Archaeological Edcplorations near Madisonville, Ohio. 41 



The Journal of this Societ}', for October, 1878 (Vol. I., No. 3), con- 

 tains a contribution b}^ Dr. Charles L. Metz, on the aboriginal re- 

 mains in this vicinity, accompanied by a chart, on which the mounds 

 and earthworks are designated b}' symbols, in accordance with the 

 international code of MM. Mortillet and Chantre.-^ 



The examination and exploration of these remains — which was be- 

 gun by Dr. Metz, and a few other gentlemen, with a view of preserving 

 as mau}^ of the relics as possible, and of making suitable record of all 

 existing earthworks before they had been entirely desti'oyed by culti- 

 vation — was continued during the fall and winter of 1878, and several 

 of the mounds located on the above-mentioned chart were opened and 

 explored. 



On Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1878, the mound known as the Spice Bush 

 Mound (No. 5, Group A), was opened under the direction of Dr. 

 Metz, in the following manner : A trench, about five feet in width, 

 was commenced on the north side of the mound, and carried to the 

 center ; the mound had previously been disturbed by digging from 

 the top, and it was reported that some relics and human bones had 

 been taken out, but of these no definite information could be obtained. 



The following sketch (fig. 1) will show the stratification of the 

 mound, which is about 5| feet in height, and 100 feet in circumference: 



Fig. 1. Section of Mound No. 5, Group A. 



No. 1 is a stratum of black leaf mold and gravelly clay, about 18 

 inches to two feet deep, and of the same general character as the sur- 

 face soil in the immediate vicinit3^ No. 2 is an irregular layer of 

 clay and sand. No. 3 is a bed of calcined limestone, about eight 

 inches thick, with ashes and sand, and is confined to the southeastern 

 quarter of the mound. No. 4 is a layer of pure sand ; and No. 5, 

 the probable center of the original, although not immediately in the 

 center of the present mound, was composed of a peculiar compact, 

 grayish earth, and presented an appearance very much like dry mortar. 



During the progress of the work, five skeletons were found in an ex- 



* Vide Smithsonian Report, 1875, and Circular in Reference to American Archaeology, 

 Smithsonian Misc. Coll. No. 316, 1578. 



