280 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



numerous lieadlands, easily rendered defensible, a number of which are 

 occupied by ancient earthworks. Of the five of these visited the most 

 interesting is in Hickman county, about 3 miles west of Oakton, and 

 known locally as O'Byam's Fort. 



Fic). 17G. — (VByani's fort, Hickman connty. KeDlucky. 



This work, illustrated in Fig. 176, is, as is usual in this region, upon 

 the best position for defense in that immediate section, being located on 

 the extreme point of a bluff some 50 feet high and almost vertical at 

 its southern end. It consists of an inclosing wall and ditch, mounds, 

 excavations, and hut rings. 



The length of the wall and ditch from a around to /<, following the 



