114 A N C I E N T M O N U M E X T S . 



slides have marred its symmetry. These shdes, as also excavations made in it, 

 have shown that it consists of a series of strata or tables, one above the other, each 

 surmounted by a burnc^l surface, resembling rude bricks. No bones have been 

 found in it. Any extended examination of its contents is avoided, from a desire 

 to preserve its proportions. From the summit a good view may be had of the 

 surrounding w orks and country. 



The mounds which face the " Temple " on the west have great uniformity of 

 figure and dimensions, and are highest in the rear, except E and 1, which are 

 nearly level on top. E, F, H, and I, have terraces in front; and all incline gently 

 to the plain, which exhibits marks of excavation. In the rear and on the sides 

 they are for the most part very abrupt. The pond in the rear is evidently 

 artificial, and formed by removing the earth for building purposes. Extending 

 around this pond are an embankment and ditch, (j k /,) the latter produced by the 

 excavation of the earth for the embankment, which seems to have constituted a 

 sort of levee around the pond to the high grounds at j and /. 



" The mounds C, D have great similarity in tl'eir magnitude, form, and general 

 position in respect to the " Temple ;" but situated, as they are, in cuhivated fields, 

 their definite outlines are fast disappearing. B, however, diflfers essentially from 

 the other mounds of the system; it is perfectly level on its summit, of gentle 

 declivity and moderate height, and has been fitly ch.osen as the site of a dwelling- 

 house, which fronts the area surrounded by the mounds. 



" The several ponds have cutlets for the water at particular points, which were 

 probably controlled as the mound-builders desired. The long embankment (m 

 n o) is abruptly cut oft' at o, but is continued again towards p, diminishing in 

 magnitude as the land grows higher, until it almost disappears at s. The swale 

 or low strip of ground which borders this embankment on the left, continues up to 

 very near the pond at s, but has no actual connection with it. It does not appear 

 that the large pond, within this grand levee, is artificial. The smaller ones, 

 however, were manifestly produced by throwing up the earth around them, as 

 at m II ; s ; t u, and v w. 



" The necessity for these artificial ponds is apparent from the fact, that there 

 are no streams or supplies of water nearer this prairie than five miles. Hence the 

 excavations, usually made without apparent design in constructing the mounds, are 

 at this place so economized as to produce the ponds in the immediate nciglil)or- 

 hood. Here the conformation of the ground, which is gently undulating, rendered 

 it easy to construct large ponds or lakes, to contain a perennial supply of water. 

 This has plainly been the object of the extensive levees or embankments traced 

 in the map. The general inclination of the land is southward, and the drains 

 in its surface were with some skill called into aid." 



A similar mode of retaining a supply of water has already been remarked, in 

 the case of a fortified hill, in Ohio. (See page 15.) The ancient inhabitants of 

 Central America resorted to the same method. Their n<riindas, linctl with pav(!- 

 ments and enclosed by embankments, are among the most interesting remains of 

 ancient art. 



