430 ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS—II [ETH. ANN. 44 
about 2 acres and form a subgroup of themselves. All elevations 
given here are from the level of this inclosed space. 
Mowunp 14.—This, the largest, is in the form of a trapezium. The 
longest side, facing the interior area, measures about 150 feet. The 
sides are as steep as the earth will lie; the top has an elevation of 
131% feet. (PI. 69, c.) 
From Mound 14 to Mound 15 there is an artificial road or cause- 
way 3 feet high and 42 feet across at the base. 
Mounp 15.—The next two mounds, both undisturbed, were the 
only ones in this subgroup which had the appearance of burial 
places. The larger was selected for examination. 
It is at present 514 feet high; but as it stands at the top of a slope 
bordering a slough, the height from the apparent margin on that side 
was about 9 feet. 
A trench 12 feet wide was started at the latter level, 25 feet east 
of the highest part. It was expected that the original margin of the 
mound would be reached at this point, allowance being made for 
floods which have raised the altitude of all the lowlands; but the 
initial excavation had to be carried down nearly 3 feet below the 
general surface, through dumped and washed-in material containing 
much kitchen refuse, before the natural ground was reached; and 
at this level water was encountered which had seeped in from the 
slough. All the earth in the mound was saturated and very 
tenacious. 
A foot above bottom, near the south wall, 15 feet from center, were 
eight metacarpal bones of deer, in a bunch, standing on end, as if 
they had been wrapped or tied together and cached here, to be con- 
verted into skivers later. Other deer bones, including a skull, all of 
them broken; mussel shells; and broken pottery with various designs 
incised or impressed, were profusely scattered loose in the earth. One 
small potsherd had a decoration in red resembling those of Arkansas. 
Diligent search was made for other pieces like it, but none could be 
found. It was almost useless to hunt for anything in the mud. 
The mound was never intended for a burial place, but marked a 
house site. The construction was quite similar to that of Mound 13. 
On the white “crawfish” clay, in place, at the bottom, almost at 
ordinary water level, was a deposit of black, mucky mud from 3 to 
21% feet thick; much burned earth, carried in as a part of the deposit, 
was scattered through it. On this was a layer of red clay and burned 
earth, mixed, having a depth of 9 to 12 inches. At this stage work 
on the mound was suspended by the builders, and a hole dug almost 
to the bottom, to serve as a fire-pit or barbecue hole. This measured, 
roughly, 714 feet across; it was exposed for nearly this distance 
along the north wall and extended for five feet into the trench. As 
