430 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



There was a marked dissimilarity between the northern and southern 

 sides of this mound, the former being a compact mass of variously col- 

 ored soils from different points in the vicinity, in alternate horizontal 

 layers. The separate loads of those carrying it in were plainly defined, 

 and the different sizes of these small masses indicated that many per- 

 sons, some much stronger than others, were simultaneously engaged in 

 the work. 



With the exception of the imperfect or broken specimens mentioned 

 above, no remains of any kind were found in that portion of the mound 

 above the fire-bed and north of the central shaft, and only two skele- 

 tons beneath it, while many interesting finds of implements were made 

 all through the loose, ashy dirt of the southern part, and of many skele- 

 tons below it. The casts of logs and poles and the rotten wood and 

 bark indicate the former existence of a wooden structure at least 12 

 feet square and 3 stories high, the posts of which extended from 2 to 4 

 feet below the natural surface; or, more likely, three structures, one 

 above another. A foot above the natural surface, or 24 feet from the top 

 of the mound, the smooth, horizontal layer of sand and ashes was con- 

 tinuous and uniform, except where interrupted by two heavy fire-beds, 

 which were circular in form, 8 feet in diameter, and their inner edges 

 about 10 feet apart on opposite sides of the center of the shaft. The 

 earth was burned hard for 8 iuches below the ashes. Below these beds, 

 in an excavation in the original soil, were several skeletons as follows: 



No. 1, a medium-sized adult, extended on the back, head south, arms 

 by the side; 4 feet below center of the northern fire-bed. No trace of 

 a coffin ; a rude hoe and rough lance head were at the left side. 



No. 2 lay 4 feet north of No. 1, at the same depth; same size and po- 

 sition, except that the feet were toward the center of the mouud. It 

 was inclosed in a coffin formed by leaning stone slabs together, in the 

 form of an inverted V, over the body; another stone was set against the 

 end of this at the head. A number of relics were with this skeleton, 

 and on tlie stone over the head was a hematite celt. Two feet north 

 of the head were the fragments of a large vessel. 



No. 3, similarly placed, was 4 feet under the north edge of the other 

 firebed. Some relics were found above the head, and others in a small 

 vault near the left side. 



No. 4, position like the last, head toward and 5 feet west of the center 

 of the mound. A small vault near the head, similar to those heretofore 

 mentioned, contained decayed material and fragments of stone. 



Nos. 5 and 6 lay near together with heads south, 10 feet southeast of 

 the center of the mound. A vault was found near the feet of the smaller 

 skeleton. 



None of these skeletons were found at the center and all were 4 feet 

 below the natural surface of the ground on the bottom of the pit. Nine 

 vairlts, in addition to those mentioned, were disclosed; four of them on 

 the bottom of the pit and five on the original surface of the ground. 



