TENNESSEE. 



399 



as it extends from the inouiid, and then gradually narrows until it 

 conies to a point whicli coincides with the lower point of the island; 

 its length is 570 and sreatest breadth 3S() feet. 



All explanation of the plau followed in working over this mound is 

 given, as it will illustrate the method adopted in regard to the others 

 of which figures are given. First stakes were set on the outer margin 

 exactly at the four cardinal 

 points by compass. Then on a 

 large pasteboard a line was 

 drawn representing the outline 

 of the base. The exploration was 

 then made by cutting successive 

 parallel trenches from east to 

 west entirely across it. When- 

 ever a skeleton was found it was 

 carefully cleaned before an at- 

 tempt to remove it was made, 

 and its liosition noted as accu- 

 rately as possible on the paste- 

 board. The result in this case 

 is shown in Fig. 279. 



The construction of this mound 

 was mu(;h like that of No. 1, on 

 the Jackson farm, the chief dif- 

 ferences being thai in this case 

 there w-ere three layers of burnt 

 clay instead of two, and there 

 was a shaft extending down from 

 top to bottom, filled with alter- 

 nate layers of burnt clay and 

 ashes, as shown in Fig. 280. 



The central shaft, which was circular, 8 feet in diameter at the top 

 and 4 at the bottom, extended from the top layer of dark soil down to 

 the original surface of the earth. It consisted of a succession of fire 

 beds, the clay of one layer having been placed upon the accunuilated 

 ashes and coals of the one below it. 



The remains of quite a number of posts were found; these had evi- 

 dently been set perpendicularly in the surface of the mound when the 

 clay stratum d d formed the covering. Some of these were nearly or 

 quite 18 inches in diameter, others not more than 6; they were all about 

 on the same level. The upper ends of all were charred, showing that they 

 had been burned off; hence no estimate of their original height could 

 be made. The portion remaining varied from 2 to 3 feet in length, prob- 

 ably showing the depth to which they were inserted in the earth of the 

 mound. The lower ends of the larger ones were cut off square, but it 

 was not possible to decide by the marks what kind of a tool had been 

 used. Fig. 281 shows their relative positions. At a they w ere placed 



Fig. :i78. — L>ia<;ram (if tnuiiud No. 2, Lenuii- j;roup. 



