Transactions of the Canadian Institute. [Vol. IX. 



Prehistoric Artifacts Found in the Vicinity of the Mounds. 



In addition to the foregoing account of the Peterboro County "ser- 

 pent" or zigzag mound, I herein enumerate a number of archseological 

 artifacts which were found in the same locality, some of them last year 

 and others previous to that time. Some of these were discovered upon 

 the mounds or near them; others were either found upon the surface 

 of the ground or ploughed up in the neighbouring fields. A few were ob- 

 tained about four miles distant from the mounds. While nothing can be 

 positively stated as to who their manufacturers were, it is almost certain 

 that the copper objects are the work of the mound-builders, similar objects 

 having been found in mounds in other parts of the continent. It is also 

 probable that some of the stone implements were made by the same 

 people who reared the earthworks. But, regarding many of the articles 

 of manufacture, until further evidence shall have been procured there 

 must continue to be doubt as to the people who made them. 



Copper Objects. 



1. A copper axe or celt, about six inches in length (pi. V, Fig. 8)- 

 Careful inspection of it shows it to have been made from native copper, 

 such as that which occurs in rocks about Lake Superior. It is flat upon 

 one side, and has a raised medium longitudinal ridge upon the opposite 

 side, and a sharp edge at its wider end. Altogether, this copper celt is 

 well-formed, being a neat, handsome implement. It was found within 

 three hundred yards of the mounds. 



2. Copper spear, nearly ten inches long and possessing two projec- 

 tions or barbs at the base of the blade (pi. V, Fig. 9). It is bevelled 

 from a median ridge on both faces. 



3. Copper knife, a little more than twelve inches long, and having a 

 narrow extremity apparently for insertion in a wooden or other handle 

 (pi. V, Fig. 10). 



4. A piece of a thin sheet of native silver and copper greatly resem- 

 bling the pieces of naturally mixed silver and copper seen in northern 

 Michigan. This sheet is remarkably uniform in thickness. It is quite 

 even and smooth throughout, and forcibly reminds one of the uniformity 

 of many of the metallic artifacts of Colombia, Peru and Central America. 

 Having only stone and bone implements the prehistoric workman must 

 have exercised great skill and patience in its manufacture. 



