EARTHWORKS ON H A R P E T H RIVERS. 81 



tance beneath the surface a layer of flat limestone rocks was reached. They appear 

 to have been gathered from the bed of tlie stream below and from the sides of the 

 ravine. These slabs were irregularly laid. After the removal of the first layer of 

 rocks, they were found to have rested on a stratum of earth five or six inches 

 thick, beneath which a regularly laid pavement of smooth flat rocks was exposed ; 

 and beneath this was found still another layer of very thin smooth slabs. The 

 three layers of rocks and earth formed two and a half feet of the upper crust of 

 the mound. In the centre of the mound, beneath the lowest layer of rocks, a 

 stratum of earth of a deep red color, mixed with fragments of charcoal and par- 

 tially charred cane stems, was reached, which was eight inches in thickness, six 

 and a half feet in diameter, and of a circular form. This earth had the appear- 

 ance of having been subjected to a high heat, and the material chiefly used in the 

 kindling of the fires seemed to have been the ordinary cane of the low-lands 

 which covered large tracts of this country when first explored by the whites. 

 After the hard layer of burned red-clay was dug through, a layer of earth which 

 appeared to have been superimposed on the natural surface of the hill was 

 reached, whose depth was two feet. The shaft was continued three feet down into 

 the natural or original soil of the hill without discovering any traces of fire or of 

 the works of man. 



In extending the excavations towards the circumference of the mound, stone 

 graves were discovered arranged like the radii of a circle around the central altar 

 of hard baked clay. The graves were separated by intervals of three or four feet, 

 and the inclosed skeletons were disposed with their feet towards the altar, and 

 their faces directed forwards, looking as it were upon the altar, whereon it is sup- 

 posed the aborigines formerly maintained the Sacred Fire. Most of the bones were 

 very much decayed, and they appear to have been crushed by the heavy mass of 

 rocks which formed tlie upper cap or crust of the mound. In several graves the 

 bones were reduced to a yelloAV substance which crumbled on the slightest touch. 

 Even the teeth appeared to have been buried so long that the enamel parted and 

 crumbled when pressed between the fingers. It was possible to examine only a 

 single skull in situ by carefully cutting the earth away. The occiput was much 

 flattened, and in general appearance and form this skull resembled those of the 

 Natchez Indians, and many similar crania which I exhumed from the stone graves 

 of Tennessee. The bones of this cranium were, however, so mucli decayed that 

 they crumbled on the slightest touch, and it was impossible to lift the skull out 

 of the grave. 



Pieces of earthenware composed of clay and crushed shells were found lying 

 between the graves ; it was, however, impossible to reproduce any vessel from 

 these fragments. 



f This mound resembled in its general structure the sacred burial mound on the 

 banks of the Cumberland River, opposite Nashville, the main differences consisting 

 in the greater age of the former, the presence of a hard layer of burned clay for an 

 altar, and the absence of ornaments and stone implements. 



We are inclined to attribute a considerable age to this burial mound and to 

 the earth-works. The largest trees growing on the embanknient and within the 



11 May, 1876. 



