EXPLOEATIOISr OF INDIAN MOUNDS. 



105 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXPLORATION OF IN- 

 DIAN MOUNDS. 



The committee, on exploration of Indian mounds in tlie vicinity 

 of Madison, Wisconsin, have the honor to report, that they have 

 explored three mounds. 



These mounds are situated upon the crest of the peculiar ridge 

 of glacial drift, which separates Lakes Monona and Wingra, known 

 as Dead Lake Ridge. 



Mound No. 1 is pear-shaped, and runs' east 30 degrees north, by 

 west 30 degrees south, being in this direction 78 feet long and 

 in a line through center, perpendicular to this, 55 feet. 



Beginning at center and proceeding inward, alternate layers of 

 mould and clay, very dry and compact, were 

 penetrated to a depth of six feet, then a layer 

 of gravel, a foot thick in center, gradually re- 

 d ucing to four inches in thickness at the base' 

 having the natural slope of gravel thrown down 

 at center. To this succeeded alternate layers 

 of clay and mould to a depth of nine and one- 

 half feet from the surface to the natural sur- 

 face, (see Figs. 1 and 3;) a. repi'esents mould, 

 b. clay, and c. gravel. The penetration was 

 carried three feet below the natural surface 

 thrcjugh layers of boulders and coarse gravel. 

 A fire-place, 2x2|- feet, with a layer uf charcoal 

 land ashes four inches in thickness, was found 

 at a depth of five feet. In this was a piece of cloth partially 

 burnt, which for the most part crumbled to pow- 

 der on exposure to the air. A small piece was 

 preserved. Both on the north and south sides, frag- 

 ments of bones occurred at three to five feet from sur_ 

 face in an advanced stage of decomposition. A chert 

 arrow-head was found three feet below surface 

 opposite the center on the north side. In the 

 center at two feet above natural surface were ob- 

 tained, nearly broken down by decomposition, 

 the femurs, tibiae and fibulae of a single skeleton correspondiug to 

 a height of six and one-half feet in the living subject. 



