being thus bent at a suitable
height, they are fiistenod strongly and evenly. The same is done with the poles of
the other two corners as they are joined at the point, which make altogether the
figure of a liower or a summer house, such as wo have in France. After this work
they fasten sticks on the lower sides or walls at a distance of about eight inches
across, as high as the pole of which I have spoken, which forms the length of the
wall.
These sticks being thus fastened, they maki^ mud walls of clay in which they put
a sufficient amount of Spanish moss. These walls are not more than 4 inches thick.
They leave no o])ening but the door, which is only 2 feet in width by 4 in height.
There are some much smaller. They then cover the frame work, which I have just
described, with mats of reeds, putting the smoothest on the inside of the cabin,
taking care to fasten them together so that they are well joined. After this they
make large bundles of grass of the tallest that can be found in the low lauds, and
which is 4 or 5 feet long; this is put on in the same way as straw, which is used to
cover thatched houses. The grass is fastened with large canes and splints also of
canes. When the cabin is covered with grass they cover all with a matting of canes
well bound together, and at the bottom they make a ring of " bind weeds" (lianes)
all around the cabin; then they turn the grass evenly, and with this defense, how-
ever great the wind may be, it can do nothing against the cabin; These coverings
last twenty years without being repaired.
Numerous other qitotations to the same etiect migiit be given, but
these are sufficient to show that the remains found in the mounds of
the south are precisely what would result from the destruction by fire
of the houses in use by the Indians when first encountered by Euro-
peans. Combining the testimony furnished by the mounds with the
historical evidence, which the close agreement between the two cer-
tainly justifies, it is evident that the houses of the mound-builders
were built of wooden materials or wood and clay combined,'and were
of at least two forms, circular and rectangular; that the fire was usu-
ally placed in the center and the smoke allowed to escape through au
opening at the top; that in the southern sections they were usually
])lastered with clay and thatched with straw or grass, and that the
plastering was often ornamented by stanii)ing it with a stamp made of
split cane, and, in some cases, was painted red. Prof Swallow noticed
this color on the plastering of the burned room he discovered. A coat
«f paint has also been detected on some of the pieces which we have
obtained in our explorations. This testimony would .seem to be well-
nigh conclusive that Indians were the builders of the houses, traces
of which are found in the Arkansas mounds, and, if so, of the mounds
also.
■iHOjiAs.] SIMILARITY OF FORTIFICATIONS. 667
FORTIFICATIONS, ETC.
Ml'. Squiei', who carefully studied the antiquities of Ohio and arrived
at the couclusiou that they are to be attributed to a people occiipyiug
a much higher culture- status than the Indians, subsequently entered
upon the investigation of those of New York, little doubting that he
would arrive at a similar conclusion in reference to their origin. The
result of this examination is best given in his own words :
In lull view of the facts before presented, I am driven to a conclusion little antic-
ipated when I started upon my trip of exploration, that the earthworks of western
New York were erected by the Iroquois or their western neighbors, and do not pos-
sess an antiquity going very far back of the discovery. Their general occurrence
upon a line parallel to and not far distant from the lakes favors the hypothesis
that tliey were built by frontier tribes, an hyi^othesis entirely conformable to abo-
riginal traditions. Here, according to these traditions, every foot of ground was
contested between the Iroquois and Gah-kwahs, and otlier western tribes; and here,
as a consequence, where most exposed to attack, were permanent defenses most
necessary.'
The facts presented by this author are sufficient to satisfy anyone
not wedded to a preconceived opinion of the correctness of his con-
clusion as to the authors of these works. Heie we find earthen embank-
ments and inclosures often, with accompanying ditches, which this
author has satisfactorily proven mark the sites of palisaded inclosures
similar to those observed by Champlain during his voyages of dis-
covery. (See also the evidence presented in the preceding part of this
volume relating to the antiquities of New York.)
As similar earthworks are found in Ohio, in the Southern states, and
elsewhere, and, as we know from what is stated by the narrators of De
Soto's expedition and by other authorities, that Indians in different
parts of the country when first encountered by Europeans were in the
habit of fortifjiug their towns with palisades, there is good reason for
believing that many of these remains had a similar origin to those of
New York. That some may owe their existence to different customs,
of which no notice has been preserved, is true, but, the correctness of
Mr. Squier's couclusiou being admitted, we certainly have a satisfactory
explanation of the origin of a large portion of them.
The Gentleman of Elvas, as already quoted, states that "The wall,
as well of that town as of others which we afterwards saw, was of great
posts thrust deep into the ground, and very rough and many long rails
as big as one's arm laid across between them, and the wall was about
the height of a lauce, and it was daubed within and without with clay,
and had loopholes."^ The decay of a work like this would leave a cir-
cular wall of earth like those seeu in various sections ot the country.
Caleb Atwater states that the wall of au inclosure at Oircleville,
Ohio, showed evidences of having sujjported a palisade or wooden
' Aboriginal Moniinieuts of New York, p. 83. * French's Hist. ('oU. La., vol. ir, p. lort.
6G8 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
stockade: ''The luuud fort was picketed iu, if \vc sue to judge IVoiii
tin; appearance of the ground on and about the walls. Halfway up
the outside of the inner wall is a place distinctly to be seen, where a
row of pickets once stood and where it was placed when this work of
defense was originally erected."'
Tlie town of Talisse was fortified by an iiiclosure of timber and
earth.^ Garcilasso's description of the fortress of Alil)aino heretofore
given is also important in this connection, as in this case the figure was
quadrangular and had gates, behind which were three parallel short
walls to deff^nd the place against an attempted entrance by an attack-
ing party. An almost exact parallel is seen in the defenses to the chief
gateway of tlie work in Butler county, Ohio, known as Fortified Hill,
figured in Ancient Monuments, PI. (i.
The reader is also referred to Dm I'ratz's des<Tii)tion of Indian forts
heretofore given.
Strong defensive forts were common in the north as well as iu the
south. Charlevoix represents the villages of the Canadian Indians as
defended by double, and frequently triple rows of i)alisades, interwoven
with branches of trees. Jacques ('artier found the townof Hochelaga
(now Montreal) thus defende<l in 153.5. (See his description hereto-
foi'e given; ante, p. (il24.)
Another early writer, speaking of one brancli of tlie Hurons, remarks
as follows :
Iu this extent ofcouutry there are about twenty-five cities and villages, some of
which me not inch>se(l or protected, Imt tlieothers arefortified with strong palisades
of wood in three rows, interlai'ed tojfcther audredonljled inside hy large and strong
pieces of b.ark to the height of 8 or '.) feet. Beneath, there are large trees placed
lengthwise on strong, short forks of tree trunks. Then on the top of these ]>alisades
there an- galleries or watch towers which they furnish with stones in time of war,
to cast ui)on the enemy, .and also water with which to extinguish the fiH^ if applied
to their palisades. '
The villages of the Pequots in New England were similarly protected.
Ohamplain found the villages of Iro(iuois defended by strong walls, form-
ing forts, apparently impregnable to any mode of attack with which they
were acquainted. In fact, one withstood all his attempts to capture it.
De Bry,^ John Smitli and Beverly,"' and Lafitau,'' note the fact that
many of the Indian villages were surrounded by palisaded walls, the
gate or eutrauce being formed by one end of the wall overlapping or
passing by the other which according to the last named author was
the usual method. (See Fig. JiS from De Bry's Ih'evis Narratio.)
Attention is called to the ancient work in Allamakee county, Iowa,
heretofore described and figured. The resemblance in this case to
those described by the above named authors is so striking, that we
can scarcely doubt tliat this work marks tlie line of a former palisade.
' Trans. Am. Aiilq. Soc. (1820), vol. I, j). 145. ■• lirevLs Xarratio. etc.
' Garcilasso Hiat. Florida, Lib. 3, cap. 23, p. 144. '• Hi.^torv iif Virginia.
* Sagard, " Lu grand Voyage dii pays dcs llnrons," t-d. Isil.', p. 79. ■* Moeui's des Sauvages.
SIMILARITY OF FORTIFICATIONS.
66d
Many other examples might be giveu; hut these will suffice to show
that the ludiaus were accustomed to construct fortifications similar in
form and size to the inclosure, now attributed to the mound-builders,
which, if burned down or allowed to dec:iy, would in all jirobability
leave just such walls as form these inclosures. The oidy objection to
this explanation is the fact that in some of the sections where the
Indian towns are known to have been surrounded by palisades no such
circular earthern walls have been discovered. This may be accounted
for on the supposition, which is in fact confirmed by abundant evi
deuce, that in some sections the walls were braced by earthen embank-
ments or heavily ijlastered with clay, while in other sections they were
not. The foiiner would leave the earthen rings, while the latter would
not.
The inclosing and other
walls of the Ohio works usu-
ally have ai very distinct layer
of clay. Some of the lines of
Fortified Hill, in Butler coun-
ty, can now be traced only
by this layer of clay, when
turned up by the plow, as I
observed during a visit to it
in 1884.
Intimately connected with
this evidence, and tending
to strengthen the conclusion
arrived at, is the fact that in
some instances these defen-
sive works were surrounded
by ditches or canals. For ex-
ample, in the quotations al-
ready made we learn that
near one town ''was a great
lake that came into the wall ; and it entered into a ditch that went round
about the town, wanting but little to environ it round ; from the lake to
the great river was made a weir by which fi.sh came into it;"' that "the
frontier town to Casquin was fortified with a ditch 40 fathoms wide and
10 in depth, full of water" ("fathoms" here is doubtless an error, and
should be "cubits"). Biednia states that in one place they "reached
■A village in the midst of a plain surrounded by walls and a ditch filled
witli water, which had been made by the Indians."^
Although the examples given are not numerous, still they are suffi-
cient to show that the Indians did in some cases surround their vil-
lages and fortifications with ditches and canals similar to those found
in several instances surrounding groups of ancient works in the South,
Flu. 'M'i. — A'ilhige of Pomeiock, from Erevis Narratio.
Tlist. Coll. La., vol. 2, p. 172.
' Tliid.. vol. 2, p. 105.
670 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
as, for example, the Etowali j^roap already referred to (see PI. i, p. 136,
Jones's " Southern Indians,'' and our Fig. 182 in the i)receding part of tliis
volume). Another example, found in Hancock county, Georgia, is shown
in PI. II, p. Hi, same work ; also another in PI. iii. Others are also fig-
ured in Squier and Davis's "Ancient Monuments" and elsewhere.
We are therefore compelled, unless we discard the only authorities
we have on the habits, customs, arts, character, and condition of the
Indian tribes Miien first encountered by Europeans, to admit that they
did construct just such mounds, walls, ditches, and canals as are now
found in various parts of our country, especially the southern sections,
which have been generally attributed to a "lost race," or to a people
more highly civilized than the Indians.
Eev. S. D. Peet, in a series of articles relating to " Ancient Village
Architecture," published in vol. V, of the American Antiquarian', writes
as follows:
We give these jiictiires [of villages from Dv. Bry] and call attentiou to the descrip-
tion furnished by travelers, since they by their very uniformity afford us a clue to
the village life of those races which are not so well known. We may, in fact, take
these descriptions and study the works of the mound-builders, andiu them perhaps
find an explanation of those very structures which have so long puzzled archeolo-
gists. • » » We now call attention, in the second place, to the village architec-
ture of the mound-builders. There are several ways in which the villages of the
mound-builders may be identified. First, the descriptions given by the early ex-
plorers. It is a remarkable fact that the earthworks in the Southern states were,
when discovered, occupied as village sites. A large number of these villages have
been described, and, although the sites have not been identified in later times, yet
the descriptions indicate that the very mounds which are now being studied as
objects of BO great interest were then used as residences for the various tribes. Fer-
dinand ( f) de Soto and his army were the first to discover the mounds. Mention is
frefpieutly made of them by the historians of the expedition. This mention is inci-
dental, and so connected with the account of the people and the various incidents of
the expedition as to escape notice, yet the descriptions correspond closely with the
works as they are now found. Some of the villages were surrounded by stockades,
.and were so situated as to be used for defenses or for fortifications, but a large num-
ber of them are also described as having elevated mounds, which were used by the
caciques for their residences and as observatorii'S from which they could overlook
the villages. It is nut unlikely that some of the more prominent of these mounds may
be identified. There are many such mounds described in the narratives. One such
is mentioned in Georgia, one in Alabama, and one in Mississippi. One mound is
ilescribed around which there was a terrace wide enough to accommodate twelve
horsemen. On another mound the platform was large enough to accommodate twelve
or thirteen large houses, which were used for the residence of the family and the ten-
ants of the cacique. This was not far from New Madrid, in Missouri. It was upon the
tenace of one of these mounds that De Soto stood when he uttered his reproaches
against his followers, having found out the dissatisfaction and revolt which had
.arisen among them. This was after he had passed the Mississii)pi river and about
the time when he became discouraged in his fruitless expedition. The narrative
shows that these prominent eurthworks were associated universally with village
life. Sometimes the dwelling of the cacique would be on the high mound which
served as a fortress, the only ascent to it being by ladders. At other times mention
is made of the fact that from the summit of these mounds extensive prospects could
I Vol. V, 1883, pp. 49-50.
THOMAS.] SIMILARITY IN BURIAL CUSTOMS. 671
be had ami many native villages could be brought to view. The villages are
described as seated " in a plain betwixt two streams, as nearly encircled by a deep
moat fifty paces in breadth, and where the moat did not extend was defended by a
strong wall of timber near a wide and rapid river. The largest they discovered in
Florida." This was the Mississippi : "On a high artificial mound on one side of the
village stood the dwelling of the cacique, whicli served as a fortress." Thus through-
out this whole region, from the seacoast at Tami>a liay, in tlie states of Florida,
South Carolina, Georgia, ALabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, these ancient villages
appeared occupied by the various tribes, such as Creeks, Catawbas, C'herokees,
Choctaws, Chickasaws, Quapaws, Kansas, and possibly Shawnees.
At another point in the same series he remarks:
We now turn to the mound-builders' worlds. The same system of erecting military
iuclosures and connecting them by lookout stations seems to have prevailed among
them that existed among the later Indians.'
Thus it is seen that, when the architectural works of the mound-
builders are comj)ared with those of the Indians, there is such a general
similarity as to render it unnecessary to look further for the authors.
The mound-builders erected mounds, fortified their villages with
wooden palisades and ditches, dwelt in liouses made of perishable
materials, many of whi(;h were plastered with clay. The Indians
erected similar mounds, surrounded their villages with wooden palisades
and ditches, and dwelt in houses made of perishable materials, which
in many cases were plastered with clay.
It is true that, when Gortez invaded Mexico, he found some of the
villages fortified by wooden palisades^ much like those built by the
Indians of the Atlantic and Gulf states, even to the overlapping of
the ends. But the similarity holds good no further, as the usual Mexi-
can method was to protect with stone walls. ^ Their pyramids or mounds
were of stone in whole or in part and their houses, of which traces
remain, were chiefly of the same material. There is in fact nothing to
be found in the remains of the mound-builders which can, even by a
reasonable stretch of the imagination, be considered Mexican or Cen-
tral American architecture in embryo.
SIMILARITY IN BURIAL CUSTOMS.
There are perhaps no other remains of a barbarous or unenlightened
peojile which give us so clear a conception of their sujierstitions and
religious beliefs as those which relate to the disposal of their dead.
By the modes adopted for such disposal and relics found in the recep-
tacles of the dead, we are enabled, not only to understand something
of their superstitions and religious beliefs, but also to judge of their
culture status and to gain some knowledge of their customs, modes of
life, and art.
Muly, 1883, p. 238.
2 Herrera. Hist. Gen.. Dec. 11, Book ii. (_'hap. iv. Steveus'a Trans.
^ Cortez, Cartas de Relacion, pp. 59 to 60.
672 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Till' mortuary customs of the mouud-l)ail(lers, as gleaned from an
examination of their burial mounds, ancient cemeteries, and other
depositories of their dead, present so many striking resemblances to
those of the Indians when first encountered by the whites, as to leave
but little room for doubt regarding the identity of the two peoples. Nor
is this similarity limited to the customs in the broad and general sense,
but it is cariied down to the more minute and striking peculiarities.
Among the general features in which resemblances are noted are the
following:
The mound-builders, even within the comjiaratively limited area to
which the present discussion refers, as showii in the ju'eceding 2)art of
this volume, were accustomed to dispose of their dead iu many differ-
ent ways; their modes of sepulture were also quite varied, indicating
tribal distinctions among them. The same statement will apply with
equal force to the Indians.
"The commonest mode of burial among North American Indians,"
we are informed by Dr. Yarrow,' " has been that of interment in the
ground, and this has taken place in a number of ways." The diflerent
ways he mentions are " in pits, graves, or holes in the ground, stone
graves or cists, in mounds, beneath or in cabins, wigwams, houses or
lodges, and in caves."
The most common method of burial among the mound builders was
by inhumation also, and all the different ways mentioned by Dr. Yar-
row, as practiced by the Indians, were in vogue among the former. It
was for a long time supposed that their chief and almost only place of
depositing their dead was in the burial mounds, but more thorough
explorations have revealed the fact that near many — and as may
hereafter be found most — mound villages, are cemeteries, often of con-
siderable extent.
The chief value of this fact in this connection is that it forms one
item of evidence against the theory held by some antiquarians that the
mound-builders were Mexicans, as the usual mode of disposing of the
dead by the latter was cremation.^ According to Brasseur de Bour-
bourg, the Toltecs also practiced cremation.' Attention is therefore
called to this fact as it is one of a number having a similar bearing
which will appear in the course of this discussion.
Turning now to the particular resemblances between the mortuary
customs of the mound-builders and those of the Indians, we notice the
following :
(1) The custom of removing the flesh of the dead before depositing them
in their final resting places. — This custom, which has been incidentally
mentioned in the preceding references to tlie burial mounds of the dif-
ferent sections, appears to have been more or less common among the
' l8t. Kep. Bureau Ethnology, p. 93.
'Clavigero. Hist. Mex., CuUen's transl., vol.1, p. 325: TorqiiiMiiiiilii. ll.iuani. liiil.. vul. 1, p. lio etc.
^Biincioft, Native Races, vol. 11, p. 609.
THOMAS. I SIMILARITY IN BURIAL CUSTOMS. (173
moiiud-builders and ludiaiis. The proof that it was foHowed to con-
siderable extent by the former in varions sections, is evident from the
following facts:
The confused masses of human bones frequently found in mounds,
which show by their relation to each other that they must have been
gathered together after the flesh had been removed, as this condition
could not possibly have been as.^umed by decay if the bodies had been
buried in their natural state. Instances of this kind are so numerous
and well known that it is scarcely necessary to produce any evidence
in regard to them. The well-known example referred to by Jefferson
in his Notes on Virginia' is in point. Concerning this he says: "Appear-
ances certainly indicate that it [the barrow] has derived both origin
and growth from the acciistomary collection of bones and deposition of
them together."
See notices of similar deposits as follows: In Wisconsin, mentioned
by Mr. Armstrong-; in Florida, mentioned by James Bell ■'' and Mr.
Walker''; in Cass county. Illinois, mentioned by Mr. Snyder;'^ in
Georgia, by Jones.'*
Similar deposits are mentioned, by the exphn-ers of the Bureau of
Ethnology, as being found in Wisconsin, Illinois, northeastern Missouri,
North Carolina, and Arkansas.
Another proof of this custom was observed by the Bureau assistants,
Mr. Middleton and Col. Norris, in Wisconsin, Illinois, and northeast
Missouri. In numerous mounds the skeletons were found closely
packed side by side immediately beneath a layer of hard, mortar-like
substance. The fact that this mortar had completely filled the inter-
stices, and in many cases the skulls, showed that it had been placed
over them while in a plastic condition, and as it must soon have hai'd-
ened and assumed the condition in Mhich it was found, it is evident
the skeletons had been buried after the removal of the flesh.
As another evidence, we nniy mention the fact that the bones of full-
grown individuals are sometimes found in stone graves (some of these
graves in mounds) which are so small that the body of an adult could
not by any possible means have been pressed into them. Instances of
this kind have occurred in southern Illinois, Missouri, and Tennes.see.
In some cases the bones of a full-grown individual have been found in
graves of this kind less than 2 feet long and scarcely a foot wide. In
some instances, where the tomb has not been disturbed, the parts of
the skeleton are so displaced as to nuikeit evident they were deposited
after the flesh was removed. The " bundled" .skeletons so common in
the northern mounds are all cases in point, as there can be no question
tiiat the bones had been arranged after the flesh had been I'enioved
or rotted away.
Uth American edition, 1801, p. 146. 'Ibid., 1879, p. 398.
■'Smitlisou. Rep., 1879, p. 337. "Ibid., 1881, p. 563.
3 Ibid., 1881, p. 636. 5 Antiq. Soutbcrn Indiana, p. 193.
12ETH 43
fi74 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
From personal examiuatioii I roucludc that some, if not most, of the
"folded" skeletons' found in mounds were buried alter the Hesh had
been removed, as the folding, to the extent noticed, could not have been
done -with the flesh on; and the positions in most cases were such as
could not possibly have been assumed in consequence of the decay of the
body and the settling of the mound. The partial calcining of the bones
in vaults and under layers of clay, where the evidence shows that fire
was applied to the outside of the vault or above the clay layers, can
be accounted for only on the supposition that the tlesh had been re-
moved before burial. Other proofs that this custom prevailed among
themouud-builders,in various sections of the country nughtbe adduced,
but this is unnecessary, as it will doubtless be conceded.
That it was the custom of a number of tribes of Indians when first
visited by the whites, and even down to a comparatively modern date,
to bury the skeletons after the flesli had been removed or rotted away,
is well known to all students of Indian customs and habits.
lleckwelder says, " The Xanticokes had the singular custom of remov-
ing the bones of their deceased from the old burial place to a place of
deposit in the country they now dwell in."- The account of the com-
munal burial among the Hurons by Breboeuf has already been noticed.
The same custom is alluded to by Lafitau,' and Bartram observed it
among the Choctaws.'' It is also mentioned by Bossu,'' by Adair," and
others. For a general account of the modes of burial among the Indian
tribes the reader is referred to Dr. Yarrow's paper in the First Annual
Eeport of the Bureau of Ethnology.
It is foreign to the present purpose to enter into a comparison of the
burial customs of the various aboriginal nations of the continent.
Moreover, the data bearing upon the subject are so numerous that a
volume would be required for this j^urpose. But it is worthy of notice
in this connection that the custom of removing the llesh before burial
does not appear to have been practiced to any considerable extent, if
at all, by the Mexican or Central American nations, nor by the New
INIexican triT)es or Indians farther west.
(2) BuHiilx beueaih or in dwcUiiigs. — The evidence brought to light
by the agents of the Bureau of Ethnology of a custom among the mound-
builders ( >f Arkansas and ^Mississippi of burying in or under their dwell-
ings has already been alluded to. That such was also the custom of
sojueof thesouthern Indian tribes is awell attested historical fact. Bar-
tram' afiirras it to have been in vogue among the "Muscogulgees" or
Creeks, and Barnard iiomans" says it was practiced by the Chicka-
' A distinction is made liere between "bundled" and "folded. " The former refers to those which
Iiavi- been disarticulated aud placed iu a compact bundle, tlic skull usu.lUy placed on top or at the end,
tin- latter where tlie knees are brought up against the breast, and the heels against the pelvis.
•' Hist. Indi.an Nation.s, p. 75. ' Ili.st. Amer. Indians, p. 183.
^ Mu-urs des Sauvages. ' Travels, p. 515.
» Travels, p. 516. ' Concise Xat. Hist, of East and West Flor-
^ Travels through Loui.^iana, vol. I. p. 298 iila, ]). 71.
THOMAS.] SIMILARITY IN BURIAL CUSTOMS. ^75
saws. C. C. Joues ' says that '• tbt- Indians (of Georgia) often interred
beneath the floor of the cabin and then burned the hut of the deceased
over Lis head.'' Dr. Briuron says, " The burial of the priests was like
that of the chiefs, except that the spot chosen was in their own houses,
and tlie whole burned over them, resembling in this a practice universal
among the Caribs aud reappearing among the Natchez, Cherokees, and
Arkansas.'"^ This furnishes a complete explanation of tbe fact observed
by the Bureau explorers.
(3) Burials in a sittin;/ or xijuitliiiuj poistitrf. — It was a very common
practice to bury some of the dead iu a sitting or Sipiatting posture.
The examples of this kind are too numerous and too well known to
justify biu'dening these pages with the proofs. It is enough to add
that the descriptions in the reports of the assistants iu the previous
part of this volume and the published accounts of other explorers show
that this custom prevailed to a certain extent in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illi
nois, northeastern Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, and Xortli Carolina.
Instances have also been observed elsewhere.^ That the same custom
was followed by several of the Indian tribes is attested by the follow-
ing authorities: La Hontan, Bossu,^ Lawson,^ Bartrani," Adair," etc.
(i) The use of fire in burial ceremonicx. — Another respect in which
the burial customs of the mound-builders corresponded with those of
the Indians, was the use of fire in the fuTieral ceremonies. As liereto-
fore remarked, the inference has been very generally drawn from the
evidences of fire found in the mounds that the people who erected these
monuments offered human sacrifices to their deities. It is true that
charred and even almost wholly consumed human bones are often found,
showing that bodies or skeletons were sometimes burned, but it does
not necessarily follow from this fact that they were offered as sacrifices.
Moreover, judging from all the data in our possession, I think the weight
of evidence is decidedly against such conclusion.
The presence of charred bones in these works might readily be ac-
counted for on the supposition that cremation was adopted by some of
the tribes as a means of disposing of the dead, and such is the opinion
of Dorman, who remarks:'' " Cremation apjjcars to have been the usual
method of disposing of the dead among most of these northern tribes."
The same view is also held by Wilson.^ Still, I am not disposed, as
will hereafter be seen, to accept this as the true explanation of the
facts alluded to, though cremation was possibly practiced to a limited
extent by the mound builders.
In assuming that Indians were the mound-builders, very little, if
anything, can be found to support the theory of human sacrifice in the
' Autiq. Soiithirn Indians, p. 203. ' Hist. Carolina, p. 182.
- Floriilian Peninsula, p. 183. Sco also Hak- ^ Travels, p. 515.
Inyl's V(»yaj;e,s. vol. ill. p. :17. ' Hist. American Iinliaiis. p. 182.
•■'Geor<ria and Florida. Jones' Antiq. South- ^ Oritpn Prim. .Superst.. p. 171.
ern Indians, pp. 183-185. ' Preliistorii' Man. ll, third ed.. 1870. p. 'Jll.
^ Travels through Louisiana, vol. ii. ]). 2.^)1.
676 MOUND EXPLOKATIOXS.
method supposed to be iudieated by these remains. Doimaii says:
" Humau sacrifices never prevailed to any extent among the barbarous
trilies of the nortli. Very fe\v cases of compulsory humau sacrifice
axe found.'"
This autlior (luotes several authorities showing that human sacritice
was practiced by Indian tribes in that part of the United States now
under consideration, but a careful examination of these shows that they
do not sustain the allegation. For example, lie says,- ■• Human sacrifice
was practiced among tlie Mianiis, for we are told by Mr. Drake that
Little Turtle, the famous Miami chief, did more than any other to abol-
ish human sacrifice among liis people.'' An examination of Drake's
remark shows that it was quoted from Schoolcraft, and that it refers
not to true sacrifice, but to the torture of prisoners by the use of tire.
He also refers to Hajwood's statement that " there are many e\i
dences of the practice of humau sacrifice among those tribes living on
the Ohio, Cumberlaud, and Tennessee rivers,"^ when reference to that
author's work shows that it is only an opinion based upon what is found
in the mounds of these regions.
