FOURTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I907 89 



triangular arrow points, by a lack of notched spears, by a lack of 

 objects buried in the graves, by their pottery, by shallow pits contain- 

 ing no bone objects nor bone refuse, but frequently some pottery and 

 flint chippings. The earth inclosures vary in area from less than 

 an acre to 5 or even 7 acres. When convenient, points of land 

 extending from a terrace out into the valleys were fortified at the 

 neck and cut off from the general plane. The earth circles or in- 

 closures and fortified necks are locally termed " Indian forts " and 

 some undoubtedly were such. Some old writers have called them 

 " ceremonial rings " and have expatiated on the wonders of the 

 " true circles." Investigation, on the contrary, demonstrated that 

 only a few approach true circles and adduces no evidence to prove 

 them of a ceremonial character. Often they have been erroneously 

 regarded as works of the Mound Builders. 



The later Huron-Iroquoian occupation becomes more specific and 

 is recognizable as the Erian. It differs from the older occupation 

 in that the burials contain flint and shell objects, pottery of different 

 form and decoration. Refuse, that is broken bone implements, pots- 

 herds, rejected flints and entire objects, evidently swept in acci- 

 dentally, is found in abundance in pits and sunken fireplaces. 



The later Erian occupation, the historic, that is to say those sites 

 which yield objects of European manufacture, differ noticeably 

 from the earlier sites in several respects. The pottery seems to 

 have undergone a gradual change until the Eries were destroyed, 

 the most varied forms and decorations being of the historic period. 



Early in the month of May a preliminary examination was made 

 of some of the earthworks in that part of Chautauqua county lying 

 south of the Chautauqua range of hills in the Allegheny-Ohio 

 watershed. The outlook seemed a promising one, judging from the 

 abundance of earthworks visited and reported. The Cassadaga 

 valley was of especial interest and a season's campaign of investi- 

 gation was planned for this region. Upon the uneven stream-cut 

 hills that rise from the ancient lake bottoms were found every- 

 where traces of an early people which seemed eminently worthy oi 

 study. How numerous are the fort sites may be suggested when 

 it is stated that from a hill just over the town line in Charlotte 

 are to be seen the sites of seven and possibly eight fort and camp 

 sites. 



McCullough earth inclosure. One of the silos to which con- 

 siderable attention was devoted is situated in a sugarbush on the 

 Martin McCullough farm, lot 38, Gerry township. TTerc sur- 



