THOMAS.] ALABAMA. 287 



island is subject to overflow, but the top of the mound stand.s at all 

 times high above the water. The length of the upper surface along 

 the lake side is 130 feet; on this side the heiglit, measuring down the 

 steep sloiie, is 50 feet, while on the opposite side it is but 12 feet 

 perpendicular. Growing on the upper surface are some large trees, 

 among whicli are two poplars (tulip), one 3A and the other 4i feet in 

 diameter, and a pine .'? feet in diameter. 



A pit 8 feet square sunk in tlie center through sandy soil, reached, 

 at the depth of 5 feet, a quantity of ashes, near wliicli were four skulls; 

 two on each side. The larger bones of the four skeletons appear to 

 have been laid across each other ^■ery irregularly. With these remains 

 were some sliell beads, sliell pins, and a piece of copper. Some frag- 

 ments of pottery were scattered through the earth covering the btxlies. 



MOUNDS AND HOUSE REMAINS NEAU COOSA KIVER. 



On the west bank of tlie Coosa river, about a mile above where it is 

 joined by the Tallapoosa, are numerous evidences of a former aborigi- 

 nal village. These consist of lire beds marking the location of houses 

 or wigwams, human remains, animal bones, fragments of pottery, etc. 

 Many of these remains have been brought to light by the falling away 

 of the bank occasioned by the encroachment of the river. 



The^adjoining field not being plowed to the river bank leaves a strip 

 of land uiulisturl)ed, in which the indications of dwellings, consisting 

 chiefly of clay or flre-beds, usually about 5 feet across, and ashes, are 

 most apparent. 



The first (uie of these examined was about a foot below the surface. 

 Here, in tlie earth and ashes, were numerous pieces of pottery, mostly 

 parts of a very flat dish of unusual form, many mussel shells, animal 

 bones, piece of a gun barrel, a glass bead, iron nails, knife blade, pieces 

 of brass, and copper ornaments. It is evident, therefore, that this is the 

 site of a comparatively modern Indian village. 



The second was some 30 feet from the first and IS inches below the 

 surface. This, being at the bank, was partly washed away, only a part 

 of a fire-bed and of a skeleton being left. On the one arm bone that 

 remained was a brass bracelet made of drawn wire. This skeleton lay 

 near the ashes, as usual. 



A third and foui;th were also examined with similar results, charred 

 cobs and corn, pieces of pottery, animal bones, brass bracelets, etc., 

 being found. There are no mounds here. 



PAKKEK M<^UNDS. 



These are situated on the bank of the Coosa river, near its junction 

 with tlie Tallapoosa. 



One of them, about 50 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, which had 

 been plowed over for years, contained two skeletons, which lay at the 

 depth of less than a foot below the surface and about 5 feet apart, one 



