57O NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



that these notches represent the scalps taken by the original owner 

 of the gorget. It may be a fanciful theory but we have never seen a 

 gorget with such notches cut into it. If it were true, however, the 

 owner must have been a champion scalper of those days. 



From what we know of the use of native copper, and the extreme 

 rarity of copper beads, may we not believe that this chain, even four 

 centuries ago, was regarded with great reverence by its owner, as 

 well as of great value, that possibly it was the possession of some 

 mighty chieftain, or had descended down through the years from 

 fathers to sons. 



Hamilton County 



On the northwest and west shores of Piseco lake along Irondequoit 

 bay and near the outlet, are a dozen places where early relics have 

 been found. On a large rock on an island at the outlet, " are three 

 parallel grooves about 6 inches long and half an inch apart evi- 

 dently of artificial origin." 



List of Sites 



1 At the angle and the bay of the outlet below are two camp sites 

 yielding relics. 



2 Three similar camps on the south shore of the lake between 

 Renton's and Rude's points. 



3 Eight camps at the northeast end. 



4 Site on Pine island in Smith's lake. 



5 On an island and on the mainland on the east side of Sacandaga 

 lake there are two camps. 



6 Three camps on the outlet of the same lake. One of these is on 

 the lake shore and the others on Lake Pleasant. 



7 Camp on the north shore of Lake Pleasant at its inlet. The 

 above camps were reported by Herbert M. Lloyd. 



A camp on each side of this stream, on the north shore of Lake 

 Pleasant. Another at the northeast angle of the lake, north side of 

 the outlet. As the entire wilderness was but a hunting resort the 

 Iroquois thought it was not intended to be inhabited. On one early 

 map it appears as " Cough-sa-ra-ge, or the beaver hunting grounds oJ 

 the Six Nations/' This name may come from Koh-sa-ke, winter, ii 

 allusion to the cold climate. On another map it appears as " Tysch- 

 sa-ron-dia, where the Iroquois hunted beaver." An intelligent On- 

 ondaga interpreted this, " Where they shoot." 



8 Village site at Old Oven point on Long lake. 



