Excavations in the Matthezvs Site, New Madrid County, Mo. 
85 
south of the fireplace. This suggests the possibility of either 
a southern 'origin for the tribe or at least contact with the peo- 
ples of the Gulf Coast. 
On Potter's map of 1878 the space in the center of the 
mounds was shown as being free from house pits. To check 
this, test trenches T17, T18 and T20 were dug between the 
Wh 
signs 
house outlines. It is believed, therefore, that this region con- 
aza 
groups farther down the M 
sissippi Valley. 
Village Wall or Stockade 
final 
gated. 
( 
former 
feature of the topography. What appeared to be the remains 
of a breastwork was found below plow line in the form of a 
hard clay ridge averaging about 7 feet wide with a double row 
of postmolds on top (see Plate IX- A) indicating the 
existence of a stockade. Outside the wall there had been a ditch 
or moat and the earth thrown up to form a ridge roughly 3>^ 
feet high. At the northeast corner the postmolds followed the 
gradual curve of the clay ridge (Plate X). At the edge of the 
sink all features of the wall stopped and then commenced again 
on the south side. This might have been a gap for a gate on 
side of the village. The evidence of a wall and 
palisade enclosing three sides of the village suggests the need 
of defense against hostile tribes. 
eastern 
I 
Burial Areas 
In the village site 4 small burial areas were found adjacent 
the 
These 
appeared to be small family plots, as no more than 4 skeletons 
were found in any one plot. 
Burial NMv3-l was between house sites F2 and F3 and 
consisted of the skull of a child found on the edge of the gulley 
bank at F14 at a depth of one foot. The rest of the skeleton 
had probably been washed away down the gulley. Near this 
skull was a small two-handled pot with lugs (P63). _ 
Another 
and 
The 
NMv3 
person 
