THuMAs.i MOUNDS DEFINED. 29 



The variety of ancient works so far as form and modes of coastruction 

 are concerned, is almost endless, but all may be included, in a general 

 way, under the following primary headings, viz. Mounds, Refuse Heaps, 

 Mural Works (such as inclosures, embankments, etc.), Excavations, 

 Graves and Cemeteries, Garden Beds, Surface Figures, Hearths or 

 Camp Sites, Hut Rings or House Sites, and Ancient Trails. Besides 

 these as belonging to separate heads are Mines and Quarries, Cave 

 Deposits, and Petroglyphs. 



MOUNDS. 



The term '-mound," as used throughout this report, is limited to the 

 artificial tumulus and is not intended to include walls, embankments, 

 reftxse heaps, or other works not usually classed as "mounds" in this 

 country, though the lines of distinction between the examples which 

 approximate each other in form are apparently arbitrary. 



The tumuli or mounds are the most common ami most numerous of 

 the tixed works, being found throughout the region under consideration, 

 and, in fact, constituting the larger portion of most of the groups. 

 The forms are so varied that it would tax the imagination to devise one 

 that is not represented. There is probably one exception and a some- 

 what remarkable one, as it is that which enters into the idea of a true 

 pyramid. The form alluded to is the pyramid with true successive 

 stages. There has been, it is believed, no mound found in the United 

 St.ates east of the Eocky Mountains, with successive stages running 

 entirely around the structure. In other words, the form figured by 

 Pidgeon in the frontispiece to his "Decoodah" as the type of the 

 "ancient American battle mound," is without a representative in the 

 United States. 



Although so varied, they may for convenience be arranged in four 

 classes, as follows : Conical tumuli, elongate mounds, pyramidal mounds, 

 and effigy mounds. 



CONICAL TUMl'LI. 



Under this head are placed all those rounded, artificial heaps or hil- 

 locks which seem to have been cast up with so:ne special object in view — 

 that is to say, are not such mere accunuilations of rubbish as the refuse 

 heaps. The form is usually that of a low, broad, round-topped cone, 

 but as at present found, is, in consequence of wear by the plow and 

 the elements, often that of an irregular heaj) distinguished from the 

 refuse heap only by internal evidences. 



Mounds of this type are the most common of our ancient monuments, 

 being found throughout the region under consideration, sometimes iso- 

 lated, but more usually in association with other works. There are, in 

 fact, few groups of ancient works to be found where mounds of this 

 kind are entirely wanting. 



They vary in size from a slight, scarcely perceptible swell in the sin-- 

 face of the ground to elevations SO or 90 feet high, and from or S feet 



