GEOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES. 381 



as to require much labor to remove them. They appear to have been 

 placed on their edges, till within two or three feet of the center, where 

 they are found lying flat. 



On removing the stone, a stratum of ashes supposed to be human 

 varying from one to four inches in thickness, was discovered. Spe- 

 cimens of these we have now before us, and the action of acid clearly 

 indicates the presence of lime. But this is not all ; particles of bone 

 and charcoal are found intermingled with the ashes. Beneath the 

 ashes was formed, first, a stratum of light brown clay, and then a simi- 

 lar deposite of sand. 



The most singular and interesting feature of the mound was the 

 center. Immediately beneath the ashes, and at the depth of eighteen 

 feet from the summit of the mound, was discovered that which the 

 gentleman conducting the examination believes to have been the 

 altar. Covering a space of about three feet, directly in the center, 

 was found, as already stated, several layers of large flat stone. Lift- 

 ing these, appeared the usual deposite of ashes, which, on removal, 

 revealed a well formed, compact body of white clay, some four inches 

 in thickness, eighteen inches in breadth, and two feet in length. This 

 was found, on careful examination, to rest upon a stratum of four 

 inches in thickness, of very coarse sand. This was unmistakably the 

 altar ; and the mound, beyond all question, one of sacrifice. Its loca- 

 tion outside of the general system of works on these flats, the peculiar 

 construction of the vault, the unusual quantity of ashes found therein, 

 with many other striking and concurring facts, clearly indicate the 

 character and purpose of these quiet sleepers of the plain. Upon this 

 point, however, we will not venture further until the explorations shall 

 be completed. 



Before entering fully upon the vault, the remains of a human skele- 

 ton, showing strong indications of fire, were found, and near by, two 

 copper wristlets of very neat and truly artistic execution. These 

 interesting relics are now before us, and excite, by their mysterious 

 history, emotions of wonder and admiration. They are evidently of 

 pure copper, and heavily coated with the rjreen oxide of that metal. 

 They are about 2 by 3 inches in their dimensions. A large flint 

 spear point was found near the remains of the skeleton. 



Before closing this hurried and imperfect notice, we will embrace 

 the occasion to say, that a smaller mound, situated about one hundred 

 and fifty yards south of the large tumulus, was opened at the same 

 time the other researches were in progress. In it were found two 

 human skeletons, in a tolerably good state of preservation. They 

 appear to have been interred in a sitting posture, within what mi^ht 

 be termed stone coffins. With these were discovered some bone in- 

 struments one in the shape of a spoon, and a very handsome stone 

 pipe. 