The other quotations, except those relating to the Natches Indians
and the nations of Mexico, Central America, and Peru, furnish nothing
to sustain the theory that the mound-builders were in the habit of offer-
ing human sacrifices, in the true sense of the word. There is some evi-
dence that they were in the habit of torturing prisoners witb fire. By
referring to the description of ancient works in Union county, Illinois,
given in the first part of this volume, the reader will find an account
of a stone pavement which was i)robably a. place where prisoners were
burned. This was found at the depth of 1 foot below the surface of
the ground, was nearly circular, and about 9 feet in diameter. It was
formed of flat stones so closely joined together that it was almost impos-
sible to run an iron prod down between them. Scattered through
the earth resting on it weie the t'hari'ed fragments of human bones,
ashes, and charcoal.
In several of the mounds opened by Mr. Emmert in jMouroe county,
east Tennessee, circular beds of burnt clay were discovered. In the
middle of more than one of these were the remains of a burnt stake,
around which were ashes, charcoal, and charred human bones.
Haywood^ and Dr. Ramsey' say that a Mrs. Bean, who was captured
by the Cherokees, was taken to a mound in this section to be burnt,
but was saved by one of the Indian women. It is a fair inference,
therefoie, that these beds of burnt clay and charred remains mark the
lilaces where prisoners were burnt.
I have expressed my doubts as to tlicir resorting to cremation as a
means of disposing of their dead, but since the discussion of this ques-
* Origin Prim. Swpcrst., p. 209. * Nat. and Ab. Hist, of Tennessee, p. 278.
2 P. 20!l. » Annals of Tennessee, p. 157.
^ Loc. cit.
iHcMus] DOUBTFUL REPORTS. (177
tioii is not necessary to the object iit present iu view, will lueution very
briefly some reasons for this opinion.
It is true Dorman, Wilson and many others believe that cremation
was a common practice with the niound-bnilders, but this theory is
founded, as before stated, almost wholly upon the presence of burned
bones and the evidences of fire in the mounds. Reference is made, by
those holding' this theory, to the Indians who, it is affirmed in mauy
cases, followed this method of disposing of the dead, but after a some-
what thorough investigation I fail to find the data upon which to base
this atfirmation, except so far as the tribes of the Pacific .slope and of
Mexico and southward are concerned. Ur. Yarrow, in his able paper
on the "'Burial Customs of our Indians,"" evidently leans to the same
view, but it is axiparent from the cautious manner in which he refers
to it that the xiroof is not entirely satisfactory.
Du Pratz- says: "There is no nation of Louisiana which follows the
custom of burning the body." Louisiana, as used by its author, in-
cluded all the Mississippi valley south of the Ohio, and all the Gulf
states exc'cpt Florida. In this statement he agrees with Romans and
other early authors wlio mention the modes of burial and of disposing
of the dead. Pickett^ says the Choctaws were in the habit of killing
and cutting up their prisoners of war, after which the parts were burned.
The same writer says:'' "From all we have read and heard of the Choc-
taws we are satisfied that it was their custom to take from the bone
liouse the skeletons, with which they repaired in funeral i)rocession to
the suburbs of the town, where they placed them on the ground in one
lieap, together with the property of the dead, such as pots, bows,
arrows, ornaments, curious- shaped stones for dressing deerskins, and a
variety of other things. Orer thix heap they first threw charcoal and
anhrs. probably to preserve the bones, and the next operation was to
cover all with earth. This left a mound several feet high.'' This cor-
responds so well with what has been found in some southern mounds
that it seems to furnish a satisfactory explanation of the presence of
coal and ashes in some of the tunuili.
By referring to the descrijttion of the North Carolina mounds hereto-
fore given the reader will find that, in one of them, thi'ee skeletons were
imbedded in ashes and coal on an altar-shaped structure, yet none of
the bones were burned or even charred. Fire had also been applied to
the outside of some of the little beehive-shaped stone vaults to such au
extent as to show, in some cases, the eflfecti of the heat on the bones of
the inclosed skeletons, the burial having evidently taken place after
the rtesh was removed, [n the mound opened in Sullivan county, east-
ern Tennessee, which is heretofore described and figured, the floor was
covered with charcoal and ashes, yet no evidence whatever of any burn-
ing of bodies or bones was f(mnd.
1 First Annual Keport Bureau Ethn. ^ Hist. Alabama, 3d ed., vol. i, j). 140.
!Hist. Louisian.l, 1758, vol. ni, p. 24. «Iliiil., vol. I. p. 142.
678 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
In several mouuils opened )>.v < 'dI. Norris and Mr. Middletoii in .south-
western Wiscon.sin and the adjoining- sections of Iowa and Illinois, there
were abundant evidences that after the body or bodies had been buried
and a layer, usually of a mortar-like substanee, spread over them, a fire
was kindled on this layer. Sometimes this was so fierce and the layer
so thin and defective that the bones beneath were more or less clarred.
Hundreds of similar cases have been observed, showing that while lire
was connected in some way with the burial ceremonies, tliere is very
little evidence to be found indicating that there was an intentional cre-
mation. A few instances possibly have been found to warrant this con-
clusion, but in the great majority of cases where charred or partially
consumed human bones have been found, the explanation is easily given
without recourse to the theory of cremation or sacrifice.
The following account of an Indian burial by Wr. Eobert.H. Poynter
of De Sha county, Arkansas, as given in the Smithsonian report for
1882, page 828, is exactly in point in this connection. He says that
Wal-ka-ma-tu-ba, an old Indian, was buiied in 1834 in the following
manner :
The bouse in which the family lived was built of round logs, tov<'re(l with bark,
and danbed with mud. In the middle of the house ii board was driven about 3 feet
into the jinnmd, and the old man was lashed to this with thongs, in a sitting pos-
ture, with his knees drawn up in front of his chin and his hands crossed and fastened
under his knees. The body was then entirely incased in mud, built up like a round
mound, and smoothed over. A tire was kindled over the pile and the clay liurut to
a crisp. .Six months afterward the family were moved away and the mound opened.
The body was well preserved.
The following statement by Prof. E. B. Andrews' in regard to a
mound opened by him in Athens county, Ohio, may throw some light
on this subject:
A treucli 5 feet wide was dug through the center. On the east side much burnt
yellow clay was found, while on the west end of the trench considerable black earth
apiieared, which I took to be kitchen refuse, .\bout .5 feet below the top we came
upon Large cjnautities of charcoal, es])eeially on the western side. Underneath t)ie
charcoal was found a skeleton with the head to the east. The body had evidently
been inclosed in some wooden structure. First there was a platform of wood placed
upon the ground, on the original level of the plain. On this wooden floor timbers
or logs were placed on each side of the body longitudinally, and over these timbers
there were laid other pieces of wood, forming an inclosed liox or cofBn. A part of this
wood was cmly charred; the rest was burnt to ashes. The middle jiart of the body
was in the hottest tire, and mauy of the vertebr;p, ribs, and other bones were burnt
to a black cinder, and at this point the iuclosingtimbers were burnt to ashes. The
timbers inclosing the lower extremities were only charred.
I am led to think that bifore any tire was kindled a layer of dirt was thrown over
the wooden structure, making a sort of burial. On this dirt a tire was built, but
by some misplacement of the dirt the fire reached the timbers below, and at such
points as the air could penetrate there was an active combustion, but at others
where the dirt still remained there was only a smothered fire like that in a charcoal
1 loth Kept. Peabody Mus., vol. n, pp. 59, 60.
THOMAS] BODIES WRAPPED IN HARK. 679
pit. It is difficult to i-xplaiii tlie existence of the charred timbers in ;iny other w;iy.
Tliere must hiive been other /ires than that immediately around and above the body,
and many of them, because on oue side of the mound the clay is burned even to the
toll of the mound. In one place 3 feet above the body the clay is vitrified. It is
po-ssible that fires were built at ditt'erent levels — open fires — and that nu)St of the
ashes were blown away by tli(> winds whicli often sweep over the plain. I have
stated that there was first laid down a sort of floor of wood, on which the l)ody was
placed. On the sanu' floor were placed about 500 copperheads, forming aline almost
around the body. Of course the string (in another mound in the neighljorhood cop-
]ier beads were found strung on a buckskin string) was burned and the beads were
more or less separated by the movement of the timbers and earth. Sometimes sev-
eral were found in contact in proper order. Several beads were completely rusted
away. Where the timbers were not burned to ashes but only charred, the beads
were found lying upon the lowest layer of charred wood with another layer resting
upon them. From the small diameter of the concentric or growth rings in the
charcoal in the bottom layer I infer that there was nothing more elaborate than a
jdatform of poles for the resting place of the body. Where the wood was burned
to ashes the beads were found in the ashes.
(5) Eenemhlanccx in other rexpects. — That it was the custom of some
of the irionndbuildiug people to bury their dead iu box-shaped stone
cists is now well known. That a few Indian tribes followed the same
custom is attested by hi.story and fully proved by other evidence, as
will hereafter be shown.
According to La wsou ' it was not uncommon among the Indians of
Carolina to wrap the body of the deceased at the time of burial in
mats made of rushes or cane. Eeumins of rush or cane matting have
frequently been found about human remains iu southern mounds.
It was also a custom with several Indian tribes to place bark beneath
and often above the body. Numerous evidences of a similar mode of
burial have been found in the mounds. Whether or not aerial or scaf-
fold burial was resorted to by any of the mound-builders is not, as a
matter of couise, susceptible at this date of direct proof, yet the fact
that communal or bone burial was practiced by the mound-builders in
the same sections where this mode of preliminary sepulture was cus-
tonwry witli the Indians of historic times, indicates that it was also a
custom of the former.
In some cases it has been observed by the Bureau a.ssistants while
exploring in the northwestern sections that some of the bones in the.se
buried masses l)ore what seemed certain evidence of exposure to the
elements previous to burial.
' Hist. Carolina, p. 81.
680 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
GENERAL RESEMBLANCES IN HABITS, CUSTOMS, ART, ETC.
In iulditioii to the special ])oints oi rcsciublaiice between the burial
custoni.s of tlie Indians and raoundbuilders alluded to, the facts war-
raut the assertion that in all respects, so far as they can be traced
correctly, there are to be found strouf^- resemblances between the liab-
its, customs, and art of the mound builders and those of the Indians
previous to change under the influence of contact with the P>uropeaus.
Both made use of stone implements, and ,so precisely similar are the
articles of this class, that it is innKissible to distinguish those made by
the one people from those made by tlie other. In fact, they are brought
togetlier in most collections aiul attributed to the one peo])le or to the
other according to the fancy or opinion of the collector or curator.
We find even Dr. Kau, whose long and careful study of articles of
this class, both of Europe and America, would certainly enable him. if
anyone, to decide in this case, thus frankly stating his opinion:
111 Noitli AmCTica chijiped as wrl] as groniiil stone implements are abuudaut, yet
tliey oioiir pinmisiMionsly, and tlius far can n<it lie respectively referred to certain
epochs ill the development of the aborigines of the country. '
Instead of burdening these pages with proofs of these statements by
specitic references to tiuds and authorities, an allusion to the work of
Dr. 0. C. Abbott on the handiwork in stone, bone, au<l clay of the
native rac-es of the Northern Atlantic seaboard of America, entitled
"Primitive Industry," will suttice. As the area embraced in this work,
as remarked by the author, does not "include any territory known to
liave been permanently occuiiied by the so-called mound-builders," the
articles found here must be ascribed to the Indians, unless, as sug-
gested by the author, some of a more primitive type found in the Tren-
ton gravel are to be attributed to a preceding and ruder people.
Examining those of the first class, which are ascribed to the Indians,
and to which much the larger portion of the work is devoted, we find
almost every type of stone article found in the mound area, not only
the rudely chipped scrapers, hoes, celts, knives, spear and arrow heads,
but also polished or ground celts, axes, hanuners, chisels, and gouges.
Here are also found drills, awls, and pei'forators, slickstones and dress-
ers, mortars, pestles and pitted stones, pipes of various forms and
finish, discoidal stones, and net-sinkers, butterfly stones and other sup-
posed ceremonial objects, masks or face figures and bird-.shaped stones,
gorgets, totems, pendants, trinkets, etc. Nor does the resemblance
stop with types, but is carried down to specific forms and finish, leax-
ing absolutely no possible line of demarcation between them and the
similar articles attributed to the mound-builders. So persistently true
is this, that had we these stone articles alone to refer to, it is probable
' Siiiith.'soiiian Arcli. ('iill.. p
THOMAS] SIMILARITY OF HABITS AND CUSTOMS. 681
we would be forced to the conclusion, as held by some writers, that the
former inhabitants of that i)ortion of the United States east of the
Mississippi pertained to one nation, unless the prevalence of certain of
the forms or more elaborate types in particular sections should afford
some ground for districting.
The full force of this evidence, which is considered valuable in this
connection, can only be clearly understood and appreciated by an
examination of the work alluded to. If every form and type of stone
implement and ornament found in connection with the works of the
niound-builders were also in use among the Indians, it is, of course,
unnecessary to look further for their origin.
The bone and shell articles found in the mounds do not present any
type or finish, except such as can be traced to the Indians. Some of
the figures on the engraved shells are difficult to account for and appear
to be derived from some other source, but in every case these have been
found in mounds or graves, which there are strong and satisfactory
reasons for believing are the work of Indians; this will be shown here-
after.
Mound and Indian pottery compari'd. — The pottery of the mound-
builders has often been referred to as proof of a higher culture-status
than, and an advance in art beyond that attained by the Indians. It
appears probable that some writers have been led to this conclusion
by an examination of the figures, drawings, and photographs, without
a personal inspection of the articles.
That all mound pottery is comparatively rude and ])riinitive in type,
iiiauufacture, and material must be admitted. It is true that specimens
are frequently found which give evidence of considerable skill and
advance in art as compared with the pottery of other barbarous people,
but there is nothing to remind its of the better ware of Peru, Mexico,
or Central America, and, so far as my examination extends, I have not
seen a single piece that is equal in the character of the ware to some
of the old Pueblo pottery. The finest quality of mound ware I have
seen is a broken specimen which was found with an intrusive burial in
a Wisconsin mound, and, strange to say, the figures on it, which are
rather unusual, are almost exactly like those on pottery found in mounds
of Early county, (Jeorgia.
The vase with a bird figure, found by Squier and Davis in an Ohio
mound, is presented in most works on American archeology as an evi-
dence of the advanced stage of ceramic art among the mound-builders,
but Dr. Ran, who examined the collection of these authors, says:
Haviug seen the best specimens of mound jjottery obtaiueJ during the survey of
Messrs. Squier and Davis, I do not hesitate to assert that the clay vessels fabricated
at the Cahokia creek were in every respect equal to those exhumed from the mounds
of the Mississippi valley, and Dr. Davis himself, who examined my specimens from
the first named locality, expressed the same opinion.'
I Smithsonian Rep., 1866, p. 349.
682 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The Oiiliokia pottery, wliicli he fouud alonj;- the creek of that name,
he ascribes to Jiidiaus, as he remarks:
The question now iirises. Who were the makers of these manufactures of clay f I
simply ascrilie them to the Cahokia Indians, who dwelt, until a comparatively recent
])eriod, on the banks of the creek tliat still hears the name of their trilie. C'oneern-
ing the anfi(iuity of the manufaotures deserilicil on the preceding pages, I am not
prejiared to give an estimate. Only a hundred years may have elapsed since they
were made, yet it is also possible that they are nnich older. The appearance of the
fragments rather indicates a modern origin.'
Those who are aware of the extreme caution of this distinguished
archeologist in expressing an opinion of this kind, will be fully assured
that he had carefully studied all the facts bearing upon the subject
before giving it i)ublicity.
ISIost of the mound pottery, as the reader is probably aware, is mixed
with pulverized shells, which is also true of most Indian pottery.^
Dumont describes the method of preparing the materials and manu-
facturing the pottery as follows:
The industry of these native women and girls is admirable. I have already spoken
of the skill with which, with their lingers alone and witliout a wheel, tliey make all
sorts of pottery. The manner in which they |)roeeed to do it is as follows: After
having collected the earth necessary for this work, and cleaned it well, they take
shells and pound them u)i to a very tine and delicate ]powder. This they mix thor-
oughly with the earth which has been provided, and moistening the whole with a
little water they knead it with their hands and feet into a paste. This they make
into long rolls from 6 to 7 feet in length and of the thickness desired. If they
wish to form a basin or vase they take one of these rolls by one end; and marking
with the left thumb, on this mass, the center of the article to be made, they whirl
it (the roll) about this center with wonderful swiftness and dexterity, describing a
spiral. From time to lime they dip their fingers in the water which they are always
careful to have at hand, and with the right hand they smooth the outside and inside
of the vessel which they intend to form, which without this care would be undulat-
ing. By this process they make all sorts of earthen utensils, as dishes, plates,
basins, pots, and ewers, some of which contain 40 to .50 pints. Tlie baking of
this pottery does not require any great jpreparation. After it is dried in the shade
a great fire is lighted; aud when they think there are coals enough they clear a
space in the center and arrange their vessels there and cover them with coals. In
this manner the i)ottery receives the necessary baking; after this thev can be put on
the tire and are as firm as ours. There is no doubt that their firmness is to be
attriljuted to the mixture which the women make of the powdered shells with the
earth.
Du Pratz says : " The [Natchez] women make pots of an extraordinary
size, cruses with a medium-sized opening, .jars, bottles with long necks,
holding 2 pints, and pots or cruses for holding bear's oil." ■' Also that
they colored them a beautiful red by using ocher, which becomes red
alter burning. As heretofoie remarked, the bottle-shaped vase with a
long neck is the typical form of clay vessels found in the mounds of
' Smithsonian Rc]!., 1880, p. 350.
■' Diunont, Mem. Hist, hn., n, p. 271 (175;{) ; Ailair, Hist. Am. lud., p. 424; Loskiel., (lesrh. der Miss., p.
70. ftc.
^Hist. I,:i. (175s), Vol. II, p. 179.
THOMAS.) SIMILARITY OF HABITS AND CUSTOMS. 683
Aikaiisass aud southeastern Missouri, and is also coiunion to tlie niouuds
and stone gravesofniiildle Tennessee. Tlioseeolored or oiiiamented with
red are also often found in the mounds of tliis section. The long-uecked
bottles aud colored pottery form very important items of evidence in
the present discussion, for the description giveu by I>u I'ratz of these
vessels and Dumout's account of the method of manufacture leave but
scant room for doubt that those found in the mounds Avere made by the
same people that nmde those of which the above named authors speak.
It is also worthy of notice in this connection that the two localities,
near St. Genevieve, Missouri, and near Shawneetown, Illliuois, where
so many fragments of large clay vessels supi)osed l)y many to have
been used in "making salt" have been found, were occupied for a con-
siderable length of time by the Shawnees. Nor should the fact be
overlooked that that they are marked with those impressions, so com-
mon in mound pottery, which are usually attributed to basketwork in
which the vessels are supposed to have been placed while drying pre-
vious to burning, though in reality in these instances they are due to
a, textile fabric or pattern-markers.
The statements so often made that the mound pottery, cs]>ecially that
of Ohio, far excels anything made by the Indians is a mistake and is
not justified by the facts. Wilson, carried away with this supposed
sujieriority of the Ohio mound pottery, goes so far in his comparison
with other mound i)ottery as to ascribe the ornamented ware found in
the mounds of Mississippi to the " red Indian," yet asserts in the same
])ariigraph that it suggests ''no analogy to the finer ware of the Ohio
mounds.'" On the other hand, Nailaillac atfirms that the pottery of
Missouri (that found in the southeastern part of the state) "is superior
to that of Ohio." 2
So far as I can ascertain, the supposed superiority of the Ohio mound
pottery, maintained by so many writers, is based on the description of
two vessels by Squier and Davis, and, as we have seen from what is
stated by Dr. Ran, a competent witness, is not supported by evidence.
MoundbuUders itnd Indiaiin cultivafed maize. — A resemblance between
the customs of the mound-builders and Indians is to be found in the
fact that both cultivated and relied, to a certain extent, upon maize or
Indian corn tor subsistence. As pi'oofs have already been presented
showing that this statement is true in regard to the latter, it is only
necessary to add here the evidence that it is also true as to the former.
That the mound-builders must have relied greatly upon agricultural
products for subsistence is maintained, as heretofore shown, by those
who contend they were not Indians, and is admitted by all. It is also
generally admitted that maize was their chief food product, but this is
not left to inference alone, as tliere are ])roofs of it from the mounds.
Not only are there prints of the cobs on many clay vessels, but lumi>s
of clay bearing the impress of the ears; also charred cobs, ears, and
' Pri-li. ^r;in.. H, r. 23. *T.'Anu'riqiip Prelii.storique. ]i. 141.
G84 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
grains have been repeatedly tbuiid in mounds and in pits or cacLes
wliicli appear to be the work of the ■• veritabh? nioiind-builders."
Anotlier fact may also be mentioned in this connection, which, thouji'ii
negative in character-, appears to i)oiiit to the same conclusion.
Although metates are, and from time immemorial have been, iii com-
mon use among the Central Americaus, Mexicans, and Pueblo ludian.s of
New Mexico and Arizona, not oiu' has been Ibund in connection with
the ancient works east of the i)lains; and so far as ascertained only
two or three Lave been found in this entiie area. These were dug or
plowed up in Missouri not far Irom the Missouri river, but without any
indications of ha\ing 2)ertained to the mound-builders. Probably
these may have been brought here by the plain tribes which shifted
back and forth from side to side or by the Spaniards who visited ^lis-
souri at an early day to form an alliance with the Osages.'
The mound-builders used stone mortars for grinding paint and for
other pui'i>oses, but none adapted to, or that we can suppose were ordi-
narily used for grinding maize have been observed. It is therefore
more than probable that they made use of the wooden hominy moitar
just as the Indians were accustomed to do.
The marked absence of this useful implement from all the works of
the mound-builders east of the Rocky mountains is a very important
fact in this connection. As it appears to have been used not only by
the cultured but also by most of the wild tribes from New Mexico to
the isthmus, and was unknown to the mouiul-builders of tlie Missis-
sippi valley, we have in this fact an indication that the peoijle of the
two regions were widely distinct from each other. It affords an argu-
ment against the theory which connects the mound-builders and Pueblo
tribes, and also against those whicli connect the tinnier and the Mexican
nations. At least it renders doubtful the thecuy which derives the
former from the hitter. Coming into a forest-covered region would
doubtless cause some change in customs, l)ntthis change woidd not be
so sudden as to leave no traces of them. Passing from a forest to a
woodless region would of course account for a change of custom in this
respect.
Articles of shell. — There are some marked resemblances in the cus-
toms of the two peoples in regard to the various articles made by them
from shells. Seveial species of large, univalve, marine shells were
used by the Indians as drinking cups. These were usually prepared
for this purpose by removing the columella. Proof of this custom is
found in the statements of several of the early writers. The manner
in which they were used is shown in the Brevis Xarratio of De Bry,
Pis. XIX and xl, and described by Haywood.- The statement of the
latter author is as follows:
Our southern ludiaus, at the aununl least of harvest, seud to those who are sick
at home oruuablc to come out one of the oM lousecrated shells full of the sancti-
' Dii Prati! Hist. Louisiana, English Tran.sl., p. 320 ' Xat, and Aboriginal Hist. Tenn., p. 156.
THOMAS.] SIMILARITY OF 8HELL ORNAMENTS. 685
tied liitter cas.scHfl. The Creeks used it in 1778 in one of their evening entertaiu-
ineuts at Altassa, where, after the assemlily were seated in the oouncil, illuminated
by their mystical cane tire in the center, two middle-aged men came together, each
having a very large conch sliell fall of l)lack drink, advancing with slow, nniform,
and steady steps, their eyes and countenances lifted up, and singing very low, but
sweetly, till they came within 6 or 8 steps of the king's and white people's seats,
when they stopped, and each rested his shell upon a little table; but soon taking it
up again advanced, antl each presented his shell, one to the king and the other to
the chief of the white people.
The shells used for this purpose appear to have been chiefly Busycon
perrersum aud Gaxsif: Jiammco.
Specimens of these species, prepared for use as drinking cups, have
been found in mounds and ancient graves in most of the Southern states
aud also as far north as Wisconsin. Clay vessels made in imitation of
them have also been found.'
A fact worth noticing in this connection is that a specimen of Busy-
con perversum obtained tiom a mound in Arkansas (see Fig. 133) has an
elaborate ornamental design engraved on the outer surface. As itis evi-
dent that this particular species was used by the Indians for sacred
drinking cups, and, as will hereafter be shown, there are the best of
reasons for believing the mounds of that part of Arkansas where this
specimen was found were built by Indians, we connect the most ad-
vanced art of the mound builders with the Indians.
I call special attention to these little details, as they are illustrative
of a multitude of minute threads which seem to bind these two peoples
together. It is in the details we are to find the strong proofs of the
tlieory we are contending for.
The shell beads form another of these threads of evidence. The man-
ufacture and use of shell beads is common among unenlightened peo-
ples, and hence the fact that both inound-builders and Indians made use
of them is nothing in point. But when we come to note the particular
forms and find that there are characteristics by which the j^rehistoric
specimens of the Mississippi valley and Gulf states can, as a general
rule, be distinguished from those of all other .sections of North America,
we touch another of those threads of evidence just alluded to. This is
further strengthened by the fact that many and probably most of the
forms found in the mounds can be traced to the Indians of the same
region.
A number of these forms are mentioned by the old writers, notably
Beverly in his History and Present State of Virginia,^ and Lawson
in his History of Carolina.^ Biedma also notes the fact that among
the riches of the Indians of Pacaha (Qua.paws?) " were beads made of
sea snails," thousands of which have been found in the mounds. ^
Shell spoons and scrsipers were used by the Indians and hunmeds
have been found in the mounds.
■ See Art in Shell, by Mr. Holmes, pp. 194-198, 2d Kept. Bur. Ethn.
' P. 58. LnudoD. 1705. Also ed. 1722, pp. 195-196.
3 P. 315, Raleigh reprint. (1860.)
686 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The shell gorgets appear to furnish, by their jieculiar toriu ami (irna-
mentation, a very evident connecting link between the two peoples.
The various forms taken from the mounds will be found figured ni Mr.
Holmes's paper iu the second report of the Bureau of Ethnology.
Some of these are also given in our figures in the previous part of this
volume. Beverly,' speaking of siiell ornaments made by the Indians,
remarks: "Of this shell (which he calls the cunk shell] they also
make round tablets of about i inches diameter, which they polish as
smooth as the other, and sometimes they etch or (jravc thereon circles,
stars, a half moon, or any other figure suitable to their fancy. These
they wear instead of medals before or behind their neck."
Lawsou's' testimony corresponds with this: '-They oftentimes make
of this shell a sort of gorge, which they wear about their neck in a
string, so it hangs on their collar, whereon sometimes is graven a
cross or some odd sort of figure which comes next iu their fancy."
We have only to examine Fig. .3, PI. lii, 2d Ann. Reji. Bur. Ethn.,
and our Fig. 213 to find Beverly's circles and half moon, although
the chief engraved figure is intended to represent a serpent. On the
shell represented in the former of these figures we see Lawson's cross.
Moreover, we see in all the two holes through which to pass the
string for suspending them. As some of the shells have been found iu
typical mounds, and with the original and lowest burials, and also in
sto7ie graves, they form a connecting link between the true mound-
builders and historic Indians which seems to identify the two as one
people, at least in the region where these relics are found. Further
reference will hereafter be made to them for the purpose of identifying
certain tribes as mound-builders.
Dumont remarks that —
There are still to be seen on the seashore beautiful shells made by snails (or
limajon), which are called bargaux; they are very useful for making handsome
tol>acco lioxes, for they bear their mother-of-pearl with them. It is of these
burgans that the native women make their ear rings. For this purpose they take
the end of it which they rub a long time on hard st<mes, and thus give it the
form of a nail furuLshed with a head, in order that when they place them in their
ears they will be held by this kind of pivot. For these savages have much larger
holes in their ears than our Frenchmen; the thumb could be passed through them.
however large it might be. The savages also wear around the neck plates made of
pieces of these shells, which are shaped iu the same manner on stones, and which
they f(um into round or oval pieces of about 3 or 4 inches in diameter. They are
then jiierced near the edge by means of fire and used hs ornaments. -
The nail-shaped pieces and circular ornaments alluded to are very
common iu mounds. Examples of the.se types are shown by Mr. Holmes
in his article entitled "Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans," Second
Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, and iu our figures 283 and
284.'
