8 E. G. Squier on the Ancient Monuments of Kentucky. 



Mounds are particularly numerous, and are remarkable for their 

 size and regularity of construction. The seat of justice of this 

 county, Mt. Sterling, derives its name from a large mound which 

 formerly existed within its corporate limits. This mound was 

 cut down in 1846, and was found to contain human bones, copper 

 plates, beads, bracelets and other ornaments. 



Rafinesque, in a published letter addressed to Hon. Thomas 

 Jefferson, dated "Transylvania University, August 7, 1820/' 

 gives an account of six groups of ancient works found in this 

 county. They all occur in the vicinity of Mount Sterling. The 

 account is herewith presented. The plan of the first group de- 

 scribed is published in A. M. of M. V., Plate xxxiii, No. L 



u Group I. — A compact group of monuments on the west side of 

 Brush creek, a branch of Slate creek, six miles S.E. from Mount 

 Sterling, between Montgomery's farm, and a Methodist meeting house, 

 which has taken from them the name of l Fort Meeting-house.' They 

 are on a fine level high ground, not far from the creek, and which has 

 never been cultivated as yet: they are five in number. 



"No. 1. The nearest to the meeting-house towards the south is a 

 square enclosure, 400 feet in circumference ; the sides are equal, cor- 

 responding to the cardinal points. The parapet is 15 feet broad, four 

 feet high from the bottom of the inside ditch, and two feet above the 

 level of the ground. There is a gateway due east, in the middle of 

 the eastern side. The central area is a small oblong square, greater 

 length from east to west, 35 feet ; breadth 25. 



11 No. 2. Is about 200 yards east from No. 1, and at nearly an equal 

 distance from Nos. 3 and 4, forming with them the center of a figure 

 shaped like the letter Y. It is a singular elliptical mound ; circumfer- 

 ence 270 feet, height nine feet, top elliptical, 100 feet round with raised 

 ends, and a small central rounded mound about one foot high, over 

 which were lying, in a square form, some loose flat stones. A short 

 appendage to the south connects it with a small circular mound, 100 

 feet round and four feet high. 



u No. 3. Is N.E. from No. 2. It is a circular enclosure, 510 feet in 

 circumference. Parapet 20 feet broad, five feet high over the ditch 

 which lies inside. Gateway due east, 15 feet broad. Area perfectly 

 square, 300 feet in circumference, or 75 feet on each side. The sides 

 correspond with the cardinal poinls. There is a small circular mound, 

 42 feet in diameter, and one foot high, on the western side of the area 

 opposite the gateway. 



" No. 4. An hexagonal enclosure, south of No. 3, and S.E. from 

 No. 2. Sides equal, each 50 feet. Whole circumference 300 feet. 

 Parapet 25 feet broad, four feet above the inside ditch. Gateway at 

 the eastern corner 15 feet broad. Area square, sides equal and 40 feet 

 long, corresponding with the cardinal points. 



"No. 5. An oblong mound, lying south of No. 1, on the opposite 

 side of Brush Creek. I have not measured it. 



14 Group II. A scattered group immediately in the vicinity of the 

 town of Mount Sterling, on each side of Hinkston creek. It consists of 

 six monuments. 



