50 ANTIQUITIES OF WISCONSIN, 



prescribed by their religion. Here may have been the great annual feasts and 

 sacrifices of a whole nation. Thousands of persons from remote locations may 

 have engaged in midnight ceremonies conducted by the priests. The temple, 

 lighted by fires kindled on the great pyramids and at every projection on the 

 walls, on such occasions would have presented an imposing spectacle, well calcu- 

 lated to impress the minds of the people with awe and solemnity. That these 

 works were designed for some such uses, seems quite probable. 



Plate XXXV represents the same structures on a smaller scale, and shows their 

 relation to the neighboring country. It will be seen that, excepting a few mounds, 

 no other artificial works are connected with the great inclosuroj nor do these pre- 

 sent that variety of imitative forms so common in other localities. Half a mile 

 off, in a southwesterly direction, is a square pyramidal mound, similar to those 

 within the inclosure. 



Do not these facts warrant the suggestion that the people of Aztalan, in Wis- 

 consin, were a different people, in many respects, from those who erected the 

 animal-shaped mounds? This location may possibly have been occupied by a 

 colony of Mexicans ; since we know that colonies were sometimes sent out by that 

 singular people.-^ 



It is much to be regretted that the efforts heretofore made to preserve these very 

 interesting remains of the labors of an extinct race are likely to fail. At the time 

 of our survey, a croj) of wheat was growing on the south part of the great inclo- 

 sure ; and, in a few years, but slight traces of this part of the works will be left. 

 The north part is still in its original condition, except where excavations have 

 been made by persons curious in such matters, or by the money-diggers ! 



Would it not be well to select some of the more important monuments, and, by 

 purchase of the ground, or other means, secure their permanent preservation? 

 Unless something of this kind is done, and speedily, all knowledge of them will be 

 confined to the scanty records of those who have attempted to describe them. 



SECTION III. 

 ANCIENT WORKS OF THE VALLEY OF ROCK RIVER, ABOVE THOSE AT AZTALAN. 



In the valley of Rock river we find no traces of ancient works for some distance 

 above Aztalan ; the first being in the town of Ixonia (section nineteen, township 

 eight, range sixteen). Here are seven or eight mounds along the right bank of the 

 river, on an elevated position, as usual, commanding a fine view of the river above 

 and below. There are said to be others in the vicinity. 



One of them has been opened for the purpose of making a place in which to 

 bury potatoes, to secure them from the frosts of winter. Numbers of human bones 

 are said to have been thrown out from near the bottom, where the earth had been 

 hardened by some axtificial process. No implements or ornaments were noticed. 



' Squier's Nicaragua, Vol. II. 



