236 A iN C 1 E N T M O N U M E x\ T S . 



Gorgets. — Numerous relics of the description here presented tire found in the 

 mounds, generally with the skeletons. 'They seem to be identical in purpose, 

 (differing only in respect of material,) with the articles of metal, described under 

 this division (Figs. 89 and 90) in a previous page. They consist of plates 

 or tablets of rare or beautiful stones, such as may easily be worked, and which 

 .admit of a high finish. In shape they are as diverse as fancy can suggest, but 

 always of tastel'ul outline. Some are square, others oblong, oval, crucitbrm, or 

 lozenge-shaped. Some arc perforated with one, but most with two holes ; the 

 latter have always one, occasionally both, surfaces perfect planes.* Many have 

 considerable thickness and display one face in relief; those with a single perfora- 

 tion often have both liices slightly convex. They exhibit, in general, much care 

 and labor, and are elegantly finished. A few have been discovered which are 

 quite rude, but possessing the general form of those more elaborately worked. 



Fi., 



Fig. 133. No. 1 is composed of a very compact limestone. The surface is much 

 corroded, but there are a few spots where it retains its original condition, and 

 these exhibit a very high polish. Its form is sufficiently well indicated in the 

 sketch. It measures, in length, three and a half inches ; in width two inches ; in 

 thickness one inch and one tenth. It was found in a sepulchral mound near 

 Chillicothe. (See page 164.) No. 2 is of the beautiful veined slate already 

 described (page 224). Length, three inches ; width, one and three fourths ; 

 thickness, three fourths of an inch. Found on the surface of the earth near Chilli- 

 cothe. 



used both bv ihc earlier and later races. In llie Museum ot the East India Society at Salem, Mass., are 

 a number of articles of similar character, which were found while making gxcavations in that city. They 

 are larger and of much ruder workmanship than those of Ohio, but of the same shape, and grooved in 

 like manner. It has been suggested that those of hematite, which are most numerous, were cairied about 

 the person for the purpose of supplying an ornamental paint. Rubbed tipon any sharp grit with water, 

 thev furnish a dull red pigment, — much inferior, however, to the French preparations for the toilette. 

 Irregular fragments of the same material are sometimes found bearing the maiks of frequent trituration. 

 Such may have been the secondary use of some of these articles; the frequent occurrence of those made 

 from other materials establishes tliat they were primaiily designed for other purposes. One composed of 

 pieces of copper, nidilv lianiinered together with little slips of silver inserted in the crevices, was found at 

 Marietta, and is now in the cabinet of the Worcester Antiquarian Society ; another, found at Cincin- 

 nati, and composed of quartz crystal, is in the Museum of the Philosopliical Society at Philadelphia. 

 Although found in mounds, it is exceedingly doubtful whether they were part of the original deposits. 



* One of these articles, in the possession of Ur. Ilildreth of Marietta, Ohio, is fourteen inches in length and 

 is perforated with no less than seven holes. This seems to have been an e.xception to the general rule ; 

 perhaps it was designed for a different purpose. 