Lawson. Hist, of Carolina, p. 315, Raleigh ' Mem. Hist. La. (Paris, 1753), vol. 1, p. 94.
repriut. (1860.) ^ pjg. ^xx aud XLVI.
THOMAsl SIMILARITY OF SMOKING HABITS. 687
Pipes and ti)])acco.—Th:\t the mound-buiklers were STeat smokers is
proven by the very large iiuiiiber of pipes which liave been found in
their mounds and graves. 80 numerous are these and so widely dis-
tributed over the mound area east of the Rocky mountains that pipe-
making and pipe-smoking may be taken as a marl^ed characteristic of
this ancient people. Moreover the fact that smoking the pipe prevailed
to a greater or less extent over this entire area indicates tliat the mound-
building age was continuous.
That the pipe was an essential to Indian happiness is too well known
to need any proof here. We have therefore in the evidence of the very
general use of the pipe among the mound-builders one proof that they
were Indians in the limited sense mentioned. At any rate it furnishes
one reason for concluding that thej' were not directly connected with the
Nahua tribes of Mexico or the Maya-Quiche tribes of Central America.
The pipe was not an article in general use among either the Ifahua or
Maya nations; not a single one appears to be rep'esented in their
ancient manuscripts or paintings or their carved inscriptions; the cigar
is represented, bnt no pipe. According to Bancroft, " Tiie habit of smok-
ing did not possess among the Nahuas the peculiar character attached
to it by the North American natives, as an indispensable accessory to
treaties, the cementing of friendship, and so forth, but was indulged
in chiefly by the sick as a pastime, and for its stimulating effect.''
"Tobacco," he adds, "was generally smoked after dinner, in the form
of paper, reed, or maize-leaf cigarettes, called pocyefJ, ' smoking tobacco,'
or acayetl, 'tobacco-reed,' 'the leaf being mixed in a paste,' says V"ey-
tia, 'with xochiocotzotl, liquidambar, aromatic herbs, and pulverized
charcoal, so as to keep smoldering when once lighted and shed a per-
fume.""
This appears, so far as my examinations have extended, to corre-
spond with what is stated by the older authorities, or, perhaps, it would
be more correct to say, with what they do not state, as but very little
is said upon the subject which is corroborative, for, had the pipe been
in use among the Nahuas and Mayas, as it was among the Indians and
mound-builders, it would have had a prominent place in their paintings,
manuscripts, and sculpture, and the old S])anish authors would have
had much to say in regard to it. The museum at Mexico does not con-
tain above half a dozen pipes with bowls.
This fact is certainly one ai'gument against the theory that tlie
mound-builders of the Mississippi valley were Aztecs or Mayas, and
what strengthens it is that the ancient stone pipes of the Pacific slope,
especially of southern California, are of an entirely different type from
those of the mounds east of the Rocky mountains, the prevailing form
being a flattened tube, as may be seen by reference to Vol. vii of Lieut.
Wheeler's Survey.
< Native Races, 11, 287.
688 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
LINKS CONNECTING THE INDIANS DIRECTLY WITH THE MOUND-
BUILDERS.
THE ETOWAH MOUND — STONE GRAVES.
In this class of i)roofs properly belongs tlie historical evidence; but,
as this has been given in a i)revions chapter, reference is made here
only to certain facts ■which seem to bridge over the supposed gap sej)-
arating tlie Indians of historic times from the mound-builders, and to
identity certain tribes as pertaining to the latter.
THE I.ARCK ETOWAH .MOUND.
As the historical evidence adduced shows beyond contradiction that
the [luliaiis of the southern portion of the country at the time they
were first encountered by Europeans did erect mounds, construct walls
of defense, and dig canals, the question of their ability to plan and to com-
bine and control force for the construction of such works must be con-
ceded. Yet there are probably .some long wedded to the theory of a "lost
race" or Toltec migration, who will still maintain that only the tumuli
and other works of inferior dimensions and simple designs, and the
ruder works of art are to be attributed to the Indian.'s, but that the
larger and more e.\ten.sive remains are due to a different race.
If De Soto's route could be traced minutely and with absolute cer-
tainty, it would be possible, no doubt, to identify, so far as they remain,
the mounds and other works of which the chroniclers of his expedition
speak ; but unfortunately this can not be done. Still, there are some
parts of it that can be determined within reasonable limits. For
exami)le, scarcely a doubt remains that he pas.sed through the northern
part of Ueorgia, striking tlic head waters of the Coosa river. Now it
so happcTis that while in this region he stopped at an Indian town
(Guaxulc) in which the house of the cacique was situated on a mound
of sutticieiit size to attract the attention of those of his followers who
were Garcilasso's informants. This, there are reasons for believing,
was the celebrated Etowah mound near Cartersville. It is true Dr.
C. C. .Tones, tlie leading authority on the anti(iuities of the southern
States, locates Guaxule in the southeast corner of Murray county,' but
in this instance I think he is certainly in error, as no mound has been
found there which will in any respect answer tlie description given.
Garcilasso says: "La casa estava en un cerro alto, como de otras
semejantes hemas dicho. Tenio toda ella al derredor un paseadero que
podian pasearse por el seis hombres juntos." " The house stood on a
high hill (mound) similar to others we hare alreadi/ mentinned. It had
round about it a roadway on which six men might march abreast." '■
' Hernando De .Soto, p. 35.
' History of Florida. Ed. 1723, Lib. ill, Cap. .\x. p. 139, and Ed. of 1605.
rHU31AS. ]
CONNECTING LINKS. G89
This lauguage is peculiar, and, so far as I am aware, can apply to no
other mound iu Georgia than the large one near Cartersville, Georgia.
Nor is this a mere sn])positi()n, for my assistants have made careful
search thioughout northern Georgia, the immediately adjoining portions
of South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee, without finding any other
moiuid that can possibly answer this description. The words "similar
to others we have mentioned" are evidently intended to signify that
it was artificial, and this is concedeil by all who have noticed the pas
sage: "alto" (high) in the moutlis of the explorers indicates something
more elevated than ordinary mounds. The roadway or passage-way
round about it is peculiar and is the only mention of the kind by any
of the three chroniclers. How is it to be explained?
Col. C. C. Jones says that this " roadway" was a terrace, but it is
scarcely possible that any terrace at the end or side of a mound form-
ing an apron-like extension (the only form which has been found in the
South), could have been so described as to convey the idea of a road-
way, which the mode of estimating the width shows was intended.
As Garcilasso wrote from information and uot from personal observa-
tion, he often failed to catch from his informant a correct notion of the
things described to him. lu this case it seems that he understood
there was a terrace running entirely around the mound or a roadway
winding around from the bottom to the top. The broad way winding u])
the side of the Etowah mound (see Fig. 183) appears to answer the
description better than what is seen in any other ancient structure in
Georgia. It is broad and ascends at a gentle slope, giving to the
observer the idea of a roadway, for which it was evidently intended.
It is a large mound, qui.te high, and one that would doubtless arrest
the attention of the Spanish soldiers. Its dimensions indicate that the
tribe by which it was built was strong in numbers and might send
forth "500 warriors" to gxeet the Spanish adventurers. The locality
is also within the limits of De Soto's route as given by the best authori-
ties; and, lastly, there is no other mound within the possible limits of
his route which will in any respect answer the description. As Gar-
cilasso must have learned of this mound from his informants and
described it according to the impression conveyed to his mind, we are
justified in accepting the statement as substantially correct. The agree-
ment between the statement and the fact that a mound of the peculiar
kind described is found in the limited region referred to, would be a
remarkable coincidence if the former were not based on the personal
observatious of the informants. We are therefore fully justified iu
believing that the work alluded to by the old Spanish author is none
other than the great mound on the Etowah river, near Cartersville,
Georgia, and that here we can point to one of the Indian villages men-
tioned by the chroniclers of the Adelantado's unfortunate expedition.
If this conclusion be correct, there is no good reason for doubting
that the Indians were the authors of this, one of the largest mounds
12 ETH 44
690 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
found in tlie country, its solid contents being not less than 4,000,000
cubic feet. This is corroborated, as will hereafter be shown, by tlie
fact that one of the three jirominent mounds of the group was found,
when excavated, to contain burials in box-sha])ed stone cists of the
form so common in middle Tennessee.
As stone cists or graves have been mentioned, it may be as well to
direct attention at this point to this class of works which form a con-
necting link between the prehistoric and historic times.
STONE GRAVKS.
In order that the reader may understand clearly the argument based
upon these works it is necessary to give here a brief explanation.
There are several forms and \arieties of stone graves, or cists, found
in the mound area embraced in this discussion, some being of cobble-
stone, others of slabs, some round, others polygonal, some roof-shaped,
others square, and others box-shaped, or parallelograms. The refer-
ence at present is only to the last mentioned — the box-shajjed type, made
of stone slabs, as heretofore described. If the evidence shows that
this variety is ffiund only in certain districts, pertains to a certain class
of works, and is usually accompanied by certain tyijes of sirt, we are
warranted in using it as an ethnic characteristic, or as indicating the
presence of particular tribes. If it can be further shown that graves of
this form are found in mounds attributed to the so-called mound-
builders, and that certain tribes of Indians of historic times were also
accustomed to bury in them, we are warranted in assuming a continuity
of custom from the mound-building age to historic times, or, in other
words, that those graves found in the mounds are attributable to the
same people (or allied tribes) found using them at a later date. This
conclusion will be strengthened by finding that certain peculiar types
of art are limited to the regions where these graves exist, and are found
almost exclusively in connection with them.
This will indicate the line of argument proposed and the character
of the proofs to be presented. If the result ])rove satisfactory it is
evident that we will have an index pointing to particular tribes known
to historic times, who were mound-builders in the mound-building age.
It is scarcely possible that any tribe was so isolated as to leave no
marks of connection with others, hence it is more than likely that hav-
ing identified one we shall obtain clews to another. We should also
observe that while our evidence is pointing in one direction, it is at
the same time eliminating the supposed i)()ssibilities in another.
These graves, as is well known, are formed of rough unhewn slabs
or flat pieces of stone, thus: First — in a pit some 2 or 3 feet deep, and
of the desired dimensions, dug for the jiurpose — a layer is placed to
form the floor ; next, similar pieces are set on edge for the sides and
ends, over which other slabs are laid flat, forming the covering, the
whole, when finished, making a rude, box-shaped coffin or sepulcher.
THOMAS.] STONE GRAVES. 691
Sometimes one or more of the six faces are wanting; occasionally the
bottom consists of a layer ofwaterworn bowlders; sometimes the top
is not a single layer, but other pieces are laid over the joints, and some-
times they are placed shingle fashion. They vary in length fi-om 14
inches to 8 feet, and in width from 9 inches to 3 feet. It is not an
iinusiial thing to find a monnd containing a number of these cists
arranged in two, three, or more tiers. As a general rule those not in
mounds are near the surface of the ground, and in some instances even
projecting above it. It is probable that no one who has examined them
has failed to note their strong resemblance to the European mode of
burial. Even Dr. Joseph .To!U's, who attributes them to some "ancient
race," was forcibly reminded of this reseudjlance, as he remarks: "In
looking at the rude, stone coffins of Tennessee, I have again and again
been imjiressed with the idea that in some former age this ancient race
must have come in contact with Europeans and derived this mode of
burial from them.'' '
After a somewhat lengthy review of the various modes of burial
l>racticed by the aborigines of America he arrives at the following
conclusion: "We have now carefully examined at the modes of burial
practiced by the American aborigines, in extenso, and it is evident that
the ancient race of Tennessee is distinguished from all others by their
peculiar method of interment in rude, stone coftins. Whilst the custom
of burying the dead in the sitting posture was almost universal with
the various tribes and nations of North and South America, the ancient
inhabitants of Tennessee and Kentucky buried most commonly in long,
stone graves, with the body resting at length, as among civilized nations
of the i^reseut day in Europe and America."'^
Since the publication of Di'. Jones's paper much additional informa-
tion in regard to these graves has been obtained, and the area in which
they occur has been greatly extended, but the result has been, as will
be seen in the sequel, rather to confirm than to disprove the opinion
here expressed. Graves of the same character have been observed in
northern Georgia, in the lower portions of eastern Tennessee, in the
valley of the Delaware river, at various points in Ohio and in southern
Illinois. Yet, strange as it may seem, all these places were at one
time or another (x^cupied by the same peojile who formerly dwelt in the
Cumberland valley, or by closely allied tribes.
It appears from these facts that this is an ethnic characteristic, though
depending upon the presence of the proper materials. Our next step
is to prove that the same mode of burial was adopted by one or more
of the Indian tribes of historic times.
Dr. Jones, although believing in the great antiquity of these works,
was, as already noticed, so strongly impressed with the resemblance to
the European mode of burial that be expresses the belief that " iu
some former age this ancient race must have come in contact with
' Aliorigiiial Remains, Tenn., pp. 35; Sin. Cont., Vol. xxil. '■'Ibid., ]». 34.
692 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Europeaus and derived this mode of burial from thein. This view,'" he
continues, "is sustained not only by the presence of copjier crosses
and of vases Mdth crosses and scalloped circles painted around them,
and of bones evidently diseased by syphilis, in the stone sra^'Cf*- but
also by certain traditions fornierly preserved by tlie surrounding In-
dian tribes." '
Dr. Joiu's may liave been iiiistaken in some of iiis conidusions: this
language is therefore given heie as much because it indicates the im-
pression made upon a well informed mind by the careful study of these
works, as for the statements in it. Attention, however, is called to the
copper crosses mentioned, as they are an indication of contact with
Europeans. Not that the presence of a cross is necessarily an indica-
tion of contact with European civilization — for many are found which
must havi; been in existence long before the discovery by Columbus —
but because of th<' ])eculiai- form of some of those alluded to.
But the position assumed does not rest on such vague and uncertain
proof as it is stated positively by Loskiel that the Delawares were ac-
customed to bury their dead in this wise; his words are as follows:
They buried their dead by digging a grave of the required size and about one or
two feet deep ; they put flat stones at the liottom and set others at each end and each
side on the edge; then hiid the body in, generally on the back at full length, covered
the grave with the same kind of stone laid as closely togelher as practicable, wilhoxt
cement, xometimat layinti smaller stoiiea orer the joints or cracks to keep the earth from
falling into the grave. Then they covered the grave with earth, not generally more
than two or three feet liigh.-'
Barber states that —
Several tribes were accustomed to incase their dead in stone luixes or tombs.
Among these were the Lenui-Len.ape, or Delawares, of I'ennsvlvauia. although the
graves already opened show an antiquity of probably not more than one hundred
and fifty or two hundred years, because the native contents, consisting of frag-
ments of rude pottery and ornaments, are associated usually with articles of Eu-
ropean manufacture, such as glass beads, iron or copper implements, and por-
tions of firearms. .A. number of graves have been examined in the vicinity of
the Delaware Watergap. The tumuli were scarcely distinguishable, but were
surrounded by traces of shallow trenches. The skeletons lay at a depth of about
three feet, and were in almost every instance inclosed' in rude stone coffins. In one
case the body had been placed in a .slight excavation, facing the east, and above it
a low mound had been built. ■
This evidence is not only conclusive as to the fact that some Indians
of historic times did bury in cists of this form, but it at the same time
specifies the tribes — the Delawares and, by inference, the Sliawnees — for
as, at the time indicated a part of the latter, as is well known, were living
with or in the vicinity of the former, the two tribes being ethnically re
lated. This introduces a new factor into the argument and limits its
scope, as it directs the inquiry along a particular line. The fact of the
' AborigiDal Kemains. IVnn., p. 'io; Sni. Cont.. Vol. xxil.
'' Hist. Miss. United Bretbreii, p. 120.
^ American Naturalist. A^ol. XI. 1877, p. I!t!>.
THOMAS. I STONE GRAVES. 093
lemoviil of a portion of the Shawuees from the south to the valley of
the Delaware, is too well known to require the proof to be given hei-e.
Returning now to the Ouniberland valley and regions of middle Ten-
nessi'e, already referred to, we find here, beyond any reasonaV)ledonl)t,
if the number of gra\'es be any iudieation, the chief home of the people
who buried in stone graves of the peculiar form mentioned. That we
can not attribute any of these graves south of the Ohio to the Dela-
wares will be conceded. The natural inferent'c, therefore, is, if they
are to be considered as an ethnic characteristic, that they are due to the
Shawnees. There is undoubted historical evidence that this people
resideil in the region of the (Jumberlaud from tlie earliest notice we
have of them until their final departure therefrom at a comparatively
recent date. Col. Force correctly remarks, "We first tind the Shawano
in actual history about the year IGdO and living along the Cumberland
river, or the Cumberland and Tennessee."'
There existed formerly a tradition that this nation extended settle-
ments as far to the southeast as the banks of the 8avannah river, and
the name of this river is yet supposed by some to have been derived
from the presence of this tribe. Although the latter supposition is
founded on a. slender and very doubtful basis, and mnch eri-or has crept
into the explanations of the tradition which has led to its rejection by
some of our best investigators of the present day, there are good rea-
sons for accepting it as true when restricted to its more exact and lim-
ited form. This is found in ^lilfort,- who places them in upper Geor-
gia, in the Tngelo region, and on the headwaters of the large Georgia
rivers. If this be correct we have some foundation for the tradition
which places them on the Savannah, as the Tugelo river is one of its
upper branches. With this limitation, and the caution as to accepting
Milfort's date, which is evidently very far wrong, the tradition given
by Gen. Robertson fonnd in Haywood's Natur.al and Aboriginal
History of Tennessee,^ may be considered as corroborative:
lu 1772 the Little Corn Planter, an intelligent Cherokee ehief, who was theu
snpposed to be 90 years of age, stated, in giving a history of his own nation, that
the Savannechers, which was the name nniversally given by the Indians to those
whom the English call Shawauese, removed from Savannah river, heiiveen (leoiyia
and Smith ('ariilina, Iii/ pcrminsiim of the Cherokvcs, to Cumherland, they having been
fallen ujioii and almost mined by a combination of several of the neighboring tribes
of Indians. That many years afterwards a ditt'erenee took place between the two
nations, and the Cherokees, unexpectedly to the JShawnees. marched in a large body
to the frontiers of the latter. There, dividing into several small jiarties, they
treacherously, as he expressed himself, fell upon them and put to death a great num-
ber. The Shiiwanese then forted themselves and maintained a long w.ar in dei'euse
of their possession of the country, even after the Chickasaws had joined the Chero-
kees. He observed that when he was a small boy, which must have been about
1(399, he remembered to have heard his father, who was a great chief, say be once
took a Large party against the Shawanese, etc.
• Early Notices of tlie ludians of Ohio, p. 40. See also Marquette's statements in Jes. Rel., 1670. p.
'M, and in his Journal, ]). 32. Paris Reprint, 184.^, etc.
» Menioirt- (18(12), |i. !l. ' P. 222.
694 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
The luai) of Noitli America, by Joliu Seiiex, 1710, indicates villaj^es
of the Cliaouaiioiis on tlie headwaters of the Savannah. On the De
L'Isle map of 1700 the Ontouagannha (Shawuees) are phiced on the
headwaters of the great rivers of Soiitli Carolina. It is evident, there-
fore, that it was the understanding and beHef at an early day that
Shawnees had at some time dwelt in the region of the upper Savannah ;
also that this name and its synonyms were used to designate a par-
ticular people. In contirmation of the theory advanced, stone graves
of the i^articnlar type we are now considering have been found in the
upper part of Nacoochee valley, which is in tiie Tugelo region.' Others,
as shown in Part i, have been found by the Bureau assistants on
Etowah river, farther west in northern Georgia.
The tradition given by Kobertsou helps to explain a puzzling fact
discovered by the Bureau explorers, to wit, that quite a number of
these graves have been fonud along the Little Tennessee river, in the
vicinity of the site of some of the Cherokee " Overhill towns." As
the evidence derived from history and the mounds, as will be hereafter
shown, indicated the occupancy of this region from time immemorial
by the Cherokees, who are known to have been long the deadlj^ ene-
mies of the Shawnees, the presence of these graves seemed to conflict
with the theory herein advanced. But the tradition given by Robert-
son indicates a previous friendly relation between the two tribes which
will serve, in a measure at least, to explain this riddle.
There is also another item of evidence on this point. By referring
to Schoolcraft's History of the Indian Tribes, the reader will find the
following statement:
A (liseouteuteil portion of the Shawnee tril)e from Virginia broke off from the
nation, which removed to the Scioto country, in Ohio, about the year 1730, and
formed a town known by tlie name of Lnll)egrud, iu what is now Clark county
[Keutncky], about 30 miles east of this place [Lexington]. This tribe left this
country aboiit 17,50, and went to east Tennessee, to the Cherokee Nation. -
The following remark iu Haywood's " Civil and Political History of
Tennessee"^ is worthy of note here:
A nation of Indians called the Cheavanoes is laid down [on an old map] as
settled below the Cherokees iu the county adjacent to where Fort Deposit now stands,
on the Tennessee and southwardly of it, which is supposed to be the people now
called the Shawnees, who may have settled there under the auspices of their old
friends and allies the Cherokees, after the expulsion of the Shawnees from the
Savannah river. This conjecture is fortified by the circumstance that the French iu
ancient times called what is now the Cumberland by the name Shauvanon, on which
the Shawnees were for many years settled.
The Cherokees had another tradition, that when they first crossed
the Alleghanies to the west, that is, from North Carolina into eastern
Tennessee, they found the Shawnees at war with the Creeks.* This
would indicate that the Cherokees had penetrated into North Carolina
before they had into the valley of the upper Tennessee or Hogohega.
' Jones's Soutbern Indians, p. '214. 3 p, 27.
^Hist. of the Tudiaud. Vol. I. p. :ii)l. * K,iTnsey'.s Annals of Teun., p. 84.
THoMAS.l STONE GRAVES. 695
Some years ago Mr. (reorge E. Sellers discovered near the salt spring
iu Gallatin comity, IJliuois, on Saline river, fragments of clay vessels
of unusually large size, which excited much interest in the minds of
anticjuarians, not only because of the size of tlie vessels indicated by the
fragments, but also because of the fact that they appeared to have Ijeen
used by some prehistoric people iu the manufacture of salt and because
they bore impressions made by some textile fabric. In the same inuue-
diate locality were also discovered a large number of box-shaped stone
graves. That the latter were the work of the people who made the
pottery Mr. Sellers denionstrated by finding that many of the graves
were lined at the bottom witli fragments of these large clay " salt
pans." '
It is worthy of notice that mention of this pottery had been made
long previously by J. M. Peck in the Gazetteer of Illinois.^ He
remarks that "about the Gallatin and Big Muddy ^ salines large frag-
ments of earthenware are very frequently found under the surface of
the earth. They appear to have been portions of large kettles used,
probably, by the natives for obtaining salt."
The settlement of the Shawnees at Shawneetown on the Ohio river
intliis ((Gallatin) county incomi)aratively modern times is attested, not
only by history, but also by the name by which the town is still known.
But there is some evidence that an older Shawnee village was at one
time located at the veiy point wliere this "salt kettle" pottery and these
stone graves are found. In the American State Papers * is a commu-
nication by the Illinois and Wabash Land Company to the Senate and
House of Representatives in which occurs the following statements:
t)ii the 5tli of July, 1773, the bargain was completed by which these Indians (Illi-
nois; for a large and valuabli'cimsidi'ration agreed to sell to Murray and his asso-
ciates two tracts of land which are thus bounded: the first begins on the east side
of the Mississippi river at the mouth of Heron creek, called by tlio Frencli 'the
river of Mary,' being aljout a league l>elow the mouth of the Kaskaskias river.
From thence the line runs a, straight course northward of east aljout eight leagues,
be it more or less, to the hilly ])lains; thence the same course in a direct line to a
remarkable place known tjy tlie name of the liutt'alo Hoofs, seventeen leagues or
thereabouts, be it more or less ; thence the same course iu adirect lino to the Salt Lick
c?"e('J', aliout seven leagues, be it more or less; thence crossing the erect about one
league below the ancient Shawnese toii'n, in an easterly, or a little to tlie north of east
course, in a direct line to the Ohio river, about four leagues, be it more or less ; thence
down the Ohio by its several courses until it empties into the Mississippi," etc.
A copy of the deed is also given dated July .JO, 1773,^ containing the
same boundaries, and with it the proof of record in the office at Kaskas-
kia the '2d of Se])tember, 1773.
Although the claim was rightly rejected by Cimgress and the direc-
tions given are slightly erroneous, as the geography of the west was not
' Popular Science Monthly, Vol. XI, pp. .')7r!-584. ' Public Lands, class vui, vol. 2. ]). 108, Gales
= 1834, p. .52. and Seaton edition, 1834.
^ 1 know from_per..*iiual observation that thi.s i.s ^ p_ 117
true in regard to the latter hn-ality.
^96 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
well understood at that time, we ai c Jiistitied in believing that the locali-
ties are correctly named, as it is not likely such a vast claim would have
been based on biamdaries determined by imiininary iilaces. These
were real and given as correctly as the information then obtainable
would admit of. The location of the "ancient Hliawanese town" is
pretty detiuitely fixed, as it is on Saline river, above wliere the line
crosses, and about four leagues from theOliio, and was at that time,
1773, known as the Ancient Shawnese town. The Shawnee village of
modern times was on the banks of the Ohio where the city named after
them now stands, nor was it ancient at the making of the aforesaid
ileed,as it w:as in its prime in 180(i, when visited by Ashe.' It is also
worthy of notice that the old town was not included in the bounds
given, while the land on wliich the latter stood was.
Tile next point is to show that the Shawnees were in the habit of
making salt. Collins, in his History of Kentucky,^ gives an account
of the capture and adventures of Mrs. Mary Ingals, the flrst white
woman known to have visited Kentucky. In tliis narrative occurs tlio
following statement :
The lirst white woiiiiui iu Keiituiky was Mrs. Mary Iii>;!»ls, nee Draper, wlio in
1756 with lier two littUs boys, her sister-ln-Uiw, Mrs. Drai)er, and others, was taken
prisoner by the Shawanee Indians from lier liouie on the to]> of the great Allegheny
ridge, in Montgomery eouuty, West Virginia. The cajitives were taken down tlie
Kanawha to the salt region and, after a fewibiys spent in making salt, to the Indian
village at the mouth of the 8eioto river.
By the treaty of Fort Wayne, June 7, 180;j, ijroclaimed December l-'O,
1803, between the Delawares, Shawnees and other tribes, and the United
States, it was agreed that in consideration of the relincjuishment of title
to " the great salt spring upon tiie saline creek which falls into the
Ohio below the mouth of the Wabash, with a cpiantity of land sur-
rounding it, not exceeding -i miles scpiare. the United States * * *
hereby engage to deliver yearly and every year, for the use of said In-
dians, a quantity of salt not exceeding 150 bushels.^
Another very significant fact in this connection is tliat fragments of
large earthen vessels similar in cliaracter to those found in Gallatin
county, Illinois, have also been found in connection with the stone
graves of Cumberland valley, tlie imi^ressions made by the textile
fabrics showing the same stitches as the former. Another x)lace where
pottery of the same kind has been found is about the salt lick near St.
