EARTHWORKS ON HARPETH RIVERS. 



83 



from a stone grave on the side of this mound next the river, near where the road 

 crosses its border, a small black clay pot or vase made in the likeness of a frog. 



Tliis vase was 6.75 inches in the long diameter, and 3.5 inches in height. Several 

 other graves on the Hanks of this mound yielded vases; but unfortunately three- 

 fourths of it lay within the flower garden of Mr. Brown, and the family would 

 not consent to have it disturbed. 



The vase in the shape of a frog is represented in Fig. 49. 



Fig. 48. 



Fig. 49. 



Fig. 50. 



Earthenware vessels composed of dark clay and crushed shells from stone graves at Old Town. 



We are of the opinion tliat this small burial mound is very rich in vases and 

 stone implements. From its position with reference to the large mounds, and 

 from the contents of the graves opened, the opinion was formed that in conjunc- 

 tion with the mound upon which the house stands it constituted the burial place 

 of the chief families of the tribe or aboriginal settlement. On the other hand, 

 about fifty stone graves along the banks of the river, and on the sides of the hill 

 beyond, were opened without discovering any pottery or implements. There 

 appeared to have been great irregularity in the mode of burial ; in some large 

 graves nine and a half feet in length, as many as four whole skeletons were dis- 

 covered, and in other graves from two to five feet in lengtli, adult skeletons were 

 found with the bones irregularly placed as if the bodies had been bent. In many 

 graves the bones of tlie pelvis lay immediately under and in proximity with the 

 bones of the skull. In the short graves, which proved to be the most numerous, 

 the bones were in many instances very irregularly laid, those of the feet and hands 

 being mingled together in proximity with the skulls ; generally the long bones were 

 laid transversely across the end of the grave, the arm aird leg bones being together. 



The earthenware pots and bowls were sometimes found at the foot, but most 

 generally at the head of the grave, by the side of the skull; and in several instances 

 one pot or bowl was placed in another, as in the case of the frog-shaped bowl, which 

 rested upon the top of a large thick black vessel. The grave was only 3.5 feet in 

 length, and contained the skull of a very old man; the long bones were laid across 

 the grave. 



The following figure 51 presents the forms of some of the earthenware vessels 

 exhumed from the stone graves of Old Town. 



The lowest of the three middle vases is ornamented with a beautiful sculptured 

 border, and by four projections. This vessel was evidently used as a dish of some 

 kind, and is not deeper than an ordinary soup plate. The second one from tlie 

 top, on the right, has four feet, and resembles in all respects the iron pots of the 

 present day. 



