106 Hopewell Mound Group 



(as shown in Plate XLVIII) Nos. 242, 243, 244, and 245, were uncovered. 

 At this point we reached a concrete of small gravel stones which had 

 been cemented together by the infiltration of iron from the soil above, 

 forming thick sheets and slabs through which it was almost impossible 

 to penetrate. This being removed by dint of hard labor, what may be 

 termed a mosaic of red, yellow, and purplish colored earth was encoun- 

 tered. These masses of earth were so numerous, and of such definite 

 shape, that, after a careful examination, we have come to the conclusion, 

 that they were intended to represent certain forms and, although larger 

 and much cruder, were probably not unlike the sand paintings made by 

 the Navajo and some other tribes. 



When this earth had been removed, three skeletons, Nos. 242, 243, 

 and 244, were found. Nos. 242 and 243 lay together upon a raised 

 bench of hard baked clay 8 feet, 5 inches long and 5 feet, 10 inches wide. 

 The bench was surrounded by a gutter which varied in width on the 

 different sides. Its maximum width was 1 foot, 4 inches; and its mini- 

 mum, 7 inches, with a depth of from 3 to 8 inches. This gutter was 

 filled with a peculiar mixture of brown clay and ashes. Outside the 

 gutter were four post-holes, irregularly arranged, which were 6-8 inches 

 in diameter and 2-3 feet deep. Skeleton No. 244 lay on a similar bench 

 which was connected with the one just described. The dimensions of 

 this bench were 8 feet, 4 inches by 3 feet, 9 inches, and it was surrounded 

 b}r a gutter of baked clay filled with clay and ash, as in the preceding 

 example. 



An interesting series of implements were found in connection with 

 the two burials. No. 242 had a large pile of beads, pearl and other- 

 wise, lying beside the head, a round ball and spoon-shaped ornament 

 of copper in the right hand, and a spool-shaped ornament of copper 

 near the left femur. No. 243 had a large copper plate, badly broken, 

 on the left side of the head, a number of beads on the right side of the 

 body, a spool-shaped copper ornament near the left femur, and a ball 

 and spoon-shaped ornament of copper in the left hand. A few beads 

 were found on the left side of skeleton No. 244. It was evident from 

 the position of the post-holes associated with the benches that small 

 structures had been erected over them, probably to protect the dead 

 during the building of the mound. A little south and west of the 

 benches there were, traces of a fireplace 7 by 7 feet, the cinders being 

 about 6 inches deep. West of this fireplace, upon its outer edge, there 

 was a small mosaic of fine stones. About 4 feet, 8 inches south of the 

 fireplace was a layer of stones in the form of a semi-circle. 9 feet 

 southwest of this was discovered still another layer of istones which had 