(ienevieve. Mo., a section inhabited for a time by Shawnees and Dela-
wares.^
Some graves of this type have been found in Washington county,
Maryland.'' History informs us that there were two Shawnee settle-
ments in this region, one iu the adjoining county of Maryland (Alle-
ghany) and another in the neighborhood of Winchester, Virginia.*^
1 Travels in Aiiicrica, ISOS. p. 2li!l. * Eo.yce in American Antiq., Vol. Ml, pp. 18S-9.
2 Veil, u (1874). p. S:!. 1 .Smithsonian Rep.. 1KS3. p. 797.
» Treaties of T. S. vitli liiiliaa Trilu-s. I'll. 187:!. « Ko.yce in American Antiq.. Vol. iti,]i. 18H; Vir-
P- :i70. ginia State Tapers, 1. p. 63.
THOMAS.) STONE GRAVES. 697
Mr. Tiiyloi' meutioii.s, in the Siiiitlisoiiiaii import for 1ST7,' soii.ie stone
graves of the type under cousidenition found on the Mahoniug river,
I'enusylvauia. An important fiict in this connection is that these
graves were in a mound. He describes the mound as 35 feet in diam-
eter aud .") feet higli, liaviug ou one side a projection 35 feet long of the
same height as the mound. Near by a cache was discovered contain-
ing twenty-one iron implements, such as axes, hatchets, tomaliawks,
hoes, and wedges, lie adds the siguiticant fact that near the mound
once stood the Indian (Delaware) village of Keesli-knshkee.
Graves of the same type have been discovered in Lee county, Vir-
ginia, one of whicli is noticed in the Eleventh Iteport of the Peabody
Museum.'^ I have also noticed some in ai mound on the Tennessee side
near the southern boundary of Scott county, Virginia. Allusion has
aheady been made to the occasional jjresence of the Shawnees in this
region. In the maj) (jf North America by John Senex, Chouanon villa-
ges are indicated in this particular section.
The presence of these graves in any part of Ohio can easily be ac-
counted for on the theory advanced by the well known fact that both
Shawnees aud Delawares were located at various points in it and were,
during the wars in which they were engaged, moving about from point
to point, but the mention of a few coincidences may not be out of place.
In the American Antiquarian lor July, 1881, is tlie description of one
of these cists found in a mound in the eastern part of Montgomery
county. Mr. Royce's aiti(^le, already referred to, states that tliere was
a Shawnee village three nules north of Xenia in tlie adjoining county,
also on Mad river, which opens into the Miami a short distance above
the location of the mound.
Stone graves have been found in iarg(^ numbers at vai'ious points
along the Ohio, from Portsmouth to Ripley, a region known to have
been occuiued at various times by the Shawnees.
Similar graves have also been discovered in Ashland county, of which
mention is made in the Smithsonian Report for 1881.' These were, as
will be seen by referen<;e to tlie same report, precisely in the locality of
former Delaware villages.
Without stopping to give other proofs, tlie evidence is now deemed
sufficient to assume that the Shawnees and Delawares were accustomed
to bury in stone graves of the type under consideration and that the
graves found south of the Ohio are to l)e attributed to the former
Indians and those north to the two tribes.
As graves of this kind are common over the West side of southern
Illinois, from the mouth of the Illinois river to the Junction of the Ohio
and Mississippi, we call attention to some evidence l)earing on then-
origin.
Hunter, whose travels were in the West, states that some of the
Indians he met with during his captivity buried in graves of this kind.
698 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Aecordiug to a statement by Dr. Eau, fiiruishecl Mr. C. G. Jones aud
repeated to me personally, "it is a fact well remembered by many per-
sons in this neighborhood (Monroe county, Illinois) that the Indians
who inhabited this region during the early part of the present century
(probably Kickapoos) buried their dead in stone cofifins.'"
Dr. Shoemaker, who resided on a farm near Columbia in 1801,
showed Dr. Eau, in one of his fields, an empty stone grave of an Indian
who had been killed by one of his own tribe and there interred within
the recollection of some of the farmers of Monroe county.
It is doubtful whether Dr. Eau is correct in ascribing these graves
to the Kickapoos, as their most southern locality appears to have
been in the region of Sangamon county.^ It is more probable they
were made by the Kaskaskias, Tamaroas, and Cahokias. Be this as it
may, ^t is evident that they are due to some of the tribes of this section
knownas Illinois Indians, pertainingto the same branch of the Algoukiu
family as the Shawnees and Dela wares. An old lady of Jackson county,
who the writer knew was accounted one of the first settlers of that
county, informed one of the Bureau assistants that she had seen a
Kaskaskia Indian buried in a certain stone grave which she pointed
out to him. The evidence that many of those in southern Illinois are
comparatively recent is shown by Mr. Middleton's account of those he
explored in that region.
That the stone graves of soutliern Illinois were made by the same
people who built those of the Cumberland valley, or closely allied
tribes, is indicated not only by the graves themselves, but by other
resemblances, as, for example, the similarity of works in ITnion aud
Alexander counties, Illinois, to those examined by Prof. Putman near
Nashville, Tennessee.
On the Linn place, in Union county, as shown in the field report,
there is a wall inclosing an area of some i'.5 or more acres. Within
this inclosure are several mounds, one of considerable size, also a
number of small excavations or depressions, which evidently mark the
sites of circular dwellings. The large mound, about 140 feet in diameter
and 13 feet high, was, as shown by the excavation made in it, built for
some other purpose than that of burial. First, there had been a fire
built apiiarently on the surface of the ground, aud over the ashes a
mound qf comparatively small size raised ; this was coated over with
clay and hardened by a fire made by burning straw and brush on it.
Over this, probably while burning, a layer of clay and sand was made
and also burned, then more earth, and probably a third layer of clay
mixed with sand.
Not far away, only a few miles, was a mound (one on MLU creek
examined by Mr. Earle) literally crowded with stone graves, and at
A^arious points in the intermediate region similar graves over which no
1 Antiq. So. Indians, p. 220. ' Re.ynolds' Hist. Illinois, p. 20.
THOMAS] OTHEK RESEMBLANCES. 699
iiioiiiKl had been raised. Tin'uing- now to Prof. Putnam's account of
liis exploration of the mounds and graves near Nashville, we find this
statement :
The examination of the monnils at Greenwood near Lebanon, which were inside
an earth embankment inclosing an area of several acres, proves conclusively that
in this case (and by inference in all similar earthworks, of which several have been
described in the State) the earthwork with its ditch was the remnant of a pro-
tecting wall about a village, inside which the houses of the people were built and
their dead buried ; also that the large mounds similar to the one in this iuclosure
(which is 15 feet high by about 150 feet in diameter) wore for some purpose, other
than that of burial, possibly couuected with the religious rites or superstitions
of the peopli', or the erection of a p.articular building, as shown by the fact that
before this large mound was erected a very extensive tire hud lieen l)uilt upon the
surface over which tlie mound was raised, while the remains of burnt bones and
other evidences of a feast were apparent; also from the remains of a stake of red
cedar. Again, after the mounds had been erected to the height of seven feet, another
similar and extensive tire had existed, leaving the same evidences of burnt l)ones,
etc. , with the addition of burnt corncobs. The mound had then been completed and
my removal of probably about one-third of it did not reve.al any evidence of its having
been used for burial or for an ordinary dwelling, though it is very likely to have
been the location of some important building, and the extensive fires, which had
twice ne.arly covered its whole area might have been owing to the destruction of
such a buildiug by fire.
The houses of the)j)eople were circular in oiitline, from fifteen to forty feet in
diameter, and probably made entirely of poles covered with nnul, mats, or skins, as
their decay has left simply a ring of rich black earth, mixed with refuse consisting
of boues, broken pottery, etc'
The close resemblance between the works in the two places, even down
to details, .seems to leave no donbt that they were made by one and the
same people.
But the resemblance does not stop here. Near the center of the large
mound on the Linn place, at the depth of about 3 feet, I found a broad,
flat rock abovit 20 inches long by 12 wide. Prof. Putnam also found
three similar slabs at a like depth in the large mound he opened.^ In
the stone grave uunind he also found "an ornament of very thin copper,
which was originally circular and with a corrugated surface." ^ Mr.
Earle also found fragments of very thin copper with a corrugated sur-
face, or, as lie correctly describes them, ''raised lines," in the niotind on
Mill creek.
Lest it be said that there is no proof that the mounds on the Linn
place bad any connection with the graves in the IMill creek mound, as
the two were some 4 miles apart, attention is called to Mr. Perrine's
statement in the Smithsonian Report for the year 1872.^ Although our
measuiements differ materially, his figures being simply estimates, yet
I know from his own statement to me, from jiersonal examination and the
description he gives, that he refers to the works on the Linn place. In
one of the mounds of this group (the one outside of the inclosure) he
I Eleventh Eeport. Peabody Musenni, vol. u, p. 205. 'Ibid., 341. = Ibid., 343. ■> Pp. 418-419.
700 MOl'ND EXPLORATIONS.
found :i large iiuiubor of .skeletons whieli '-weie eaief'iilly incloseil with
flat stones, each skeleton beinj? separate." These were evidently stone
graves. The reseinhlaiice, therefore, between the two <;i<"il'*< is com
jilete, and leads to the (•(tnchisioii that th(^ works on the Linn phu-e in
Illinois are to be attributed to the same people who built those in Ten
nessee described by I'rof. Putnani. In other words, it affords some
grounds for believing that the Shawnees were in Illinois i)revious to
their return thither in more modern times from the Cumberland valley.
Taking all these corroborating facts together, there are reasonable
grounds for concluding that graves of the type now under considera-
tion, altliough found in widely separated localities, are attributable to
the Shawnee Indians and their congeners, the Delawares and Illinois,
and that those south of the Ohio are due entirely to the first named
tribe. That they are the work of Indians must be admitted by all who
are willing to Ije convinced by evidence, and this is the only point at
present insisted upon.
That the authors of these giaves were mound-builders is proved
beyond question by the fact that in most cases the graves are con-
nected with mounds, and in numerous cases in the various sections
where found (except when due to tlw Delawares. who were never mound-
builders) are in mounds sometimes in two, three, and even four tiers.
The importance and bearing of this evidence does not stop with what
has been stated, for it is so interlocked with other facts relating to the
works of the ''veritalde mound-builders" as to leave no hiatus into
whicli the theory of a " lost race" or •' Toltec occupation" can possibly
be thrust. It forms an unbroken chain, connecting the mound-builders
and historical Indians, which no sophistry or reasoning can break.
Not only are these graves found in mounds of considerable size, but
they are also connected with one of the most noted groups in the United
States.
The group alluded to is the one on Col. Tuudin's place, near Carters-
ville, (la., known as the Etowah mounds, of which a full description
will be found in this volume, and of which mention is made a few pages
back.
In the smallest of the three large mounds were found stone graves
precisely of the type attributable, when found scmth of theOhio, totlu;
Shawnees; not in a situation where they could bi' ascribed to intru-
sive burials, but in the bottom layer of a comparatively large mound,
with a thick and undisturbed layer of hard i^acked clay above them.
It is also worthy of notice that the locality is intermediate between the
ijrincipal seat of the Shawnees in the Cumberland valley and their
eastern outposts in northeastern Ceorgia, where both tradition and
stone graves indicate a settlement. The tradition regarding this set-
tlement has already been given.
In these graves were found the remarkable figured copper i)lates and
certain engraved shells elsewhere described and illustrated.
THOMAS] SIMILAR MANUFACTURES. 701
It is iippareiit to every one who will inspect the figures that in all
their leading- characters the designs are suggestive of Mexican or Cen-
tral American origin. In fact there can be no doubt that they were
derived in some way from these more civilized countries either directly
or, as is more probable, indirectly. While there is nothing to be found
in the designs or workmanshi]) of the shells suggestive of European
influence, the same can not be said of the copper plates. First, the
wings arise from the back as angel wings, and do not replace the arms,
as in Mexican designs; second, the stamping seems to have been done
with a harder metal tlian tlic aborigines were acquainted with. But
the decision of this question is not essential to the point at j)resent
under discussion. What bears more directly on this point, and is cor-
roboratiAC of the theory here advanced, is that the only other copper
articles similar to those described which Im ve been obtained, were found
at the following points :
Fragments in a stone grave at Lebanon, in middle Tennessee, by Prof.
Putnam; ' fragments in a stone giave in a mound at Mill creek, south-
ern Illinois, by Mr. Earle; in a stone grave in Jackson county, Illinois,
by Mr. Thing; in a mound of ISIadison county, Illinois, by Mr. H. E.
Howland; and in a small mound at Peoria, Illinois, by Ma,). J. W. Pow-
ell. All except the specimens found by Prof. Putnam and Mr. H. R.
Howland were obtained by the Bureau of Ethnology and are now in the
National Museum.
There can be but little doubt that the specimens obtained from the
simple stone graves by Prof. Putnam and Mr. Thing are to be attribu-
ted to Indian burials, but surely not to Indian manufacture. We have
therefore two unbroken chains connecting the Indians of historic times
with the " veritable mound-builders," and the facts which form the links
of these chains throw some additional light on the history of that some-
what mysterious people, the Sliawnees. The engraved shells also form
another link which not only connects the mound-buikleis with historic
times, as heretofore intimated, but tends to corroborate what has been
advanced in regard to the Shawnees.
ENGRAVED SHELLS, STONE PIPES, COPPER ARTICLES, STONE IMAGES.
ENOHAVEl) SHELLS.
These form another link connecting the Indians of historic times
with the mound-builders, and, what is of still more importance, their
presence in a given locality appears to be an almost certain indication
that that particular locality was occupied at some time by one of two
tribes. There are probably some exceptions to this rule, but it is be-
lieved they are few.
The following list of localities where specimens have been found.
Fifteenth Eep. Peabody Mus., 1882, Fig. 13, p. 102.
702 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
although inchiding only a portion of those wliich have been discovered,
will iudicate correctly the area over which they have been carried:
Lick creek East Tennessee. . . from iiiound.
Near Knoxville East Yeunessee. .ironi mounil.
Near Nashville Tennessee from mound.
Near Nashville Tennessee from stone ^rave.
Old Town Tennessee from mound.
Franklin Tennessee from niimml.
Sevierville Tennessee from mound.
Bartow oonnty Georgia from stone grave in mound.
Monroe county East Tennessee. . .from mounds.
Lee county Virginia from mounds.
Virginia [county not known] from grave.
Caldwell county North Carolina. ..from mound.
Near Mussel-Shoals Alabama from cave.
New Madrid , Missouri from mound.
Union county Illinois from mound.
St. Clair county Illinois from stone gr.ave.
One in the National Museum is marked " ^lississippi," but the local-
ity given is more than doubtful.
In other words, they are found in all parts of Tennessee, except the
extreme western portion, in western North Carolina, in northern Georgia,
the extreme northern i)art of Alabama, southeastern Missouri, southern
Illinois, and in Virginia, particularly tlie extreme southwestern part;
but western North Carolina, eastern and middle Tennessee, especially
the Cumberland valley, are the places where they have been found in
the greatest numbers.
Although having a somewhat extensive range, they do not appear to
be found, except in isolated ca.ses, beyond the possible haunts of the
Cherokees and Shawnees. At least, with the exception of those found
in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, they pertain to the
works of the authors of the stone graves. It is worthy of note in this
connection that the "bird head" so common on one class of engraved
shells (found almost exclusively in the stone graves of middle Tennes-
see) ajjpears also, and in the same type, both on stone and bone imple-
ments in New Jersey.' In regard to the former Dr. Abbott remarks
as follows: "Here we see a reference apparently to Just such disks,
and the interest in the reproduction of the same tigures on other objects
found in New Jersey lies in the probable indication that there is in the
latter a trace at least of tribal relationship with the southern Indians.
Did we not learn from the writings of Heckwelder that the Lenape had
"the turkey totem," we might suppose that this drawing of such bird
heads originated with intrusive southern Shawnees, who at one time
occupied lands in the Delaware valley and who are supposed by some
writers to have been closely related to the earliest inhabitants of the
southern and southwestern states. Inasmuch as we shall find that,
' Abbott's Primitive Industry, pp. 71 and 207.
THCMAS] SIMILAK PIPES. 703
not only on this slate knife, but on a bone implement also, similar heads
of bii'ds are engraved, it is ])robable that the identity of the design is
not a mei-e coincidence, Init that it must be explained either in accord-
ance with the statements of Heckwelder or be considered as the work
of southern Shawnees after their arrival in New Jersey. In the
latter event the theory that these (shell) disks are the work of a people
dift'erent from and anterior to the Indians found in the Cumberland
valley at the time of the discovery of that region by the whites, is
apparently not sustained by the facts." '
That engraved shell g(n'gets were in use among the Indians, l)oth of
North Carolina and Virginia, is already established by tlie historical
references given, and that they were common among the people who
buried in stone graves and built mounds is known to and admitted by
all recent authorities on American archeology and proved beyond ques-
tion by the evidence furnished in the preceding field report. The
only reasonable explanation of these facts is that the Indians were
the authors of these stone graves and the builders of the mounds
associated therewith. If this be admitted, the conclusion is inevitable
that the Cherokees and Shawnees were mound-builders and thus as
investigaticm proceeds step by step the vision of a "lost race" and a
Toltec occupation gradually fades from view.
The chief difficulty which arises in connection with these shells is
the fact that a few of them bear undoubted Mexican designs which
2>ertain to pre-Columbian times. Take, fm- example, those found in
the "Big Toco mound," described and figured in the j)receding part of
this volume. The Mexican origin of the designs is admitted by every
one who sees them, yet the proof that this mound was built and used
by the Cherokees is so strong as scarcely to aunut of a doul)t. JIow
these two facts are to be reconciled is a problem not easily solved. As
this lias no special bearing on the particular point now under discussion,
its consideration is unnecessary at present.
The ancient works of Ohio, with their " altar mounds," " sacred
inclosures," and their " mathematically accurate," but mysterious cir-
cles and squares, are still ixiiuted to as impregnable to the attacks of
this Indian theory. That the rays of light falling upon their origin are
few and dim is admitted; still we are not left wholly in the dark on this
point.
If the proof is satisfactory that the mounds of the southern half of
the United States and a large portion of those of the upper Mississippi
valley are of Indian origin, in the sense heretofore defined, there should
be very strong evidence in the opposite direction in regard to these
to lead to the belief that they pertain to a different race. Even should
the evidence fail to indicate the tribe or tribes by whom they were
' Op. cit.. p. 73.
704 MOUND EXPLOltATIUNS.
Imilt, this will not justify the iissertii)ii that they are not of Iiidian
oiiyiii.
If the evidence relating to these works has in it nothing- decidedly oi)-
posed to the theory, then the presumption must, for the reasons hereto-
fore given, be in favor of the view that the authors were Indians. Tlie
onus prohandi is on those who deny tliis and not on those who advo-
cate it.
It is legitimate, therefore, to assume that the Oliio works were made
by Indians until evidence to the contrary is produced.
The geographical position of the defensive works connected with
these remains indicate, as has been often remarked by writers on this
subject, a pressure by northern hordes which finally resulted in driving
the inhabitants of the fertile valleys of the Miami, Scioto, and Mus
kingum southward, possibly into the Gulf states, where they became
incorporated with the tribes of that section.' If this is assumed as
correct it only tends to confirm the theory of an Indian origin. But
the decision is not left to mere assumption and the indications men-
tioned, as there are other and more direct evidences bearing u]K)n this
point to be found in the works of art and modes of burial of this region.
That the mound-builders of Ohio made and used the pipe is proved
by the large number of i)ipes found in the mounds, and that they culti-
vated tobacco may reasonably be inferred from this fact. Attention
has already been called to the vei-y general use of the pipe among the
mound-builders as an evidence of their relation to the Indians; also to
the fact that in tliis respect and the forms of the pipes they differed
widely from the Xahua, Maya, and Pueblo tribes. The object in refer-
ring to them at this point is to show that the monuuients of Ohio, wliich
have so long been represented as the typical works of the mound-
builders, were built by Indians.
Although varied indefinitely by the addition of animal and other fig
nres, the typical or simple form of the pipe of the Ohio mound-builders
a,ppears to have been that reinesented by Squier and Davis in their
Fig. 68.' The peculiar feature is the broad, flat, and slightly curved
base or stem which projects beyond the bowl to an extent usually equal
to the i)erforated end.
Now, if it can be shown that any known tribe of Indians used i^ipes
of this form, this will furnish another link connecting the Indians and
mound-builders. It has, however, been asserted positively that no such
proof can be adduced, one writer, speaking of this question, remarking :
" I do not care to argue the question at present, but it would be well
to bear in mind one fact, viz, no people have ever yet been found, so far
as re])orted, who ever made or used or who knew of any people who
<li(l make or use the mound pipe, such as is found in our Mississippi
mounds, which is quite a distinct type. ' Platform,' ' curved base,' ' mon-
' Force. Some early notices of the Indians of < )hio. p. 74, etc.
'Anc; Moniiments, p. 179.
!ii..„As.) SIMILAR PIPES. 705
itoi" pipes tUey arc called and used without a stem. The bowl is
;il\\ ays central, whether having some animal carved around it or not.'"
It' this writer had referred to Adair's History of the American Indians,
page 423, he would have found this statement: "They [Indians]
make beautiful stone pipes; and the Cheerake, the best of any of the
Indians; for their mountainous country contains many different sorts
and colors of soils proper for such uses. They easily form theni
with their tomahawks and afterwards finish them in any form with
their knives, the pipes being of a very soft quality till they are snuiked
with and used in the tire, when they become quite hard. They are
often a full span long and the bowls are about half as large again as
those of our English pipes. The fore part of each commonly runs
out with a sharp peak two or three fingers broad and a (piarter of an
inch thick;" and he adds further, as if intending to describe the typ-
ical form of the Ohio pipe, " on both sides of the bowl lengthwise."
This addition is important, as it leaves no doubt in the mind as to the
particular form of pipe intended. As this statement was made over a
century ago, it must have been from seeing them in use and not from
having discovered them in mounds.
E. A. Barber'* says: " The earliest stone pipes from the mounds were
' always carved from a single piece aiul consist of a flat curved base of
variable length and width, with the bowl rising from the center of the
convex side' { Auc. Mon., 2l.'S). * The tyj)ical mound pipe is the ' Moni-
tor' form, as it may be termed, possessing a short, cylindrical, urn- or
spool-shaped bowl rising from the center of a flat and slightly curved
base."
According to this statement the " Monitor " type is considered the
oldest form of the mound-builder's pipe and yet we not only have the
evidence that it was in use among the Indians of this region, but it is
easy to trace in the mound specimens the modiflcations which brought
into use the simple foini of the modern Indian pipe. For example there
is one of the form shown in Fig. 301 from Hamilton County, Ohio;
another fi'om a large mound in Kanawha valley, West Virginia; sev-
eral taken from Indian graves iu Essex county, Mass. ; ■' another found
in the grave of a Seneca Indian in the valley of the Genessee;^ and
others found by the assistants of the Bureau of Ethnology iu the mounds
of western North Carolina and east Tennessee.
So far the modification consists in simply shortening the forward pro-
jection of the stem or base, the bowl remaining perpendicular. The
next modification is shown in Fig. 344, which represents a type less com-
mon than the preceding, but found in several localities, as, for example,
in Hamilton county, Ohio; mounds in Sullivan county, eastern Tennes-
see (by the Bureau assistants) ; and in Virginia.^ In these, although
1 The. Young Mineralogist and Antiquarian, April, 1885, p. 79.
■' Amer. Nat., vol. 10 (1882). pp. 265-266.
^Abbott, Priniitivi- Imlustry. f"ig. :!1:). p. 319; liulletiii Es^i'x lustitutL', vol. :i, p. I2;i.
•i Morgan, League ot tin- li-oijuois, ]). 356.
'^Itau, Areh. Coll., Sinitlisoniiin Inst., p. 50, Fig. 190.
12 RTII 45
706 'mound explorations.
rctiiiiiing the broad or winged stem, we see the l)owl assnmiiig the for-
ward slope and in some instances (as some of'tliose fonnd in the monnd.s
of east Tennessee) the projection of the stem is reduced to a simple rim
or is entirely wanting. (See Figs. 233 and 28.").)
The next step brings lis to what may
be considered the typical form of the
modern jiijie as shown in Figs. 217, 218,
and 219. This ])attern. according to
Dr. Abbott,' is seldom found in New
England or the Middle States, "except
of a much smaller size and made of
day." He figures one from Isle of
Wight county, Virginia,"' made of com-
FlG. 344.— Pipe from Virginia. . '„ , , i- j.i •
pact steatite." A large number ot this
form were found in the North Carolina moumls, some with stems almost
or t|uite a foot in length.
It is hardly necessary to add that among the specimens obtained
from the various localities can be found every possible gradation, from
the ancient Ohio type to the modern form last mentioned. There is,
therefore, in this peculiar line of art and custom an unbroken chain
coniiectiing the mound builders of Ohio with the Indian of historic times,
and, what strengthens the argument, in the same fact is evidence that
disconnects the makers from the Mexican and Central American peo
pies.
EVIDENCE OF TRIBAL DIVISIONS-SUBSEQUENT USE OF MOUNDS
BY INDIANS.
^Vllusion was made in the introduction to some reasons for believing
that the mound-builders consisted of various tribes; bat one or two
additional facts bearing on the same point may be mentioned here.
That one tribe often occupied works which had been built by other
tribes is undoubtedly true, as the fact is attested both by history and
by the works themselves.
For examjile, the relics found in aud about the Etowah group in
iiortiierii (Jeorgia, s;) often mentioned, indicate that it was the scene of
many a sharp conflict between contending tribes. It was also the
scene of a severe contest between the Cherokees and Creeks in their
long and bloody war. one of the group being occupied by the former
and its summit surnmnded by pickets as a place for the protection
of hundreds of their women and children,'^ probably in the same man-
ner as the caciiiue, who occupied it when De Soto passed througli,
rendered it secure. At the time of the Rev. E. Cornelius's visit in 181 7,
the toi> of the mound, second in size, was encircled by a breastwork 3
feet high, intersected through the middle with another elevation of a
' I'l-imitive Iiuliistr.v, p. 320. '' E. Cornelius, Am. .Tour. Sci. (Sillinan's), 7th Ser., vol. 1. p. 324.
THOMAS.] TRIBAL DIVISIONS. 707
similar kind.' He does not state wlietlier tlie.se breastworks were tliose
left by the Cherokees or were of an older date, and, althougli 8quier
and Davis ^ and Jones appear to take for grauted that it was this
lower mound the Cherokees occupied and that these "breastworks''
were the remains of their defenses, I think it doubtful, as they would
most probably have chosen the larger mound as more easily defended
and more secure than the lower one, so near the large one overlooking
it. Possibly they occuxiied both.
It is also well known that in the northern sections it was a very com-
mon custom among the Indians, at a comiiaratively recent date, to use
the mounds as depositories for their dead.
One very marked exami)le of subseijuent occupanyfor a long period,
shown by the works themselves, is that of the group in Allamakee
county, Iowa, examined by Col. P. W. Xorris in 1882, of which an ac-
count has been given.
Another point worthy of notice in this connection is that we have
here one evidence, at least, that the mound-builders consisted of differ-
ent tribes, as many, if not most, of tlie burial mounds of the grouj) arc
evidently the work of tlie last occu])ants. Moreover, there are some
^ reas(ms for believing that tlu\se last occupants belonged to or were
closely related to the efdgy mouudbuihliug tribes of Wis('onsin.
Dr. Lapham, who made a long and careful study of the ancient works
of Wisconsin, and left behind a monument of his industry in this di-
rection in his well-known "Antiquities of Wisconsin," published in
the " Contributions of the Smithsonian Institution,'' gave it as his
deliberate conclusion that the custom of erecting circular or conical
tunudi over the dead was followed by the Indians of that region down
to a comparatively modern date.
The explorations made by the agents of the Bureau of Ethnology
heretofore described, have given results coinciding exactly with those
obtained by Drs. Lapham and IToy and tending to the same conclusions.
As a general rule the conical tumuli, which, as we have seen, are usually
of comparatively small size, were all found to be burial mounds, mostly
unstratified and of the same character as those opened by Dr. Lajdiam
and others.'
