THOfllAS.] 



OHIO. 



445 



top of the mound, a nearly horizontal layer (d) 2 inches thick; next, 

 a similar layer (c) connecting with the former at the margins, but 

 dipping a foot downward at the center; and thirdly, 2 feet lower, the 

 layer {h). 



In the central portion of the mound, resting on the original siirface 

 of the ground, was an irregularly (luadrilateral stone inclosure (k). 

 This was built up loosely of rough surface sandstones, all with the 

 weathered side up. The east and west diameter varied from 10 to 13 

 feet, the north and south from 13 to 15. The thickness of the wall at 

 the base was from 5 to 10 feet, the height from li to 3 feet. The stones 

 were piled up without any attempt at regularity. The dotted portion 

 along the southern line of the wall (Fig. 306) shows where it was imper- 

 fect and in part wanting. 



Within the space inclosed by the wall, and extending partly under it 

 on the east side, was the circular pit (,v), 12 feet in diameter and 2J feet 

 deep. The sides were slightly sloped, giving it a basin-like shape. It 

 was mostly filled with dark soil in small masses, like that of the over- 

 lying mass (i), with which it seems to be continuous, resting on a 



Fm. 307 — SectioD of the Cemetery mound, Monnt Vemun, Knox county, Ohio. 



white substance [t) an inch thick, possibly the ashes of hickory bark, 

 which covered most of the bottom of the pit and extended over a 

 skeleton on the west side. The portion covering the skeleton was very 

 hard, being difficult to penetrate with a pick. The remainder of it was 

 quite loose. The skeleton («), which was badly decayed, lay at full 

 length with the head at the west margin of the pit and the feet toward 

 the center. Around it was a quantity of decayed vegetable matter, 

 possibly the remains of bark wrapping. On the under jaw was a 

 crescent-shaped piece of copper, about the hips several shell beads, 

 along the left arm a few bear's teeth, and about the head the remains 

 of some textile fabric. 



The letters m, n, and o mark the position of lire-beds ; m and n were 

 on the level of the original surface, extending slightly over the pit, n 

 being mostly under the wall and m entirely so. Each was about 6 feet 

 in diameter, and the clay soil beneath them for a foot in depth was 

 burned to a light brick red. The one at o, about the center of the pit, 

 was comparatively small, and the clay beneath but slightly baked, 

 indicating that but a single fire had been kindled on it. Just outside 



