^74 



ANCIENT MONUMENTS. 



Fio. 17 



Within the larger enclosure are four elevated squares or truncated pyramids of 

 earth, -^vhich, from their resemblance to similar erections in Mexico and Central 

 America, merit a particular notice.* Three of these have graded passages or 

 avenues of ascent to their tops. The principal one is marked A in the plan, and 

 an engraving more clearly illustrating its features is herewith presented, Fig. 17. 



It is one hundred and eighty-eight feet long by one 

 hundred and thirty-two wide, and ten high. Mid- 

 way upon each of its sides are graded ascents, 

 rendering easy the passage to its top. These 

 grades are twenty-five feet wide and sixty feet long. 

 The next in size is marked B in the plan, and is one 

 hundred and fifty feet long by one hundred and 

 twenty wide, and eight feet high. It has three 

 graded passages to its top, viz. upon the north, 

 west, and east. Those at the sides are placed 

 somewhat to the north of the centre of the eleva- 

 tion. Upon the south side there is a recess or hollow way, instead of a glacis, 

 fifty feet long by twenty wide. This elevation is placed upon an easy swell or 

 ridge of land, and occupies the most conspicuous position within the enclosure, 

 every part of which is commanded from its summit. A few feet distant from the 

 northern glacis, is a small conical mound, surrounded with shallow excavations, 

 from which the earth for its construction, and, perhaps, for the construction in 

 part of the pyramidal structure, was taken. To the right of the elevation, and 

 near the eastern angle of the enclosure, is a smaller elevation one hundred and 

 twenty feet long, fifty broad, and six feet high. It had graded ascents at its ends, 

 similar in all respects to those just described. It is now much obliterated. Near 

 the northern angle of the work is another elevation, not distinctly marked. The 

 two larger squares are covered with a close turf, and still preserve their symmetry. 

 Indeed, no erections of earth alone could surpass them in regularity. They are 

 perfectly level on the top, except where some uprooted tree has displaced the earth. 

 ; . There is a passage or gateway one hundred and fifty feet wide, in the middle of 

 the left wall of this enclosure, on the side next the Muskingum. Leading from it 

 towards the river, and at right angles to the embankment, is the " Sacra 17a," a 

 graded or covered way of singular construction. It is six hundred and eighty feet 

 long by one hundred and fifty wide between the banks, and consists of an excavated 

 passage descending regularly from the plain, upon which the works just described 

 are situated, to the alluvions of the river. The earth, in part at least, is thrown 

 outward upon either side, forming embankments from eight to ten feet in height. 

 The centre of the excavated way is slightly raised and rounded, after the manner 

 of the paved streets of modern cities. The cross section g h exhibits this feature. 



* The description of the two principal truncalej pyramids embodies the substance of an account of 

 the same, published b_v Dr. S. P. Hildreth of Marietta, in the " Ameriran Pioneer" for .Tunc. 1843, — 

 the entire fidelity of which ha-i hocn attested by actual survey. 