One fact observed by tliese agents to which attention has not hereto-
tbre been called, but which nuist have had its influence on Dr. Laj)-
ham's mind, is. that there appears to be no marked distinction between
the intrusive burials by modern Indians in a large portion of these
mounds and the original burials for which the tumuli were constructed.
In both there are from one to many skeletons in a place; in both they
are found stretched out horizontally and also folded; in both there are
'These had all disappeared Ity the time of onr next iiotiee. ahout 1P80, and ^-hen T examined tlie
works in 188i! no siyn of these I'ortitieatious could he seen, unless the remains of four jiosts. found
a few feet be]o\v the surfaee, formed a part of them.
^Ancient Monuments, p. 109.
^Lapham's Antiquities of Wiseoiisin. p. U.
708 MOUND KXPLORATIONS.
frequent evideuces of tire and partially coiisuineil boues; in both vre
find iiistauceis where the mortar-lilce ('Dveriiiji', eoniuiou in this district,
has been used; and in b'tth we occasionally meet with those confused
masses of bones which seem to have been gathered from temjiorary
depositories and brons'ht here as a final resting place. Moreover, the
transition I'rom one to the other is so gradual as to leave notliing, save
the position iu the mound and the presence of articles of civilized life,
to distinguish the former from the latter.
A large number of these mounds, as already stated, are uiistratihed,
each single mound having been tlirowu up and completed at one time,
as suggested by Dr. Hoy,' and not by successive additions; yet iu some
of these, as observed by the Bureau agents, skeletons were found at vari-
ous depths, some stretchccl out at fulllengtli and others folded up in the
same t\imidus. Iu some cases the boues of all were so much decayed
that uoue could be preserved. Several instances of this kind were
observed; iu some cases those skeletons and accompanying articles near
the surface or toi^ of the mound indicated burial after contact with
the whites.
It is apparent from these facts that although some of the burial
mounds of tliis district nuist be attributed to the so-called -'veritable
mound-builders," others were undoubtedly built by the Indians found
inhabiting it at the advent of tiie whites. There can scarcely be a
doubt that some of the small unstratified timiuli are the work of
Indians. If this is conceded there would seem to be no halting place
short of attributiug all of this class to the same race. The fact stated
by Dr. Hoy and verified by the Bureau agents, that in some cases there
is evidence that the bodies had been ''covered by a bark or log roof-
iug,"^ is iu exact accord with a well-known burial custom of some of
the tribes of the Northwest.^
These facts fully Justify Dr. Lapham's conclusion that they are to be
attributed to the Indians. Some, which varied from this type, he was
inclined to ascribe to tribes which had migrated, been driven off by
or incorporated into other tribes previous to the advent of the white
race. But he maintained, and, as the evideuce shows, with good rea-
son, that the subsequent tribes, or those found by the Europeans,
occupying the country, " continued the practice of mound-building so
far as to erect a circular or conical tuuuilus over the dead.'" He also
adds siguiflcantly : "This practice appears to be a remnant of ancient
customs that connects the mound-builders with the present tribes.'"^
If it be conceded that the unstratified mounds are the wm-k of Indians,
there would seem to be no escape from the conclusion that most of the
burial mounds of the same section are to be ascribed to them, for although
'Lapliain's ^iitiijuitios of Wisconsin. ].. ]l}.
■■I.(M-..it.
^I)r. V';iiitt« s .\Iin-(iuir\ Castuiiis. 1st Ami. Ueji. Bureau Kthu., jiji. '.U.iiid Ul. ."^iliodlci-al'I s Uis
lliil. Trilies. Vol. ill, |i 1!»:;.
•■Iliicl,, p. 8U.
iiToMAs.] TRIBAL DIVISIONS. 709
there ixie some two or three tyi)es, yet the gradation tVoiii one to the
otlier is so coinplete as to leave no line of distinction, and Dr. Laphani
is tiilly.iustifled in the assertion that the evidence eonuects the " inoiind-
bullders " with the modern tribes. The stratified moriuds in which the
hard elay or mortar-like eoverinj;' over the remains is fonnd, which is
also common iu Illinois and lowamonnds, may be the work of different
tribes trom those which coustructed the small, nnstratitied tnninli of
Wisconsin, but the distinctions between the two classes ai'e not such
as to justify the belief that they are to be attributed to a different race,
or a people occupying a higher or widely different culture- status. The
differences are, in fact, not more marked than has occasionally been
found in a single group.
Having reached this conclusion, it is impossible to pause here. We
are compelled to take one step further in the same direction and ascribe
the singular structures known as " eftigy mounds " to the same people.
The two classes are toointimately connected to admit of the supposition
that the effigy mounds were built by one race or people and the conical
tumuli by another. It would be as reasonable to assume that the
inclosures of Ohio were the work of one peo])le, but the mcmnds accom-
l)anying them of another. That the works of different tribes or nations
may frequently be found intermingled on areas over which successive
waves of population have passed, must be admitted, l)ut that one i>art
of what is clearly a system is to be attributed to one people and the
other part to another is absirrd and unworthy of serious consideration.
The only possible explanations of the origin, object, or meaning of these
singular structures are based, whether confessedly so or not, on the
theory that they are of Indian origin ; for their illustrations and expla-
nations are drawn from Indian customs, arts and beliefs. Remo\-e the
Indian factor from the pi'oblem and we are left without the shadow of
a hypothesis.
The fact that the efdgy mounds were not generally used as places of
sepulture and that no cemeteries, save the burial mounds, are found in
connection with them, is almost conclusive proof that the two, as a
rule, must be attributed to the same people, that they belong to the
same system.
To what particular tribes the ancient works of this northwestern
section are to be attributed is of course a question which must be
answered chiefly by conjecture. N'evertheless, there are some good
reasons for believing that the effigy mounds and those works belong-
ing t« the sanie system are attributable to one or more tribes of the
Siouan stock. As has been shown iu the preceding part of the vol-
ume, the custom of placing the small tumuli in lines connected and
disconnected to form the long wall-like mounds seems to have been
peculiar to the builders of the effigies. Following up this hint and trac-
ing the transitions in form from what appears to l)e the more ancient to
the more recent types, we are led to the comparatively modern surface
710 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
fljiurcs of the Siouan tribes. As this evidence is given in the preced-
ing part of this volume, it is unnecessary to repeat it here.
It is not only possible but apparently evident that there are many
nionnds in the northwestern section of which we are now speaking
that were buUt by other tribes, but there is no longer any substantial
reason for deiiying that the effigies and other works pertaining thereto
are due to the Siouan tribes.
KVIDENCES OF CONTACT WITH MODERN EUROPEAN CIVILIZA-
TION FOUND IN THE MOUNDS.
It has been customary whenever an article indicating contact with
Europeans was discovered in a mound to attribute it to an intrusive
burial, or where this was incompatible with the conditions, the m(»un(l
was placed in the category of modern Indian mounds, as distinguished
from the works of the true " mound-builders." The more careful inves-
tigations of the i>ast few years show that these distinctions fail to
account for all the finds of this character, as many of the articles of Eu-
ropean manufacture, or those showing evidence of contact ■with Euro-
peans, are often found so connected with undoubted works of the
mound-builders as to forbid both these explanations.
COPPER ARTICLES.
For example, a careful examination of the copper articles found in
the mounds should lead anyone, not swayed by some preconceived
notion, to the conclusion that many of them were made of copper
brought over to America !)>• Europeans, which would as a matter of
course indicate (if they do m)t pertain to intrusive burials) that the
mounds in which such specimens are found were erected subsequent to
the discovery by Columbus.
The copper articles found in the mounds and ancient graves belong,
as may be readily seen by those who will inspect them, to two usually
very distinct classes; those of the one class evidently hammered out
with rude stone implements ; those of the other class showing- as plainly
that they have been made from quite thin, smooth, and even sheets. If
we examine, f(n- instance, the bracelets, of which there are numerous
specimens in the various museums and collections of our country, this
difference will be found very apparent. Those of the one class are
solid, usually about the thickness of the larger end of a large porcupine
quill, and roughly hammered out. A figure of this type may be seen
on page !t7 of the Fifteenth Ileport of the Peabody Museum, and others
in Schoolcraft's History of American Indians, also our Fig. 299. Those
of the other class are made of sheet copper by first forming a cylinder
of the required size, then bending it to the proper shape. These are
usually found in Indian graves and intrusive burials; but occasionally
THOMAS] INDIAN MOUND-BUILDERS. 711
they are obtained from iiiouuds also; for ('xam])le, one of the eight
found iu the large nionnd in Kanawha valley, near Charleston, West
Virginia, was of this type. A bracelet of the same type, now in the
Peabody Museum, was found in one of the mounds of Little Miami
valley.
Cylinders aud cyliudrical beads made from sheet copper have also fre-
quentlybeen found in nioundsand graves. See, for example, theone from
a North Carolina mound shown in Fig. 209. One obtained from an In-
dian grave near ^Newport, Ehode Island, is figured by Dr. Rau ; ' others,
of various sizes, and also conical ear-bobs of sheet coi)per were found
in the Korth Carolina mounds. The copper bands ttgured by Prof.
Putnam in the Fifteenth Eeport of the Peabody Museum, as obtained
from the Ohio mounds, appear to be of the same character. Speaking
of the implement tigured on page 01, Tenth Report Peabody Museum,
Prof. Andrews, who unearthed it from a mound in Perry county, Ohio,
remarks as follows : "It was made from a single piece of copper, the
outline of which is indicated iu the figure. The copper was hammered
out into so smooth and even a sheet that no traces of the hammer are
visible. It would be taken indeed for rolled sheet copper." And yet
the professor, who has given us one of the best descriptions of Ohio
mounds published, seems, by his remarks on the preceding page, to
discredit his own eyes.
As a reference to all the articles made of sheet copper found in
mounds and graves would be a tedious recital, and would i-equire a
personal inspection of all mentioned in order to determine the classes
to which they severally belong, it must suffice to repeat what has been
stated, that, as a general rule, the distinctive characteristics which
determine the class to which they belong may be readily seen.
As a matter of course no one denies that the mound-builders made
implements and ornaments of native copper, and frequently hammered
this copper into thin sheets with the rude implements of which they were
possessed. What is here affirmed, and what, it is believed, can be suc-
cessfully maintained by reference to and inspection of the articles, is,
that many of them, found in mounds as well as ancient graves, have
been made from sheets of copper so uniform and even as to forbid the
belief that they were hanmiered out with the rude implements pos-
sessed by the mound-builders of pre-Columbian times. A careful
chemical and microscopical examination of the various specimens might
possibly settle the point; however, as this has not been done, we must
for the present rely upon inspection.
The amouut of copi)er traded and given to the Indians along the
Atlantic coast was much greater thau anyone would imagine Avho has
not taken the trouble to look into the matter. It is necessary to refer
to the accounts of early voyages and to the early histories to ])rove
the truth of this statement. On almost every page of Smith's History
I Smithsonian Arclieological Coll., p. 61. Fig. 2:u.
712 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
of \'irj;inia is found mention of copper traded to the Indians tor food
or j)elts. ?o abundant was thi' supply, as learned from this author,
that in a short time goods " could not be had for a pound of copper
■which before was sold us for an ounce.''' Strachey, notwithst/vindinj;"
•what he ijreviously stated in regard to minerals of this country, and
among them copper, remarks as follows:
It luith been Powhutun's greut- care ti> Vceeji iis by all means frnm the aeiiuaintauce
of those uations that border and cDuCront him, tor besides his knowledge how easily
and willingly his enemies will bi> drawn n]ioii him by the least countenance and cn-
conragement from us, he doth, by keeping ns liom trading Avith them, monoi)olize all
the cojjper brought into Virginia by the English. And whereas the English are now
content to receive in exchange a lew measures of corn for a great deal of that mettell
(valuing yt according to the extreme price yt bears with them, not to theestymaeion
yt hath with ns), Powhatan doth again vend some small quantity thereof to his
neighbor nations for one hundred tyme the value, reserving, notwithstanding, for
himself a plentiful (juantity to leavy men withal when he shall find cause to use
them against us, for the before remembered weroance of Paspahegh did once wage
fourteen or fifteen weroanees to assist him in the attempt uipon the fort r)f .lanies-
towne, for one copper plate promised to each weroan<e.-
But European coi)per found its way into the country along the Allan -
tic coast long before the settlement in Virginia. The various voyagers
who sailed along the shore, and there were many of whom no account
is on record, all left more or less of this metal in the hands of the In-
dians. Much also was doubtless obtained from shipwrecked vessels.
Hawkins, who touched the coasts of Florida in lotU-'OS, says that when
the French first arrived in that region gold and silver were obtained in
considerable amount from the Indians, but the supply erelong gave out.
How they came by this gold and silver the Frenchman knew not as yet. but by
guess, who having traveled to the southw est of the cape, having found the same dan-
gerous, by means of sundry banks, as wc have also found the same ; and there finding
masts which were wrecks of Spaniards coming from Mexico, judged that they had
gotten treasure by them. For it is most true that divers wrecks have been made of
Spaniards having much treasure, for the Frenchmen having traveled cape-ward an
hundred and fifty miles did find two Spaniards with the Floridians, which they
brought afterwards to their fort, whereof one was in a caraval coming from the
Indies which was cast away fourteen years ago, and the other twelve years ; of whose
fellows some escaped, other some were slain by the inhabitants. It seemeth they
had estimation of their gold .md silver, for it is wrought flat and graven, which
they wear about their necks, other some round like a pancake with a hole in the
midst to bolster up their breasts withal."
We seem also to have proof in the preceding statement that the
, Indians engraved figures on metallic articles, which is a very important
item in this connection, if true.
Laudonniere asserts that it was gotten out of the ships that were lost
upon the coast.^
Relics of the unfortunate exi)edition ofAyllouwere dug up by De
Soto's followers from a grave or mound at Cutifachiijui, an India7i town
' Smith's History of Virginia, Richmond repriut, 1819, vol. i, ji. 166.
■'His. of Tr,ivels into Va. Cap. vni, p. 103. London, 18)9.
3 Hakhiyt, III, p. 015. ' Hakluyt, III. p. atiO.
THOMAS] INDIANS AND EUROPEANS. 713
probably located on tlie Savauuab river above Augusta.' Accounts of
other wrecked vessels were alsi» g'iveu, but it is more thau likely that
of much the larger number no record was ever made.
The rapidity with which articles obtained by barter on the coast or
taken from wrecks found their way into the interior and the distance
to which they afterwards traveled do not appear to be Inlly appreciated
by antiquarians.
OTHER METALS.
Smith states that he found hatchets, knives, pieces of iron and brass
in the hands of the Indians at the head of Chesapeake bay which he
learned were from the French on the St. Lawrence (or " river of Can-
ada,'' as he names it),' and yet but a short time liail elapsed since the
entrance of the latter into that region. Cabtv.ar de Vaca found a hawk-
bell in the hands of the natives of Texas (or Louisiana), which may have
been carried from hand to hand aiul tribe to tribe from Mexico, though
more likely obtained from some vessel wrecked on the coast. Father
Mar(iuette, in his voyage down the Mississi])pi says he found guns,
axes, hoes, knives, beads, and glass bottles in the hands of some In-
dians below the mouth of the Ohio, probably Chickasaws. '
These (if his statement is to be believed) must have come, as he sup-
poses, from the "eastern side," that is to say, the English settlements
on the Atlantic coast.
From these and similar examples which miglit be mentioned, it is
apparent that articles of European manufacture found their way rap-
idly into the interior, passing from hand to hand in thecoiu'se of trade
and trafdc between the tribes or by capture in war. jSTor is this to be
wondered at when seashells, such as Busycon perversum and others, are
found in the mounds of Illinois and Wisconsin and articles of native cop-
per probably from noithwesteru Michigan occur in the mounds of Ohio
and West Virginia and at even more eastern poiuts.
Most authors writing on this subject also fail to appreciate properly
the fact that traders, trappers, hunters, adventurers, and coureurs de
bois were traversing the wilds of the new CDUtinent in advance of any
notice we have of such adventures. It is apparent from some state-
ments in the Ensayo Cronologico that Spanish adventurers had found
their way to the Coza region, probably in northern Georgia, a few years
after the return of the remnant of De Soto's followers. These rovers
must have carried with them some articles of European manufacture
which, finding their way into the hands of the chief men of the tril)es,
would be interred with them.
Here we may also appropriately refer to a fact which seems to be
generally overlooked by writers on North American archeology, to wit,
the very early date at which the manufacture of articles similar to
tho.se in use among the Indians for the purpose.of traftic commenced.
Biedma alludes in his Eelation of De Soto's Exijedition to this subject,
' Fri'iirli's Hist. foil. l.iv. II, pp. 1111 and 144. Pub. Hakliiyt Soc. vol. IX. pp.
■'Hi.^t ViiL;ini:i. Vc.l.i ),. 1R3-I8;j. ' Hisl.Ci>ll. L:l.. IV, p. 44.
714 MOUND EXPLORATION'S.
as be speaks of "small pearls similar ti» tliose wliicli arc brought from
Spain to Ijarter with the Iiidiaus."' ' These I think we may safely
assume to be shell beads, as it is not likely tlie Spaniards brought
true pearls to barter to the Indians for fiiis and i)elts. Moreover, very
few pearls have been discovered in the mounds of that southern sec-
ti(m which liave been opened, wliile on the contrary shell beads liave
been found in great abundance.
In one of the mounds of east Tennessee three small copix-r sleigh
bells were found by the skeleton of a child, in a large mound contain-
ing many other skeletons. These are perhaps what the early writers
call "hawk bells," but have precisely the form of the sleigh bell. The
mound in which they were found, as will be seen by referring to the
preceding field re]K)rt, was of considerable size, and there was no rea-
son for .supi)osing there were any intrusive burials. In fact, intrusive
burials in mounds seldom, if ever, occur in eastern Tennesse; no posi-
tive instance has been brought to light by the extensive explorations
of the Bureau of Ethnology iu this section.
lu another mound in the same section, on which a small i)ine tree
was growing and which presented no indications whatever of having
been disturbed, was found a steel-bladed, bone-handled case-knife.
This was of the old style, having the end of the blade curved upward.
The mound in which it was found had never been plowed, was of com-
paratively small size, and about (J feet high. The knife was found near
the bottom; there was no intrusive burial in the mound, and if not
deposited at the time the mound was thrown up it must have fallen in at
a subsecpient excavation, thougli the clayey soil of which it was formed
presented no indication of such disturbance.
Mention is made in the preceding part of this volume of a stone hav-
ing engraved upon it letters of the Cherokee alphabet, which was found
in a mouuil near the locality of the old Cherokee settlements in the
valley of the Little Tennessee. The strange circumstance in this case,
which presents a puzzle difldcult to solve, is that the evidence seems
positive that the mound was at least a hundred years old, and that it
was known that it had not been disturbed in sixty years.
A small mound in Bartow county, Georgia, on being excavated was
found to be composed Avholly of clay and to contain no indications of
burial. This had not been disturbed since it was built, as was evi-
dent from the undisturbed strata, yet at the bottom, among other frag-
ments, was a small piece of glazed pottery, which Mr. Holmes pro-
nounces of Spanish origin.
A mound situated on the bank of the Savannah river at Hollywood
was recently opened by Mr. II. L. Eeyuolds, one of the Bureau assist-
ants, which contained undoubted evidence of contact with European
<Mvilization. Tliis is situated in the section where most authorities
agree in locating the Indian town of Cutifachiqui, visited by De Soto
in his fa'.nous expedition, and is heretofore mentioned.
I Hiiklnyt Sim-. Pub., vol. ix, li. 180.
THOMAS.) INDIANS AND EUROPEANS. 715
Mention lias already been made of finds by Mv. Wallier in Sfiine
nionnds near Tampa Bay. Florida, :ind therefore need not be repeatetl
Lere.
While excavating that part of the Oliio canal rnniiiiig through Ben-
ton township, Cnyahoga connty, it became necessary to renK)ve part of
a small mound. In this, says .Mr. W. II. Price, under whose direction
the woi'k was done, were the remains of one or more skeletons, a gun-
barrel, and perhaps some ol' tlie mountings of the stock.'
With one of the burials in the works of I'nion county, Mississippi,
Mr. Fowke, the Bureau assistant, found a piece of silver stamped with
the Spanish <^oat of arms, a figure of which has been given, also the
irons of a saddletree. As this locality is in the territory occupied by
the Chickasaws, a people visted by De Soto in his expedition, it is pos-
sible these articles are mementoes of the trials and hardshi])S suftered
here by that unfortunate expedition.
In the rubbish thrown out of one of the stone graves of the Hale
mound, Alexander county, Illinois, heretofore described and figured,
was found a small brass Catholic medal, which we know from the
saints' names staiuped on it can not be older than the year 1700.
In one of the Arkansas mounds excavated by one of the Bureau
agents was an earthen bottle modeled after the old French decanters.
In another was discovered a tooth which I'rof. Baird pronounced that
of a hog.
A circular mound of the group at Hazen Corners, Crawford connty,
Wisconsin, which consists of effigies and elongate mounds, was opened
by one of the Bureau assistants. Tliere were no indications of burial,
but at the bottom, in the center, was a snjallpile of stone implements,
among which was a regularly shaped, .genuine gun-flint. In some of
the mounds of this section the Bureau assistants found a copper kettle,
silver bracelets with Eoman letters stamped upon them, silver brooches
and crosses; but these pertained to intrusive burials and hence are not
introduced into this list of cases as bearing upon the point now re-
ferred to.
From mounds in Le Sueur county, Minnesota, about i miles north of
St. Peter, Mr. Blackistou obtained the following articles: A silver
wristlet with "Montreal" and " B. C." stamped ui)oii it; tubular cop-
per ear-pendants; a string of thirty white china beads, a large brown
glass bead, four common pins, a needle, a small pertrl ornament, and a
quartz arrow point.'-
From the jS^inth Annual lieport of the Geological Survey of Minne-
sota, above referred to,' we learn that a " blue-glass bead " was obtained
by Prof. Winchell in one of the mounds at Big Stone lake.
The fragments of iron iinpleraeiits obtained from a mound iu Cald-
w ell county, North Carolina, showing undoubted evidence of contact
'Anc. Mod, p. 14«. 'P. 162.
'Geol. .inrt Xat. Hist. Surv. Minn., viil. I (1872-'82), p. 647. Nintli Ann. (renl. Hep. Minn., 1880, p. 164.
716 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
with Eunipcau civilization, have already beeu referred to in a iirminis
publication by tlic Bureau. Articles of iron wen^ also found by the
Bureau agents iu some two or three mounds in east Tennessee, of
which mention is made in the pi'eceding rejiort of field works.
It is possible that Prof. Putnam is correct in assuminf;' that what Or.
Iliklreth found in tlie Alarietta mound did not warrant liis conclusion
that a sword had been buried there. But there are very .strong- reasons
for believing that the corrugated silver band which Dr. Hildreth
believed to be part of a sword scabbard was a banil for the hair made
by white men (some we know were traded to the Indians) or of nmte-
rial furiushed by them.' The brief manner, however, in which he
disposes of Atwater's statement in regard to the articles found by him
in the mound at Circleville, Ohio, is by no means satisfactory to arche-
ologists. He says:
Tlie reference to iioii iu the iiiduud at Circleville liy Jlr. Atwater wiiulil not be
worthy of consideration were it not for the wi(les])rea(l l)elief that he found a steel
sword and piece of cast iron. He simply found a ])icce of antler, in one end of which
a hole had been bored and around this part was a band of silver. This he called ''the
handle of either a small sword or a largo l<nife,'' and he distinctly states that '"no
iron wasfonnd, but an oxide remaineil of similar sha])!- and size." This is evidently
purely a case of imagination and misconception. Similar pieces cut from antlers
h;ive since proved to be common and are generally believed to be handles for small
drills and knives made of stoue or copper.-
Notwithstanding this curt dismissal of the subject it is a fact that
can not be disputed that the Bureau agent found in one of the North
Carolina nnmnds a similar i)iece of an antler in which still remained a
part of the iron implement of which it formed the handle. It is also
true that chemical analysis showed that this was not meteoric iron.
Prof. Putnam's assumption is therefore wholly gratuitous.
In reference to " plate of iron,'' he remarks:
In these <lay8, whe.; only the most careful and critical work is of any value, some-
thing more delinite than this statement is required before it c;'; be claimed that cast
iron has been found iu Ohio mounds.
Mr. Atwater says he was present when the mound was removed and
" carefully examined the contents." In speaking of the horn handle he
say.s, " The handle either of a small sword or a large knife, made of
elk's horn; around the end where the blade had been inserted in a
ferule, yet no iron was found, but an oxide of similar shape and size." ' As
the minuteness of details as to size and relative positions, of articles iu
the mound indicate tliat he took notes at the time, his statements of facts
as to what he saw should n(tt be rejecteil because they do not agree
with a preconceived theory — especially as he was the best qualified and
most careful observer of his day in this line. The silver ferule and
hole in the handle are suHicient in themselves to raise a presumption
that there was a blade of some kiud and to suggest contact witii the
■ Pruc. Am. Antiq. Sue, New Series, vol. 2, 18S2-'8:S, iip. ;M9-363.
2 Loc. cit., p. 350. 3 Trans. Am. .\nti<i. Soc, vol. i, p. 178.
TnoMAsJ INDIANS AND EUROPEANS. 717
whites. Add to tliis the liirther stateineut that •• an oxide remained of
a similar shape and size,'' ami tlie evidence is too strong- 1(» be set aside
by a mere ox)inion. IVIoreover, his istateineiit that '• no iron was fonud"
sliows eaieful observation and a desire to state precisely w hat lie saw.
As huntini;- knives with deer-horn liandles and silver ferules were com-
mon in the days of tlie first settlement of th(^ country, there w<ndd be
no hesitancy in accepting the statement where there is a willingness to
admit that the mound was built after the advent of the whites.
It is a very bold assumption that a man of Atwater's attainments
and experience as an antiiinarian would take iron-eohired clay for a
plate of oxidized iron. He does not say that it was cast iron, but, that
before being disturbed by the spade it " resembled a plate of cast
iron." We therefore feel fully justified in giving this ninund as one
example where evidence of contact with European ci\ilization was
fonud.
The following e\anii)Ies arc taken from l>r. 1*. R. Hoy's pai)er enti-
tled '■ Who built the Mounds ?" '
.lames Matlicvv, -.i lirotlicn- n[ Ki-v. Father Mat.licw. of liaciue, settled du Zumliio
river in Olmsteacl county, Minnesota, in ISUO. When lie liist plowed the land there
was a mound 6 Jeet high and 20 feet in hreadth, an<l so situated tliat it was in the
way of iiroperly cnltivating the land, so he made an attempt to plow it down. He
saulc tlie plow to the beam repeatedly, luit suceceded in reducing the height ouly
about 2 feet. The next year lie procured a scraper and went to work systematically
to remove the entire mound. After scraping down the eminence to within about 2
feet of the base he came to some rotten wood. On carefully removing the top he
dis<overeu a kind of cage built of large .stakes driven into 1he ground, as close
together as possible, and covereil with a split log, tiuished by plastering the outside
thickly witli clay, this forming a rude lodge which was about 3 feet hmg and a little
less in breadth. In this pen he found one skeleton of an adult in a good slate of
preservation, and with tlie bones wiTe fonud two iron hatclu'ts, a dozen flint ;;rion'
heads, a copper ring 2 inches In diameter, ;i lot of shell ln'ads, and a red stone liipe
of rather large size and iugeniously ornamented with lead. Eiitlier Matliew visited
his brother a few days after tliis tind. On his return he Virouglit the entire lot of
implements home with liiiii.
From Mr. West, an intelligent and reliable gentleman of liacine, Wis-
consin, Dr. Hoy received an accurate description of a mound opened.
