84 Hopewell Mound Group 



its centre, is a smaller work of sixteen acres area. It is a perfect square, 

 its sides measuring respectively 850 feet. It has gateways at the middle 

 of each side, 30 feet wide, and covered by small mounds, which are 

 placed 50 feet interior to the walls. There are gateways also at the 

 two outer corners, which are unaccompanied by mounds. The opening 

 which leads to the principal enclosure is twice as wide as the others. 

 The walls of the smaller works are much lighter than those of the larger 

 one and have no attendant ditch. 



Within the area of the great work are two small ones; one of them 

 is a perfect circle, 350 feet in diameter, bounded by a single slight wall, 

 with a gateway opening to the west ; the other is a semi-circular enclos- 

 ure, 2000 feet in circumference, bounded by a slight circumvallation 

 and ditch, as represented in the plan. Within this last enclosure are 

 seven mounds ; three of which are joined together, forming a continuous 

 elevation, 35 feet high by 500 feet long, and 180 feet broad at the base. 

 The ground within this work appears to be elevated above the general 

 level of the plain, whether designedly or by the wasting of the mounds 

 it is impossible to say. There are other mounds at the points indicated 

 in the plan, most of which have been explored; with what results, 

 will appear in the chapter on mounds. It may nevertheless be proper 

 to remark that nearly all the mounds examined were places of sacrifice, 

 containing altars, thus confirming the opinion already confidently 

 expressed, respecting the character of the work. 



Where the defences descend from the tablelands to the left, is a 

 gully or torrent-bed, which, before the construction of this work, kept 

 the course indicated by the irregular line. It was turned by the builders 

 from its natural channel into the ditch, along which it still runs for a 

 considerable distance; but at one place it has broken over the wall, 

 obliterating it for nearly 200 feet. It is dry at most seasons of the year; 

 and, unless much swollen by the rains, keeps the course of the ditch, 

 terminating in a deep gully, formed by the flow of water from a copious 

 and unfailing spring. This gully is made to answer as a ditch, for the 

 space yet intervening, to the edge of the terrace. It is 15 feet deep, 

 by 60 or 70 feet wide. In several other instances, this artificial change 

 in water-courses has been observed. 



The gateways of this work are six in number; one opening into the 

 smaller enclosure to the east, two upon the tablelands, one to the spring 

 first mentioned, and two others toward the creek. Two considerable 

 springs occur within the walls. It is not necessary, however, upon the 

 hypothesis already advanced in respect to this work, to suppose its 

 ancient population wholly dependent upon these sources for their 



