COLLECTIONS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



MOUND ON FAIN'S ISLAND. 



This uiouud is located on the east end of the islaud. Although it 

 has been under cultivation for many years, it is still 10 feet in height. 

 The circumference at the base is about 100 feet. Near the surface a 

 bed of burned clay was encountered, in which were many impressions 

 of poles, sticks, and grass. This was probably the remains of the roof 

 of a house, which had been about 10 feet long by 15 feet in width. The 

 bed of clay was about 4 inches thick. Beneath this was a layer of char- 

 coal and ashes, with much charred cane. There were also indications 

 of charred posts, which probably served as supports to the roof. Four 

 feet below the surface were found the remains of thirty-two human 

 skeletons. With the exception of seventeen skulls, none of the bones 

 could be preserved. There seems to have been no regularity in the 

 placing of the bodies. 



ARTICLES OP ( L.VV 



The fragments of pottery from this mound are unusually large and 

 well preserved, and exhibit a number of varieties of form and orna- 

 mentation. 



Forms. — The prevailing form is a pot shaped vase, with wide mouth, 

 and rounded body; the neck is short and straight or but slightly con- 

 stricted. The handles or ears which connect the upper part of the neck 

 with the shoulder are in some cases as much as 3 inches wide. The 

 bowls are mostly hemispherical, but in a few cases have incurved lips, 

 the shoulder being rounded and the base somewhat flattened. The 

 largest specimens have been 11 or 12 inches in diameter. The vases have 

 been somwhat larger. 



Material. — Classified by material, there seem to be two varieties, one 

 with a very large percentage of coarsely pulverized shell material, the 

 other without visible dSgraissant. The clay is usually fine and apparently 

 without admixture of sand or other impurities. A little comminuted 

 mica may be seen in some cases. 



Color. — The prevailing color is a reddish gray, more or less blackened 

 by use. A remarkable variety has a bright red surface, the mass being 

 gray. 



Ornamentation. — The ornamentation consists of cord and net im- 

 pressions, incised lines, stamped figures, indented fillets, and life and 

 fanciful forms modeled in relief. 



The study of cord impressions is quite interesting. The cords are 

 twisted and as large as medium twine. These cords appear to have 



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