ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 287 



east of the river, and rises about 40 feet above the level of the valley. 

 In general outline it may be described as a truncated cone. Its apex 

 diameters, measured north and south, and east and west, were respect- 

 ively, 05 and 68 feet. At the base, however, the tlanks are extended in 

 the direction of the east and west to such a degree that there is a differ- 

 ence of 35 feet between the base-diameters running north and south, 

 and east and west; the former being 133 feet and the latter 168 feet. At 

 the center of the top may be seen a circular depression, some 20 feet wide 

 and 2 feet deep. Toward the north the face of this tumulus is quite 

 precipitous. When first observed by the European, this monument 

 was covered with a growth of trees as dense and apparently as old as 

 that of the circumjacent lowlands. When the neighboring fields were 

 cleared, this mound was also denuded of its vegetation and cultivated, 

 its rich surface yielding generous harvests both of corn and cotton. 

 Although now overgrown with brambles and small trees, which materi- 

 ally retarded minute inspection, it appeared quite probable from the 

 scars on the surface of the valley in the immediate vicinity, that some 

 severe freshet years ago impinged upon the northern base of this mound 

 and carried away a considerable portion of its northern flank. 



Eather more than 100 yards to the north of this tumulus, and trend- 

 ing to the northwest, is an irregularly shaped excavation (B), at present 

 from 10 to 15 feet deep and partially filled with water, from which the 

 earth used in the construction of these tumuli was obtained. 



As yet no attempt has been made to open the large mound, but 

 against its eastern face the overflowing waters of the Oconee at one 

 time dashed, wearing it away for some distance and leaving there a 

 perpendicular front of 10 feet or more. Here were disclosed human 

 bones, the skeletons of dogs, and large beads made of the columns of 

 the Stromhus gigas. If this partial revelation be accepted as indicative 

 of the general contents of the tumulus, it should be classed as a huge 

 grave-mound. We decline, however, adopting this conclusion without 

 further information. It may be that the remains and relics then un- 

 earthed belonged to later and secondary interments. Instances of this 

 sort, as we well know, are of frequent occurrence. 



Two hundred yards to the south is an elliptical grave-mound (C), not 

 more than 4 feet high, but covering a considerable area. This struct- 

 ure, in the direction of its major axis, is about 150 feet long. Its minor 

 axis is two-thirds less. The surface and neighborhood abound with 

 human bones, sherds of pottery, fragments of pipes, shell-beads, muscle- 

 shells, and various other relics. Across a shallow lagoon, and 250 yards 

 southeast of the large tumulus, is a third mound (D), well preserved, 10 

 feet high, and quite level at the top. In every direction, except where 

 it looks toward the north, its sides slope gently. Ilaving been constantly 

 cultivated for many years, this structure has encountered no inconsid- 

 erable waste. At the base its north and south diameter was 100 feet. 

 Measured at right angles, the other diameter was 88 feet. Similar meas- 



