238 A N C 1 E N T MONUMENTS. 



No. 1 is a vertical view of Fig. 1.33, No. 1, and is introduced here better 

 to illustrate its form. No. 2 was found at Marietta, and is in the cabinet of Dr. 

 Hildreth of that town. It measures: length, three inches and a half; width, one 

 inch and nine tenths ; thickness, three fourths of an inch. The material resem- 

 bles that of which No. 1 is composed. No. 3 is of similar material, and was found 

 beside a skeleton, in a mound formerly standing within the limits of Chillicothe.* 

 Dimensions : length, six and a half inches ; width at centre, two inches ; thickness, 

 four fifths. Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11, as also Nos. 15, 16, and 17, were found 

 at various points in the Miami valley, and are in the possession of Mr. McBride. 

 Most are of slate, either dark or variegated. No. 7 is cruciform in shape, and 

 is composed of coralline limestone, of a very beautiful variety. 



These illustrations might be indefinitely multiplied. The above will, however, 

 give a very clear conception of the general character of this singular class of relics. 



Fig. 137 illustrates the manner of the perforation. The 



'■ ' ^r-i-i-^^ 'iS holes are bevelled from one or both surfaces, and at the 



narrowest point are seldom more than one eighth of an 



^ inch in diameter. The circular strife left in the process 



Fio 137 of boring, are to be observed with great distinctness in 



almost every instance. 



These relics have been classed as gorgets, from their apparent purpose. It is 

 not undertaken to say that such was their real purpose, for none of the many 

 curious remains obtained from the mounds have more successfully baffled 

 scrutiny. At first glance it seems obvious that they were designed for suspension, 

 but there are many circumstances which it is not easy to reconcile with that 

 conclusion. In common with the perforated copper plates, already described, 

 they exhibit slight traces of friction upon the edges of the holes, which for the 

 most part are as sharp as if newly cut. This could hardly be the case had they 

 been worn suspended from the neck or upon any part of the person. Their 

 material, shape, and style of workmanship, would seem to imply an ornamental 

 purpose. It has been suggested that they were designed as implements, prol)ably 

 for condensing the raw hide or sinews used as bow-strings. This hypothesis is 

 fo\ui(led upon the character of the perforation, which is certainly such as would 

 best subserve the purpose suggested ; but the slight evidence of friction, already 

 remarked, constitutes an objection to this conclusion which it is difficult to 

 surmount. 



* A ivlic, almost identical in shapu with No. 4, was found in the irieat mound at (irave creek, and 

 was supposed to be ivory, altered by long exposure in the earth. {American Pioneer, vol. ii. p. 200.) 

 Mr. Schoolcraft, who examined it .subsequently, describes it as " white, heavy, easily cut, moist, and pos- 

 sessing very much the appearance and feel of certain oxides." and suggests that a plate of some oxidable 

 metal may still exist in the centre. (Truiisarlium of Ameriran Elhuotoijical -Sdciclif. vol. i. p. 402.) This 

 description would have applied to the articles described in the text, at the period of their removal from 

 the earth. Tiiey, however, lost their moist feel and became quite hard upon exposure to the air. The 

 material was a matter of speculation, until the fracture of one of the relics disclosed its character. The 

 Grave creek relic measures six and a half inches in length. 