From this it appears that the mound was small, being only about 10
feet in diameter and 2i feet high. The nnich dec^ayed skeleton was in
a ])it in the original soil undiH- the mound, and near the center was a
copper kettle. '• This kettle was about ti inches across, with straight
sides; it had ears and no bale, and, in one place on its side where there
had been a hole, there was a rivet inserted, made of copper."
He mentions other mounds situated near t'.ie Junction of White and
l>\)x rivers, in one of which had been buried on tlie original surface of
the ground four persons, two adults and two children. " Each was
covered," continues the account, "with a thick stratum of compact
' KeiUl liel'iirv the llcmtre.ll lueetius (1,S8'J) of thi- Amer. Assm-. Ailv. Sci., l>nt ipul>li»lii-il in punilih-
Ict inrm.
718 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
clay, thus foniiiiiy a nicle kind of saiwjphagus. On breaking;! ijm'ii these
day cases we found Inmiim lioiies ])art]y decayed, and •thicc cdpiior
kettk's, one of Avliich had some nuts in it, i}erhai)s pecans; anotlicr liad
what are supposed to he bones of a rabbit; also there were many silver
earrings, breast pins, and one beautifnl, double-ai'med. ringed, silver
cross, with K. (J. in Eoinau capitals engraved in the center of the U])pei-
arm of the cross, also a large quantity of blue glass beads." In the
other was found one coi)i)er kettle of rather large size" and a small
fur-covered, brass-nailed trunk, 10 by 12 inches an<l S inches in lieight.
In this trunk were discovered a lot of cheap silver trinkets."
THE MUSKOKI TRIBES.
As I have in two small works, one entitled "The Cherokees in pve-
Columbian Times," ' the other "The story of a mound, or the Shawuees-
in pre-Columbian Times," '-^ discussed the probability that the tribes
named were mound-builders, there is no necessity for repeating the
discussion here.
By reference to. these works it will be seen that I arrived at the con-
clusion that both the Cherokees and Siiawnees were mound-builders,
the evidence leading to this conviction, some of which has been given
in preceding chapters, being apparently so strong as to dispel all doubt
on the subject.
I would, iiowever, call attention to the very strong evidence that the
Cherokees were mound-builders, presented in the preceding report of
field work. By referring to the plat of the Little Tennessee valley,
ri. XXV, and Timberlake's ]\Iap, PI. xxvi, showing the locality of the
Cherokee " Overhill towns" and locations of the mound groups, it will
be seen that each of the former is marked by one of the latter.
Mr. Gallatin, Dr. Brinton, and Mr. (Jatschet (especially the latter in
his excellent work on the " jNIigration legend of the Creeks") have
demonstrated from the aboriginal names of persons, places, and things
mentioned by the narrators of De Soto's expedition, that the tribes
then iidiabiting the southern states through which the wanderers
passed, were the same as those subsequently found occupying this
region. It follows, therefore, that the theory advanced by some
writers,' that the Creeks or Muskoki (Muscogee or Muscogulgee) tribes
migrated to tlds region from some point west of the Mississippi, subse-
quent to the date of De Soto's expedition, is erroneous, and may be
dismissed from further consideration.
From tlie nariatives of the Adelantado's march and a few faint
glimpses we catch from other sources, we are justified in concluding
' rirst publislii-il ill tim Anieric.iii Autliropiilngist, tlien in book form hj Jndcl & Detwi'iler, W.i.sh-
iiigtou, D. C IHSil.
' First publislii-d in Si'Iciice. tlii-n in lioiili loriii liy X. D. Uoilges, Xew York. 18911.
^Milfort •Mtmoin-, iti'. Pickcit ■■Uistiiry of Alabama," Vol. i p. 74. it sfo..
THOMAS.] MUSKOKI TRIBES. _ 719
tliat the southern tribes east of the Mississippi were in a coiupai^atively
quiet and settled condition, and that most of thein were at the time
settled in villages and building and using nuiunds and defensive works
in the manner they had been accustomed to from an unknown perioil
in the past. That this was true of the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws,
and other tribes of the Muskoki family and also of the iSTatchez, may
be assumed with little fear of being- in error.
Although the ancient works of these states have not been explored
sufficiently to enable us to speak positively on this point, still the data
so far obtained indicate that the cDudition observed by De vSoto and
his followers had been maintained without any radical aud general
modificati(ni for a period of considerable length previous thereto. In
other words, there is nothing in the character of the works or of the
vestiges of art found in them indicating extensive and general move-
ments, or successive waves of population materially differing in culture
or customs. But this general statement must be considered as here
applied only to the Gulf states, for when we reach the northern limits
of Georgia and enter Tennessee we And in the ancient works undoubted
evidences of the presence of ditferent tribes or peoples.
From the geographical distribution of tlic works of this southern dis-
trict east of the Mississippi river aud the lines along which certain
types of art are found, it is safe to assume that the general movement
has been from the west toward the east or the reverse. This inference
is drawn chietly from the fact that tliere appears to be no continuous se
ries of similar works, or those belonging to the same general type, along
the lines of the lai-ger rivers (except the Mississippi). In other words,
the direction of the movement does not appear to have been governed
here by the water courses. The works are scattered along the same
parallels of latitude, their lines of distribution crossing the main
streams at right angles. As this transverse belt ceases towards the
east before reaching the Atlantic coast, and its southern border lies
mostly at a considerable distance from the Gulf, the most reasonable
and natural explanation is that the migration was from the west.
There are but few, if any, indications in the works themselves of the
date of this movement, which, in all probability, consisted of successive
waves. That it preceded the discovery by Columbus at least by one or
more centuries is indicated by the M'orks and tlieir contents, and tlie
conditions observed by De Soto, but on the other hand its antiquity
ai)pears to be limited, if we suppose mound-building to have com-
menced soon after arrival, by the fact that we tind in the works no
evidences of any marked progress in art during occupancy.
The chief seats of power east of the Mississippi appear to have been
(judging from the works and history) atCutitachiqui, the exact locality
of which has not been ascertained, but was probably on tlie Savannah
river a short distance above Augusta; the site of the Etowah mounds
near Cartersville, Georgia, probably the Guaxule of De Soto's chron-
720 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
ides; tlie locality in Early coiiuty, Georgia, mai-ked by the Messier
moiiuds; tUe '' old towu " of Apalachucla, lueutioued by Bartram, which
could uot have been far distant and yertaiiied to tJie same limited
tribe; the site of the Prince mounds near Carthage, Alabama; the
Mauvilla of De Soto's day; Chisca or Chicasa, in northern Mississippi,
doubtless the chief village of the Chickasaws; and the vicinity of i!fat-
chez. These localities, so far as known, are marked by mounds and
the remains of other works. Even where we are unable now to deter-
mine them we have historical evidence that they were marked by
mounds or otlif^r earthworks. I may remark in passing that the iH)wer
of the< 'hickasaw tribe does uot api)ear to have reached its zenith, in the
section in wliich they were then found, until after the date of De Soto's
visit. There are, in fact, some reasons for believing they had not then
occupied this locality for any great length of time. Judging by the
testimony of the mounds and the narrative of De Soto's march, I am
not inclined to believe the statement of the Xatchez Indians regarding
their former great numerical strength, controlling power, and extensive
sway, even after making due allowance for the usual exaggeration,
unless we can identify them with the builders and former occupants of
the great Cahokia groni^, which is very improbable.
Judging by the progress made in the ceramic art, I should think one
of the most polished tribes of this region was located during the mound-
building age in that portion of the country extending from Early
county, Georgia, to the valley of the Ochlochonee river. The orna-
mentation and form of the pottery is somewhat peculiar, and judging
fi-om the latter I am inclined to believe the makers had seen some ves-
sels manufactured by the whites. Are we to ascribe these to the Lower
Creeks or shall we attribute them to the Yuchi (Uches) ? The latter, as
we learn from Hawkins, were more "civil, orderly, and industrious
than their neighbors, the Lower Creeks."'
When we reach the northern portion of Georgia we tind indisputable
evidences of being in the marches, the debatable ground between con-
tending powers or hostile tribes. The site of the Etowah groups so
often mentioned must have been a place of some importance in mound
building times. Here we lind evidences of culture and art equal to
that obtained from the mounds of any other locality in that portion of
the United States included in the scope of this work, not even except-
ing the far-famed works of the Ohio. The locality was well chosen
when we consider the means of security and defense adopted and the
necessity of relying largely upon the products of agriculture for sub-
sistence, yet the silent ruins, when compelled to yield up their hidden
treasures, give unmistakeable evidences of the ravages of war and of
occupancy by different peoples. The fragments of stone images found
hei'e are of such a character as to lead any one who examines them to
' Fur a tUsi'Ussion of tlii", Int^alities oocupiod by this tribe, the reader is referreil to Mr. Gatscliet's
work, before ineuti(med. vol. 1. pp. 17-24.
THOMAS.] INDIANS AND EUROPEANS. 721
the conclusiou that they must have been maliciously and intentionally
broken.
Some of the pottery, which, unfortunately, has been discovered only
in frafi'ments, bears a strong resemblance to that found in Early county,
indicating occupancy for a time by the Greeks or lichees. On the other
hand, the mode of sepulture and articles found in the small moxind con-
nect the builders, as lieretofore stated, with that people who made the
stone graves and built the mounds of the Cumberland valley, who, as
we have shown, we are warranted in assuming were Shawnees; and,
linally, we are justified by articles taken from graves discovered here
and from history in asserting that it was for a time occupied by tlie
Cherokees, though none of the works except some neighboring graves
can be ascribed to thein; but I think it quite probable the fragmentary
condition of the stone images is due to their savage hatred of all per-
taining to a hereditary foe. In an article published in the Magazine of
American History,' I was inclined to attribute these works entirely to
the "Creeks," using this term in the broad .'<ense, believing they were
occupied at the time of ])e Soto's visit by people under the sway of the
cacique of Cutifachiqui; but the explorations made since that article
was written have introduced a new factor into the problem and mater-
ially modified the opinion there expressed. From the language of the
Gentleman of Elvas, as follows: "In that journey (from Xualla to
Cuazule) the lady of Cutifachiqui (whom the governor carried with him,
as is aforesaid, with i)urpose to carry her to Guazule because her terri-
tory reached thither), going on with the bond women which led her,"
etc., I was led to believe that Guazule was then included in the domin-
ion of the cacique: but referring since to what is said by Garcilasso
on this iK)int, I find he states very particularly, even repeating it, that
this town was beyond the limits of the territory of the cacique, and
governed by a cacique belonging to another tribe, though, to assist the
Spaniards, she sent ambassadors thither to solicit the aid of the inhab-
itants in their behalf.
Mr. Gatschet^ refers to a tradition that the Shawnees once resided
in upper Georgia around Tugelo (in the region of Habersham county)
and on the headwaters of the large Georgia rivers, but thinks it re-
quires fuither examination. We have, as already shown, satisfactory
evidences that this tribe not only held possession for a time of the
locality on Etowah river, but were probably also the builders of one, at
least, of the mounds there; we also have the testimony of C. C. Jones '
that stone graves have been found in Habersham county, which fact
indicates their presence in that region. In addition to this we have the
statement of Milfort* that lands were obtained here from the " Savan-
ogiies, savages."
1 May uumber, 1884. ' Antiq Southeni Indians, p. 214.
' Op. cit.. Vol. I, p. 23. < Meraoire, p. 9.
12 ETH 46
722 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The hope of ultimately solving the great problems of the pre Colmn
bian times of our continent is perhaps as lively today as iu former
years. But, with the vast increase of knowledge in recent years in
reference to the data bearing on these questions, a moditication of the
hope entertained has taken place. While no thought any longer exists
of ascertaining the exact date of or any definite particulars in regard
to the migration by which the western continent received its first set-
tlers; yet there is an expectation that the advance in scientific knowl-
edge and methods of investigation, together with the long and careful
study of all the data, will result in determining in a general sense the
age in which this first introduction of population took place, and in
deciding what race or races contributed to this population.
This expectation inchules the determination with reasonable certainty
of the route or routes of this migration. The method of treating tlie
subject has also been changed from that of mere theorizing to scientific
deduction. The literary world is now and then amused at the revival
of some old, exploded theory or the presentation of some new one equally
absurd; but allusion is made here only to those efforts which appear to
be based on some legitimate data.
The tendency at present appears to be to base the tentative efforts iu
this direction on the linguistic evidence, leaving out of view the impor-
tant aid to be derived from a careful study of the archeological data
bearing upon the subject or referring to it only where it seems to cor-
roborate the theories based on the linguistic evidence. This arises in
part fiom the fact that while the archeohjgical data relating to a large
portion of the contineut are few, and that archeology can not, as yet,
be considered a true science; on the other hand the linguistic material,
although not complete, is much more abundant, and the treatment
thereof reduced to true scientific methods. As the latter field affords
greater promise of reaching positive conclusions, it is more attractive
to methodical students.
As the discussion of this subject from the linguistic standpoint is
necessarily based upon the study of the various linguistic stocks and
families of the entire continent, and, to some extent upon the migra-
tions therein, so the discussion of the same questions trom the archeo-
logical standiioint must be based upon the study of the various types
and tlieir distribution over the contineut. And the same necessity fur
generalization and classification arises here as in the linguistic field.
Although the lines of demarkation between the types and groups with
which the antiquarian has to deal are ai)parently less distinct than
those with which the philologist is concerned, yet careful study will
show that this difference is not so great as at first it seems to be. The
indications of comprehensive archeologic sections and also of minor
THOMAS. I ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN RACE. 723
districts are too apparent to question their existeuce. Tlie cliief draw-
ba<-k in attempting to use these as evidences of ethnic distinctions
arises from three causes: First, the lacii of sufficient data by wiiich to
outline the different sections and districts; second, the overhipi)iiigand
intermingling of types in consequence of tlie shifting nf positions by
tribes; and third, the fact that types of art and otlier archeologic char-
acteristics are not governed strictly by ethnic lines, but are often the
result of environment, materials, and contact with other tribes. Never-
theless race characteristics and tribal customs impress themselves to a
certain extent under all variations in locations and conditions so long-
as the identity of tlie race or tribe is maintained. There is no dihiculty
in distinguishing the Mexican and (Jentral American antiquities as a
whole from those of the mcnind area of the eastern half of the United
States, yet the geographical boundaries of these sections can. with our
present knowledge, only be determined approximately. If, however,
we move from the Mexican district southward or northward ahmg the
western side of the continent we shall find the distinguisiiing features
less marked than when compared with the types of the mound area.
There is no difficulty in distinguishing the types of the Hnron-Iroqnois
district from the works of the Dakotan area (Wisconsin, Minnesota,
and the Dakotas), and we can point out some specimens of the former
types witliin the latter area, yet, where not fixed by natural conditions,
it is impossible with present data to draw a detiiiite boundary to cither
district.
Although we meet with this diffii^ulty in defining geographically the
boundaries of the districts and more cDmprehensive sei-tions it does not
prevent us from drawing correct conclusions from their general posi-
tions and peculiar types. That all the distinguishing types of a district
or se<-tion can not be attributed to the peculiar physical features of such
districts or sections must be admitted. Will any one claim that tlie
vast difference between the archeologic types of Mexico and Wisconsin
have resulted wholly from the i)hysical diffi^reuces of the two areas f
If not, it follows that so much as has not resulted from physical pecu-
liarities must be attributed to racial or tribal customs.
It is necessary at this point, in order to present the thought in view,
to repeat a few sentences given in the previous i)art of the volume
relating to "Archeological Areas and Distribution of Types.''
A careful examination of what has been ascei'tained in regard to North
American archeology; with special reference to the question of arch-
eologic sections, leads in the first place to the conclusion that the
ancient remains belong in a broad and comprehensive sense to two
general classes. One of these classes is limited geographically to the
Atlantic slope, the other chiefly to the Pacific slope, the eastern or
Kocky mountain range of the great continental mountain belt to the
Rio Grande, forming approximately the dividing line between the two
areas. According to this division the Atlantic section iiiclmles that
724 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
part of tlie coiitiueiit east of the Rocky mountaius and uorth of the Gulf
of .Mexico, and the Paciflc section the remainder from Alaska to the
isthmus of I'anama. The arctic regions, except Alaska, are not taken
into consideration.
While there are manifest and marked difi'erences in the types and
characters of the ancient works and remains of different areas within
each of these two comprehensive sections, yet when those of the Pacific
slope as a whole are compared with those of the Atlantic .slope, there is
a dissimilarity which marks them as the products of different races or
as the result of different race influences.
If this division into two great archeologic sections is based on suffi-
ciently reliable data to justify its adoption, it will form a very important
landmark in the discus.sion of the chief problems of the prehistoric times
of our continent. Reference to some, only of the evidences bearing upon
this point, is made here to show their character, as it would not be
possible to present them in detail in a short chapter.
One of the first impressions made upon the mind of the student of
North American ethnology is the resemblance in a broad and general
sense of the features, cust<)ms, arts, and archeological remains of the
west coast to those of the islands in and countries bordering on the
Pacific ocean, while on the other hand there is no such resemblance
between them and those of the Atlantic .slope. In other words, the
types when classified in the broadest sense appear to arrange them-
selves in two general divisions — tho.se belonging to the Pacific .slope
and those confined to the Atlantic slope.
Although this classification in express words has not been made, yet
we see a tendency in the works relating to the west coast ethnology
toward such a classification and a disposition to form what may be
termed the Pacific types. This is perhaps most clearly indicated by
Prof. W. H. Dall, in his paper on " Masks, labrets and certain abo-
riginal cu.stoms," published in the Third Annual Report of the Bureau
of Ethnology. Referring to this subject in his summary, he says:
The original population of America is too distant to form the subject of discussion.
There can he no doubt that America was populated in some way by people of an ex-
trenudy low grade of culture at a period even geologically remote. There is no
reason for supposing, however, that imnugration ceased with these original people.
Analogy would suggest that from time to time accessions were received from other
regions of people who had risen somewhat in the scale elsewhere, while the inchoate
American ))Opulatiou had been doing the same thing on their own ground. Be this
as it may, we find certain remarkable customs or characteristics geographically
spread north and soutli along the western slope of the continent in a natural line of
migration with overHows eastward in convenient localities. Tliese are not primi-
tive customs, but things which appertain to a point consider.ably above the lowest
scale of development in culture.
Some are customs pure and simple; e. g., labrctifery ; tattooing the chin of adult
females; certain uses of ruaslis, etc.
.Some are characteristics of culture, e. g., a certain style of conventionalizing nat-
ural olijects, an<l, in a higher stage, the use of conventional signs in a hieroglyphic
THOMAS.] ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC TYPES. 725
way; a disposition to, ami iieculiar facility in, ceitain arts, such as carvings in
wood, etc.
Some arc details of art related to religious or mythological ideas, such as tlic repe-
tition of elaborate forms in a certain attitude, with relation to myths therefore pre-
sumably similar in form or origin.
Some are similar myths themselves, a step further in the retrospect.
If these were of natural American growth, stages in development out of a uniform
state of culture, it might fairly lie expected that we should find them either sporad-
ically distributed without order or relation as between family and family wherever
a certain stage of culture had been reaclie<l or distributed in certain families wher-
ever their branches were to be found. This we do not find.
The only other alternative which occurs to me is that these features have been
impressed upon the American aboriginal world from without. If so, whence f
Northern Asia gives us no help whatever. The characteristics referred to are all
foreign to that region.
If nations from the ea.stern shores of the Atlantic were responsible, we should
expect the Atlantic shores of Anu-rica to show the results of the iuflueuce most
clearly. This is not the case, but the very reverse of the case.
We are then obliged to turn toward the region of the Pacific.
The great congeries of islands known to geographers as Polynesia and Melanesia
stretch toward South America in latitude 25^^ south, as in no other direction. Here
we have a stream of islands from I'apua to the Paumotus, dwindling at last to single
islets with wide gaps between, Elizabeth, Ducie, Easter Island, Sala-y-(iouiez, San
Felix, St, Ambrose, from which comparatively it is but a step, swept by the northerly
current to the Peruvian coast. We observe also that these islands lie south from the
westerly south equatorial current, in the slack water between it and an easterly cur-
rent and in a region of winds blowing toward the east.
Here, then, is a possible way,
I have stated how the jieculiar and remarkable identity of certain carvings asso-
ciated with religions rites turned my attention to the Jlelanesian islands.
The customs, etc., I have called attention to are, particularly, the use of masks
and carvings to a more than ordinary degree, labrelifery, human-head preserving;
identity of myths. '
Prof. Dall calls attention to the singular form of carving, represent-
ing- a flgnre witli the tongue hanging out, and usually communicating
with a frog, otter, bird, snake, or fish, observed on the northwest coast
from Oregon to Prince \^'illiam sound and also in Mexico and Nica-
ragua. We may add that this feature is found in numerous instances
in statues and bas-reliefs from Me.xico to the Isthmus, also in the codi-
ces of Mexico and Central Amciica, but seldom if ever appears in the
antiquities of the Atlantic division.
The prominent Tlaloc nose of Mexican and Central American figures,
of which the snpi)osed elc|)haiit proboscis is but one form, and the
bird bill (thunder bird) of the northwest coast are but different methods
of representing the same idea, and one is undoubtedly an outgrowth of
the other. The method of superimposing, in totem posts and statues,
one figure upon another, usually coml)ining human and animal, is
found, except in California, fnnu Ala.ska to the Isthmus, and is a true
Pacific type, being almost unknown in the Atlantic division.
The angular designs on the pottery and basketry are another marked
I Pp. 146, 147.
726 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
featnic of the west coast division. And thus we might, if this were
the i)roper place to enter into details, go on eiiunieratiug marked dis-
tinctions between these two primary ethnological sections. As evi-
dence of the fact stated let any one compare the figures in Ensign
Albert P. Niblack's excellent work on Tlie Coast Indians of Southern
Alaska and Northern British Oolumljia,' with the Mexican and Cen-
tral American monuments and figures. The marked resemblance in
many of the designs will probably be sufficient to convince him of some
relation between the peoi)les of the two sections or dei-ivation from
some common source; for example, the headdress, PI. ix, with the liead-
dressesof the Copan statues; the superimposed heads on the skirt, Xo.
34, PI. X, with the similar series of ornaments on the facade of the Casa
de M mjas of TJxmal ^ and on other structures, and the general designs
of the totem posts and mortuary columns shown therein with statues
of Nicaragua. There is, however, a sonu;what remarkable break in the
continuity of types along the western coast of upper California.
How are we to explain this? That the spread of particular types
over such a vast extent of country varies with environment and local
conditions, must be admitted. We must, therefore, consider these
types as ethnic i)eculiarities, having a comnuin origin, or adopt the
theory of Prof. Dall that "they have been impressed upon the Ameri-
can aboriginal world from without," for whicli influence we must, beyond
question, look to the region of the Pacific' But the somewhat distinct
limits to which some of the more marked of these types are confined,
especially as we find them ou the most ancient monuments, must l>e con-
sidered ethnic, as pertaining to particular stocks or tribes. Prof. Dall's
theory is, after all, but a different method of expressing substantially
the same idea. To impress peculiar characteristics in prehistoric times
required long contact or intermingling, hence by settlement on the con-
tinent. Are we to presume from the differences between western and
eastern t.^'pes that the latter are due to immigration on the Atlantic
side?
The general tendency of the more recent oi)inions in regard to the
peopling of the continent is that it was at least partly from the Atlantic
side. This is shown by the fact that some recent authorities, abandon-
ing the more generally received theory that the original po]>ulation
came from the Pacific side, are inclined to look to Europe as the original
source. For example, Dr. Brinton remarks in his " Eaces and Peoples : ''
"The.se knotty points I treat in another course of lectures, where 1
marshal sutticient arguments, I think, to show satisfactorily that
America was peopled during if not before the great ice age; that its
first settlers probably came from Europe by way of a land connection
which once existed over the northern Atlantic." But he does not sto])
here, as he adds, " and that their long and isolated residence in this
' Pulilislii'd by the Smitlisoninn Institutinn. 1800. ;' Thiril Add. Rep. Bnreiiu EtUn., p. 147.
='B:UKToi't's Native Races, vol. 4. p. 18y.
THOJIA3.I ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC TYPES. 727
continent has molded tbcm all into a singularly bomogeueous race,
which varies but silightly anywhere on the continent, and has main-
tained its tyi^e unimpaired for countless generations. Never at any
time before Columbus was it influenced in blood, language, or culture
by any other race." Dr. Horatio Hale is inclined to substantially the
same view, though somewhat reserved. The theory certainly does not
require the molding process referred to, as the settlers, according to
his belief, were of one race and received thereafter no intrusive element.
It is evident that this idea of a migration on the Atlantic side
reached by linguists after a study of the large amount of data which
has been collected, is to be attributed largely to the unsatisfactory
results obtained in attempting to trace out the links in the other direc-
tion. But the important fact is to be borne in mind that those who
reach this conclusion have prosecuted their studies on the Atlantic
slope, while the more recent anthors who have carried on their studies
on the Pacific slope have reached an exactly opposite conclusion. It is
therefore highly probable that a more thorough and comprehensive
study of all the data bearing on the question will show, as appears to
be indicated by the archeology, that the tiiith lies between these oppo-
site vie\ys; in other words, will lead to the conclusion that the conti-
nent was peopled from two sources, one part coming to the Atlantic
coast, the other to the Pacific side. Some of the Central American tra-
ditions correspond with this view, but traditions purporting to reach
back so far in the past are of course worthless. This conclusion is not
incompatible with the fact that the aborigines of America form a com-
paratively homogeneous race. As remarked somewhere by Prof. Ball,
even though derived from different sources, the long continental isola-
tion and molding influence would have brought about this condition.
But it does not follow that there would have necessarily been a unifi-
cation of customs, habits, and religious beliefs.
The spread of types of custom and art would be governed in part by
several inflirences, as ethnic lines, migrations, contact, and physical
conditions. Where we fiiul those of a character which do not depend
ujion physical conditions, but upon superstitious notions, following a
given line without spreading out indefinitely, we may assume, until
satisfactory evidence of another cause is given, that they mark a line
of migration and are largely ethnic. It is in this light we are inclined
to view the coast-line extension of the types peculiar to the Pacific
slope.
It is somewhat significant that Dr. Brintou should, notwithstanding
the views he advances in regard to the origin and homogeneity of the
American race, arrange his linguistic groups geographically by sub-
stantially the same dividing lines as those we have indicated as sepa-
rating the archeological divisions. His " North Atlantic Group,"
omitting the Eskimos, corresponds geographically with our Atlantic
divisions, and his " Noith Pacific" and "Central" groups combined,
728 MOUND EXPLOKATIONS.
with our Pacific division. Tliis arrangemeut, as be admits, is not one
of convenieuce only, as he attaches certain ethnographic importance to
it, " There is," he continues, "a distinct resemblance between the two
Atlantic groups, and an equally distinct contrast between them and
the Pacific groups, extending to temperament, culture, and physical
traits. Each of the groups has mingled extensively within its own
limits and but slightly outside of them." ' Elsewhere he remarks that
" a few of the eastern stocks, the Athabascan and the Shoshonian,
have sent out colonies who have settled on the banks of the Pacific ;
but as a rule the tribes of the western coast are not connected with any
east of the mountains. What is more singular, although they difter
surprisingly among themselves in language, they have marked anthro-
pological similarities, physical and psychical. Virchow has empha-
sized the fact that the skulls from the northern point of Vancouver
Island reveal an unmistakable analogy to those of southern California.
* * * There are many other physical similarities which mark
the Pacific Indians and contrast them with those east of the moun-
tains."^
In his "Races and Peoples" Brinton emphasizes this eastern and
western division still more pointedly : "All the higher civilizations are
contained in the Pacific group, the Mexican really belonging to it by
derivation and original location. Between the members of the Pacific
and Atlantic groups there was very little communication at any period,
the high Sierras walling them apart." '' This view, which is based on
abundant linguistic, archa^ologic, and custom data, and seems to be sup-
ported by the mass of evidence, is, however, at variance with Dr. Brin-
ton's theory in regard to the original populating of the continent, as
advanced in his "American Race."
