168 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



fragments of pottery fully an inch thick, being the heaviest ancient 

 pottery yet discovered in this country. As may be seen by the form of 

 specimens collected, the vessels were of unusually large size. No entire 

 vessels, however, have been found, but the fragments show that they 

 were low and shallow, like a salt pan or kettle, and destitute of ears or 

 handles. 



As its popular name, " Salt-kettle pottery," indicates, it is generally 

 supposed to have been used in making salt. 



A careful examina- 

 tion of the pottery was 

 made and the channel 

 of the brook enlarged 

 and deepened above 

 and below, and a large 

 drain made through 

 the lowland beyond it, 

 without discovering a 

 fragment of the pot- 

 tery or of the charcoal 

 or ashes of any ancient 

 fires. As no indica- 

 tions of a change in 

 the location of these 

 springs or of the qual- 

 ity of their waters, 

 which are as near sul- 

 l)hur as salt, were 

 found, it is very doubt- 

 ful whether the pot- 

 tery was ever used for 

 salt-making purposes 

 here or elsewhere, as 

 it was too heavy to carry without canoes, which could not have been 

 used at this locality, or horses and wagons, which the pottery makers 

 did not possess. Besides this, no traces of salt are observed on the 

 fragments seen, and according to Prof. CoUett, none has ever been 

 found on them by chemical analysis. It is stated that at various local- 

 ities in this valley, including one not remote from this point, crypts or 

 rude stone cofflns containing human skeletons, weapons, and orna- 

 ments of considerable interest have been found, but none were ob- 

 served by the Bureau agent. 



Fig. 87. — Tbe Ben Proffer nio\iTid, f "aiie Girardeau county, Mi.s.sonri. 



CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY. 

 THE BKN PROFFER MOUNDS. 



These are situated partly on the end of a high ridge, at the point 

 where Bird creek unites with Whitewater river, and partly on the 

 river bottom, as shown in Fig. 87. " 



