408 ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS—II [BTH. ANN. 44 
This ends the record of discoveries in the area covered in this 
territory. Nearly every place was visited at which mounds were 
reported by anyone. 
What has led to the belief that the Red River region is a fertile 
field for archeological research is the vast number—thousands upon 
thousands—of “ house mounds” marking the former dwelling sites 
of Caddoan tribes. Few are found on low ground; but in “the 
hills,” as the rolling upland is called, groups of them exist at such 
short intervals that in driving around the country one is never out 
of sight of them for more than a few minutes. Among them, no 
doubt, are some burial mounds; but as they all look exactly alike, it 
would be a matter of mere chance to discover a tumulus. 
Viciniry or NatrcHrrocHes 
The village of Creston, 20 miles north of Natchitoches, is a mile 
north of Black Lake. For more than a mile to the east, north, and 
west of Creston house mounds are numerous. It is said that they 
continue in these directions sre this distance, but they were not 
followed farther. 
At Salt Lick, north of Creston, is a low place where “salt comes 
up out of the ground ” and is deposited on the surface by evapora- 
tion of the soil water; the earth has a decidedly saltish taste. 
Mounds are especially numerous around this lick, extending from 
the level land on every side down the slopes and even out on the low 
flat bordering the lick, where the ground is seldom dry. They vary 
in elevation from a foot to 4 feet, a few even exceeding the last 
figure. The largest are close to the marsh on the lowest level of the 
land, or are distributed along the foot of the slope and may owe 
their greater height to the construction of an earthen platform as a 
foundation for a house which was covered with earth when com- 
pleted. If houses in such situation were built on the natural ground 
they would be surrounded by water or mud most of the year. 
Although the limit of the group was not reached in any direction, 
fully 500 were seen in the area examined; but there are very few 
between Creston and Black Lake. 
It is quite probable that changes in elevation have occurred in this 
region since the mounds were built, as was the case in Arkansas and 
Missouri in 1811. 
Shamrock Mills is 18 miles west of Natchitoches. Three miles 
north of Shamrock, on the farm of Calvin Freeman, is a salt lick 
similar to that at Creston. There are many house mounds on the 
south side of this lick, extending from the edge of the marsh indefi- 
nitely southward. Some of them are unusually large. On the north 
side of the lick is a village site, where many fragments of flint and 
pottery are strewn over the ground. Some well-made objects of 
