HUMAN CRANIA. 71 



and have the occiput, as in this instance, so flattened and vertical 

 as to give the idea of artificial compression ; yet this is only an ex- 

 aggeration of the natural form, caused by the pressure of the cradle- 

 hoard in common use among the American nations. F. A. 81^. 

 I. C. 90. Dr. E. H. Davis and E. G. Squier, Esq., A. D. 1849. 



" The circumstances," writes Mr. Squier, ia the work above quoted, " under 

 which this skull was found, are altogether so extraordinary as to merit a 

 detailed account. It will be observed, from the map, that the mound above 

 indicated is situated upou the summit of a high hill, overlooking the valley 

 of the Scioto, about four miles below the city of Chilicothe. It is one of 

 the most prominent and commanding positions in that section of country. 

 Upon the summit of this hill rises a conical knoll, of so great regularity as 

 almost to induce the belief that it is itself artificial. Upon the very apex 

 of this knoll, and covered by the trees of the primitive forests, is the mound. 

 It is about eight feet high, by forty or fifty feet base. The superstructure is 

 a tough, yellow clay, which, at the depth of three feet, is mixed with large, 

 rough stones ; as shown in the accompanying section. 



" These stones rest upon a dry, calcareous deposit of buried earth and small 

 stones, of a dark black color, and much compacted. This deposit is about 

 two feet in thickness in the centre, and rests upon the original soil. In ex- 

 cavating the mound, a large i^late of mica was discovered, placed upon the 

 stones. * * * * * Immediately underneath this plate 

 of mica, and in the centre of the buried deposit was found the skull figured 

 [on the opposite page.] It was discovered resting upon its face. The 

 lower jaw, as indeed the entire skeleton, excepting the clavicle, a few 

 cervical vertebrae, and some of the bones of the feet, all of which were 

 huddled around the skull, were wanting. 



"From the entire singularity of this burial, it might be inferred that the de- 

 posit was a comparatively recent one; but the fact that the various layers 

 of carbonaceous earth, stones, and clay were entirely undisturbed, and in 

 no degree intermixed, settles the question beyond doubt that the skull was 



placed where it was found at the time of the construction of the mound. 

 ***** -x- 



" This skull is wonderfully preserved ; unaccountably so, unless the circum- 

 stances under which it was found may be regarded as most favorable to 

 such a result. The imperviousness of the mound to water, from the 

 nature of the material composing it, and its position on the summit of 

 an eminence, subsiding in every direction from its base, are circumstances 



