Mound No. 23 99 



of very small pearl beads, about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter, 

 were still retained upon the original string of twisted vegetable fibre. 

 Two uncut bear's teeth and three cut ones, one of which had been cut 

 in several pieces, were found. A copper plate was also found, likewise 

 four ear-ornaments, one on either side of the head and one in each 

 hand. Pieces of finely woven textile had been preserved by contact 

 with one pair of these ear-ornaments, the cloth adhering to one side 

 of the ornaments, being coarser than that on the opposite side. Upon 

 one side of the plate, the curling hair of some animal, probably the 

 buffalo, has been preserved by the salts of copper, and a mould of what 

 may be human hair is seen on the other side. Near the head of the 

 skeleton was a set of teeth (superior maxillary), which had been cut 

 across just above the alveoli. It will be remembered that another pair 

 of jaws was found in Mound No. 18 in which the same peculiarity was 

 remarked. Mr. Acton, who gave many specimens to Squier and Davis, 

 states that he also remarked this peculiarity, and that thigh-bones were 

 also "decorated with queer designs and plated with copper." The 

 skeleton (No. 213) was covered by an immense bed of clay and gravel 

 at least 10 feet thick, and was so badly crushed that it could only be 

 removed in fragments. The feet were missing. Some of the skeletons, 

 on the lower level, rested on stones showing traces of hot fires, and were 

 slightly charred on the side in contact with them. This suggests that 

 they were laid on the hearths after the stones had been considerably 

 heated and the ashes raked away. Other skeletons were found in the 

 same condition noted in a previous day's work, being covered with a 

 cinder-like incrustation and very brittle. In the afternoon, Mr. Williams 

 found a shell cup 4 feet, 6 inches east of the centre stake at a depth of 

 8 feet, 9 inches. , 



On the 2nd of October, five fragmentary skeletons were found; all 

 according to Dr. Cresson, of brachycephalic type. Between October 10 

 and 20 the exploration of this mound was completed. Skeletons Nos. 

 223 — 236 were discovered together with a number of objects which it 

 is not necessary to describe. It was observed that practically all the 

 skulls were crushed, probably because the bodies rested on the hard 

 floor to which we have previously referred. In some instances the 

 crania was absolutely decayed, leaving an oval white streak in the 

 ground. The teeth, however, were preserved. Dr. Wilson was present 

 during the exploration of this mound, being particularly interested in 

 the numerous depressions commonly known as post-holes. He says of 

 these, "Although there was none or but slight appearance of posts, the 

 holes were such as would have been made had the posts been stood 



