160 NEWLY DISCOVERED SHELLHEAP. 



remains of some large fish. Several interesting bone im- 

 plements were collected, and the bones of various mam- 

 mals, birds and fishes were found in considerable quantity. 

 In one spot, at the depth of two feet in the clam shells and 

 debris, nearly two quarts of human bones were found 

 broken into short pieces. Very little pottery was dis- 

 covered and that was of a coarse quality and but slightly 

 ornamented. One or two of the shells found were pierced 

 with small holes as if used as ornaments. 



The uninjured valves of the clam shells preserved show 

 a great variety in form : some are rough, thick and narrow, 

 while others are thin, large and very wide. Among the 

 bones found were three pieces which appeared as if thor- 

 oughly calcined, and when struck gave out a metallic ring. 

 It was noticed that only one specimen of Natica duplicata 

 was collected, while in other heaps it is abundant. The 

 oyster shells were all very much broken, and it was with 

 difficulty that a sufficient number of whole valves were 

 preserved for comparison and study. It should be borne 

 in mind that the oyster is not now found in these waters. 



The bones of a rodent were found nearly a foot below 

 the heap, doubtless those of some animal that died in his 

 burrow which extended through the heap, as such burrows 

 were here and there noticed, and some of the other bones 

 found in the heap had been gnawed by a rodent. 



It is not intended here to enlarge or theorize upon the 

 results of this exploration, but only to give the facts in the 

 simplest manner, upon which, the specialist may build a 

 story of the people whose homes and firesides were on or 

 about this refuse pile. 



It has been impossible to identify accurately all the bones 

 found, and therefore only a rough outline can be given 

 here of the contents of the shellheap, which may be sum- 

 marized as follows : 