As this separation is shown to have existed as far back as we are
able to trace customs by the archeological indications, is there not
in this fact a valid reason for believing that the original peopling of
the continent was from two different sections? Not necessarily from
the distant shores of the opposite oceans, for the characteristics of the
race, taken as a whole, as remarked by Nadaillac, and, we may add, as
shown by the archeologic remains, point toward affinities with people
belonging to the Pacific region rather than with those bordering the
oi)posite coasts of the Atlantic basin.
But to pursue this line of thought would carry us farther into the
field of speculation than is consistent with the object of this work. Our
only object in view in touching upon the subject was to show that, tak-
ing the more comprehensive view of the ethnology of North America,
we reach the same conclusion as that arrived at by a study of the
archeologic details, viz, that the supposed relation between the mound-
builders and the civilized nations of Mexico and Central America is not
I Aniericau Eace, p. 58. »()p. lit.. pp. 103. 104. sp. 248.
THOMAS! MEXICANS AND MOUND-BUILDERS. 729
sustained. The peoples of tlie two sections have been too long separated
from each other to render sneli a supposition admissible.
Linguistic evidence leads to the same conclusion. Time is an element
in the development of languages that can not be overlooked, notwith-
standing the widely different views entertained in regard to it. Even
accepting the views of those assigning the most limited period to the
formation of languages and adopting the theory of more than one origi-
nal migration, the time required for the differentiation into the numer-
ous stocks and dialects of the different sections of the North American
continent must have been very great. That the various stocks and
dialects of the Mexican and Central American section, as also of the
Atlantic section or mound area, have been differentiated since separa-
tion from the main stock, if ever they were united, must be admitted;
and that this development took place chiefly in their respective areas
maybe safely assumed from the respective positions of the branches.
This must have required a long period of time and presents a very
formidable obstacle to any other view than that the Indians of the
mound area were the authors of the ancient works found therein.
Analogy also leads to the same conclusion. The ancient remains of
other sections of North America and also of South America are trace-
able in most cases to the races found inhabiting those sections when
lirst discovered by Eui'opeans. Few if any students of American arche-
ology entertain any longer a doubt that the monuments of Mexico and
Central America are attributable to the direct ancestoi'S of the people
found occupying those countries at the time of the Spanish conquest.
Hubert H. Banci'oft, speaking of the lemaining evidences of Central
American civilization, remarks as follows : " I deem the grounds suffi-
cient therefore for accepting this Central American civilization of the
past as a fact, referring it not to an extinct ancient race, but to the
direct ancestors of the people still occupying the country with the Span-
iards.'" Dr. D. G. Brinton, in his work entitled " The American Eace,"
makes the following statement: " We can uot identify the builders of the
ruined cities of Palenque iu Tobasco and Copau in Honduras with the
ancestors of any known tribe, but the archeological evidence is conclu-
sive that whoever they were they belonged to this stock (the Mayii) and
spoke one of its dialects."^ A little further on he adds: "At the time of
the conquest the stately structures of Copau, Palenque T'Ho and many
other cities were deserted and covered with an apparently primitive
forest; but others not inferior to them, Uxmal, Chichen-Itza, I'eten,
etc., were the centers of dense population, proving that the builders of
both were identical." ^ Marquis de Nadaillac, who embraces the Mayas,
Aztecs, and other Central American stocks in the " Nahautl race," says
that " it is to various branches of this conquering race that we owe the
ruined monuments still scattered over Mexico, Yucatan, Honduras,
'Native Races, vol. ir, p. 117. ' P. 15:i. 'P. 155.
730 MOUND EXPLORATIONS.
Ouatemala and Nicaragua and found, as fav as the Isthmus of Tebnau-
tepec'
This view coincides with the conclusion of all the leading archeolo-
gists of the present day. Nor could they reach any other decision if
led by the data which is conclusive on this point.
That the ruined pueblos of New Mexico and Arizona are attribu-
table to the ancestors of the sedentary tribes of those sections is not
questioned. It is also now conceded that the cave and cliff dwellings
and other remains of that region are attributable to the ancestors of
the present Pueblo tribes.
While it does not necessarily follow that because this is true in
legard to some sections it must be true in reference to all, yet it fur-
nishes a reason for concluding that the remains of the mound section
are due to the ancestors of the Indians of that section, especially as
they are the only pre-Columbian inhabitants of that region of which
we have any knowledge.
> L'Am^rique Frehistorique, p. 261.
INDEX.
A. !
Page.
Abbott, C. C, cited 680.702,705,706
Adair, James, cited 619,654, 665, 674. 67.'i '
Adams, J. D., mound on farm ol (ArUan- ;
sas) - -- -41
Age of mounds Inferred from terrace on
whicli they stand - 626
Age of trees - ^^
Growing in old Fort Chartres, Illinois 629
Usual test imsatisf actory 030
Agrlcullm-e of the Indians Oi.'i-IVM
Alierman, Ben,1.. mound on farm of
(Georgia! - •'"2
Alabama, Barbour county, ancient re-
mains in - -^^
Blount county, burial cave in '-'86
Clarke county. Fort Manvilla, sup-
posed site of 289
Coosa river mound and house, re-
mains near 287
Elmore county, antiquities of 286-288
Explorations in - 283-292
Jefferson county, mounds in ._ 290,391
Lauderdale county, antiquities of ..283-285
Marshall cotmty, Hampton cave, bone
deposit in 285
Madison county, shell heap in ... .... -'85
Montgomery county, mounds in 289
Sumter county. Cedar Hummock
group .
286
Talladega county, site of Creek set-
tlement in 290
Alexander, J. B., mound on land of (North
Carolina) --- 349
Alibamo, fortress of 650
Allyu, Robert, assists iu exploration — ISl
Almy, John, circular works on land of
(Ne%vYork) 510
Altars and Altar, mounds not necessarily
places of sacrifice — .- 606
American State Papers, cited 695
Anderson, Robert, remains on farm of
(Arkansas) '-^28
Andrews. E. B., remarks regarding use
of fire in burial ceremonies .567,678
Finds copper article smooth and
even as if from rolled sheet 711
Angel, Silas, mounds on laud of 559
Antiquities, movable, or relics and re-
mains -- 28
Apalachucla. ancient town ol. described . 655
Page.
Appalachian district archeology of 573-575
The pipes of -,- 573
Burial motmds of 574
Stone graves of 575
Engraved shells of 575
Limits of 573
Characteristics of .573,585
Archeological areas and distribution of
types 521-593
Areas, the Atlantic and Pacific 723
District of the mound area 539-593
Districts and Indian stocks 17
Sections, primary 521-524
Architecture of the mound-builders. . . 660-666
Arkansas, ancient works and antiquities
In 198, 199, 203-325. 237-229, 223-337
Arkansascity. mound near 327,337,340
Arkansas county, Menard mounds. 339, 230
Clark county. Triggs mound and
ancient works in 347
Clayton mounds. Jeff ersou county 242
Corning group near. 198
Craighead county. Carpenters land-
ing, mound at 300
Craighead county. Webb group 201
Desha county, old (French) fort and
mounds 237,239,341
Drew county, antiquities of 239,241,242
Explorations in .- 233
Greene county, Babcock mounds 200
Jefferson county. De Soto mound 243
Jefferson county, mounds in 242
Lee county, Greer's motmd 2:il
Lincoln county, mounds in 241
Mississippi county. Frenchman's ba-
you, mounds on 221
Mississippi county. Jackson and
Sherman mounds "322,223
House sites and cemeteries In 231
Mounds iu 20O, 226, 229, '231, 337-239
Ouichata county, antiquities of 348
Phillips county. Rogers mound 336
Poinsett county mounds 207,
209. 21'3, -213-218
Poplar bluff, mounds near 193
Pulaski county. Mound lake, mounds
on bank of 243
Pulaski coimty, Thlbault mounds 245
Saline county, antiquities of 245
Saline county. Benton and Hughes
mounds near '246
731
732
INDEX.
Page.
Arkansas district, archeology of 586-590
Armstrong. Thomas, cited 673
Aslie, Thoma-s. cited 696
Atlantic and Pacific slopes, distinctions
between types of fii'i
Atwater, Caleb, quoted ..568.569, 667,716
Austin. F. R.. mounds on land of ifi.')
B.
Bacon, J. L.. mound on land of (Ten-
nessee) 377
Balrd, S. F.. identifies tooth found in
mound as that of a hog 71.^
Baldwin, C. C, identities Ohio mound-
btiilders with Indians <>00
Baldwin, J. D.. identifies mound-build-
ers with Toltecs 599
Cited 564. 60!,602, 6!5
Bancroft, Hubert H.. cited .... 601. 602. 672. 726
Barber. E. A., says the Delawares buried
in stone graves 69S
On stone pipes 705
Barnes. I. N.. workson land of (Ohio)... 489
Barrandt. A., cited 534
Barton. Benjamin S.. on origin of the
mounds 598
Bartram. William, description of Rem-
bert mounds by 315
Opinion of. regarding origin of the
mounds... 597
Cited 654. 655. 657. 674
Beauchamp, William M., chapter writ-
ten by 540-550
Engaged as special aid 19
Indebtedness to. acknowledged 25
Information furnished by 503
Beck, Lewis C. cited 629,6.58
Bell. James, cited 673
Bess. Peter, mounds on land of (Mis-
souri! 170
Discovers stone coffins 171
Beverly, Robert, cited 668, 685.686
On Indian agriculture 617
Biedma, Luis Hernandez de. cited 646,
648, 669. 685
Bierce, L,. V., cited 658
Big Sioux river, works along 35.38
Black Hawk, scene of battle by 46
Grave of 1 10, 1 1 1
Blankinstone. Mr. . copper plate obtained
by 153
Finds silver articles in Minnesota
mound 715
Bone implements from mound 382
Bnue needle from moimd 373
Bone plates from mnimd 157
Bossu. cited 674. 675
Boulware. J. N.. mounds on land of (Mis-
souri) 165
Bowlder mosaics 534
Boyle, David, os.suar.v opened by 545
Bradford. Alex. W.. on origin of the
mound-builders .599
Bracelet of shell and copper beads, fmm
mound 363
Page.
Brasseur de Bourhourg. cited 672
Breboeuf . Jean de. on commimal burial . 657, 674
Brinton. D. G.. classification of linguistic
stocks by 523
On mound-builders 600
Cited ....675,718,726,727,729
Brisco, Mrs., mounds on plantation of
(Louislanai 252
Burial, method of bundling skeleton in.. .539
Folding skeletons in.. 5.39
Instance of hasty, after battle 546
Communal or tribal 657
Skeletons often bundled in 673
Skeletons sometimes folded in 674
Several modes of 672
Intei-ment. the usual mode of 672
Removal of flesh before 672
Beneath or in dwellings 674
In a sitting or squatting posture 674
Ceremonies, use of fire in 675
Of an Indian chief described 678
Burial case, boat-shaped, clay 360
Burial customs of Indians and mound-
builders compared 671-679
Burial mounds, classification of, in Ohio
district. 567
Of the Appalachian district 574
Of the Dakotau dlstaict 538
Of Wisconsin, built in part, at least,
by Indians 708
Burnitig captives, probably practiced by
mound-builders 676
Bu$yron p^rrersum from mounds 83, 116, 131.
224, 225, 303, 343, 386, 518, 685. 713
Button. Joel, inclosure on farm of (New
Yorki 511
C.
Caches 32,540
Cairns 3!
California lArcheological) section 523
Campbell. J., translation of Davenport
tablets by 635
Canada, Orillla.fish poundnear .549
Canals . 32,.593
Carr. Lucien. on Indians and mound-
builders ....600.615
Cited 645
Cartier. Jacques, cited 618.624
Carver. Jonathan, cited 657
Cataloguing specimens, method of 22
Catlin. George, reference to North Amer-
ican Indians by 42.43
Caves, burial 28.5.286
Chain or connected mounds, where found .536
Champlain, Samuel de. cited 618
Charlevoix. P.F.X. de. cited.. 618,668
Chautauciua lake. New York, indications
of ancient works on the shores of .505
(^eney. T. Apoleon, describes burial pits
or ossuaries . . 546
Cited 506,543,548
Cherokees. burnt captives on mounds. . . 676
Cherokees. mound-builders 175
Chidester. J. D.. house sites on farm of
(Arkansas) 245
INDEX.
733
Page.
Choctaws, communal burial of. described 67T
Chronologic arrangement 28
Clark, John, donates clay pi))e — 258
House .sites on land of (Mississippi) . 258
Clark. J, V.H.. cited 503,545,547
Clarke. F. W.. analysis of silver toil by.. .501
Clayton, Powell, mounds on land of 242
Clavigero, F. .S.. cited 672
Coldeu. Cadwallader. cited 657
Collections, number and character of 22-24
CoUester. J. C, observations regarding
hut rings 42
Collet, John, notice of Angel mounds by 5.5()
Statement regarding salt-kettle pot-
tery - ,- 168
CoUett, Mrs. J. E., mound on farm of 344
Collins. Lewis, uotice of ancient work in
Kentucky by 579
Cited -■-.- 696
Colvin, Mr., graves ouland of ( Pennsylva-
nia) - 499
Conant, A. J., cited 601
Conical mounds defined 29
Conner. Mrs. Rebecca, mound on land of 348
Conyers. Mr,, Laud on farm of (Georgia* . 313
Copper, various articles of, collected from
mounds 24
Ax from mounds ._ 325
Beads from mounds 77,79.
1 13, 337, 340, 343, 379, 412, 515
Bracelets from mounds 51. ,193, 4S6, 431
Chisels from mound 107
Crescents from mound 1 13, 340
Cylinders from mound 336, 337
Cylinders made of sheet copper 711
Found by E. B. Andrews, smooth and
even as though rolled 711
Disks from mounds 76, 324
Gorget from mound 426, 495
Kettles from mounds 51, 163, ,502
Medal from mound 246
Plates from mounds ... .67, 80, 81 , 337, 416, 495
Plates with impressed figures 153, 302,
303, 305-309, 320, 324
Kings 513
Spindles from mounds 76. 97, 351 , 352
Spools from mounds and stone
graves 144.285,324,325
Covered ear pend.ants 153
Sleigh bells or hawks' bells from
mound 376,714
Wire from mound 73
From burial cave, spool 385
From stone graves, plates, figured... 161
Articles from, in some instances in-
troduced by Europeans 710
Copper plate. Hgured. from Hollywood
mound. Georgia 320
Copper plate, tigured. found in stone
graves 701
C<jrnelius. Ellas, account of Etowah
mound . cited 293
Statement by referred to 298
Cortez. Hernando, cited 671
Coulter. P F.. inclosure on land of 468
Page.
[ Courois, built mounds.f or dwelling sites. 653
Cox, William, stone graves on old place
I of... 140
Crall, I. S., works on land of (Pennsyl-
vania) 494
Cremation among mound-builders .609,675,676
Criss, Mrs., flint quarries on land of
(Ohio) 457
Crook, W. J., mound on farm of (Arkan-
sas) 228
Crouch, Peter .S., rock heaps on land of
(West Virginia) 435
Cryder, Frank, mound on land of (Ohio) . 471
Cutifachiqui of De Soto's chroniclers,
supposed site of 317
D.
Dakotan district, archeology of ...530-510
Effigy mounds of .530,533
Bowlder mosaics of 531,534
Elongate mounds of 533, .535
Connected mounds of 536
Rows of conical mounds in 537
Burial moundsof 538
Limits and characteristics of 530
Dall. W.H.. on mound-builders 600
Cited 522,56.5,620,724,727
Davenport tablets ...633-644
Davis, William, mounds on land of (Ar-
kansas) 207
De Bry, cited ...668,684
De Prenne stone graves, near Prairie du
Rocher, Illinois 136, 137
De Haas, Willis, first in charge of mound
explorations... , 19
De laHarpe, Barnard, cited 6'20, 652, 6.57, 665
Delawares buried in stone graves 692.697
Dennison. B. F., inclosure on farm of
(New York) 510
De Priest, H. G.. mound on land of (Ar-
kansas) 243
Derby. D. W., explorations by (Wiscon-
sin) 88,89
De Soto's expedition, chronicles of 646
De Soto and followers lived on corn ob-
tained from Indians 619
De Vaca. Cabeza. fotmd hawk's bill in the
hand of native 713
Dodd, Brown & Co. .of St. Louis, Missouri.
obtain clay image 225
Dorman, Rushton M., cited 609,675.676
Douseman. H. L.. mound on land of 68
Drake, Samuel G., on mound-builders... 600
Dumont, G. M., cited 653,657,682.686
Dunn. John, inclosure on farm of 513
Dunning, E. O., exploration of mounds
in east Tennessee by 359,369
DnPratz, Le Page, quoted . .617. 653, 665, 677, 682
Dwellings of chiefs on mounds 6.50, 653, 669
Of Indians shown in figure .- 621,623
Of the mound-builders (561-664
Of southern Indians 665
Remainsot mound-builders' ...203. 106.208,
•209, 227, -229
Dwelling sites defined 31
734
INDEX.
E.
Page.
Earle. F. S., engaged on special work 19
Examines certain ancient works 181
Obtains copper plate from mound 308
Finds figured copper plate in stone
grave... r 701
Eartlivvorks. circular and crescent 43,44
EfBgy mounds, deflned 31
Noticed 49, Ij4. 55, 56-63, 89. 73. 84, 85, 86, 88,
90.91.98.108,493
Of the Dakotan district 530
Confined cliiefly to Wisconsin 531
Comparative sizes of .533
Area of distribution of 530
Attributed to Siouan tribes 709
Emmert. J. W.. appointed assistant 19
Excavates motmds in Monroe county.
Tennessee 676
Procures specimens of fraudulent
articles 347
Engraved shells 575
Etowah motmd. visited by De Soto 688
European civilization, evidence of con-
tact with found in many mounds. 18
Evans, R. B., description of Sherman
mound, Arkansas, by 222,223,588
Evans, R, H., motmds on land of (Tennes-
see) 364
Farquharson. R. J., on the Davenport
tablets , 634
Cited , 601
Fel ton, Alonzo. mounds on farm of (New
York) 505
Fish weirs ..- .'- 549
Florida, Alachua county. Job Smith
mound 327
Enterprise, mounds at... 328
Explorations in 327-333
Gainesville, mound near 328
Lake George, mound on bank of 6.>l
St. Johns and Volusia counties,
mounds in 328-333
Satsuma, mound at 332
Volusia county, mounds in 328
Force. M. F., on mound-builders 600.693,704
Fortifications of the Indians and moimd-
btiilders compared 667-671
Foster, J. W., cited. _ 561, 601, 602, 614,628
On origin of the mound-builders 599
Fowke. Gerard, engaged as a.ssistant 19
Indebtedness to. acknowledged 35
Explorations by 449
Finds silver medal bearing Spanish
coat of arms iu mound 715
Franklin. Benjamin, suggests that works
of Ohio were constructed by De
Soto 597
Fraudulent articles from North Carolina 347
Frazier, Samuel, mounds onlana of (Ten-
nessee) 406
French's, B, F., Hist. Coll. Louisiana,
cited 618,619
French decanters, Imitationsof. found in
mound 715
Page.
French fort. Toulouse ( Alabama) 288
Frey. .S. L.. describes stone graves in New
York 547
G.
Gallatin, Albert, cited 718
Theory advanced by 611
Gannett. Henry, surveys of Ohio circles
by 566
Gapbson, Charles, Indosure on farm of
(NewYorki _ 508
Garden beds 33..5.tO
Gatschet, A. S..cited 718,721
Gentleman of Elvas, cited 619,
620, (M7, 1)48.649, 667. 721
Georgia. Barton county, ancient works
of 292-314
Elbert Cotmty, mounds explored in. 315, 316
Explorations iu 292-326
Habersham county, mound in 313
Richmond county, Hollywood mound . 317
Copper disk from 324
Copper plate (flguredi from 320
Drawing knife fnin. 320
European pottery from 321
Image pipes from 323, 3"Z5
Iron nails from ..319,320
Painted vessel from .322
Porcelain from 326
Pot-bearing serpent figure from. 324
Shell beads from 324,325
Tripod vessel from 322
Glass from mound (Mississippi! 275
Glass beads from mounds... 715
Gold obtained by Indians from Spanish
wreck 712
Gould, J, G,,lnclosure on land of (New
York) 511
Gowen, N, E. G,, motmd on farm of (New
York) 508
Graded ways and ramps 589
Grave creek tablet 633
Graves, stone, defined 29
Randolph county, Illinois 134-140
Age of... 136
Sometimes comparatively recent. .136, 698
Alexander county, Illinois 149
Union county 160
Copper plate from 308
Kanawha county. West Virginia 421
Of peculiar form. Brown county. Ohio 452
Occasionally found iu New York 547
In Ohio district 571
In Appalachian district 575
In central or Tennessee district 580, .584
Box-shaped, how constructed 690
Delawares buried in 692
Most abundant in middle Tennessee. 693
Shawnees buried in 697
Gravier, Jacques, cited.. 624,652,657
Grimm, Charles, mounds on land of 559
Guess. George, inventor of the Cherokee
alphabet 393
Gulf district, archeology of .590-i>93
PjTamidal mounds of 590
INDEX.
735
Page.
Gulf district, burial mounds of 590
Modes of burial iii._ .-- 591
Burial caves in 592
Inclosures and walls of 592
Canals and ditches in r>93
Pottery and minor vestiges of art of. 593
C. C. Jones on ....590,593
Limits of 590
Characteristics of .590
H.
Hakluyt. Richard, cited tiU
Hardy and Sheetz, explorations by, in
Missotiri - 551
Harlot, Thomas, on Indian agriculture . 610
Harris, Thaddeus M., on origin of the
moimds 598
Haven, Samuel H., on mound-builders . . 600
Hawkins, Ben.iamin. cited ... 720
Hawkins (Hakluyt), cited 718
Hawley, Gidpou, noticed Indian custom
of casting stones on heap- 547
Hawn, William H., motmd on land of
(Ohio).... - 440
Hay, P,R., cited 708
On mound-builders 600,630,717
Hays, A. D., inclosure on land of 104
Haywood. John, cited 356,676,684,693,694
Heart, Jonathan, on origin of the mounds 598
Heckewelder, John G. E.. cited 657.674
Delaware tradition given by 599
Herrera. Antonio, cited 626. fVJ7. 6.50
Hill, James M., mound group on the
farm of (Ohio) 451
ITistorical evidence that Indians built
mounds - 645.659
Hitton. William, cited 624
Hodgson, W. B.. on Grave creek tablet.. 632
Hoissen. Mr., mound opened by 93
Holmes, William H., discusses designs
on copper plates 308
Figure of serpent mound by. 493
Pigtires Mississippi mounds... 253
Figiu'esiiottery from Arkansas 240
Indebedtuess to, acknowledged 25
Shows types of shell pens 686
Hosmer, W. H.. qtioted 514
Howland, H. R., finds figured copper
l^late in mound 701
Huddleson, A., inclosure on farm of
(West Virginia) 407
Hughes, George, mound on farm of
(Arkansas) 246
Hull, Prof,, survey of ancient works by 156
Hunt, Charles, cemetery on land of 345
Hunter, A. F., reports numerous osstta-
ries about Barrie, Ontario 545
Huron- [roquis district, archeology of... 540-550
Burial m(.mnds of 543
Stone mounds of 544
Hut rings of 545
Ossuaries of 545
Graves and cemeteries of 547
Inclosures of __ 547
Fish weirs and pounds in ,549
Page.
Huron-Iroquis district, garden beds of . . . 5,50
.4ncient inhabitants of 550
Caches in 549
Hut rings defined 31
Hut rings in Norlh and South Dakota... 41
I.
Illinois, archeology of 112-163
Adams coimty, antiquities of 120
.-Alexander coimty, antiquities of 148-155
A va, mounds near 142
Baldwin, stone graves near 140
Big Mary river, village sites along. . . 141
Bluff ferry, stone graves near 140
Brown county, moundiin 11^
Calhoun coimty, mound groups of. .121-131
Carbondale, mound near 141
Cass county, modes of burial iu 554
Chester, mounds near 140
Dunleith 114
East Dubuque, mounds near 113,114
Evansville, mound near 140
Hardin, mounds near 139
Indian grave prairie, evidences of
ancient occupancy of 120
Jackson county, antiquities of 141-147
Jo Daviess county, anticiuities of . . . 112
Lagi'ange, ancient works near 119
La Salle county, ancient wall in 560
Lawrence county, mounds of 163
Madison county, Cahokia mounds. 133,361
Madison and St. Clair counties.
mounds of 131-134
Madison county. Wood River
mounds 132
Mercer county, mounds used as
dwelling sites in .560
Mill creek, "Indian diggings "near . 154
Mill creek, mounds near 148
Peoria, copper plate obtained from
mound-near 308
Pike county, antiquities of 117
Prairie du Rocher, mounds at 140
Prairie du Rocher, stone graves
near 134, 136
Randolph county, antiquities of... 134-141
Rock Island county, mounds used as
dwelling sites in ,560
Rockwood, mound near 140
Rockwood, stone graves near.- 139
Russellville, motmds near 163
Sparta, mounds and stone graves
near 140-141
Union county, ancient works of 155-163
Whitesides county, motmds used as
dwelling sites in 560
Illinois district, archeology of 550-,56l
Limits and characteristics of ,5,50
Burial moimds of 551-556
Image of clay from Arkansas mound 225
images, .stone 308,361
Inclosures 547-562
Sacred, definition of, by Squier and
[ Davis 605
1 Evidence regarding, discussed 606
736
INDEX.
Page.
Indiana. Meron, mound group near HM
Vanderburg county. AngelmoundS-556~.%9
Vauderburg county, mound group in , .5.56
Indians, Were the mounds built by 20
The term detlned as used herein 596. 610
The mound-builders 610
Not nomads when first discovered. . . 615
Cultivated several varieties of maize. 615,
617,618
Huill mounds, historical evidence
that 646,647,650,653,658
Obtaiued gold and silver Irom
Spanish wrecks 712
Rapid spread of European articles
amoug 713
Indian theory, objections to. answered. . 610
In.scribed tablets 633
Iowa. Alamakee county, antiquities of. 99-107
Archeology of 99-113
Clayton county, mrmnds in 108
Dubuque county, antiquities of 108-110
Eldon. mouudsuear... 110
Hays' farm, ancient earthworks on-104. 105
lowaville. mounds near 110
Jordan, J. H., information furnished
by 110,111
Lee county, mounds on bluff of _ 112
Motmds and earthworks in 38.45,99, 100
Peru, mound group near 108, 109
Scott county, Cook farm group 553
Van Buren county, motmds in 112
., Wapello county, remains in.. 110
lowas. mounds of 110
Irou blade, fragment of. from mound in
North Carolina 336
Celt from moimd in NorthCarolina 337
Iron nails, from Hollywood mound.
Georgia 319,^0
Isthmi:in (^Archeological) section 523
Jackson, B. F., mounds on land of (Ar-
kansas) 332
Jackson, John, mounds on farm of (Ten-
nessee) 395,396
Jackson lake, mound on island in 286
Jarrett. Patton, mound on farm of i Geor-
gia) 314
Jefferson, Thomas, cited 673
Johnson, G. B., mounds on land of i Ten-
nessee i 364
Johnson. J. L., mounds on land of iTeu-
uessee 379
Jomard, M., onGravecreek tablet 633
Jones, C. C, archeology of the southern
section described by 590,593
Cited 649, 665, 673, 675, 688, 689. 698, 721
Work of, regarding southern anliqtii-
ties mentioned 393
Description of Etowah mounds by,
quoted 294
Jones. George, opinion alluded to 599
Jones, Joseph, cited 599,691
Examination of Selsertown mound
on behalf of 366
Page.
