88 Hopewell Mound Group 



(farther east) may represent cosmic symbols, such as the sun and four 

 corners of the earth, or they may have surrounded the dwellings of 

 certain clan elders. This is more or less speculative; yet the squares 

 and circles so frequently found associated with larger mound groups 

 unquestionably were erected for some special purpose. Future explora- 

 tions and study may more specifically determine their nature. We 

 cannot, after explorations, consider Mound 25 as being composed of 

 three mounds, but rather hold that it is formed by the grouping together 

 of a number of small mounds, and that over their irregular contour 

 was heaped a great mass of earth and gravel, giving it its present 

 appearance. At first, we called it the "Effigy," because, externally, it 

 represents the human trunk; but, internally, its contents give us no 

 authority for such a name. 



The morning of September 1, 1891, we spent in looking over the 

 group very carefully. We counted twenty -four mounds. On our map 

 there is no No. 13, but I think it is the one in the right-hand corner, 

 just below the road and above the word "Hopewell." The four mounds 

 within the square to the east were so disturbed and reduced in height 

 that we did not number them. We tested them and found practically 

 nothing. 



Plate XXXVIII shows the plain or terrace occupied by the Hopewell 

 group, with our camp in the foreground. Being in high clover, the 

 mounds do not appear clearly in the negative. The view was charming. 

 Often on moonlight nights we looked down upon the mounds and 

 speculated as to the builders, their life, and wondered whence they 

 came, and whither they went. 



Fig. q. 

 Serpent Tablet from Mound No. i. 



Exploration of Mound No. 1. — This mound has entirely dis- 

 appeared, although there were traces of disturbance, such as burnt 

 earth, etc., on its site. Squier and Davis found some remarkable 

 tablets in this mound, one or two of which suggested the famous 

 "Cincinnati tablet." In Fig. 9 their illustration of the serpent tablet 

 is reproduced. In regard to the mound, they write as follows: — 



