378 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1934 



having been erected above the burials, although cultivation over the 

 site might easily have removed traces of a low sand mound. The 

 burials were comparatively superficial, the deepest skeleton being 

 only 27 inches below the surface, while the majority were encountered 

 at a depth of not more than 12 inches. Most of the burials lay beneath 

 the water table, and it was necessary to remove them from the salt 

 water, a feature which made it impossible to clear and expose the 

 skeletons in the usual manner. However, the action of the salt water 

 evidently preserved the bones, as they were in excellent condition 

 except where they had been broken up by previous diggers. 

 Forty-three skeletons were taken from this area, the bones of which 

 were of almost rocklike hardness. They were not, however, mineral- 

 ized. All of the burials were flexed in the same manner as those in 

 the shell burial mound. The nature of the soil made it impossible 

 to tell whether the burials were intrusive, but from all indications 

 they were. Burials occurred in groups of from 3 to 6 individuals, 

 each group being packed into a small area as though a hole had 

 been dug and the bodies laid in closely to conserve space. Usually a 

 quantity of shells were placed around each burial as though the 

 pit had been partially lined with shell. As in the case of the shell 

 mound it was evident that no artifacts had been intentionally placed 

 with the burials. With the exception of a few sherds of undecorated 

 pottery the only artifact found was a stemmed flint scraper. The 

 exact relation of this burial area to the surrounding mounds could 

 not be determined because of the absence of cultural material. 



LITTLE MANATEE RIVER, MANATEE COUNTT 



Mound no. 1. — This small mound was located northeast of the south 

 branch of the Little Manatee River in section 12, township 33 S., 

 range 20 E., about 16 miles northeast of Parrish. 



The mound, constructed of white sand, was erected on high ground 

 among a scrub growth of pine, wild plum, and oak trees. The visible 

 portion of the mound measured 44 feet along the north-south axis 

 and 38 feet east and west. Excavations revealed that the mound 

 had been constructed over a saucerlike depression in which the first 

 burials had been placed. On the south edge was a sump or depres- 

 sion measuring 12 feet in width and 22 feet in length, running east 

 and west. At various times in the past 6 holes had been dug near 

 the center, none more than 3 feet in depth. The mound was about 5 

 feet in height at the center, although the original height had un- 

 doubtedly been much reduced by erosion. 



During the excavations 27 skeletons were encountered. All repre- 

 sented secondary burials, the bones being disarticulated and in a very 

 poor state of ^^reservation. Pottery was of the Safety Harbor type, 



