SACRIFICIAL MOUNDS. 157 



this operation, were then removed, and another deposit of sand, of equal thickness 

 with the former, was placed above it, and in like manner much compacted. This 

 was moulded into the form represented in the plan, which is identical with that of 

 the circular clay altars already described ; the basin, in this instance, measuring 

 seven feet in diameter by eight inches in depth. This basin was then carefully 

 paved with small round stones, each a little larger than a hen's egg, which were 

 laid with the utmost precision, fully rivalling the pavior's finest work. They were 

 firmly bedded in the sand beneath them, so as to present a regular and uniform 

 surface. Upon the altar thus constructed was found a burnt deposit, carefully 

 covered with a layer of sand, above which was heaped the superstructure of 

 the mound. The deposit consisted of a thin layer of carbonaceous matter, 

 intermingled wilh which were some burned human bones, but so much cal- 

 cined as to render recognition extremely difficult. Ten well wrought copper 

 bracelets were also found, placed in two heaps, five in each, and encircling some 

 calcined bones, — probably those of the arms upon which they were originally 

 worn. Besides these were found a couple of thick plates of mica, placed upon the 

 western slope of the altar. 



Assuming, what must be very obvious from its form and other circumstances, 

 that this was an altar and not a tomb, we are almost irresistibly led to the con- 

 clusion, that human sacrifices were practised by the race of the mounds. This 

 conclusion is sustained by other facts, which have already been presented, and 

 which need not be recapitulated here. 



The two mounds last described are the only ones yet discovered possessing 

 altars of stone ; and, although it is likely there are others of similar construction, 

 their occurrence must be very rare. 



Such are the prevailing characteristics of this class of mounds. It will be 

 remarked that while all have the same general features, no two are alike in their 

 details. They differ in the number and relative position of their sand strata, as well 

 as in the size and shape of their altars and the character of the deposits made on 

 them. One mound covers a deposit made up almost entirely of pipes, another a 

 deposit of spear-heads, or of galena or calcined shells' or bones. In a few instances 

 the symmetrical altar, of which so many examples have been given, is wanting, and 

 its place is supplied by a level floor or platform of earth. Such was the case with 

 mound No. 1, in the plan of the great work on the North fork of Paint creek, 

 already referred to. This mound, although one of the richest in contents, was one of 

 the smallest met with, being not over three feet in height. Its deposit was first 

 disturbed by the plough, some years ago, and numerous singular articles were 

 then taken from it. Upon investigation, in place of the altar, a level area ten or 

 fifteen feet broad was found, much burned, on which the relics had been placed. 

 These had been covered over with earth to perhaps the depth of a foot, followed 

 by a stratum of small stones, and an outer layer of earth two feet in thickness. 

 Hundreds of rehcs, and many of the most interesting and valuable hitherto found, 

 were taken from this mound, among which may be mentioned s(!vcral coiled 

 serpents, carved in stone, and carefully enveloped in sheet mica and copper ; 



