258 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



both above aud below the road («, «, a), but the heaviest deposit was 

 above the road on the north side, where they formed nearly a solid layer 

 of skeletons scarcely a foot below the surface. So many entire skele- 

 tons were traceable that it is evident it was not a deposit of bones from 

 scafiblds, but a burial of bodies en masse with little regard to regu- 

 larity. No weapons, charcoal, ashes, or pottery were found with them, 

 and, although tradition gives us no information in regard to them, it is 

 probable that the burials were comparatively modern. 



Mound 7, close to the burial place mentioned, was also a depository 

 of the dead, differing from the former more in character and contents 

 than in ajiparent age. The main portion of this low, dark colored 

 mound or slightly elevated space was covered by a residence and 

 small garden, but along a few feet of its vacant northern edge some ex- 

 cavations were made. The skeletons were nearly 3 feet below the 

 surface in a single tier, lying horizontally, but without uniformity as to 

 direction. Except the bettcn- preservation of the skeletons, the mode 

 of buwal and accompaniments and everything found in this mound were 

 in all respects similar to the Old Town burials. But the pottery, of 

 which only two entire vessels were obtained, like that from Dickerson's 

 mound, is lighter colored and thinner than usual. 



A coarse day pipe, donated by Mr. John Clarke, the owner of this 

 proxjerty, was found in an extensive line of house sites marked by 

 patches of burnt clay at No. 8 (Fig. 158). In the excavations made 

 among these house sites a small stone mortar, a rude celt, and two very 

 fine ones, also many fragments of pottery, a number of fleshers and 

 scrapers were obtained. 



The largest excavation at this place is situated at thes(mtliwest cor- 

 ner of the inclosure. From this, in all probability, was obtained the 

 material for building the large mound (No. 1). 



During the researches made through i)oitioiis of the counties of 

 Coahoma, Bolivar, and Sunflower, for a distance of some 30 miles 

 south of Clarksdale, a large number of ancient dwelling sites were 

 found, having the appearance, before being disturbed, of low, tlattish 

 DKmnds. Many were opened and uniformly found to be mere heaps or 

 patches of burnt clay, ashes, and the dirt accumulated during occu- 

 pancy, covered by a thin layer of top soil. 



SUNFLOWEll COUNTY. 



Not far from the shoals of Sunflower river, and in the midst of a cane- 

 brake, a mound of considerable size was discovered. The dimensions, 

 as nearly as coiild be determined, are as follows : Length, 125 feet ; 

 greatest width, about 100 feet ; and lieight to the summit (tf its cone, 

 25 feet. The apex is near the eastern end, and is surmounted by a 

 white oak 6 feet in diameter. 



Along the steep side of the eastei'u end was the outcropping of a 

 bed of burnt clay in small masses or lumps, and below it some very 



