l80 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



bottom where there was an ash pit 4 feet in depth and 4 feet in 

 diameter. Mingled through the* soil of the large pit was found a 

 quantity of pottery, flint and jasper chips, heat-cracked stones and 

 a number of triangular flint points. In the ash pit at the bottom, 

 objects of the same character were foiuid. 



The presence of this large central excavation presents the problem 

 of its purpose. To solve this question a number of hypothetical 

 answers are adduced for consideration : first, it may have been a 

 central refuse pit ; second, it may have been a place of assembly, its 

 gradual slope affording a seating place; third, it may have been an 

 inner stockade; fourth, it may have been a reservoir into which 

 water was conducted from the spring on the hillside to the east; 

 fifth, it may have been excavated to obtain earth for filling in the 

 northwest corner of the inclosure, which is low and sloping toward 

 a small gully which drains a spring marsh. 



A careful examination of the ground showed that the northwest 

 corner had been filled in, presumably with the soil excavated from 

 the central pit. This examination also led to the several considera- 

 tions. That the pit was not a reservoir is shown by the fact that 

 ashes and refuse matter were found within it, though not in large 

 quantities. That it was not a reservoir is also indicated by the fact 

 that no ditch or outlet could be discovered. One may have existed, 

 however, and the pit been a reservoir previous to its use as a refuse 

 dump, if such it was. The refuse matter in the pit did not occur in 

 such quantities that it would be dififerentiated from " occupied soil " 

 elsewhere, so that it may have been an inner stockade or place of 

 assemblage. 



Articles of stone were not numerous and at the Gerry site only 

 three celts were found and these outside the inclosure on the higher 

 ground. 



No hammerstones or anvils were found, but arrow chippings and 

 triangular flint points were fairly numerous. 



No bone implement or object of any description was found in 

 the village site and the only bone object found whatever was the 

 heron bill near the forehead of the male skeleton in grave 6. 



Extent and character of occupation. There is evidence enough 

 to point out that there was no long occupation of the site, the sur- 

 face soil being but slightly disturbed to any depth. This evidence 

 also suggests a settled occupation only in winter. The shallow pit 

 seems to have been dug during the frozen season by alternately 

 thawing and digging. If animal bones had been buried some 

 would have remained, as human bones did elsewhere in the site. 



