44 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 



where the locality is described as follows: — "This ceraeteiy, which is 

 distant about one and one half miles southeast from Madisonville, oc- 

 cupies the western extremit}^ of an elevated plateau overlooking the 

 Little Miami River, and situated from eighty to one hundred feet above 

 the water-line. It is bounded on the south by the river 'bottom;' on 

 the north and west b}^ a deep ravine, through which flows a small 

 stream known as Whisky Run; on the east the plateau slopes gradu- 

 ally up to the general level of the surrounding country-, of which it is 

 in fact a continuation or spur, its character of an elevated plateau 

 being derived from its position between the eroded river valley and 

 the deep ravine above referred to. The precipitous but well-wooded 

 bluff which forms the southern limit of this plateau, extends eastward, 

 facing the river, for perhaps half a mile; and distributed along its 

 edge are a number of mounds and other earthworks; at its base are the 

 Cincinnati & Eastern and Little Miami Railways, the nearest station 

 beino- Batavia Junction, distant about half a mile east of the ceme- 

 tery. The original forest still covers the site of the cemeter}-, and 

 measurements of some of the principal trees are recorded by Dr. Metz, 

 in his paper before mentioned, as follows: a walnut, 15J feet in cir- 

 cumference; an oak, 12 feet; a maple, 9|- feet; an elm, 12 feet. The 

 locality has long been known to local collectors and others interested in 

 archaeological matters, as the ' Potter}^ Field,' so called on account of 

 the numerous fragments of earthen ware strewn over the surface; and 

 it was until recentl}^ supposed to be a place where the manufacture of 

 pottery had been carried on b}' the ancient inhabitants of the valle}^ 

 the fragments found being considered the debris. A few scattered 

 human remains had also been found in the adjoining ravines, but it 

 was not until some time in March, 1879, that its true character and 

 extent as a cemetery were brought to light.''* 



The particulars of the discovery, by the man in Dr. Metz's emplo}^ 

 have been already referred to above. 



On Frida}^ March 21, the excavation begun on the previous da}' 

 was continued, and a skeleton in a horizontal position, n^ith its head to 

 the south, was exhumed. This appeared to be the remains of a female 

 of large size (5 feet 10 inches). Near the left hip was deposited 

 a large earthen vessel, capacitj^ about one gallon; unfortunatel}^ this 

 vessel was broken by the spade and thrown out of the trench, but 

 most of the fragments Avere recovered. Near the head, four hollow 

 cjdinders or beads of polished bone, two to four inches in length, and 



* "North Americans of A.iitiquity," by J. T. Short, Harper & Bros., N. Y., 1879, pp. 521-525. 



