HRDLICKA] SKELETAL REMAINS 87 
Discussion 
The examination of the human remains from the Gilder mound 
being concluded and their somatological characters described in 
detail, it is now necessary to consider the question of their probable 
relations to the geological formation with which they were associated 
and the bearing of these relations on the question of antiquity. 
It is not questioned that the various explorations have been intel- 
hgently conducted and that sincere effort has been made to ascertain 
and promulgate the entire truth regarding the finds, but if the pres- 
ent knowledge concerning these specimens is impartially considered, 
it is apparent that the theory of a more than recent geological origin 
of any of them meets with serious objections, while, on the other 
hand, no insurmountable obstacle appears in connection with the 
assumption that all are comparatively recent. If the existence of 
geologically ancient man in any part of this country is to be generally 
accepted, the evidence should be free from serious doubts and uncer- 
tainties. That this condition is not fulfilled in the present case will 
become manifest when due weight is given to the following consid- 
erations : 
(a) Within a depth of 5 feet or less, the Gilder mound contained 
the remains of apparently about a dozen bodies. There were male 
and female skeletons, ranging in age from the infant to the senile 
subject. Two or three of the skulls, with some accompanying bones, 
lay within 24 feet or less of the surface. Below this, according to 
the explicit statements of Mr. Gilder, was a layer of clay of undeter- 
mined area, hardened by fires. This is an occasional feature in 
burial mounds of this general region,’ the purpose of the baking being 
possibly to protect the bodies from animals which otherwise might 
prey onthem. Beneath this cover of hardened earth lay in some pro- 
miscuity, but in numerous instances in partial natural association, the 
skeletal remains of eight or nine bodies.° At: still lower levels, 
down to the depth of 1145 feet, were found here and there pieces of 
human bones. Instances of anatomical association extended to the 
«A small piece of clay secured by Mr. Gilder and recently sent for examination to 
the writer by Professor Barbour, shows unmistakable signs of partial burning. Portions 
of the piece are of the color and nearly of the consistency of a light-burned brick. <A 
sample of this nature, while not conclusive proof of an extended fire-hardened layer, is 
nevertheless confirmatory of Mr. Gilder’s earlier statements as to the existence of such a 
layer. 
>See Cyrus Thomas, Report on the Mound Exploration of the Bureau of Ethnology, 
Twelfth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, Washington, 1894; and 
Frederick Starr, Summary of the Archeology of Iowa (with Bibliography of Iowan 
Antiquities), Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Sciences, yi, 1895. 
¢ According to information received from Professor Barbour March 5, a block of loess 
which was taken to the laboratory in its entirety, showed parts of another skeleton. 
The bones began at 4 feet 9 inches from the surface and extended down to 6 feet, several 
of them plainly showing anatomical association. 
* 
