426 



ANTHROPOLOGY. 



" These mounds, thirteen in number, are of the usual size, and are sit- 

 uated in what is now an open field, on a level plateau, from which the 

 laud slopes rapidly away on the south to the banks of the Minnesota 

 Eiver, and on the north into a deep, narrow ravine, through which 

 flows a brook. I do not think these mounds have ever been examined 

 in any way." 



This engineer was also engaged in the survey and subdivision of the 

 reservation assigned to the Sisseton and Wahpeton tribes of Indians, 

 in Dakota Territory, and in the work found the mounds to be very 

 abundant and located some of them in the survey. The Indians, though 

 unable to explain their origin, have a great reverence for them, and will 

 not allow them to be disturbed if they can prevent it. 



The mounds which I mention are all on or near the summit of the 

 Dakotas, and overlooking the valley east of them. The first one 

 noted was on the eastern edge of the hills, and was about 20 feet in 

 diameter and 3 feet high. It had been occupied by foxes, and at the 

 mouths of their burrows human bones were abundant. Near the corner 

 of section 1G, township 126, range 52, was a large mound 50 feet in diame- 

 ter and 4 feet in height, located exactly on the top of the Dakotas, and 

 overlooking the whole valley. A pit w r as sunk in the center of this, and 

 scattered through the soil were found bones, but so thoroughly decom- 

 posed as to be but little more than deposits of lime. At the depth of 

 4 feet, the original surface of the ground, was struck what seemed to be 

 a layer of lime cement, and so hard that a couple of hours' labor with 

 spades only penetrated to the depth of 3 or 4 inches. At this point 

 time failed, and the workmen were obliged to abandon their investiga- 

 tions. 



About one and one-half miles northwest of this mound was another, 

 75 feet in diameter and 10 feet high, but there was no opportunity to 

 examine it. 



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Earthwork near Sisseton and Wahpeton Res., Dak. Ter. 



In this vicinity they also found an earthwork, which, in its shape and 

 good preservation, seemed to be of rather more recent origin, and to be 

 the work of white men rather than Indians; although the military offi- 

 cers connected with the reservation could not account for it, as there 

 had never been an Indian Avar in that vicinity. It may have been 

 erected by some of the early pioneers or explorers. It was about 75 



