408 



MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



appear to have been systematically constructed for some particular 

 purpose, with a circular well-like space in the middle. 



First, the earth (unless the place selected is a bare rock) is removed 

 to the solid rock foundation and an ai)proximately level space from 10 

 to 30 feet in diameter formed. Centrally on this was placed a layer of 

 flat stones, with the best edge inward, around a circle about 3 feet in 

 diameter. Upon the outer edge of these, others 

 w<»re placed with their outer edges resting upon 

 the prepared foundation running entirely around 

 the circle. Then another inner layer with the 

 best edge inward and the thinner edge resting 

 on the outer layer, the stones of one layer break- 

 ing joints with those below, as far as the size 

 and form would admit of it. Outside of the 

 i inner row and with the edges resting on it other 

 5 circles were added, until a diameter ranging 

 > from 20 to .50 feet, or even more, was attained ; 

 § thus often extending upon the sloinng earth not 

 ''_- removed in forming the foundation. The last, 

 I or outer circle, usually consisted of but a single 

 - layer, over which earth was thi'own, being some- 

 I times heaped up until it equaled in contents 

 i one-half the rock pile. The height of these piles 

 t was found to vary from 4 to 8 feet, in one or two 

 S instances reaching 10 feet. But in all cases the 

 g circular space or opening in the center continued 

 Z to the top the same diameter as at the bottom, 

 1 somewhat resembling the so-called "wellholes" 

 I of the early western pioneers. 

 i Many of the stones used in these heaps have 

 " evidently been obtained by rude quarrying in 

 £ the stratified cliffs, often half a mile distant. 

 Some of them measure from 4 to C feet in length, 

 half as wide, and of a thickness which renders 

 them so heavy as to require ti-om two to four 

 stout men to handle them. Beneath the some- 

 what upturned edges of many of these stones in 

 the different layers are frequently found the 

 decayed (and often charred) remains of human 

 skeletons, usually horizontal, with the head or 

 feet (generally the latter) toward the central " wellhole." With these 

 were generally found fragments of coarse pottery, rutle, but very large 

 celts; also lance and arrow heads, and occasionally rude clay or stone 

 pipes, but rarely, if ever, stone hoes or other agricultural implements. 

 All the cavities of the heap not originally used for burial ai-e tilled with 

 earth or mortar, often well baked by fire. 



