368 SOME ABORIGINAL SITES ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 
Along the territory immediately bordering the lower Mississippi cultivation 
has been ей on for so long a time that archzological research there is practi- 
cally useless. 
From New Orleans, La., to Baton Rouge, in the same State, 126 uiis by 
water, our quest was not mon The land along the river is thoroughly 
cleared and comparatively thickly peopled, and has been under cultivation for so 
long a time that one hears but little of aboriginal remains within reach from the 
river. With but few exceptions along this part of the Mississippi one hears only 
reports of mounds that have been ploughed away or sees only small parts of them, 
which have been left by cultivation. Aboriginal cemeteries are unknown. 
Between Baton Rouge, La., and Natchez, Miss., 134 miles, following the course 
of the river, the presence of mounds along the river was comparatively unknown to 
the inhabitants. With the exception of one mound originally of fair size, about 
two miles above Baton Rouge, which had been largely dug into in various places, 
but four small mounds were found by us, although thirty-eight localities along the 
river were visited and careful inquiries were made. 
Continuing up the river, between Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss., 100 miles by 
water, most careful inquiries were made by us in addition to the search conducted 
by our agents at the time of their journey of discovery. Nevertheless, our joint 
efforts resulted in the finding of but three mounds! until the interesting group near 
Glass, Miss., a short distance below Vicksburg, was reached. The mounds near 
this place vii be fully described later in this report. 
Between Vicksburg and the Blum mounds,’ that great group a short distance 
above Greenville, Miss., about 124 miles as the river runs, many flat-topped and 
fairly symmetrical TOM some of medium size, some large, and a few interesting 
groups of such mounds (including the fine group at Mayersville, Miss.) were visited 
by us. 
While all that part of the Mississippi river under description was carefully 
searched by us, we believe that conditions north of Vicksburg are such as to facili- 
tate a more successful quest and that consequently few if any sites of importance 
on this part of the river were passed by us unnoticed. It is true that aboriginal 
sites are often well back from the present course of the river and are frequently 
screened from it by trees,‘ but large mounds, singly and in groups, such as seem to 
be found along this part of the river, are as a rule well known for some distance 
around, and diligent inquiry, such as was made by our agents, and later к. our- 
selves, must, we believe, almost invariably have led to their discovery. 
t Near Rodney, Jefferson Co., Miss., about 12 feet high; near Grand Gulf, Claiborne Co., Miss., 
12 feet in height, approximately ; Locust Moun d, Horseshoe Lake, Warren Co., Miss., less than 4 feet 
in height. The first mentioned mound had been ‘partly washed away; the other two were dug into by 
us with negative results. 
he great group of mounds just above Greenville is described in a former report and is referred 
to — in hue one. 
e mound of the group near Transylvania, La., is about 50 feet in height. 
EUR a late growth on ground deposited by the river in comparatively recent times, and not 
forest trees among which sites would be likely to be found intact. 
