FEWKEs] MOUNDS NEAR TAMI'ICO 275 



addition to these mounds of the second type there are in the vicinity 

 of Tampico many shell heaps, some of immense size. The nature of 

 the coast line and the many lagoons in the neighborhood offered rare 

 opportunities for a fisherman's life, and from Tampico northward v^^e 

 find many mounds of the character just described. The aborigines 

 who left deposits of shell there were not necessai'ily a distinct race, 

 but led a specialized life as a result of their environment. 



Shell Heaps 



One of the best collections of mounds near Tampico is situated about 

 a mile fi-om the city, near the ranch directed by Mr Kiilke. It is 

 readily reached after a short walk from the terminus of the tramway, 

 the cars of which start from the liridge near the railroad station of 

 Tampico. A few hundred feet beyond Mr Kiilke's house the fields are 

 covered with a thick forest growth, a portion of which has recently 

 been cut down to enlarge the area under cultivation. In removing 

 this growth the workmen ))rought to light a cluster of mounds, some 

 of which are of comparatively large size. In following the road from 

 Mr Kiilke's house to these mounds one sees many evidences in the 

 plowed lands of small shell heaps, some of which were formerly much 

 larger. These were situated en a high blufi' overlooking the neigh- 

 boring lagoon, on the banks and islands of which there are nuich more 

 extensive deposits. Their position is indicated by shells strewed on 

 the ground. The cluster of large mounds lately brought to light by 

 clearing the forests stands on the same bluff, a few feet beyond which 

 one may have a fine view of the neighboring lagoon and the city of 

 Tampico. The general arrangement of these mounds is such that they 

 inclose a level space that formerly may have been a plaza. There are 

 eight mounds in the cluster, five of which are on the arc of a circle 

 and form one side of the supposed closed area. Two other mounds, 

 not of the series inclosing the space, stand nearer the road than the 

 cluster just mentioned. About sixty paces nearer the road is a circu- 

 lar depression like a i-eservoir. There is little difference in the general 

 form or size of these mounds. Two are large and flat-topped and 

 two are much elongated. Their interior structure is revealed by lim- 

 ited excavations made in one of the largest by some local antiquarian 

 or treasure seeker who discovered many shells in this mound and 

 fragments of a hard rock like coquina limestone. The greater num- 

 ber of the mounds are constructed entirely of earth and are covered 

 with vegetation. The accompanj'ing map shows roughl}' the arrange- 

 ment of the mounds and their relative distances from one another. 



