PROBABLE FUNERAL RITES OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 



From various features discovered in the sepulchral mounds of the West, it has 

 been suggested that sacrifices or ceremonies of some kind, in vs^hich fire performed 

 a part, vrere solemnized above the dead. The general occurrence of a layer of 

 charcoal at some point near the surface of the mound, bearing evidence of having 

 been heaped over while burning, and sometimes having mingled with it human 

 bones, the bones of animals, and relics of art, affords ample basis for the con- 

 jecture. We have seen that in the burials of Chili, sacrifices and libations were 

 made at the tumuli of the dead; in Peru, the burial rites were very similar, and 

 in cases where the deceased was of the Inca race, or a person of consequence, his 

 wives and domestics were put to death, that they might accompany and serve him 

 in another world. On the death of the Inca Huyana Capac, it is said that over one 

 thousand victims were slain at his tomb. Similar practices prevailed among many 

 of the South American savage tribes ; also in Central America and in Mexico. In 

 the latter country, the arms, implements, and ornaments of the deceased were burned 

 or buried with him; and, as we have already said, an animal resembling a dog, 

 called by the Mexicans fechichi, was killed, to accompany his soul in its journey to 

 the world of spirits. If the body was burned, the ashes were collected in an earthen 

 pot ; in this was deposited a gem, which it was supposed would serve in the next 

 world for a heart ; and the urn was buried in a deep ditch.* Eighty days thereafter, 

 oblations of meats and drinks were made over the grave. On the decease of 

 persons of consequence, their slaves and servants were put to death ; sometimes in 

 great numbers. Analogous customs prevailed among the Natchez, when, on the 

 death of the Suns, many human victims were sacrificed. Among the savage North 

 American tribes, no custom was more general than that of making oblations at the 

 tombs of the dead : dogs were sometimes sacrificed at the burial ; and horses are 

 now occasionally slain by the Western tribes, upon the graves of their owners. 



* " They (the Mexicans) made it the office of the priests to inter the dead and perfoi-m the funeral obse- 

 quies. They buried them in their own gardens, and in the courts of their own houses. Some were carried 

 to the places of sacrifice in the mountains ; others were burnt, and the ashes aftei-wards buried in the 

 temples ; and with all were buried whatever they had of apparel, stones, and jewels. They did put the 

 ashes of the dead in pots, and with them their valuables, how rich soever they might be. If it were a 

 king or lord who was dead, they offered slaves to be put to death, and gave apparel to such as came to 

 the interment. * * * J^bey did set food and drink on the graves of the dead, imagining that their 

 souls did feed thereon." — {Acosta in Purclias, Vol. III., p. 1029.) 

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