EARTHWORKS ON THE BIG HARPETH RIVER. 73 



From a short square grave lying south of the principal graves, we obtained a 

 very fine skull with perfect teeth. Some of the long bones of the skeleton were 

 wanting, and it appeared from this circumstance, as well as from the manner in 

 which the bones were deposited, that tlie skeleton had been preserved for some 

 time, and perhaps had been transported from a distance before its final interment 

 in the stone box. The long bones were placed around the cranium, and one of the 

 phalanges of the foot was sticking in the nasal opening. It will be seen from the 

 following measurements tliat in this skull the compression of the occiput was com- 

 paratively slight, and that the facial angle was above the medium of this race. 

 Facial angle, 80°; internal capacity, 80 cubic inches; longitudinal diameter, 6.6 

 inches; parietal diameter, 5.6 inches; frontal diameter, 4.3 inches; vertical dia- 

 meter, 5.5 inches; intermastoid arch, 15 inches; intermastoid line, 4.6 inches; 

 occipito-frontal arch, 13.8 inches; horizontal periphery, 19.3 inches; diameter of 

 face and head, 7.2 inches ; zygomatic diameter, 5.2 inches. 



Several other stone graves were discovered by sounding the inclosure in various 

 directions with an iron rod, but beyond some fragments of pottery no implement 

 or relic of interest was discovered. 



In a stone grave near the summit of a small mound at the western angle of the 

 large pyramidal mound, I obtained a fine cranium in perfect preservation, free from 

 any blemish or decay, with full sets of wliite and sound teeth, sixteen above and 

 sixteen below. A AVormian bone, half an inch in diameter, is situated at the junction 

 of the occipital and parietal bones. This skull, like the preceding one, presents 

 but slight marks of pressure upon the occiput, and the outlines, as determined by 

 the craniograph, as well as the occipito-frontal and vertical arches, are very nearly 

 symmetrical, as will be evident from the following measurements : facial angle, 11° ; 

 internal capacity, 80 cubic inches ; longitudinal diameter, 6.8 inches ; parietal dia- 

 meter, 5.2 inches; frontal diameter, 4.1 inches; vertical diameter, 5.8 inches; 

 intermastoid arch, 15 inches; intermastoid line, 4.7 inches; occipito-frontal arch, 

 14.4 inches; horizontal periphery, 19.5 inches; diameter of head and fiioe, 7.8 

 inches ; zygomatic diameter, 5.2 inches. 



Numerous stone graves were found on the sides of the adjoining hills outside 

 the line of fortifications, but they yielded no relics of importance. 



These facts strengthened the opinion that the two principal burial mounds within 

 the area inclosed by the line of the works were the burial places of royal families. 

 It is also worthy of note that the number of graves within and around the mounds 

 and earthworks was not sufficiently great to lead to the supposition that a very 

 large population resided immediately within these fortifications. It is probable 

 that large numbers were assembled within them only when the inhabitants were 

 pressed by their enemies. 



In order to display still further the taste and skill of this race in the manufacture 

 of earthenware vessels, I have grouped together in Figs. 34 and 35 some of the 

 specimens referred to in the preceding pages. 



A large number of interesting relics have been found from time to time during 

 the cultivation of the area of this aboriginal settlement, and in the surrounding 

 fields. 



10 April, 1876. 



