Obscri'aiions Concerning- l-'ort Atuicnt. 115 



half the distance by taking a south-east direction. And to 

 have gone directly east would have shortened the distance 

 nearly one-third. But neither of these routes was practicable, 

 on account of the valleys and streams that lie in these direc- 

 tions. The only practical route was the one taken. Had the 

 builders varied the direction either way, to the extent of only 

 three or four degrees, the heads of several little streams 

 would have been encountered. 



The high ground referred to consi.sts of a wide ridge, with an 

 elevation above the ground at the fort of thirty-five or forty 

 feet. From this ridge a view could be had in every direction 

 for at least eight or ten miles, provided the country was devoid 

 of timber, which was probably the case, except along the 

 larger water courses. 



While the real object in constructing this guarded-way is in 

 great doubt, we can see how it might have been of great 

 service in times of danger. The little mound that stands in 

 the farther end, on the high ground, could be u.sed as an 

 observatory, or as a place from which to make signals, either 

 by flags, fire or smoke, to the surrounding villages belonging 

 to the Fort Ancient nation. A strong out-post, if necessary, 

 could be maintained in the expanded end of the road-way 

 which encloses the mound. Large forces could be thrown 

 out into the road-way to harrass the flanks of an advanc- 

 ing foe. 



All the indications tend to show that this guarded roadway 

 was constructed for military purposes. And it is quite certain 

 that the enemy most dreaded by the inhabitants in and about 

 Fort Ancient were a people inhabiting the country to the 

 northeast. 



Our attention will now be directed to the line of high 

 embankments which crosses the neck of the peninsula from 

 one large ravine to the other. This is divided by the openings 

 or gate-ways into six sections. Their length on top varies 

 from about seventy-five to a hundred and fifty-seven feet. 

 The .seven gate- ways have a top width of from fifty to seventy- 

 seven feet. The perpendicular height of the embankments 

 varies from seventeen to twentj^-two feet. These sections of 

 wall, taken collectively, form two curves, as we have illu.s- 

 trated. But taken separately, they are found to be perfectly 



