FOWKE] ANTIQUITIES OF MISSOURI 57 
from one of the other crania. All the teeth except those belonging to 
the child were much worn. 
These skeletons were not resting on solid ground, but in an older 
grave partially re-excavated to receive them. Under them was a foot 
of filled earth, beneath which a layer of flat stones covered an ex- 
tended body having the head turned toward the east, resting upon 
undisturbed earth, 24 feet lower than the natural level. The skeleton 
was 5 feet 6 inches long; the teeth were worn down into the gums, 
in places below the enamel. The grave was 6 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 
5 inches; thin slabs set upon edge and slightly inclined outward 
lined the sides and ends. Some of these were torn out before their 
true purpose was discovered, under the impression that they per- 
tained to the burials above. 
From so much of the mound as was cleared out fifteen wagon- 
loads of rock were hauled away. 
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION. 
A description will now be given of the work carried on by the ancient 
grave diggers, based on the preceding data. 
To been ake a grave was dug on the culminating point of the 
ridge, near the river bluff. This was longest about east and west, 
or parallel with the axis of the spur; 6 feet 4 inches in length, 2 feet 
5 inches in width, with a depth of 24 feet below the natural level. 
Around it thin stone slabs were set on edge, inclined slightly outward 
-at the top; these may have been placed either before or after the 
interment. On the bottom was laid a corpse, about 5 feet 6 inches 
long, extended, with the-head toward the east. The teeth were 
worn down below the enamel in places, a condition indicating con- 
siderable age. Above the body, as a covering or protection, were 
placed other flat stones; the grave was then filled. Afterward the 
earth filling and hovadne it was dug away to a depth of a foot 
below the top of the subsoil, over a space 8 feet east and west by 4 
feet 7 inches north and south. Along the north half of this later 
excavation were laid small flat stones on which rested two adult 
skeletons with the heads toward the east, apparently placed on the 
back. Parallel to these, on the earth to the south, was a third 
skeleton similarly placed. At the top of the head of one of these 
were two small sea shells. The skeleton of an infant lay to the right 
of the last body, its head being near the east end of the grave. The 
body of another adult had been placed near the south side of the 
grave, with its head toward the west. 
Around the bodies were rocks, some of those nearest the grave 
turned up on edge, others laid flat, and all supported by rocks and 
earth piled against the outside. They formed an ellipse modified 
by a slight incurve on the north side, whose length from east to 
