EARTHWORKS AT FORT ANCIENT, OHIO. 



By W. M. TiioMi'SON, F. R. A. S. 



These earthworks are supposed to have beeu constructed loug before 

 the red uiau obtained possession of the country. They are situated on 

 the east bank of the Little Miami River on the top of the hill and about 

 one-fourth of a mile east of the little railroad station, by the name of 

 Fort Ancient. It is the strongest, largest, and most important of the 

 defensive works of the extinct races of the contineut, and is probably 

 better known than any other in southern Ohio. 



To all appearances the long mounds were used during some ancient 

 war for breastworks, while the conical-shaped ones w, m, 7«, were prob- 

 ably the ones used for picket or signal stations. 



In the vicinity of these earthworks, known as the Old Fort, there are 

 several groups, all of which are well worth a visit. 



A few of these mounds have been dug into, and bones, various stone 

 implements, some pottery, and bronze or copper axes, etc., found. 



While some workmen were digging a cellar near these mounds, they 

 came to a i)avemeut of brick or pottery about 8 feet under ground. 

 That these mounds were built at a remote period is evident, for on many 

 of them trees more than 7 feet in circumference are found growing, and 

 how many more have attained their full size and then fallen to decay, 

 it is impossible to say. 



The extreme length of these works in a direct line is (luito o miles, 

 but by following the various angles of the wall they would no doubt 

 reach (in a direct line) the length of G miles or more. 



Both tumuli and mural remains of these extinct races of mound- 

 builders (probably) are found in almost every portion of this county 

 ( Warren ). Several skeletons have been unearthed from various mounds 

 in this (Warren) county. Five were unearthed two years ago from one 

 mound. 



The following description of this remarkable work is from ArcJucologice 

 Americmiw : "The fortification stands on a plain nearly horizontal, about 

 U3G feet above the level of the river, between two branches with very 

 steep and very deep banks. The openings in the walls are gate-ways, 

 B, C, D, etc., the plain extends eastward along the State road, nearly 

 level, about a half mile. The fortification on all sides, except the east 

 and west wliere the road runs, is surrounded with precipices nearly in 

 the shape of the wall. The wall on the inside varies in its height ac- 

 cording to the shape of the ground. The outside being generally from 

 8 to 10 feet, but on the plain it is nearly 19i feet high." 



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