MOUNDS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE. 573 



Four skeletons were found during the third day. My assistant while 

 removing one of them found a pipe and gorget that had been placed in 

 front of it. The gorget is a circular disk 4 inches in diameter. It is 

 made from a large and heavy shell. Both sides have been smoothly 

 dressed, but are now somewhat roughened and stained, no doubt by 

 the action of the soil in which it has lain. There are two perforations 

 near the margin of the disk. They are considerably worn, thus indi- 

 cating its long continued use. The convex surface is plain and pre- 

 sents nothing for examination worthy of mention. The lines are well 

 defined, and are clearly and deeply cut. The design is no doubt in- 

 tended to represent a bird ; in fact, the profile is plainly to be seen. Its 

 resemblance to the cedar bird, Ampelis cedrormn, is very marked. The 

 eye is represented by a small circlet ; within this there is a small de- 

 pression or pit that is intended to represent the iris. The mandibles are 

 short and conical in outline. A pointed crest that arises from the back 

 of the head is plainly discernible. The incisions are clearly and cleanly 

 traced, and the entire design exhibits the skill of the mound builder 

 artist in a remarkable degree. 



Among the objects obtained from the mound were several hundred 

 beads of various sizes. The greater number of these are made of shell ; 

 some are of bone. Many are in a good state of preservation. Several 

 flints were found that had apparently never been used, as their sharp 

 edges and points would seem to indicate. Three whole vessels were 

 taken from the mound. Several small disks of shell were found ; these 

 presented no particular ornamentation that is worth mentioning. Two 

 pipes were recovered; these were uninjured and are without ornamen- 

 tation. Three implements of bone are smoothly and evenly finished. 

 They are hollow throughout their entire length. They are bevelled on 

 one side for about half their length, and near the circular end there is a 

 perforation on one side extending to the cavity within. They are no 

 doubt made from the tibias of some animal, perhaps that of a deer. In 

 addition to those already mentioned, there were found several pins, awls, 

 and stones of various shapes and sizes. 



In structure the mound consists of alternate layers of clay, sand, and 

 ashes, varying in thickness, the material of which was probably ob- 

 tained near by. The clay used in the construction of the mound was 

 most likely taken from the river bank. Sand is found along the river. 

 Stone was not used in the construction of this mound. Both land and 

 fresh water shells are found scattered throughout its extent. The fresh 

 water species largely predominate. Among them are louud Helix s;pi- 

 nosa, H. alternata, H. appressa. H. elevata, Gampeloma ponderosa, G. de- 

 cisa, lo spinosa (the latter abundant), Angetrema verrucosa, Pleuroeera 

 untkonyi, P. Jilum^ Anculosa prwrosa, Unto verrueosu.s, besides many 

 others which I am unable to determine. 



Sixteen skeletons were taken from the ujound. Of the crania, 

 several were saved in fair condition. The bodies were usually interred 



