446 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



the eastern wall were four small pits or holes in the njitural soil, each 

 about a foot in depth and 9 inches in diameter, arranged as shown by 

 p, q. r, and v (see Fig. 306). Two of them, q and r, were filled with a 

 dark-brown " sticky substance," iu which were a number of split animal 

 bones. 



A careftil study of this exceedingly interesting mound leads to the 

 conclusion that it was a work of considerable time, the various steps 

 in its construction being about as follows: 



First, the small holes j;, q, r, and v were dug possibly to hold posts 

 on which a scaflbld was built to support the corpse, the split bones 

 being cast into theui after the posts were removed for burning when 

 the final burial took place. Next, when the time came for this, the 

 central pit (.s) was dug, and the skeleton, the flesh being removed, was 

 deposited in it, then the layer of ashes sprinkled over the bottom (and 

 over the skeleton), and the pit filled up. The fire at o probably per- 

 tained to some superstitious burial rite, while those at m and h, which 

 were continued for a longer time, were built by the watchers. After 

 this a wooden covering was probably placed over the pit and the stone 

 wall built around it. There can scarcely be a doubt, judging by the 

 fact that the weathered sides of all the stones were uppermost, that a 

 considerable time had elapsed before the mound was built, possibly a 

 number of years. The mound was in all probability built in successive 

 stages, as seems to be indicated by the seams at d, e, and h. The holes 

 p, q, r, and c may have held posts which supported a temporary booth 

 for the watchers instead of serving the purpose above suggested, in 

 which case we must suppose the body was buried without first remov- 

 ing the flesh, and that the decay of the flesh hardened the white sub- 

 stance spread (^ver it. If these suppositions be in the main correct, the 

 individual buried here must have been an important personage in the 

 tribe to which he belonged, and one long remembered and revered by 

 his people. 



THK SHIPLEY MOUND. 



This mound is en the farm of Mr. Worthington Shipley, in Howard 

 township. It is on the brow of a steep bluff 75 feet high, overlooking 

 the valley of Owl creek ; is circular, flattened on top, 35 feet in diame- 

 tei', and i feet high. Under the center, extending north and south, was 

 a pit 7 feet long, 2i feet wide, and 2 feet deep, dug in the original soil. 

 In this was a single skeleton, face up and head south. 



HOCKING COUNTY. 

 ANCIENT WOKS ON THE DAVIS PLACE. 



These works, consisting of two small earthern iuclosures and ditches, 

 one surrounding a large mound which covers the greater part of the in- 

 cluded area, are situated on theSW. ^ of Sec. 8, T. 11, R. 19, in Salt Creek 

 township, Hocking county. They stand on the level top of a spur which 



