122 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



The construction of No. 1, wliicli stands on the highest point occu- 

 pied by the group, proved to be very simple. Passing through the 

 vegetable mold Fig. 59, c, some 3 inches thick, a layer of earth d was 

 reached which formed the mass of the mound, and was similar in char- 

 acter to the soil of the surrounding surface of the ridge. Under this 

 was a pile of stones b resting on the original surface, 

 except where excavated, the area covered measuring 

 13 by 9 feet. Below this at (/ was an excavation in the 

 original soil, 7 feet long by 2 feet wide, and a little more 

 than a foot deep. In the bottom of this grave was a 

 single badly decayed skeleton lying at full length on 

 its back. Over it was earth mixed with stones, which 

 filled the grave. There were no indications that bark 

 "^ S or any other wrapping had been used. 



Mound No. 2 was in fact nothing more than a single 

 layer of stones covering an area of about 16 feet in di- 

 ameter, placed here doubtless to shield from the wild 

 beasts the half dozen bodies or skeletons buried beneath 

 them. On top of the stones was a fire bed, showing 

 that a fire had been built immediately after the stones 

 were placed, as it lay on the stones but not on the mold 

 which covered them. 



Mound No. 4 was found to consist — after passing 

 through the vegetable mold (t) — chiefly of yellow clay 

 from the surrounding surface. This was interru^Dted 

 3535 ■^ only by two small heaps of stone, as shown in Fig. 60 

 (plan and section), /indicating the clay layer and g and 

 /t the stone heaps ; mis an excavation in the original 

 siu'face. In this grave, which was but little more than 

 6 inches deep, was a single skeleton, resting on the 

 right side, head northwest. There were no indications 

 of wrappings or other covering than earth. 



Mound No. 5, which stands on the edge of the ridge, 

 had been iiartially opened before. Its construction was 

 similar to that of No. 1, except that the stone heap was 

 smaller, and the form and arrangement of the grave be- 

 neath diiferent. This grave was nearly 6 feet by 5, and 

 18 inches deep. Slabs of limestone were set on edge around the sides. 

 It contained a single skeleton, resting on the left side, accompanied by 

 a shell needle, and surrounded by a quantity of light ash-like sub- 

 stance almost filling the grave. The bones were slightly decayed and 

 the skull was crushed. 



The next group examined is situated on the SE. J Sec. 29, T. 10 S., 

 R. 2 W., on the main ridge, probably 300 feet higher than the river bot- 

 toms. This consists of 12 mounds, two of which were excavated with 

 the following results : 



a 



