20 THE PKOBLEM OF THE OHIO MOUNDS. 



is oiK^. in point. '• Tlie ai)pearance," he tolls us, " certaiuly imlicates that 

 it [the barrow] has derived both origin and growth from the customary 

 collections of bones and deposition of them together." 



Notices of similar deposits have been observed as follows: In Wis- 

 consin, by Mr. Armstrong;^ in Florida, by James BelP and Mr. Walker;^ 

 in Cass County., III., by Mr. Snyder;^ in Georgia, by C. C. Jones.^ 

 Similar deposits have also been found by the assistants of the Bureau 

 of Ethnology in Wisconsin, Illinois, northern Missouri, ISTorth Carolina, 

 New York, and Arkansas. 



Another proof of this custom was observed by Mr. J. D. Middleton 

 and Colonel ISTorris in Wisconsin, northeastern Missouri, and Illinois. 

 In numerous mounds the skeletons were found packed closely side by 

 side, immediately beneath a layer of hard, mortar-like substance. The 

 fact that this mortar had completely filled the interstices, and in many 

 cases the skulls also, showed that it had been placed over them while 

 in a plastic state, and as it must soon have hardened and assumed 

 the condition in which it was found, it is evident the skeletons had 

 been buried after the tlesh was removed. 



As additional evidence we may mention the fact that in stone graves, 

 80 small that the body of a full-grown individual could not by any pos- 

 sible means be pressed into them, the bones of adult individuals are 

 sometimes found. Instances of this kind have occurred in Tennessee, 

 Missouri, and southern Illinois. 



From personal examination I conclude that most of the folded skele- 

 tons found in mounds were buried after the flesh had been removed, as 

 the folding, to the extent noticed, could not possibly have been done 

 with the flesh on them, and the positions in most cases were such that 

 they could not have been assumed in consequence of the decay of the 

 flesh and settling of the mound. 



The partial calcining of the bones in vaults and under layers of clay 

 where the evidence shows that the fire was applied to the outside of the 

 vault or above the clay layer, can be accounted for only on the suppo- 

 sition that the flesh had been removed before burial. 



Other proofs that this custom prevailed among the mound-builders 

 in various sections of the country might be adduced. 



That it was the custom of a number of Indian tribes, when first en- 

 countered by the whites, and even down to a comi)aratively modern 

 date, to remove the flesh before final burial by suspending on scaf- 

 folds, depositing in charnel-houses, by temporary burial, or otherwise, 

 is well known to all students of Indian habits and customs. 



Ileckewelder says, "The Nanticokcs had the singular custom of re- 

 moving the bones from the old burial place to a place of deposit in the 

 country they now dwell in." '^ 



' Siiiitlisouiiui Kept., 1879, p. 3:57. ''Siiiitlifsoniiiu Kept., 1881, p. r)73. 



■' Siuitlisoniaii Rc.i)t., 1881, p. G;5(;. ''' Autiq. So. luds., p. 193. 



=*SiuitLi.souiau liopt., 1879, p. 398. •> Hisst. Manners aud Customs Ind. Nations, p. 75. 



