508 PREHISTORIC VILLAGES IN TENNESSEE [erH. ANN. 41 
same length in the earth as above it. The wall is a rough mud wall entirely 
smooth outside and a little sunken between every (two) posts inside in such a 
way that it is not more than 9 inches thick in the middle. 
The interior of this temple is divided into two unequal parts by a little wall 
which cuts it from the rising to the setting sun. The part into which one enters 
may be 20 feet wide and the other may be 10, but in this second part it is extremely 
gloomy, because there is only one opening, which is the door of the temple itself, 
which is to the north, and because the little communicating door is not capable 
of lighting the second part. 
There is nothing remarkable in the inside of the temple except a table or altar 
about 4 feet high and 6 long by 2 broad. On this table is a coffer made of cane 
splints very well worked, in which are the bones of the last great Sun. The 
eternal fire is in this first part of the temple. In the other and more secluded 
part nothing can be distinguished except two planks worked by hand on which 
are many minute carvings (plusieurs minuties) which one is unable to make out, 
owing to the insufficient light. 
The roof of this temple is a long vault, the ridge pole of which is ABE more than 
6 feet long, on which are placed representations of three great birds (carved) on 
flat pieces of wood. They are twice as large as a goose. They have no feet. 
The neck is not as long as that of a goose, and the head does not resemble it. 
The wing feathers are large and very distinct. The ground color is white mingled 
with feathers of a beautiful red color. These birds look toward the east. The 
roof is very neat outside and in. In fact, the structure and roof appear of a 
perfect solidity. 
* * * * * * * 
It is in this temple that two men tend the perpetual fire during each quarter 
of the moon. There are eight guardians for the four quarters, and a superior 
who is called chief of the guardians of the fire to command them and to see that 
they do their duty, and to have the wood brought for this fire. This wood must 
be clear wood. They employ for it only clear white walnut (or hickory) without 
bark. The logs are 7 to 8 inches in diameter by 8 feet long. They are placed 
near the temple about the trunk of a tree with a rather short stem. This tree is 
covered with thorns from the earth to the top. I have given a description of it 
in the natural history under the name of passion thorn. I have never been able 
to find out why they have respect for this tree wherever they find it, unless it be 
on account of the employment to which it is destined. These guardians are 
interested in preserving the fire, for it costs their lives to let it go out. There is 
besides, for the service of the temple, a master of ceremonies, who is also the 
master of the mysteries, since, according to them, he speaks very familiarly to 
the spirit. In the great ceremonies he wears a crown which has feathers only in 
front and is thus a half crown. He also has in his hand a red baton ornamented 
with red or white feathers according to the requirements of the feast. Above 
all these persons is the great Sun, who is at the same time high priest and sovereign 
of the nation.’ 
CuHARLEVOIx’s Account or NATCHEZ TEMPLE 
Charlevoix’s journal describing this Natchez temple says: 
The temple is very near the great chief’s cabin, turned toward the east, and 
at the end of the square. It is composed of the same materials as the cabins, 
but its shape is different; it is a long square, about 40 feet by 20 wide, with a 
common roof, in shape like ours. At the two ends there are what appear to be 
two weather cocks of wood, which represent very indifferently two eagles. 
7 Indian tribes of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Bull. 43, Bur. Amer. Ethn., pp. 162-163. 
