128 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



eastward, aud a fire kindled over tlie middle portion, cousumiug tho 

 larger boues. The skull does not seem to liave been affected by heat. 

 Another fact worthy of notice is that the earth immediately over the 

 bones showed no indications of fire. 



In the southern end of the mound lay another skeleton at full length 

 on the surface of the ridge, with the head south. 



Mound 7 was not thoroughly explored because of a large hickory tree 

 standing on it. The coastruction so far as it could be made cut was as 

 follows: 2 inches of sod, then the body of clay as usual; below this, 

 resting on the surface of the ridge, was a layer of thoroughly burnt 

 clay stretching nearly across the mound; this was covered with coals 

 and ashes to the depth of 2 inches. Under this layer of burnt clay 

 were the charred remains of a skeleton. The indications were that the 

 body in this case had been buried in the flesh. 



FiQ. 64.— Vertical seclion of Moiinrt No. 1, NW. Sec. 2, T. 9, E. 2 W., IlliDois. 



Another group examined is situated on the W. i of Sec. 2 and B. J 

 of Sec. 3, T. 9 S., R. 2 W. This consists of 5 mounds varying in diam- 

 eter from 30 to 60 feet aud in height from 3 to feet; on the crest of a 

 ridge as usual. 



All except one liail been previously explored, and in one of them a 

 box-shaiied stone grave found. 



No. 4, the smallest of the group, the one which had not been dis- 

 turbed consisted of a top layer of vegetable mold and a body of clay 

 as usual. Resting on the surface of the ridge near the center was 

 a pile of flat limestones, which were probably brought from the 

 eastern end of the ridge near by. This pile covered a space 12 feet 

 in diameter, being 2i feet high in the center. The spaces were filled 

 with decayed vegetable material, and the outer stones bore indications 

 of weathering as though the pile had remained uncovered for some 

 time after it was built. At the northern base of the heap, partly sirr- 

 rounded by it, was a box-shaped stone grave 5 feet long and 2 feet wide. 

 It was complete, having stones both at bottom and top, though the latter 

 had fallen in. In it were two skeletons appareiitly of young persons, 

 on their backs, but faces turned towards each other, heads east. They 

 were surrounded by decayed vegetable or animal matter. Immedi- 



