20 MOUND BURIAL— OHIO. 



The writer was present at its removal and carefully examined the contents. 

 It contained — 



"1st. Two human skeletons lying on what had been the original sur- 

 face of the earth. 



"2d. A great quantity of arrow-heads, some of which were so large 

 as to induce a belief that they were used as spear-heads. 



"3d. The handle either of a small sword or a large knife, made of an 

 elk's horn. Around the end where the blade had been inserted was a ferule 

 of silver, which, though black, was not much injured by time. Though 

 the handle showed the hole where the blade had been inserted, yet no iron 

 was found, but an oxyde remained of similar shape and size. 



"4th. Charcoal and wood ashes on which these articles lay, which were 

 surrounded by several bricks very well burnt. The skeleton appeared to 

 have been burned in a large and very hot fire, which had almost consumed 

 the bones of the deceased. This skeleton was deposited a little to the 

 south of the center of the tumulus; and about 20 feet to the north of it 

 was another, with which were — 



"5th. A large mirrour about 3 feet in breadth and 1£ inches in thick- 

 ness. This mirrour was of isinglass {mica membranacea), and on it — 



" 6th. A plate of iron which had become an oxyde, but before it was 

 disturbed by the spade resembled a plate of cast iron. The mirrour answered 

 the purpose very well for which it was intended. This skeleton had also 

 been burned like the former, and lay on charcoal and a considerable 

 quantity of wood ashes. A part of the mirrour is in my possession, as well 

 as a piece of brick taken from the spot at the time. The knife or sword 

 handle was sent to Mr. Peal's Museum at Philadelphia. 



" To the southwest of this tumulus, about 40 rods from it, is another, 

 more than 90 feet in height, which is shown on the plate representing these 

 works. It stands on a large hill, which appears to be artificial. This must 

 have been the common cemetery, as it contains an immense number of 

 human skeletons of all sizes and ages. The skeletons are laid horizontally, 

 with their heads generally towards the center and the feet towards the out- 

 side of the tumulus. A considerable part of this work still stands uninjured, 

 except by time. In it have been found, besides these skeletons, stone axes 



