94 Hopewell Mound Group 



instrument with cutting edge so plain, that we deem this to be im- 

 possible. 



The mound had apparently been examined, and the altar contents 

 removed by Squier and Davis. The number of the skeleton was 170. 

 We had begun at Fort Ancient to number skeletons for Professor 

 Putnam, and continued the series through the Oregonia work and at 

 Hopewell, in order that there might be no confusion as to where the 

 skeletal remains were found. 



Excavation of Mound No. 19. — September 14.. The men dug 

 out Mound No. 19, which appears to have been disturbed. This was a 

 small mound 54 by 53 feet and 3 feet high. It contained a rude stone 

 layer and an altar of clay (Plate XLI) in the depression of which were 

 carbonized bones, some human, some mica and galena, fragments of 

 bone implements, and two flake knives. The altar was taken out entire. 

 As it was only partly burnt and not much harder than sun-dried brick, 

 no little difficulty was experienced in removing it. It was not shipped 

 and still lies in the mound, boxed, and covered with three feet of earth. 

 This is mentioned, since the boxed altar may be discovered by some 

 future explorer. 



Excavation of Mound No. 20. — This mound is one of a group of 

 four, numbered 9, 10, 11, and 20, which form almost a square. It is 

 shown in Plate XLIa. It was about 56 by 50 feet, and did not appear 

 to have been disturbed. On the first day of exploration five skeletons, 

 four adults and a child, were discovered. Two large flat stones, placed 

 side by side, were found just northwest of one of the skeletons, which 

 was badly burned. Copper ear-ornaments and other copper objects 

 were found with several of the skeletons, also circular mica ornaments 

 or disks, and copper cones. No. 176 was the skeleton of a child, said 

 by Dr. Cresson to be about nine years old. With it were found two 

 shell cups, a copper celt, a crescent-shaped copper implement, and 

 copper ear-busks or spools. The positions of the eight copper ornaments 

 found with this child were listed by Dr. Cresson as follows : — 



"The first discovered lay on the left iliac bone; the second, 5 inches 

 below the trochanter of the left femur, on the outer side. Another lay 

 just above the left patella. Three others lay around the hand bones, 

 viz., one on the metacarpals of the hand, another on the wrist, and 

 another at the base of the ulna. On the outer side of the left patella 

 was found a busk of copper. Others lay on the metacarpals of the 

 right and left hands. Around the right wrist was a copper bracelet. 

 Outside the left wrist lay a copper celt, with a second half way up the 

 left ulna. Beads, about 250 in all, were found around the neck and at 



