THE ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK 3II 



across the broadest part of the peninsula, and not very far back from 

 the edge of the ravine. The part which is laid down in the plan is 

 said to be very distinct, the embankment being between 3 and 4 feet 

 high and the ditch of corresponding depth. The western extremity 

 of the line curves gently outward and extends some distance down 

 the bank, which is at this point less abrupt than elsewhere. It is said 

 that formerly trenches existed on the course indicated by dotted 

 lines on the plan, but the statement is not now confirmed by any 

 remaining traces. 



A number of skeletons have been found here, together with many 

 fragments of pottery. There have been also discovered some heaps 

 of small stones, which have been supposed to be the missiles of the 

 ancient occupants of the hill, thus collected to be used in case of 

 attack. V'arious relics of art, as pipes, beads, stone hatchets and 

 arrowheads, have been disclosed here by the operations of agricul- 

 ture. One of the pipes composed of baked clay is now in the pos- 

 session of the Rev. C. Dewey of Rochester. The material is very 

 fine and the workmanship good, so good indeed as to Induce some 

 doubt as to its aboriginal origin. Another pipe carved from granu- 

 lar limestone was found here, as were also a number of beads, long 

 and coarse, made of clay and burned. 



According to Mr Dewey, " the trench was estimated by early 

 observers at from 8 to 10 feet deep, and as many wide ; the earth in 

 making it had been thrown either way but much of it inward. The 

 road formerly crossed it by a bridge. When first known forest 

 trees were standing in the trench and outside of it. In size and 

 growth they correspond to the forest surrounding there. Prostrate 

 upon the ground wxre numerous trunks of the heart-wood of the 

 black cherry trees of large size, wdiich it is conjectured were the 

 remains of a more antique forest, preceding the growjth of beech 

 and maple. They were in such a state of soundness as to be 

 employed for timber by the early settlers. 



** From all that remains of this work, it is impossible to conjecture 

 for what purpose it was constructed. Indeed it bears so few evi- 

 dences of design that we are led to distrust its artificial origin — a 

 distrust wh'ch is, strengthened by the circumstances that in a num- 

 ber of instances elevations and depressions bearing some degree of 

 regularity, but result from the fissures in the substratum rock or 

 other natural causes, have been mistaken for works of art. The 

 fact that the trench in this instance has a course so nearly parallel 

 to the ravine, is also a suspicious circumstance. The spot was not 



