66 



A N C I E ^' 'J' M xN U M E x\ 'J' S . 



PLATE XXIV 



ANCIENT WORKS, PIKE COUNTY, OHIO. 



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The plan so fully illustrates the character of this group of works, that little 

 description is necessary. It consists principally of the constantly recurring figures, 

 the square and the circle ; the former measuring in this instance a little upwards 

 of eight hundred feet upon each side, the latter ten hundred and fifty feet in diameter. 

 They are. connected by parallel walls, four hundred and seventy-five feet long, placed 

 one hundred feet apart. These are intersected by a runway, which has here cut 

 a passage in the terrace one hundred and twenty-five feet wide, by fifteen deep. 

 This gully or ravine was undoubtedly in existence at the period of the construc- 

 tion of the works. The banks between the parallels appear to have an off'set, as if 

 they had been artificially graded ; no further indications of a grade now exist. 



The small works, in connection with the above, will attract special attention. The 



plan illustrates their forms, and the sections exhibit their dimensions. Nothing 



can surpass the symmetry of the small work A, of which an enlarged plan is herewith 



_=^^- =^ ^ _ 5^ given, Fig. 11 ; B and C are also perfect figures 



of their kind. It will be remarked that we have 

 here the square, the circle, and the ellipse > 

 separate and in combination, — all of them con- 

 structed with geometric accuracy. The work 

 D consists of a small circle, from which leads ofl" 

 a wall, extending along the brow of the terrace 

 bank, until the latter turns, nearly at right angles, 

 towards the north. It would seem that this line 

 of embankment was constructed with specific 

 reference to this natural feature. The fact, how- 

 Fin. 11. ever, that a small circle, in the immediate vicinity, 

 has been partially destroyed by the wasting of the bank, shows that it has receded 

 since the construction of the works. The river now runs at a distance, although 

 it is evident that it once washed the base of the terrace at this point. Its ancient 

 bed is distinctly to be seen. 



The walls of the square coincide very nearly with the cardinal points of the 

 compass, varying therefrom but three degrees. This is, however, an accidental 

 coincidence ; as all the ancient works seem to have been made to conform to the 

 l)osition of the ground which tlu v occupy. There is no evidence that any regard 

 was had to the points of the coni])ass, except that the gateways or oj)enings of the 



small circles are oftenest towards the east. 

 About one mile ty the iiortliward of llii.- 



group is the unique work shown in the 



