SACRED AND MISCELLANEOUS ENCLOSURES. 209 



several smaller mounds and enclosures ; and it is estimated 

 that not less than three millions of cubic feet of earth were 

 used in this great undertaking. It has also been observed 

 that water is almost invariably found within, or close to 

 these enclosures. 



Sacred and Miscellaneous Enclosures. 



If the purpose for which the works belonging to the first 

 class were erected is very evident, the same cannot be said 

 for those which we have now to mention. That they were 

 not intended for defence is inferred by Messrs. Squier and 

 Davis from their small size, from the ditch being inside the 

 embankment, and from their position, which is often com- 

 pletely commanded by neighbouring heights. 



Dr. Wilson also (vol. i. p. 324) follows Sir R. C. Hoare in . 

 considering the position of the ditch as being a distinguishing 

 mark between military and religious works. But Catlin ex- 

 pressly tells us that in the Mandan village which he describes, 

 the ditch was on the inner side of the embankment, and the 

 warriors were thus sheltered while they shot their arrows 

 through the stockade. We see, therefore, that, in America 

 at least, this is no reliable guide. ^: 



While, however, the defensive earthworks occupy hill 

 tops, and other situations most easy to defend, the so-called 

 sacred enclosures are generally found on " the broad and 

 level river bottoms, seldom occurring upon the table-lands or 

 where the surface of the ground is undulating or broken." 

 They are usually square or circular in form ; a circular being 

 often combined with one or two squares. " Occasionally we 

 find them isolated, but more frequently in groups. The 

 greater number of the circles are of small size, with a nearly 

 uniform diameter of two hundred and fifty or three hundred 

 feet, and invariably have the ditch interior to the wall/' 



H 



