TENNESSEE. 



367 



miles. The first bottom as we descend is known as the Hardin farm. 

 On this is a tumuhis now named the Hardin mound. This is located 

 north of the river about 5 miles above the mouth of Abrahams creek, 

 and nearly opposite the mouth of Tallassee creek. (No. 1, PI. xxv.) 

 It is of the usual conical form, measuring 120 feet in diiimeter and 

 7 feet high. In this was a single adult skeleton near the center at 

 the depth of 2 feet, lying on its back, head east, and arms spread 

 out as indicated at a in Fig. 242. Lying at the right hand were a 

 stone pipe and a polished celt; at the left hand, a stone pipe and 

 nine arrowheads; at the feet, a large pot broken in pieces. On the 

 skeleton, chiefly around the neck, legs, and arms, were 1,039 beads, 

 mostly shell; 384 of 

 them were of large 

 size; a few were 

 fresh-water pearls. 

 The bones crumbled 

 to pieces as soon as 

 an attempt was made 

 to remove them. No 

 other skeletons or in- 

 dications of burial 

 were found; but at 

 b, b, b, b, resting on 

 the natural surface 

 of the ground, were 

 four little piles of 

 burnt clay, one at 

 each of the points 

 indicated, forming a 

 square. These were 

 rounded at the base, 

 running to a sharp 

 point at the top ; di- 

 ameter at the base, 2 feet, and height 2 feet. Some coals and ashes 

 were about each, sTiowing that the burning had been done after they 

 were placed in position. There is scarcely a doubt that these remains 

 mark the site of the old Cherokee town Tallassee. In order that the 

 reader may understand the reason on which this assumption is based, 

 a facsimile of Heniy Timberlake's map made in 1762 is inserted here. 

 (PI. XXVI.) By referring to this as we proceed in our description of the 

 groups along the Little Tennessee river, the reader will sec the close 

 correspondence in locality of the Cherokee towns with these groups. 



THE m'mURRAY mounds. 



These mounds, four in number, are some 5 or 6 miles lower down than 

 the preceding, the first, as we descend, being on the south side of the 



Fill. 242. ^Diagram of the Hardin mound, Blount rduuty, Tennessee. 



