BfiC 28 192:2 



Mica and Fossils 



143 



Fossils. — Fossils were found in Altar 2 and with a few burials. 

 Geologists who examined them tell me they are foreign to Ohio. The 

 shark teeth, ranging in length from 20 mm to 10 cm, are probably from 

 the phosphate beds of North and South Carolina. Three of them are 

 shown in Fig. 41. Fig. 42 shows the most interesting fossil found, 

 described by Willoughby as follows: "The beautiful iridescence of the 

 fossil, before it was burned, is suggested by a portion upon one side 

 untouched by fire. The fossil was cut across forming a flat base. 

 On the upper side near each end is a countersunk depression, communi- 

 cating with a hole about 3 mm in 

 diameter, running downward and 

 slightly outward towards the ends, 

 and penetrating the fossil. Pearls 

 were probably inserted in the 

 countersunk depressions. Two small 

 holes, a little over 2 mm in diameter, 

 penetrate the fossil laterally near 

 the lower edge, intersecting the 

 other perforations. This fossil was 

 evidently used for the same purpose 

 as some of the carvings, being 

 perforated in like manner." 



Objects of Shell. — The usual 

 cups or vessels cut from buscyon and 

 pyrula shells were found at Hope- 

 well. They are of common forms, 

 varying in length from 15 to 28 cm. 

 Quantities of beads were found in 

 the altars and with burials. Those 

 of shell do not differ from the shell 

 beads commonly found in the 

 mounds of the Ohio Valley, so that a 



detailed description is not necessary. Shell gorgets and shell ornaments 

 were placed in the altars, but were almost completely destroyed by fire. 

 A few fragments were found, but the painstaking attempts at restora- 

 tion have failed. There are fragments of elaborate relief carvings of 

 birds, animals, and other objects, and of gorgets bearing geometrical 

 or highly conventionalized designs carved with consummate skill. The 

 shell pendant shown in Fig. 43 was found in Altar 2. It is about 4 cm 

 long, and is made from the thick part of a large shell. It would be 

 interesting to know the exact number of pearls recovered from the 



Fig. 39. 

 Mica Ornament from Altar 



