546 PREHISTORIC VILLAGES IN TENNESSEE [ETH. ANN. 41 
the west. These slabs were from 6 by 10 inches to 10 by 10 inches 
and were about an inch thick. They were laid on the original clay 
subsoil and had been rudely fitted together. The surface of this floor 
was very wavy and uneven, as can be seen in the illustration. 
‘This floor probably was originally laid level and became uneven 
because the soil under it had not been hard-packed or from some other 
cause. This rough, bumpy floor, which could have been taken up 
and relaid in two hours’ time, tells in a graphic manner the untidiness 
of this ancient home. The floor was removed and a careful search 
was made in the clay subsoil supporting it. Nothing was found 
under it. 
Curtp’s GRAVE AND METATE 
At the southern edge of this floor, at H in Figure 155, and Plate 
122, a, was the stone-slab grave of a child. The grave had been 
rifled by relic hunters, but luckily they had not disturbed its sur- 
roundings. The coffin was 32 inches in length and 10 inches in 
width. Its top was level with the surface of the stone floor. Adjoin- 
ing the southern side of the coffin, and only 2 inches above it, was a 
small ancient metate in situ. A small corner of this metate can be 
seen at D in Figure 155 or at D in Plate 122, 6. This metate was 10 
by 12 inches and 21% inches thick. On the floor by the side of the 
coffin and near the metate was a rude stone muller. 
Some of the Siouan tribes, notably the Omahas and Otos, had a 
custom which was connected with a class of actions pertaining to 
“the lowest or oldest stratum of tribal rites.” It is part of the old 
‘and sacred ceremony of introducing a child into its recognized place 
in the tribe.4 
The baby’s first moccasins were made with a little hole in one of 
the toes, in order that it might perhaps prevail on the dread mes- 
senger of death to allow it to remain on earth. 
When moceasins are made for a little baby, a small hole is cut in the sole of 
one. This is done in order that ‘‘if a messenger from the spirit world should 
come and say to the child, ‘I have come for you,’ the child could answer, ‘I can 
not go on a journey—my moceasins are worn out!’’’ A similar custom obtains 
in the Oto tribe. A little hole is cut in the first pair of moccasins made for a 
child. When the relatives come to see the little one, they examine the moccasins, 
and, seeing the hole, they say: ‘“‘Why he (or she) has worn out his moccasins; 
he has traveled over the earth!’”’ This is an indirect prayer that the child may 
live long. 
Fire Bowni 
At A in Figure 155, about 2 feet north of the center of the wigwam 
and 15 inches under the present surface of the soil, was found part of 
an old fire bowl. At some time in the past it had been broken and 
23 “Tt is directly related to the cosmic forees—the wind, the earth, and the fire.”"—La Flesche. 
4 Fletcher and La Flesche in 27th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 117. 
