236 ABORIGINAL SITES ON TENNESSEE RIVER. 
higher than the rest of it. Such burials as were found by us belonged to the 
later period of the growth of the midden deposit, as none were found at a depth 
greater than 3 feet 8 inches, and most were considerably nearer the surface. 
From the surface of the central part of the elevation to undisturbed ground 
beneath was 9 feet, through midden soil mixed with shells, the shells being com- 
paratively numerous but not forming any large proportion of the material. 
Away from the central part of the elevation, however, shells in places were 
almost without admixture of soil, as if such spots had served as general dumping 
places. 
Varying in depth between one and two feet the superficial soil of the site was 
very dark. Below this it was much lighter in shade, and on this account, and 
by reason of the admixture of dark material from above, such pits as were found 
in the lighter soil were readily distinguishable. "There were, however, in this 
lighter material below the dark soil, three graves which had not been sunk through 
the dark layer, but lay in the light material unmixed with dark soil from above, 
and evidently had been buried before the accretion of the superficial part of 
the elevation. 
A thorough examination of this site was not made, only two really deep 
trial-holes having been put down. By the time the central part of the site, a 
space about 40 feet in diameter, had been dug through to a depth not exceeding 
9 feet, the owner, by bringing forward a claim that everything found should be 
considered his property, caused us to terminate the investigation. 
In much of the central portion of the elevation (no burials were found in 
the trial-holes sunk in the outer parts, though doubtless some were there and 
would have been found by us had the investigation continued) burials had been 
numerous, grave often intersecting grave and depriving the earlier burial of some 
of its parts. When but a comparatively small proportion of the skeleton was 
missing, enough remaining fully to indieate the form of burial, the interment 
was included in our list, but scattered bones, of which a considerable number 
was found, were not particularly noted. 
The condition of the bones at this place probably owing to the presence of 
so much shell, which seems to reinforce skeletal remains by the addition of salts 
of lime, was fairly good; two skulls were preserved. 
In all, twenty-five burials were encountered. Of these, fourteen were of 
adults, two of adolescents, nine of infants or of older children. 
Of the sixteen adults and adolescents, six were extended on the back, one 
was closely flexed to the right, three were partly flexed to the right, one was 
closely flexed to the left, and one partly flexed to the left. Two were bunched 
burials of single skeletons and two will be particularly described. 
Of the twelve burials which lay with the skulls directed horizontally in various 
directions, one pointed E., one E. by S., two ESE., three SE., two SE. by S., 
one SSW., one W. by N., one WNW. | 
Burial No. 12 had the pelvis and the feet on the same level, the trunk up- 
i5 Rois "au e ДАЕ ds 
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