Some Facts and Considerations about Fort Ancient. 299 



those who have visited this most interesting monument of antiquity. 

 On the side of the river opposite, the hills rise to the same height with 

 the fortification ; half way up the acclivity is a level terrace or road- 

 way, extending for one or two miles in either direction, and, perhaps, 

 much farther, wide enough for two wagons to pass abreast ; though 

 now broken in numerous places by the hill-side wash, it was evidently 

 once continuous, and, with little repair, might be used as a wagon-way, 

 A few rods north of the Chillicothe road, on the same side of the 

 river, upon the summit level of the plateau overlooking the river, are 

 the still traceable remains of a lunette or semi-circular embankment, 

 three feet high and fifty feet in diameter, with other walls less dis- 

 tinct, and a few low mounds, all presenting an exceedingly ancient 

 appearance and covered with the primitive forest. 



On the east bank, about a mile above the northern extremity of the 

 fort, upon a high spur extending out to the river, is a mound from 

 which a signal from the work could be transmitted a considerable dis- 

 tance northward. Its probable use for such purpose is indicated by 

 burned rock and other debris of fire upon the summit. No other 

 mounds or similar monuments exist in the vicinity, so far as could be 

 ascertained. 



This fortification has been known to the whites for nearly a century, 

 during which time it has never been occupied by any tribes of Indians. 

 According to tradition the Delawares in early days inhabited that 

 portion of the State, and roamed the neighboring country. They uni- 

 formly disclaimed all knowledge of the origin or purpose of the works, 

 to whom they were as great a mystery as to the white settlers. They 

 were the occasion of much misapplied labor, however, by reporting a 

 treasure buried in some forgotten spot upon the walls by a party of 

 their own tribe, of whom a blind squaw alone survived. The numerous 

 old excavations in and about the embankment attest the faith of the 

 pale faces in the story, and exhibit a degree of zeal in excavation, 

 which, had it been properly applied, might have enlightened posterity 

 upon the question of the origin of the work itself. 



The examination of Fort Ancient, the results of which have been thus 

 briefly presented, lead to the following conclusions : The fortification, 

 though built for defensive purposes, seems, from the absence of war- 

 like implements among the remains observed, never to have been the 

 scene of a hostile contest. It has been suggested, that a people dwell- 

 ing upon the elevated plateau in rear built the forts as places of 

 refuge from attack. The entire absence of remains upon the plateau, 

 however, negatives this view. It appears more probable that the lax-ger 

 fort was a walled town, from which, in case of necessity, the inhabit- 



