406 ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS—II [PTH. ANN. 44 
but these are few and far between, and point only to small settlements 
with much open territory between them. It was a matter of some 
surprise, then, to find a mile east of Marksville, La., a group of 
earthworks of such extent and character that they would be noticeable 
even in a region where similar structures are abundant—in Ohio or 
Georgia, for example. They extend for more than a mile along a 
bayou known as “ Old River,” which opens at either end into Red 
River, and, as its name indicates, is recognized by the present popula- 
tion as having once been the channel followed by that stream. There 
is little doubt that it flowed here at the time these earthworks were 
constructed, although at present it is several miles away. This fact, 
however, has no bearing on the age of the remains; such changes are 
frequent and extensive. 
VICINITY OF SHREVEPORT 
Rev. James M. Owen, of Shreveport, La., has spent much time in 
examining such archeological remains as exist within driving dis- 
tance of that city, not only in the alluvial plains of the Red River 
Valley but out into the higher lands on either side of that stream. 
Through his generous cooperation it was possible to visit every 
known site from Belcher, 20 miles north of Shreveport, to Gahagen, 
40 miles south, and as far as 15 miles from the river on both sides. 
Nothing was found that would appear to be worth excavating; 
meaning thereby that the historical, scientific, or museum value of 
any discoveries that might result from digging out the mounds 
would not be sufficient to justify the time and expense involved in 
such work, 
By reason of the accumulation of sediment from river floods, any 
village sites or burial places that may occur in the valley are for- 
ever hidden from sight except as they may be accidentally revealed 
by excavation or erosion; consequently it is possible to record here 
only those mounds which are not entirely covered by such deposits. 
All of these found within the limits above set forth, with the excep- 
tion of four, are of the flat-topped variety named “ domiciliary 
mounds” by Clarence B. Moore; the purpose of their erection being 
to provide an elevated site for buildings used as dwellings, council 
houses, storage rooms, or for any use required, and perhaps also for 
public gatherings, or as a refuge from high waters when streams 
spread beyond their customary limits. 
A group of these, seven in number, 10 miles north of Shreveport, 
gives the name of “ Mounds Plantation” to the estate on which they 
stand. Six of them have farm buildings on them, the seventh being 
cultivated as a garden or truck patch. It is unknown how far below 
the present surface their foundations may be; the ground has filled 
