MOFNDS, FORTIFICATIONS, AND EARTHWORKS. 45 



Fig. 9 represents a rough sketch of this image. 



The under jaw of the skeleton of the aged mound builder, whose grave lay near 

 that containing the black image, was of remarkable size, and had only one long- 

 tooth or fang, like the tusk of a wild animal. 



On the left of tlie grave wliich contained the carved shell ornament, ])reviously 

 described, lay two other carefully constructed »tone graves, in one of which nume- 

 rous shell beads were found encircling various portions of the skeleton, and in the 

 other a large sea conch. Tlie interior portion or s[)iral of the shell had been care- 

 fully cut out, and it was probably used as a drinking vessel or as the shrine of a 

 small idol, as had been observed by Dr. Troost. From the great distance whence 

 these large marine shells must have been brought, it is reasonable to suppose 

 that they were considered of great value by the aborigines. 



The grave furnisliing this v(>ssel fashioned from a shell also contained two copper 

 ornaments, lying on the side of the cranium of the skeleton. These ornaments 

 should more properly be described as two round pieces of wood, perforated through 

 the centre, and covered wifn a layer of copper. They appear to have been suspended 

 from the ear by a thong, since the remains of small leather strings were observed 

 in the central holes. I discovered similar ornaments of wood, but more finely 

 carved, and covered with a thin layer of copper, in a stone grave near Nashville, 

 at the residence of Colonel W. U. Gale. Upon the summit of the mound 

 now under consideration, about six inches below the surface, immediately above 

 the large circular earthen vessel, I also discovered several pieces of thin, corroded 

 copper, which appeared to have formed originally a plate, vessel, or mask. A 

 copper mask, which Avas fashioned with human features, is said to have been found 

 in a mound near Franklin, Tennessee. From a stone grave near Lick Branch, I 

 obtained several small, round masses of pure silver. Silver coins are said to have 

 been found in a stone grave on the banks of the Cumberland, opposite Nashville, 

 but after diligent inquiry, I was unable to obtain any reliable information. The 

 wooden ornaments covered witli copper previously described, were one inch in 

 diameter, and presented the general appearance of Fig. 10. 



Fig. 10. 



Wooden ornament coated witli copper, from a stone grave, in a mound on tlie bank of Cumberland Eiver, 



opposite Nashville. Uue-half tbe natural size. 



The metal was almost entirely reduced to the oxide and carbonate of copper. 



Two skeletons, apparently those of a man and a woman, were found on the 

 southern slope of the mound, near the altar: they had been interred in the eartli, 

 without any stone coffins. At the side of the female skeleton, apparently encircled 

 by the bones of the fingers, a highly finished, light reddish-yellow vase was found 

 painted with regidar black figures. This vase is composed of light-colored clay 

 and crushed shells : height 7y\ inches ; circumference 18 j% inches. The body 

 of the vase is divided into segments by four broad depressions extending from the 

 base nearly to the neck. Each of the four divisions is bordered with black, and 



