484 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



As the structure and contents of the few mounds which appear to be 

 connected with these works nia-y have some bearing on the question of 

 tlie origin, age, and uses ot the circles and squares, the description will 

 be given here of one connected with the Baum works just mentioned, 

 which are those figured in No. 1, PI. xxi. Ancient Monuments. The 

 mound referred to is that designated in this figure as a "Square pyram- 

 idal mound." It was carefully explored by my assistant, Mr. Henry 

 L. Reynolds, whose report is as. follows: 



THE I>Y1!AMII>AI. MOINI). 



TIms mound is distant from the nearest gateway of the circle, N. 

 21° 30' W., 1,420 feet. In the work of Messrs. S(iuier and Davis the 

 height is given as 15 feet and diameter 125 feet. Its height at the 

 time of this exploration was 12 feet above the level of the surround 

 ing surface, and its diameter from 135 to liO feet. This difference 

 is due to the annual disturbance of its surface by ])low and freshet. 

 The same agencies have likewise destroyed its pyramidal form, and it 

 resembles now an upturned wash basin. The mound was composed for 

 the most part of clay mottled considerably with black loam and 

 slightly in some places with patches of a grayish plastic lime. Cross 

 trenches were run due north and south and east and west, respect- 

 ively. The breadth of these at the side was from 5 to 6 feet, but as 

 they penetrated inward they widened gradually, so that at the center 

 the excavation became 13 feet iu diameter. Cou.siderable lateral dig- 

 ging was done from these trenches to uncover skeletons and other in- 

 dications appearing in their sides. 



Two series of upright postmolds, averaging 5 inches in diameter, 

 equidistant 10 inches, and forming a perfect circle 36 feet in diameter, 

 constitute a preeminent feature of this mound. Within these circular 

 palings the mound was penetrated systematically by thin seams of tine 

 sand sagging in the center and averaging 1 foot apart. Resting upon 

 the natural black loam at the botttmi, timbers averaging 8 inches in 

 diameter radiated from the center, and in the south and west trenches 

 were noticed to extend continuously to the posts. These timbers were 

 detected, for the most part, by their burnt remains and also by the 

 molds of dark earth iu the yellow clay, ])rodnced by the decomposition 

 of wood. Directly over these timbers was a horizontal line of decayed 

 and burnt wood, but mostly decayed, averaging half an inch thick. 

 The upright ijostmolds of the lower series were very distinct and meas- 

 ured 5 feet iu vertical height. In one was found a small sliver of what 

 appeared to be black walnut. Several of them contained the burnt 

 remains of wood, and in many of these instances the black bark was 

 clinging to the sides. 



Separating this from the superstructure, as will be seen by reference 

 to Fig. 322, was a thin, sagging streak of burnt clay. Here and there 

 upon its surface scant traces of black wood ashes were seen, while a 



