104 



rust, and, in many cases, are almost entirely oxidized and encrust- 

 ed with pebbles.* Many of these present distinct traces of wood 

 adhering to them. A few portions of decayed wood were also 

 found ; and, in several instances, it was observed that three or 

 four pieces of iron, such as have been described, were found by 

 the side of undisturbed skeletons. Though some of the frag- 

 ments of iron were hardly capable of being used in this way, 

 the most probable opinion respecting them seems to be that of 

 their having formed the fastenings of coffins, in which the 

 bodies had been deposited. Altogether, about nine pounds 

 weight of this old iron was collected. 



Immediately below the skeletons and extending to a depth 

 of about two feet, the gravel and clay of which the soil consists 

 was extensively mottled with a white calcareous matter, 

 which effervesced, on the addition of dilute muriatic acid. A 

 remarkable black seam, averaging about an inch in thick- 

 ness, was found to stretch, with little interruption, through the 

 centre of the mound, at a level of between ten and eleven feet 

 from the summit, and from one to two feet above the undis- 

 turbed skeletons. The colour of this seam was found to 

 depend on the presence of minute fragments of wood charcoal. 

 In the course of, or near it, a few portions of burnt human 

 bones were found, but a microscopic and chemical examination 

 did not disclose bone ashes, as forming an essential constituent 

 of this seam. 



It appears probable that this black seam indicates what 

 has, at some period, been the surface of the cemetery. 

 Fires, for some purpose, appear to have been made on this level, 

 and to have left behind them their traces in the form of the 

 seam in question. Whether this seam of ashes originated in 

 beacon fires, or in fires which had been lighted for the combus- 

 tion of the body, in connexion with cremation and urn burial, 

 or for some other purpose, must remain doubtful. 



The facts described seem also to render it probable that 

 the cemetery was originally of much greater superficial extent, 

 and proportionately less elevated ; and that its outskirts were, 



* A few of these pieces of iron are figured, plate 2, fig. 6. They are reduced to 

 a diameter of one-sixth. 



