COLLECTIONS FROM SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE. 



THE M C MAHAN MOUND. 



On the west fork of the Little Pigeou River, at Sevierville, ou a rich 

 bottom, 1-5 > aids from tbe liver, is a celebrated mound, the owners 

 of which have for years refused to have it opened. 



Mr. Palmer spent several days in trying to obtain permission to open 

 it, and was about leaving in despair, when the owners finally yielded, not, 

 however, without requiring a number of concessions on the part of the 

 collector, which concessions were put in the form of a legal document. 



This mound is 10' feet high and 240 feet in circumference. 



Three feet below the surface, a stratum of burnt clay, 15 feet wide by 

 30 long, was reached. This has probably formed part of thereof of a 

 dwelling. 



Beneath this was abed of charcoal 4 inches thick. In this bed rem- 

 nants of cedar posts from 2 to 4 inches thick and 1 to 2 feet in length 

 were found. 



Below this was a. stratum of ashes, covering a limited area to the 

 depth of 4 feet. Surrounding this, the earth contained fragments of 

 numerous articles used by the inhabitants, while beneath came 4| feel 

 of earth, in which numerous skeletons had been deposited. 



The bodies had been interred without order, and the bones were so in- 

 termingled, and so far decayed, that no complete skeletons could be col- 

 lected. Beneath the layer of bones came a second deposit of ashes, 2 

 feet thick by 2J feet in diameter, and beneath this a mass of red clay, 

 IS inches in thickness. Iu the earth surrounding the ashes and clay, 

 a number of skeletons were found ; these were iu such an advanced 

 stage of decomposition that only a few fragments of skulls could be 

 preserved. 



Three feet below the second layer of bones, the undisturbed soil was 

 reached. 



Two boxes of bones were collected, the well-preserved crania num- 

 bering about twenty. 



A great many interesting specimens of the implements, utensils, and 

 ornaments of the mound-builders were obtained. 



The following catalogue includes everything of interest: 



ARTICLES OF STONE. 



02787, 62792, 02778, 02769, 62784, 62788. Numerous specimens of arrow- 

 points, flakes, cores, and rough masses of gray and black 

 chalcedony, obtained partly from the mound, and partly from 

 the soil surrounding it. 

 442 



