188 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



the baked earth, charcoal, aud ashes of ancient fires, and around these 

 and beneath the rims split bones and fresh-water shells. Often mingled 

 with this refuse material are rnde stone implements and fragments of 

 pottery. 



The similarity in the size, form, and general appearance of these de- 

 pressions and earthen rings to those of the earth lodges of the aban- 

 doned Mandan towns along the Missouri river, leaves no doubt that they 

 mark the dwelling sites of the people who formerly occupied this lo- 

 cality. 



Upon the top of the great mound, fully 35 feet above the bed of the 

 adjacent excavation, stands a white oak tree 4 feet in diameter; also 



Fifi. 99. — Iinagi- vesMt-l from Beckwith's ranch. 



Fig. 100.— liu« 1 Iruui Bockwitli's fort. 



the stumps of several others, little if any smaller. On the wall back 

 of the excavation is another white oak 10 feetO inches in circumference, 

 4 feet from the ground, also a sassafras 30 inches in diameter at breast 

 height, and other trees of similar dimensions. The annual growth-rings 

 of several white oak and ash stunii)S on No. ('> and other mounds near 

 the house, were counted and ranged in number from .350 to 500 each. 

 The following is a list of the whole or nearly whole clay vessels obtained 

 from various openings made in the mounds and elsewhere on Pin Hook 



ridge : 



1 image vessel (Fig. 100.) 

 1 water vessel with human head. 

 1 water vessel with eagle head. 

 3 water vessels with hooded heads. 

 1 tiat oiiiii lain)). 



1 double headed vessel. 

 1 pot (already nieutioned.) 

 1 bowl with lip (Fig. 102.) 

 Eleven others of \arlous forms. 



