366 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



by the weiglit of the stones resting on them. No order as to position 

 appeared to have been observed in either hiyer. Xo relics save a few 

 arrow points and discoidal stones were discovered. 



Mound 3, 70 feet in diameter, 1.5 feet high, and conical in form, was 

 also explored. At the depth of 3 feet were eight skeletons so far de- 

 cayed that it was impossible to determine their exact positions, except 

 that they lay at about the same level. Near the bottom, though a lit- 

 tle above the natural surface of the ground, were three other skeletons 

 lying about 5 or 6 feet from each other. These were in a much better 

 state of preservation than the eight near the top. There were no 

 stones over the skeletons as in mound 2,nor were any relics found with 

 them nor in tlie mound. 



Immediately below the mouth of White Oak creek is Jones island, 

 on which it is said a mound formerly stood which has been washed 

 away by the floods. The locality was visited, and though no traces of 

 the mound could be seen, large quantities of broken pottery, flint chips, 

 and other evidences of former occupancy were observed. 



One mile below this place, on the south side, are two large mounds 

 situated on the point of a ridge which runs close to the river. They 

 are covered with heavy timber. 



BLOUNT, MONROE, AND LOtTDON COUNTIES. 



The valley of the Little Tennessee from where it leaves the Smoky 

 mountains, which form the boundary between North Carolina and Ten- 

 nessee, to where it joins the Tennessee river in Loudon county, is 

 undoubtedly the most interesting archeological section in the entire 

 Appalachian district. 



The numerous groups of mounds and other ancient works which are 

 found along the valleys of the principal stream and its tributaries, 

 appear to be intimately related to one another and are so evidently the 

 work of one people that it is deemed unwise to arrange them by coun- 

 ties; moreover, this would confuse the reader, hence it is thought best 

 to vary the usual rule in this instance and describe the groups in the 

 order in which they follow one another, commencing with the one 

 situated nearest the point where the river leaves the mountains, 

 thence moving down the stream to its junction with the Holston. In 

 order that the reader may understand the relation of these groups, a 

 map of the area embraced is given in PI. xxv, on which they are 

 located. As this map is copied from one made by the geographical 

 division of the IT. S. Geological Survey from recent surveys, and the 

 groups located by a special survey made under the Bureau of Ethnology 

 for this purpose, it may be relied ui)on as being more than usually 

 correct. 



The river, after winding its way through the mountain gorges, enters 

 a beautiful valley about half a mile wide and perfectly level to the 

 foot of the Chilhowee mountains, to which it runs parallel for several 



