564 ■ MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



ill 18^. Tliis iivecautioii is necessary becimse important inferences in 

 regard to tlie origin and authors of these, works have been drawn from 

 the measurements given in "Ancient Monunfents" and the assur^in'g 

 statement of the autliors that these were made by them in person witli 

 great care. Notwithstanding this and the undeniable fact that a few 

 of the circles and squares approximate very closely to true geometrical 

 figures, and that some three or four are found to correspond pretty 

 closely in size and form, yet the apparent eirors in this respect mani- 

 fest in their work and shown by a resurvey of some of the groups, 

 reiider it necessary in Tnaking close comparison to have recourse to a 

 more exact survey. The Bureau has endeavored to have this done, the 

 result of which is shown in tlie bulletin referred to and in the preced- 

 ing pai't of this volume. 



The statement bj' the above named authors in regard to the general 

 character of the works of this type, condensed as follows, may be 

 accepted as correct: 



They are mostly regular in their structure antl occupy the broad and level river 

 bottoms, seldom occurring upon the tablelands or where the surface of the ground 

 is undulating or broken. They are usually squ.are or circular in form; sometimes 

 they are slightly elliptical. Sometimes Tve find them isolated, but more frequently 

 in groups. The greater number of the circles are of comparatively small size, vary- 

 • ing in diameter from 150 to 400 feet, and having the ditch, when present (as is usu- 

 ally the case), interior to the wall. Tliey have, as an almost universal rule, a single 

 gateway. Apart from these, numerous little circles 30 to 50 feet in diameter are 

 observed in the vicinity of large works. [These hut-rings, for such undoubtedly 

 they were, have nearly all been obliterated, scarcely a single one remaining at this 

 time.] The larger circles are oftenest found in combination with rectangular works 

 connected with them directly or by avenues. Some of these circles are of great 

 extent, embracing 50 or more acres,. though generally from 15 to 25. They seldom' 

 have a ditch, but whenever it occurs it is interior to the wall. The connected square 

 «r rectaugnlar works never have ditches exterior or interior. The walls of these 

 inclosures are comjjosed of earth taken up evenly from the surface or from large 

 shallow pits near by. They vary in height (with <me or two exceptions), where not 

 worn down by the ])low,'from 3 to7 feet, and in widthat base from25 to45 feet. The 

 " Fair-Ground Circle " E at Newark, however, has a wall which, at some points, 

 reaches a height of from 15 to 17 feet above the ground level. In one or two instances 

 the circles are formed l>y two walls with a ditch between them, as .the one at C'ircle- 

 ville described by Atwater. 



These authors express the belief that the works of this type were 

 not erected for defensive purposes, but were designed for sacred or 

 religious uses and as places for performing superstitious rites. This 

 theory has been ac('e])ted by a large portion of subsefiuent writers . 

 upon this subject, among whom we may name asjiromincnt Dr. Daniel 

 Wilson. There are, however, exceptions worthy of notice. Baldwin, 

 in his Ancient America, expresses no decided opinion on the question, 

 bitt sugg-ests "that a portion of tliem, it may be, encircled villages or 

 towns.". Foster (Prehistoric Races), although a decided opponent to the 

 theory of the Indian origin of the mounds, objects to the suggestion tlult 

 these valley iuclosiu'es were built for religious purposes, basing his 



