SKINNER, INDIANS OF MANHATTAN ISLAND 147 



course, the oldest. Under and near most of these deposits may be found 

 scattered "pits" or fire holes, which are bowl-shaped depressions in the 

 ground filled with layers of stained earth, shells and other refuse, with an 

 occasional layer of ashes. Some pits are as large as ten feet wide by six 

 feet deep, but the average is four feet deep by three feet wide. It is sup- 

 posed that they were used as ovens or steaming holes and afterwards filled up 

 with refuse (Fig. 4). Some contain human skeletons, which may have been 

 interred in them during the winter season when grave digging was impossi- 



FIG 5, MAP GiVING THE LOCATIONS OF SHELL DEPOSITS. 

 Those marked + have been explored by the Museum. 



ble. Pits as a rule, contain more of interest than the ordinary shell layer. 

 The closely packed regular masses of shells form a covering which tends to 

 preserve bone implements, charred corn and such perishable articles from 

 decay in a way that the looser shells of the general layers fail to do. 



Shell heaps, while abundant along the seacoast, are seldom found inland, 

 except on salt creeks or other streams having access to salt water. They 

 may be seen all along the east shore of the Hudson River at more or less 



