170 



Hopewell Mound Group 



passing around pins set at equal intervals. By this method, two con- 

 tinuous threads of sufficient length would constitute the warp, and the 

 loops at each end would form the ornamental edge shown in the draw- 

 ings." 



Comparing the Hopewell cloth with that from other mounds, but 

 more particularly with the few examples of prehistoric cloth we have, 

 and with similar cloth in use among the historic 

 Indians, the suggestion has been made that for the 

 coarser grades the bark of the cedar, willow, or other 

 trees was used. For the finer varieties they may 

 have used milkweed or nettle, or possibly the fibres 

 of the dogbane. I do not believe that cotton cloth 

 was used in the Scioto Valley. 



Wooden Objects. — As copper was melted, bone 

 greatly damaged, and shell destroyed by the heat 

 of the altar fires, wooden objects were completely 

 destroyed. Carbonized fragments of wooden bowls 

 were found in both altars, and a careful examination 

 of these indicates that they were carved with designs 

 similar to those upon the engraved bones. There 

 were also a few fragments of wooden rings, very 

 much like the stone rings. 



The wood used was probably maple or cherry, 

 but identification is difficult, as the grain is almost 

 destroyed. One cannot doubt that the Hopewell 

 people made use of wood even more freely than of 

 copper, bone, or shell; and it is unfortunate that 

 none of their wooden utensils or artifacts have 

 survived. 



Seeds. — Several hundred small seeds, many of 

 which had been perforated as if for use as beads, 

 were found in a matrix of charred bone and melted 

 copper. It is hard to understand why they were 

 not consumed by the heat of the fire. 



rw 



$ 



H\! 



®. 



Fig. 69. 



Shell Ornament 



Found with 



Skeleton 278. 



We are placed at a disadvantage since our studies of prehistoric 

 artifacts are confined to those of metal, stone, clay or bone, including 

 few shells. Wood was much more easily workable. We should not 

 conclude that the Hopewell people's art was confined to objects 

 wrought from refractory materials. Many fine examples of primitive 

 wood carving doubtless existed. 



