106 



ANTIQUITIES IN TENNESSEE. 



The natives formed artificial mounds for purposes of burial, worship, habitation, 

 and defence. The houses of the chiefs, with but few exceptions, stood upon large 

 and elevated artificial mounds. 



When the Indians of that time (1540) resolved to build a town, the site was 

 usually cliosen upon low rich land, by the side of some stream, or in the neiglibor- 

 hood of a large never-failing spring, where they first erected a mound from twenty to 

 fifty feet hish, round on the sides, but flat on the top. Tlie habitation of the chief 

 and his family was erected upon the summit. At the foot of the eminence, a 

 square was marked out, around which the principal men placed their houses, and 

 around these the inferior classes erected their wigwams. Some of these mounds 

 had stairways upon their sides, and were so steep as to be ascended only by these 

 artificial means. They were thus rendered secure from the attacks of an Indian 

 enemy. 



Mounds were also erected over the chiefs after their death, whilst others were 

 formed by the slow accumulation of the dead through long ages. 



The aborigines, at the time of De Soto, worshipped the sun, and erected large 

 temples, which were also receptacles for the bones of the dead. 



They also entertained great veneration for the moon and certain stars. When 

 the Indian ambassadors crossed the Savannah to meet De Soto, they made three 

 profound bows towards the east, intended for the sun, three towards the Avest, for 

 the moon, and three towards De Soto. Upon the eastern bank of the Mississippi, 

 the Indians approached him without uttering a word, and went through the same 

 ceremony, making to De Soto, however, throe bows much less reverential than those 

 made to the sun and moon. Similar customs prevailed on the west bank of this 

 great river. In the morning every Indian presented himself at the entrance of his 

 cabin, and extending his hand towards the sun, as his first ray beamed from the 

 eastern horizon, he addressed a rude, but fervent hymn of adoration to liis glory. 

 At noon they performed a similar act in token of their gratitude ; and to the setting 

 sun they addressed their thanks for all the bounties they conceived he had bestowed 

 upon them during the day ; and they were particularly careful tliat his last ray 

 should strike their heads. A remarkable temple was situated in the town of Tal- 

 maco, which is supposed to have been located on the Savannah River, three miles 

 distant from Cutifiichiqui, near Silver Bluff". It was more than one hundred feet 

 in length, and fifty feet in width. The walls were high in proportion, and the 

 roof steep, and covered Avith mats of split cane interwoven so compactly that they 

 are said to have resembled the rush carpeting of the Moors. The roof was covered 

 with shells of various kinds, arranged in an ingenious manner. On the inside, 

 beautiful festoons of pearls, plumes, and shells extended along the sides, down to 

 the floor. The temple was entered by three gates, guarded by gigantic wooden 

 statues, some of which were armed with drawn bows and wooden pikes, and others 

 with copper hatchets. On the sides of the walls were large benches, on Avhich 

 rested boxes containing the deceased chiefs and their families. Three rows of 

 chests, full of valuable pearls, occupied the middle of the temple, which also 

 abounded in garments manufactured out of the skins of various animals, and in 

 beautiful mantles of feathers. 



