108 



ANTIQUITIES IN TENNESSEE. 



Aboriginal Remains near Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee. 



In company with my friend, Dr. J. T. Grant, of Pulaski, Tennessee, I explored 

 a cave near this place, which was said to have contained formerly aboriginal 

 remains, but without any results of interest. 



Dr. Grant exhumed from a small rock mound near Pulaski the relics described 

 below. 



The images, the outlines of which are given in Fig. 61, apparently repre- 

 sent a male and a female. The largest, or female image, has a bold, elevated fore- 

 head, prominent nose, and open mouth, as if engaged in speech. It is 7.2 inches 

 in height. The smaller, male image, has a retreating forehead of the Aztec cast, 

 resembling one of the Flat-head Indians in whom this change in the cranium 

 has been induced by artificial pressure. The mouth is drawn to a point and 

 closed. The specimen is 5.6 inches in height. Both images are in the kneeling 

 posture. In the following figure they are represented both in the full face and in 

 profile. 



Fig. 61. 



Im.ages from Kock Mound, near Pulaski, Tennessee. 



The material of these specimens is crushed shells and red clay, and has evidently 

 been vitrified by intense heat. They bear evidence of having been painted red, 

 and striped in right lines with black paint. They are hollow within, and have 

 circular openings in the back of the head. 



The difference in the shape of the heads of these two objects from the same 

 burial mound is interesting, as indicating that this custom of applying artificial 

 pressure to the head was not universal, but appeai-s to have been most generally 

 practised with the males. 



In Fig. 62 (rt), is represented an implement or ornament, the lower portion of 

 which has been broken off, which was taken from this mound. Length 3.5 inches, 

 breadth 2 inches. This object is formed of greenstone, with two notches on each 

 side, and three holes through the body. Marks of the abrasion occasioned by a 

 string or thong are evident in the two upper holes. The use of this singular stone 

 is unknown. Perhaps it was worn as an ornament about the neck. The figure 

 marked (c) represents a fragment of a beautiful shell ornament with concentric 

 circles engraved on its concave surface. The diameter is 3.5 inches. Two holes 

 have been bored through the shell, half an inch apart, through which a cord or 

 thong was probably passed, and by which the ornament was suspended. 



