7G4 PAPERS KELATING TO ANTHROPOLOGY, 



was finely polished. It presents four sides, showing brenkage. In all 

 probability it was originally a bark-peeler. 



At the la<-t point examined the shell deposit is from 6 to 10 inches 

 below the surface. Under the shells is a charcoal layer. In this de- 

 posit were found ornamented pottery, an imi)lement from antler, the 

 lower jaws of the deer, both young and old, the sjjlit b<.nes of same 

 animals, the breast bone of some large fowl, probably the turkey, and 

 other objects of interest. 



It is. evident that if one should excavate at any given point within 

 this shell-heap works of art would be revealed. 



It should be remarked that the above excavations did not i^artakc of 

 the true character which that word necessarily implies. Only a few 

 inches along the face of the bank were removed, a further exposure 

 being unnecessary. Another consideration also had weight, that to cut 

 much away would endanger the bank, and hence would have been dis- 

 advantageous to the land. 



It is along this bank where most of the implements which have been 

 thrown upon the market have been taken. All the implements men- 

 tioned in the paper either came from this shell-heap or else from one 

 on the southeastern part of the island. 



Other shell-heaps inspected are small and composed of the unio. They 

 were not exjjlored, as they appeared to belong to the same age as the one 

 fully described above. The shell heap at the southeastern part of the 

 island covers about one-half acre, extending to the south bank of the 

 ridge. When first discovered it was inclosed by a low wall, nearly 

 square, composed of surface material. Pipes, ornaments, circular stones, 

 and, some other implements were found in this heap. 



A little below the shell-heap, and over the brow of the bank, five 

 human skeletons were dug up. Two of these were very large. They 

 were placed in a straight line, heads near together, but divided by a 

 small pile of shells. 



These heaps face the Virginia shore, with the exception of one. It is 

 probable that the large one faced both shores originally. The general 

 surface of the land presents no reason why the heaps should be so 

 located. It is not probable that the Virginia side contained more of the 

 unio, and even if it did the supply would not have held out long enough 

 to have continually maintained a residence on the south. The reason 

 must be looked for in another direction. The Virginia bluffs do not pre- 

 sent a favorable point of attack by marauding bands, and, hence, it may 

 be concluded that the south side was deemed safer in case of an assault 

 by an enemy. 



Fifteen different forms of arrow-heads are common on the island. 

 They are composed of gray, black, and brown chert, chalcedony, jasper, 

 and hornstone. As the implements occur in abundance it is probable 

 they were fastened to arrows and used for shooting fish. Implements 

 of the form commonly called a drill, composed of jasper, were probably 



