88 



ANCIENT M O N U M E N T S . 



PLATE XXXI. 



GRADED WAY, NEAR PIKETON, PIKE COUNTY, OHIO. 



There is a singular class of earthworks, occurring at various points at the 

 West, which seem better to come up to the utilitarian standard of our day than 

 any other, and the purposes of which to the popular mind, if not to that of the 

 antiquarian, seem very clear. These are the graded ways, ascending sometimes 

 from one terrace to another, and occasionally descending towards the banks of 

 rivers or water-courses. The one already described, in connection with the works 

 at Marietta, is of the latter description ; as is also that at Piqua, Ohio, described 

 by Maj. Long.* One of the former character occurs near Richmondale, Ross 

 county, Ohio ; and another, and the most remarkable one, about one mile below 

 Piketon, Pike county, in the same State. A plan and view of the latter is herewith 

 presented. 



\ir. W 111' i;l! AIiED WAY NEAR PIKETON, OHIO. 



It consists of a graded ascent from the second to the third terrace, the level of 

 which is here seventeen feet above that of the former. The way is ten hundred and 

 eighty feet long, by two hundred and fifteen feet wide at one extremity, and two 

 hundred and three feet wide at the other, measured between the bases of the banks. 



* " It consists of a ditch dug down to the edge of the liver, the earth from wliich has been thrown up 

 principally upon the lower, or down-river side. The breadth between the jjaiapet.s is much greater near 

 the water than at any other point; so that it might have been used for the purpose of affording a safe 

 passage to the river, or as a sort of htirbor in whicli Cannes niav have been drawn up, or both. This 

 water-wav resi'mbles that found at Marietta, thouijh smaller." — T.itmfn Sftniitl K.rpriliiinn. vol. i. p. (in. 



