MYER] GORDON TOWN SITE 501 
A somewhat similar blanket of clay, covering a bed of once glowing 
embers, was found 4 feet southwest of the center of the top of the 
mound at the 30-inch stage. No traces of feasts appear at the 
30-inch celebration. 
BUILDINGS 
The two-thirds of this mound explored contained no burials 
While no trace of a building was found, it is probable that its level 
top, 2014 by 1814 by 2114 by 18% feet, supported some important 
structure. The ruins of what appeared to be the town house or 
temple immediately adjoined this mound on the west, and, as the 
eastern and apparently only door of this town house opened onto 
the top of the mound, it is likely the mound had on it either the house 
of the chief or an open shed. Under this shed public rites or open 
meetings could be held in bad weather. Many of the buildings in 
the Indian towns in the south had such sheds or piazzas attached to 
them.? The Creek Indians had a town arrangement of town square 
and mound sheds somewhat resembling this at the Gordon site.2 It 
must not be understood that any intimation of relationship between 
the Gordon site people and the Creeks is intended. 
ABSENCE OF UNCHARRED Woop 
At no point in this town were traces of wood or wooden structures 
found except where the wood had been reduced to charcoal. When 
uncharred and left to natural decay, all trace of wood vanished. It 
is well to note that no postholes, save those with charred wood, were 
found. It is therefore impossible to state with certainty that struc- 
tures existed where no trace was found. 
THE TEMPLE 
House circle No. 1 of the map is on the western side of mound A. 
It is shown in Plate 99. This probably was the ruins of a building 
which combined the functions of a town house and a ceremonial 
building or temple; or it may have been used solely as a temple. 
There were examples of both types of buildings found among the 
early Indians in the Southern States. 
This building is referred to as a temple because the word “temple” 
most nearly conveys a correct conception of its use by the ancient 
Indian worshipper. 
The Cherokees and several other southern tribes used such build- 
ings as temples for both secret and public rites, and also as town 
houses for public gatherings. In the town house visitors of note were 
sometimes lodged. Unfortunately buildings of this character became 
? See the various narratives of De Soto’s journey. 
5 See Gatschet’s “‘ Migration Legend of the Creek Indians,” vol. a, p. 186. 
