THOMAS.] 



GEORGIA. 



303 



mussel and sea sliells and immediately under the feet two conch shells 

 {Busycon permrnxim) partially filled with small shell beads. Around 

 each ankle was a strand of similar beads. The bones and most of the 

 shells were so far decomposed that they could not be saved. 



Grave h, a stone sepulcher, 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and li feet deep, 

 dittered from a only in size and the fact that the bottom was covered 

 with stone slabs. The skeleton was extended on the back, head east. 

 On the forehead was a thin plate of copper, the only article found. 



Grave c, also a stone sepulclier, 3i feet long, H feet wide, and 1| feet 

 deej), the bottom being formed of burnt earth. Although extending 

 east and west, as shown in Fig. 185. the bones had probably been dis- 

 connected and interred without regard to order, the head being found 

 in the northeast corner with face to the wall, and the remaining por- 

 tions of the skeleton in a promiscuous heap. Yet there was no indica- 

 tion of disturbanceafter bur- 

 ial, as the coffin was intact- 

 Placed in the heap of bones 

 was a thin plate of copper 

 that had been formed by 

 uniting and riveting to- 

 gether smaller sections. 

 (See PI. XVIII.) Some of the 

 bones found in this grave w | 

 were saved. 



Grave d, a small sepulcher 

 only li feet square by 1 foot 

 deep, contained the remains 

 of an infant; also a few small 

 shell beads. The slabs form- 

 ing the sides and bottom of 

 this grave bore very distinct 

 marks of fire. 



Grave e consisted simply of a headstone and footstone, with the 

 skeleton of a very small child between them; head east. On the wrists 

 were some very small shell beads. The earth on the north and south 

 sides had been hardened in order to form the walls, a strong indication 

 that the mound had been built up to this height and a pit dug in it. 



Grave/, also a stone sepulcher, was (J feet long, 3 feet wide, and 

 li feet deep, with a stone bottom. Skeleton with the head north. 

 There were several i)ieces of copper about the head, which, together 

 with the skeleton, were wrapped in a skin. The head rested on a large 

 conch shell {Bu.sycon perversum), and this on the remains of a coarse 

 mat. Shell beads were found around the neck and also around each 

 wrist and ankle. On the light was a small cup and on the breast an 

 engraved shell. The copper had preserved a portion of the hair, which 

 was saved ; portions of the skin and matting were also secured. Im- 



FlG, 185. — rian of burials in niouiiil r, Etowah (iroup. 



