670 MOUND EXPLORATIONS. 



as, for example, tlie Etowali group already referred to (see PI. i, p. 136, 

 Jones's " Southern ludiaus," and our Fig.l82in the preceding partof this 

 volniue). Another example, found in Hancock county, Georgia, is shown 

 in PI. II, p. 144, same work ; also another in PI. iii. Others are also fig- 

 ured in Sqnier and Davis's "Ancient jNfonuments" and elsewhere. 



We are therefore compelled, unless we disci^rd the only authorities 

 we have on the habits, customs, arts, character, and condition of the 

 Indian tribes when first encountered by Europeans, to admit that they 

 did construct just such mounds, walls, ditches, and canals as are now 

 found in various parts of our country, especially the southern sections, 

 which have been generally attributed to a " lost race," or to a people 

 more highly civilized than the Indians. 



Eev. S. D. Peet, in a series of aiticles relating to " Ancient Village 

 Architecture," published in vol. v, of the American Antiquarian', writes 

 as follows : 



We give these pictures [ol' villages from De Bry] and call attention to the descrip- 

 tion i'uruished by travelers, since tliey \>y their very nnilorniity atford us a clue to 

 the village life of those races which are not so well known. We may, in fact, take 

 these descriptions and study the works of the mound-builders, and in them perhaps 

 find an explanation of those very structures which have so long puzzled archeolo- 

 gists. * * * We now call attention, in the second place, to the village architec- 

 ture of the mound-builders. There are several ways in which the villages of the 

 mouud-bnilders may be identified. First, the descrijitions given by the early ex- 

 plorers. It is a remarkable fact that the earthworks in the Southern states were, 

 when discovered, occupied as village sites. A large number of these villages have 

 been described, and, although the sites have not been identilied in later times, yet 

 the descriptions indicate that the very mounds which are now being studied as 

 objects of so great interest were then used as residences for the various tribes. Fer- 

 dinand ( ?) de Soto and his army were the first to discover the mounds. Mention is 

 frequently made of them by the historians of the expedition. This mention is inci- 

 dental, and so connected with the aecouiit of the people and the various incidents of 

 the expedition as to escape notice, yet the descriptions correspond closely with the 

 works as they are now found. Some of the villages were surrounded by stockades, 

 and were so situated as to be used for defenses or for fortifications, but a large num- 

 ber of them are also described as having elevated mounds, which were used by the 

 caciques for their residences and as observatories from which they could overlook 

 the villages. It is not unlikely that some of the more prouiiueut of these mounds may 

 be identified. There are many such mounds described in tlie narratives. One such 

 is mentioned in Georgia, one in Alabama, and one in Mississippi. One mound is 

 described around which there was a terrace wide enough to accommodate twelve 

 horsemen. On another mound the platform was large enough to accommodate twelve 

 or thirteen large houses, which were used for the residence of the family and the ton- 

 ants of the eaciiiue. This was not far from New Madrid, in Missouri. It was upon the 

 terrace of one of these mounds that De Soto stood when he uttered his reproaches 

 against his followers, having found out the diss.atisfactiou and revolt which had 

 arisen among them. This was after he had passed the Missi8sii)pi ri^er and about 

 the time wlien he became discouraged in his fruitless exi>edition. The narrative 

 shows that these prominent eijrthworks were associated universally with village 

 life. Sometimes the dwelling of the caci(iue would be on the high mound which 

 served as a fortress, the only ascent to it being by ladders. At other times mention 

 is made of the fact that from the summit of these mounds extensive prospects could 



I Vol. V. 1883, jip. ■IS-.III. 



