The Use of JEca Platen by the Mound-Bidlders. 167 



cumulation of soil upon tlie adjacent ground since the embankments 

 were constructed. This can readily be verified at Fort Ancient, ou 

 the Little JNIiami river, where numerous breaks in the earth walls 

 abound. 



There is but little doubt that some of these mounds and earth-works, 

 found in Ohio, antedate others by at least several centuries. Evidence 

 of this is found in the fact, that in some instances the accompanying 

 excavations are completely filled up, or obliterated ; besides, the 

 mounds or embankments are much more worn or flattened. 



' I am inclined to think that a critical examination of the old excava- 

 tions in the vicinity of these tumuli, or fortifications, would afford at 

 least an approximation to their age. A fine opportunity is offered for 

 suck investigations at the fortification, on the Little Miami, just re- 

 ferred to. I have myself made limited observations in this direction, 

 not, however, at this place. The original depth of the excavations 

 can generally be readily ascertained. I have made some calculations 

 in ihe case of two or three of these old diggings, which were exam- 

 ined as to the time required to produce the depth of loamy soil found 

 in them. To give, however, expression to any opinion I may have 

 formed from observations so limited, would be, to say the least, quite 

 premature. It is to be hoped that a more careful and extended re- 

 search, touching the age of these ancient works, will be made. Even 

 an approximation to the date of these " olden times " might shed 

 much light upon numerous questions now engaging the attention of 

 the scientific mind. 



A few words more as it regards the use of mica. So far as my 

 knowledge extends, the plates are generally found as if designed to 

 cover the face. In a few instances, one of which is given by Prof. 

 Smith in his communications referred to, they are found placed over 

 the hands as well as face. The exhibition of some ornaments, or tro- 

 phies W'orn upon the wrists, may have been intended in these cases. 

 In the case of the celebrated skeleton, found in a mound on the Scioto 

 river, four miles below Chillicothe, a history of which is given by 

 Squire, the cranium, which was well preserved, was lying upon its 

 face, with the mica placed over the back part of the head. Some are 

 of the opinion that this person represents the Toltecan race. 



There is much in connection with this case which goes to show that 

 the remains had had a previous interment, and that the bones, but 



not all of them, for some were missing, had been removed to this 

 place. The inferior maxillary and other bones were absent ; those re- 

 maining had been piled around the head. Now, if our surmises are 

 correct, that nothing but this partial skeleton was deposited here, the 