Jones, Joseph, notices earthwork in
which are stone graves and hut
rings
Jones. W. Davenport, mound on land of
(North Caroliuai.,
n38
Kentucky, explorations in 279-283
Hickman county, antiquities of..'..,. 380
Kirkland, Samuel, Inclosure noticed by. 543
Knapp. Gilbert, mounds on farm of (Ar-
kansas) 343
Knife from raoimd (Mississippi ) 375
Knife, drawing, from Hollywood mound
iGeorgiai 330
L.
Lafitau, J. F.. cited 668,674
La Hontan, cited 675
Lane, H. P.. earthworks on land of 99
Lane, Samuel, mound on farm of (Ten-
nessee) 391
Languages, differentiation and develop-
ment of, require great length of
time - -. 729
LaPetit. Mathurin, cited 653
Lapham, 1. A., figures of mounds by. re-
ferred to .535-537
Graphical representation of effigy
mounds by 53'i
Motmds described by 4r
Cited 537,604,707.708
Larkin, Frederick, cited . .509
Latimore. J., mounds on farm of (Ten
nessee)... 371
La Vega, Garcilasso de, cit«d . . .626, 647, 649. 688
Law, Robert, mounds on plantation of
(Arkansas)... 199
Lawrence, Frank, inclosure on farm of
(New York) .50s
Lawson, John, cited 619, 675, 679, 685, 686
Leach. M. L.. article by, referred to 518
Le Clercq, Maximus, cited 618
Lee, M. G.. mounds and cemetery on
laud of (Tennessee) 364
Le Moyne de Morgues, figures by 62i-650
Lenoir Manufacturing Company, mounds
on land of ( Tennessee) 396
Lenoir, Rufus, burial pit on land of
(North Carolina) 343
Lewis, T.H., cited 39
Remark of, on distribution of bowl-
der mosaics .534
Lewis and Clark, village visited by 43
Cited 6.58
Linguistic evidence as 'to local perma-
nency of population 739
Locke. John, allusion to Investigations
of 440
Estimate by, of cubic contents of
wallsof Fort Ancient 493
Louisiana, archeology of... 250-252
Catahoula parish, Troyville
mounds 250. '351
INDEX.
737
Page.
Louisiana. Tensas parish, St. Josepli.
mounds near 252
Wishita ijarish. Pargourrt group 250
Lubbocli, John, on mound-builciers 600
On so-called "altars"' 608
Ly tie. A, , mound on farm of ( North Caro-
lina) 348
M
McAd.ams, William, engaged as tempo-
rary assistant 19
Explorations and surveys by--.131,132,I34
McAndrews, Joseph, mounds on farm of
(Tennessee) ..- 404
McCanslaud, John, mounds on land of
(West Virginia) 435
McCuUoch, Charles E., mound on land ol 436
McCuUoh. James H., ascribes the mouuds
to Indians 600
Mf'Gee, Mrs. Ann, mound on land of
(Tennessee) 377
Mac Lean, J. P., cited _.. 599,601,603
Engaged on special work 19
Investigations of, in Ohio 440
McMurray. Boyd and Samuel, mounds
on farms of (Tennessee).. 368
McSpadden, T. T., mounds on farm of.. 372, 373
Madison, Bishop, on origin of the
mounds 598
Maize cultivated by mound-builders 683
Varieties of, cultivated by the In-
dians 617
Mallery, Garrick, drawings of rock etch-
ings by 107
Manitoba, archeology of _. 35-37
St. Andre\vs. mounds near 35
Snyder, Amos, mounds near resi-
dence of... 37
Maps of mound distribution referred
to 524,536
Marquette, Jacques, cited 617, 624
Maryland. Washington county, stone
graves in .._ 696
Mason. E. G.. cited 629
Mayas not mouud-buiklers 18
Measurements of depth in mounds,
method of taking 210
Metcalf, J. N.. inclosure on land of (New
York) 509
Melham, Preu, flint quarries on land of
(Ohio). 457
Mexican and Central American (Archeo-
logical) section 523
Mexicans not mound-builders 18
Michigan, explorations in 516-519
Middleton. James V>.. appointed assistant 19"
Indebtedness to, acknowledged 35
Survey of ancient works by 92, 181,263,
414,461,472,481
Survey of the Elephant mound by . . . 92
Finds stone graves of southern Illi-
nois to be in part comparatively
recent 136.608
Examines .Selsertown motmds. 265
Pails to find certain iuclosures 415 '
12 ETH i7
Page.
Middleton. James D.. explorations by ..440, ,'>71
Reports survey of the Hopeton works 472
Calls attention to bundled skeletons
in mounds 539
Observes evidence of the use of fire
by mound-builders in burial cer-
emonies 678
Observes evidence of skeleton burial. 673
Migration, lines of 525
In the Gulf states 719
Mlndeleff, Victor, survey of large mound
of Etowah group by 300
Minnesota, antiquities of 42, 45-47
Pipestone county, autiqulties of 42-44
Mississippi, Adams county, Selsertown
group 263-267
Archeology of 253-278
Bolivar county, exiilorations in 258
Coahoma county, ancient works in .253-2.58
Union county, mound group in 267-378
Washington county, ancient works
in 259
Yazoo City, mounds near 260-263
Missouri, archeology of 163-199
Bollinger count.v, motmds in 170
Butler county. Powers' fort 194,195
Cape Girardeau county, antiquities in 166
Charleston, trade in mound pottery
by people in vicinity of... 183
Clark county, mounds of 163
Clifton springs, salt kettle pottery
found near 167
Lewis county, antiquities In 167
Mississippi county, mounds and an-
tiquities 184-189
St. Louis county, antiquities in 167
Scott and Mississippi counties,
mounds of 183-193
Stoddard county, antiquities of 172-183
Monroe, Thomas, inclosure on land of . . . 468
Moorehead, Warren K., criticism by,
noticed 492
Theory adopted by 562
Morgan, Lewis H , cited 565, 601 , 623, 705
Derives mound-builders from Pueblo
tribes _ 599
Ou Indian migrations 614
Morude, Mrs., statement regarding age
of stone graves, Randolph cotiuty,
Illinois 163
Moscosa. Tradition ascribes Old Town
works, Phillips county, Arkansas,
to, and remnant of De Soto's
army 234
Mounds containing evidence of contact
with European civilization. ..18, 42, 45,
51, 59, 65, 67, 73, 78, 80, 120, 154,
163, 274, 275, 314. 319-324, 337,
371, 376, 393, 398, 403, 431, 486
Number of, explored 23
Conical, deflned.... 29
Elongate or wall-like 30, 35, 55, 533, 534
Silver articles from 51, 52, 67, 275, 501
Connected or chain 52,536
Singular vaults In 116, 334,
335, 353, 353, 417, 554
738
INDEX.
Page.
Mounds of the Pottowatamles 110
Of tUelowas 110
Containing altars (so calledi 130,570
Bone implements from 153,382
Glass from 163,275,321
Image vessels from 188,205,
321,235,237,263.279
Gourd-shapert vessel from 190
Owl-shaped ve.ssels from 191,386
Fish-shaped vessels from _ 1 92
Effect of earthquake on 199
Clay casts of maize from 205,207
Stone spool from 225
Double 253,254
Shell-.shaped vessel from 259
Scissor blade from 274
Mode of depositing dirt in, shown . .270-274
Iron knife from 275
Copper articles from 76, 81, 145, 385,
.303-307, 309. 320. 324. 336. 338,
339. 351-353. 376, 383. 710-714
Engraved shells from 306, 307, 338, 339,
376, 377, 383. 224, 384, 402, 575
Stone Images from 308,361
Iron articles from 163,274,
275, 319, 320. 337
European pottery from 321,326
Pipes from 233, 335, 333. 335. 338. 339, 340,
341. 353, 354, 383. 402. 403, 427, 573
Shell beads from 324, 326, .336, 337, 340
Shell pins from 376,377,403
Shell masks from 376,384
Moccasin-shaped pot from 376
Hawk's-bellsfrom 376-714
Connected (chain moundsi 536
Conical, In rows or lines 537
Of stone .-- 544
Dome-shaped or beehive vaults in _ . . 554
Of the Ohio district, wholly or partly
of stone 568,569
Opinions regarding the origin of .597
And other ancient work, various types
of 602
Age of 626,627
Used as places of refuge in time of
overflow _. 626
Houses of chiefs placed on 649,650
Subsequent use of by Indians 706
Mound-builders, adopted several modes
of burial n
Removed flesh before burial 17
Made use of fire in burial ceremonies 17
Consisted of numerous tribes 17,528,706
Houses of the 17,203,
208,227,229,587,661-664
Mexicans were not the. is
Pueblo tribes were not the 18
Mayos were not the 18
Cherokees were _ 18
Mode of lathing houses by 206,209
Section of defined 534
Relations of to the Indians dis-
cu.ssed .595-730
General observations respecting. . . . 595
Were they Indians. 596
Considered by many as one people... 602
Page
Mound-builders, w-ars among, proof of
tribal divisions 603
Were Indians 610
Works of compared with those of the
Indians 651,659-671
Architecture of 660-666
Fortifications of compared with
those of the Indians ...667-671
Burial customs of compared with
those of the Indians 671-679
Usually interred their dead 672
Often buried dead in a sitting pos-
ture 674
Cremation by, doubtful 676,676
Probably practiced burning captives. 676
Probably tortured captives 676
Not addicted to htiman sacrifice 676
Andlndians cultivated maize 683
Shell ornaments of similar to those
used by Indians 684
And Indians used shell gorgets 686
And Indians used shell pins as ear
ornaments 686
And Indians made and used pipes 687
And Indians, links directly connect-
ing 688-706
Chief seats of power of, in the Gulf
states 719
Mound-builders' and Indians' work com-
pared _. 659
Mound-builders' structures, mound con-
taining fragments of 400,401
Mound nomenclature heretofore given
a hindrance to legitimate arche-
ology 604
Mount Pleasant (Tuscarora chief),
statement by 512
Mull, M. A., donates engraved shell (Ar-
kansas) 2*25
Muskoki tribes, probably motmd-build-
ers 718
N.
Nadaillac, Marquis de, cited.. 565, 611
620, 683 739
Statement by, corrected 530
Natchez Indians, built their temple on a
mound 653
Neil, Hugh, iuclosure on land of (New
York) 512
Nelson, T. F., mounds on the farm of. ..334,335
Newark Works. Newark, Ohio .459, 468
Newberry, Gen., mounds on land of 85
New York, antiquities of, ascribed to
the Iroquois _ 667
Cazenovia. stockade near 548
Chautauqua cotmty, ancient works
in 503-512
Explorations in 503,545
Genesee county, bone fort 543
Gene.seo, mounds near 515
Jefferson county,Perch lake hut-rings
about ...545
Livingston cotmty. antiquities in. .514, 515
Madison county, ancient works in.. 503-505
INDEX.
739
Page.
New York, Niagara county, antiquities
in 512
Syracuse, stone graves near 547
Wyoming county, Dunn farm, inclos-
ureon .513,514
Nlblack, A. P.,cite<l 726
Nicollet, J. N., observations by ...- 42
Cited 44
Nomenclature t see mound nomenclature).
Norris, P. W., appointed assistant, death
ol .- 19
Visits pipes tone region of Minnesota. . 42, 41
Mounds examined by 83, 253, 587
On elephant mound by 91
Cited on effect of earthquake on
mounds 200
Cited in reference to vessels found ... 232
On inclosure at Charleston, West Vir-
ginia 415
On evidence of skeleton burial 673
On evidence of use of fire by mound-
builders in burial ceremonies 678
On remains of mound-builders" houses 664
North Carolina. Buncombe county,
mounds in 348,350
Burke county, antiquities of 344
Caldwell county, mounds in ..333-344
Caldwell county, Patterson grading. 333
Caldwell county, Lenoir burial pit.. 343
Explorations in 333-350
Fort Defiance, remains near 342
Haywood county, mounds in 346
Henderson county, mounds in 348,349
Waynesville, mounds near 347
Wilkes county, antiquities of 344,345
North Dakota, mound and hut-rings in.. 37,41
Peculiar burial mounds in 538
O.
Obsidian implement, from mound 82
Ohio, explorations in _. .440-493
Adams county, serpent mound 493
Brown county, mounds and stone
graves in 451^57
Brownsville, mounds near 458-169
Coshocton coimty, flintdiggingsin.457,458
Flint ridge __ 572
Franklin county, ancient works in. 449-451
Hocking cotmty, ancient works in ..446,447
Knox county, mounds in 440-446
Licking county, ancient works in. . .458-169
Madisonville, mound near, containing
skeletons surrounded by stones.. 570
Mount Vernon, mound at 444
Mount Vernon, cemetery mound 464
Newark, works at _ 459-468
Perry county, antiquities of 470
Pike county, antiquities of 489-492
Ripley, stone grave near 455
Ross county, antiquities of ...4724-88
Warren county. Fort Ancient 492,561
Ohio district, archeology of.. 561-573
Burial mounds of 566-567
Cemeteries and pits of 572
Inelosures in 562
Page.
Ohio district, limits and characteristics
of 561
Motmds wholly or partly of stone in. 569
Pyramidal mounds of 571
Stonegraves in 571
Ornaments, brass, from mound 80
Ossuaries 545
Pacific slope, types of. resemble those of
thePacitic islands 724,728
Differ from those of the Atlantic
slope 724
Page, Prof., on Grave creek tablet 632
Paleographic objects , 28
Palmer, Edward, appointed assistant... 19
Reports previous ex.uloratlon of Me-
nard mound 231
Visits the Silvertown mound.. 263
Believes the large mound at Silver-
town to be a natural formation.. 265
Notices remains of mound-builders'
houses 663
Parkinson, William, mound on land of
(Pennsylvania) 496
Patrick, Dr., collection of 133
Mentions peculiar arrangement of
shells in a moimd 361
Peck, J, M., cited 695
Peet, Stephen D.. engaged as temporary
assistant _ 19
Explores etttgy mound.. 98
Opinion in reference to etftgy mounds 532
Cited .533,670
Pennsylvania, explorations in 494-503
Monongahela City, mounds and
graves near 496
Monongahela valley, antiquities of.. 494
Warren county, ancient works in . .499-503
Perrine, T. M., ancient works described
by... 155
Cited. 699
Excavations by 158, 161
Pot found by _ M2
Pettigrew, F. W.. Investigations by 38,39
Pickett, A. J., cited 677
Pins made by Indians and motmd-build-
ers 686
Used as ear ornaments 686
Pipes '. 323,325,
338, 339, 340, 341, 353, 354, 383, 402, 403, 427
Form a link connecting mound-build-
ers aud Indians 701,703
From mounds differ from those used
by Maya, Nahau, and Pueblo
tribes _ 704
Typical form of the broad, curved
base _ 704
And tobacco, used by Indians and
mound-builders 687
Image _ ....233,235.323.325
Pits 32
Potter, W. B . reference to work on
mounds of southeastern Mis-
souri 172
740
INDEX.
Page.
Pottery, from Wisconsin mound 83
Pots 83,334,319
Plat-bottomed jar 143-247
Image vessels ....188, 205, 231. 335, 237, 263, 279
Gourd-shaped vessel 190
Owl-shaped vessels 191,386
Fish-shaped vessel 192
Tripod vessels 189,210,322
Full-faced image vessels 221
Water bottles 222,223
Ornamented... 247
Shell-shaped vessel 259
European, from mound 321
Painted vessels 323
Painted vessel from mound 323
Pot-bearing serpent figure 324
Vessels with figures engi'aved there-
on 334
Fragment of European, from
Georgia mound 336
Moccasiu-shiped, from mound 37fi
Mound and Indian compared 681
Method of making described by Du-
niont -.- 683
Glazed, from mound.. 714
Pottowatamles, mounds of 110
Powell, J. W., coppef obtained by 308
Poynter, Robert H., statement of, regard-
ing burial of an Indian chief 678
Pratt, W. H., answers Inquiries resi.e?t-
ing tablet 637
Pre-Columbian times, problems relat-
ing to -- 733
Prehistoric problems discussed from
the linguistic standpoint 723
Price, W. H., finds gun b.arrel In mound.
Pueblo or Interraontane i archeologlcal)
section
Pueblo tribes not mound-builders
Putnam, F. W., finds figured copper
plate in stone grave
Cited 661, 699,716
Pyramidal mounds defined 30
Pyramidal mounds of Arkansas 588
R.
715
01
Ratlnesque, extravagant hypothesis of . . .
Ramsey, A., mound on laud of (Ten-
nessee)
Ramsey, J. G. M., cited 676,
Rau. Charles, cited 504,680,681,683,705,
Red river valley, mounds of
Retu.se heaps, defined
Reynolds, Henry L,, engaged as assist-
ant —
Indebtedne.ss to. acknowledged
Reports exploration of a Georgia
mound
Surveys lines at the Newark works
(Ohio)
Finds European articles in mound. . .
Reynolds. John, cited
Risely, Levi, mound on land of (New
York)
Rogan, John P.. appointed assistant
Surveys the Etowah mounds
Page.
Rogan, John P., explores the Etowah
mounds 302
Work In Florida by 327
Excavates North Carolina mounds.. 334
Romans, Barnard, cited 065,674
Royce. C. C. cited 696,697
S.
Sacrifice, indications of tire erroneously
taken as proof of 604
Human, seldom practiced by Indians. 676
Was it practiced by the mound-
builders? 076
Salt kettle pottery 167,683,696
Salt, Indians making 347
Sagard.TheodatG., cited 618,624
Schllmpert, Joseph, mounds on land of
(Illinois) 145
Schoolcraft, Henry R.,oisaary, described
by 503
On mound-builders 600
Cited 597,665,694
Scott, William, inclosure on land of (New
York) 509
Secotan, village of 631
Sellers, G. E., discovers salt kettle pot-
tery in stone graves 695
Senex. John,mapof referred to 694
Seyffarth, Dr., attempts to explain Dav-
enport tablets 634
Shaler. N. S., on mound-btiilders 600
Shawnee, band locates among the Chero-
kces of east Tennessee 694
Shawuees, chief home of on the Cum-
berland river 693
Made salt 696
Buried in stone graves 697
Probabl.v in Illinois before entering
Cumberland valley 700
Shell, articles of, among mound-builders
and Indians, similar.. 634
Shell beads from mound 334,326,337
Shell gorgets, used by Virginia and Caro-
lina Indians 686,703
Shell masks, from mounds 376
Shell pins, from mounds 376, 377, 402
Described by Dumont 686
Shell ornaments for the ear 402
Shells, engraved 234,306,307.
338, 369, 377, 383,384, 402
Prom North Carolina mounds 337,338
Found chiefly in areas occupied by
Cherokees and Shawnees 702
A link connecting mound- builders
and Indians 701
List of localities, where found 702
Sherrard, James, notice of antiquity,
by 505
Sherril, Sion J., mound on the farm of
(North Carolina)... 344
Shipley, Worthlngton, mound on farm of
(Ohio) 446
Short.John T,, cited 565,599,601,
603, 603.606
Sibley.H.F., cited 658
Silver foil, pieces of frommound 501
INDEX.
741
Page
Silver obtained by Indians from Spanish
wrecks - 712
Silver plate, with Spanish coat-ol'-arms
from Mississippi mounds 27S
Smith. C. M-, descriptionof flint quarries
by 572
Smith, Felix, mound on farm of (Arkan-
sas) 241
Smith, John, cited 668
"History of Virginia." copy of figure
from 623,623
Smith, Q. C, Rlchwoods mounds. Mo.,
referred to by 175
Smith, W. R.. cited 658,659
Snowden, Mr.s. Peter G.. mound on land
of (Florida) 328
Snyder.J. F.. cited 673
Snyder, J. F.. describes modes of burial. 554
Souris river, mounds along 35-37
South Carolina, explorations In 326
Kershaw district, mounds in 317-326
South Dakota, bowlder circles 39
Bowlder figures in _. 40
Medicine butte, bowlder figures on., 39
Moimds in ._ 38-39
Sioux Palls, antiquities near 38
Snake butte. bowlder figures on 39
Village sites of 41
Southern section, districts of 586-593
Spainhour. J. M.. assists in exploring
mounds 334
Spool made of stone (Arkansas).. 225
Squier, E. G., burial mound examined
by 543
Defensive work mentioned by 541
Notices cust om of placing stones over
graves 546
Cited 667
Squier and Davis, classification of 27
Cited 146. 265, 479, ,562, 664, 566, 569,
588, 602, 605, 625, 656, 704, 707
Investigations of. In Ohio 440
On "sacred inclosures" _ 605
Staats. Jacob, mound on land of (Ohio). 441
Stafford, Isaac, discovery by (New York) 508
Stafford, .S. C, mound on farm of (Ala-
bama) _. 283
Stakely. John B., mound on land of (Ten-
nessee).... 358
Sterling, Mrs. P. J. , group on plantation
of (Mississippi) 259
Stevens, G. R., mound on land of (Ar-
kansas) 235
Stlnson, Floyd, dlscribes Angel group,
(Indiana) 556
Stoddard, Amos, cited 629
Stone bearing Cherokee letters, from
mound 393,394
Strong, Moses, mounds described by 52,55
Swallow, G. Celled 664
Tablets, inscribed 633-644
Tallegwi, identified with Toltecs by
Dawson 599
Page.
Tally, N. D.. mounds on plantation of
(Alabama ) 290
Tate, Z. A. .mounds on landof (Georgia). 315
Taylor, J. M., moiiuds on land of (Ar-
kansas) 239
Taylor. W., statement in regard to old
settlement (Alabama) 290
Mentions stone graves in western
Pennsylvania. 697
Temples and council houses on
mounds 648,653,653,655
Tennessee, Blount county, antiquities
of... .' 366.388
Carter county, antiquities of 354
Chilhowey (old Cherokee town) 371
Chote (old Cherokee to wn ) 379
Cocke county, graves and mound in . . 356
Daudridge, mound near 357
Explorations in 278, 279, 351-407
Frauklin, ancient works near 577
Half-way town (old Cherokee town). 371
Jefferson county, mounds in 357,358
Lauderdale county, mounds in 278
Loudon coimty, antiquities of... 366, 390-404
Meigs county, mounds of 404
Mialaquo (old Cherokee town) 389
Monroe county, antiquities of 366-390
Monroe and Blount counties, Bacon
and McGee mounds 377
Obion coimty, mounds in 279
Paris, inclostu'es near 577
Rhea county, mounds in 408
Roane county, ancient works in 358-364
Settacoo (old Cherokee town) 377
Sullivan county, ancient works in .. 351-354
Tommotley (old Cherokee town) 380
Toskegee (old Cherokee town) 388
(East! explorations in 351-107
Tennessee or Central district, limits of. 575
Characteristics of 575
Archeology of 575-585
Tennessee river, Little, archeology of
the valley of 366
Thaumer de la Source. M., quoted 620-652
Thibault, J.K., mounds on farm of (Ar-
kansas) 245
Donates specimen to the Bureau 245
Thing, L. H.. engaged as temporary as-
sistant 19
Obtains copper plate from stone
grave 308
Finds clay plastering in moimd 664
Finds figured copper plate in stone
grave _ 701
Thomas, B. G., group on farm of (Wis-
consin) 5(3
Thomas. Cyrus, papers by, cited or re-
ferred to 308, .562,718,721
Thomas. John S., burial place on farm
of (Tennessee) 355
Thompson, Henry, mounds on laud of . . . 142
Thorn, R. R. mounds on land of... 121
Throsh, J. B.. mound ou farm of (North
Carolina) 350
Thurston, Mr., assists in excavating
mound 417
742
INDEX.
Page.
Tiffany, Albert, mounds on land ot (New
York) 500
Tiffany, A. S., prouounces the Davenport
limestone tablet a fraud 63f
Tiller, J. T., mound on farm of (Arkan-
sas) 240
Timberlake, Henry, map by, referred
to 367,371,377,379,388,389
Tipton,M.M.,moundsou laud of (Tennes-
see) - 391
Todd, J. E., name "bowlder mosaics"
givenby 534
Toltees, nationality of, net asserted 598
Tontv, Henri de. quoted 665
Tower, M. S., circular inclosure on land
of (New York) 510
Triggs. W. A., mound ou larm of (Arkan-
sas) 247
Tumliu, G. H., moimd group on land of
(Georgia) 292
Turtle ligtu-e, made of bowlders 39,40
V.
Vaults in moimds, Beebive shaped 334,
335, 352, 353
Wooden 417,427,448,485
Conical clay vaults 417
Double, wooden 485
Vegetables and plants cultivated by the
Indians described 616
Vlmont, Bartbflemy. cited 618
Vogel, Henry, mounds on land of 143
W.
Walker, S. T., statements about Florida
mounds quoted ..647,673
Wallbridge, T. C, mounds described by
(Canada) _ 544
Warner, Jared, sketch of elephant
mound by 92,93
Water bottle, ornamented 247
Watkins, T. J., mounds onfarmof (Ten-
nessee) 405
Webb, Jasper, moimds ou land of (Ar-
kansas) 201
Webster. Noah, on origin of the mounds. 597
West Virginia, explorations in 407-440
BarboursvlUe, mound group near.. 438, 439
Cabell county... 438
Charleston, ancient works near 424-434
Criel moimd, near Charleston 415-416
Payette county, ancient stone wall.. 409
Fayette county, inclosure in 407
Fayette county, rock circles 407, 408, 410
Great Smith mouud. near Charleston 425
Kanawha county, antiquities of 410-434
Mason county, McCuUoch mound ... 436
Mason county, rock heaps and
nioundsln 435
Putnam county, antiquities of 434
Page.
West Virginia, rock wall near Clifton ... 411
White, George, mention of Rembert
mound. Georgia, by 315
Whitman. James P, donatescopperspool
(Alabama) 285
Whittlesey, Charles, description of Eto-
wah moimds by, cited 296,301
Allusion to work of. in Ohio 440
Survey of Newark works by 459
Whitney, A. W., mounds on farm of,
(New York).. 506
Wilkinson. Williaml., mound onlaud of. 123
Williamson, Dempsey, mounds ou laud
of 142
Wilson, Daniel, cited .527,675,683
Belief regarding certain iuclosures.. 564
Identifles mound-builders with Az-
tecs 599
On Grave creek tablet 633
Winchell. N. H., finds glass bead in
mound 715
Wisconsin, antiquities of 47-77
Archeology of 47-98
Barron county, mounds of 94-98
CassvlUe, works near W-86
Crawford county, Courtois group ... 63-67
Crawford county. Sue Coulee group. . 75
Earthworks near Eastman 52,54
Fliicke, Joseph, mounds ou land of.. 72
Grant county, antiquities of.. 83-93
Hazen Corners, earthworks at 55-58
Lynxville, Armstrong group near... 73,74
Lynx\nlle Polander group near 69,73
Mound group 47
Moimd group near Madison _ 46, 47
Prairie du Chien, J3ouseman mound. 68
Prairie du Chien, Fliicke group near. 72
Prairie du Chien, mounds in vleinlty
of 47,50,63,68,69,72,74
Rice lake mounds 94,96
Rock county, antiquities of 98
Sheboygan county, antiquities of 93
Slanmer'.s land, mounds on.. 62
Vernon county, antiquities of 77-84
White, H.. mounds on laud of 79
Wy alusing. works near 87-91
Wise, William, mounds on f.arm of 163
Witting, August, mounds on farm of
(Missouri) 169
Wislizenus, stone graves examined by.. 138
Works of mound-builders and Indians
compared 651,659-671
Wyman, Jeffrej^s, reference to mono-
graph of 329,333
Wyth, John, cited 622
Y.
Yarrow, H. C, on buri.al customs 672,
675,677,708
Vasous built mounds for dwelling .sites - 653
7
Wfe^'^suc
9999
I
LIBRA
«V
063Tr7]flll^
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11