72 A N C 1 E N T MONUMENTS. 



hypothesis of a defensive origin in the Marietta works apply with double force 

 here. The structure which, from the height and solidity of its walls, would seem 

 best adapted for defence, has its ditch interior to the embankment, — a blunder 

 which no people possessing the skill and judgment displayed in the defensive works 

 of the mound-builders, would be apt to commit,* 



Ilill works, incontestibly of a defensive origin, occur within four or five miles of 

 this group, the relative positions of whicli are indicated by the " Map of six miles 

 of the Newark Valley.'''' About four miles distant, and overlooking those works, is 

 placed, upon the summit of a high hill, a gigantic effigy of some animal, probably 

 the alligator. Of this remarkable structure a plan is presented on a subsequent 

 page. Around these works, in the valley and crowning the hills bordering it, are 

 numerous mounds, all of which, as compared with those of the Scioto, are singu- 

 larly broad and flat. Many of them have been opened, but no account has been 

 preserved of their character. So far as could be ascertained from diligent inquiry, 

 they do not essentially differ in their contents from those found elsewhere in the 

 State. Fifteen or twenty miles to the northward of these works, are others of an 

 interesting character, which have never been investigated, and of which no public 

 notice has yet been taken. 



* The following passages, embodjdng some interesting facts respecting these works, were communicated 

 by I. DiLLE, Esq., now and for many years a resident of Newark: 



" You are aware that the principal part of these remains are situated in the valley between tlic Raccoon 

 creek and the South fork of Licking creek. The valley is here nearly two miles wide, from stream to 

 stream. To the east of the lines of embankment and on the second bottom of the creek are numerous 

 mounds. Some of these are very low, — so low, indeed, that a careless observer would hardly distinguish 

 them from the common surface. Some of them are surrounded by a low circular wall of earth which, 

 with a little attention, can be distinctly traced. In the year 1828, when constructing the canal, a lock was 

 located on the site of one of these low mounds. In excavating the lock pit, fourteen human skeletons 

 were found about four feet beneath the surface. These were very much decayed, and supposed by some 

 to have been burnt. It was probably the natural appearance of decomposition which led to this opinion. 

 On coming to the air they all mouldered into dust. Over these skeletons, and carefully and regularly 

 disposed, was laid a large quantity of mica in sheets or plates. Some of these were eight and ten inches 

 long by four and five wide, and all from half an inch to an inch thick. It was estimated that fifteen 

 or twenty bushels of this material were thrown out to form the walls or supports of the lock. From a 

 mound some four feet high, a few rods to the south of this, a large volvaria (sea-shell) was taken. 



" On the opposite side of the creek I found, in one place, twenty-four flint axes, or imperfect arrow- 

 heads. These were found on the third bottom, on a promontory projecting towards the works in question. 

 A very great quantity of broken flints were found here — enough to load a cart. They were of the same 

 variety of flint, chert, or hornstone, which abounds on ' Flint Ridge.' On that ridge there is the appearance 

 of a great deal of digging. Deep holes cover the ground for the extent of a mile. Many have supposed 

 that these were mines of the precious metals, and no small amount of money and time has been expended 

 in the search. I am of the opinion this place is the source of all the arrow-heads, flint axes, and other 

 implements of that material, which have been used over a wide extent of territory. 



" Separate from these valley works, and two miles to the west of them, is an irregular enclosure on a 

 hill. The walls are of earth about three feet high, and enclose an area of some thirty or forty acres_ 

 extending from the top to the very foot of a high, long, and sloping hill. Again, two miles distant in a 

 north-west dijvclion. the summit of a high hill is surrouiulcd by a similar embaidiment." 



