NO. 8 MANAHOAC TRIBES IN VIRGINIA BUSHNELL 3I 



SITE AT KELLYS FORD 



Traces of an ancient native settlement were encountered on the 

 right bank of the Rappahannock above the bridge at Kellys Ford. The 

 site was probably one of importance, as this is believed to have been 

 near the crossing place of the old Carolina Road, already mentioned 

 in connection with the mbvement of the Manahoac southward. If 

 this belief is correct, it is evident that the area had been visited by 

 members of many tribes in addition to those of the historic Siouan 

 group, whose camps may at different times have occupied both banks 

 of the river, both above and below the ford. Fragmentary pottery with 

 other evidence of occupancy was found scattered over the surface 

 of the cleared and cultivated area reaching to the river bank and ex- 

 tending to the foot of the rapids. This is shown on the left in the 

 photograph reproduced in plate ii, a view up the valley, with the 

 camera pointed about due north. 



A short distance below the bridge, on the left bank of the Rappa- 

 hannock, is the mouth of Marsh Run, a small, sluggish stream that 

 flows through a famed hunting ground of past generations. Beyond 

 this are Elk Run and Elk Marsh, suggestive names that have come 

 down from the days of the colonists. A view down the valley, show- 

 ing the mouth of Marsh Run on the extreme left, is reproduced in 

 plate 12, figure i. 



Sand has been removed to a depth of 2 or 3 feet from an acre or 

 more of the site ; the excavation thus made can be seen just below 

 the rapids, on the left, in the view looking up the river. 



The sherds illustrated in plate 12, figure 2, were discovered on the 

 sandy surface adjoining the excavations, nearer the bridge. These 

 may be described briefly : 



Specimens a are two pieces that evidently belonged to the same 

 vessel, the specimen on the left being part of the rim. It is coiled ware, 

 hard and black throughout, except where it is weathered to a light 

 brownish on the exposed surfaces. A small amount of crushed quartz, 

 some of which is very coarse, was used as tempering material. The 

 fragment is f inch in thickness near the rim. The surface bears the 

 impression of very coarse cords, but no indications of a woven fabric. 



Specimens b are the only fragments of this type of ware encountered 

 on the site, and both may have belonged to the same vessel. The 

 texture and color of the ware, as well as the impression on the sur- 

 face, are the same as in specimen b discovered at Skinkers Ford on 

 the Rapidan and figured in plate 17. 



