42f fSfiKATE 



.iormi5 or hearths, consisting of boulder rock, which were burned and black, 

 "■"d extended some two feet below the surface; they were of circular form — the 



ger one thirty feet in diameter, while the others were only eight feet across. 

 !Near this stream, had also been noticed several pits, which were some five feet in 

 depth by four in width. 



Some indication of the antiquity of this series of works is presented in the fact 

 that trees of the largest class, the monarchs of the forest, were found growing upon 

 the embankments and upon the mounds. The site occupied by these works, of 

 varying character, once was undoubtedly the seat of a dense population — the 

 theatre of ensanguined conflict, where the rival chiefs of these rude nations gained 

 or lost supremacy. 



The ancient fortification, represented upon plate V., is located amid " the palaces 

 of Nature.'' The position of the work is admirably adapted for defensive purposes; 

 it occupies an eminence, which rising precipitously at an angle of eighty degrees, to 

 an altitude of two hundred feet, commands a view of the surrounding hills, and of 

 the majestic Allegany. To the east and west of the work, are rapid streams, 

 which, taking their rise in the deep ravines to the south, nearly encircle this forti- 

 fied eminence, and mingle their currents with the Red House creek, which glides 

 by in the valley^ and at a distance of a mile below forms a junction with the Alle- 

 gany river. This work embraces the level area of the summit of the hill; the wall 

 is three feet in height, and the ditch two feet in depth. It is of circular form, with 

 exception of the straight line, one hundred feet in length, which occurs in tho 

 northern portion of the work, and measures one thousand and sixty feet in cir- 

 cumference. Nearly in the centre of the inclosure is a copious spring. The forest^ 

 overshadowing the ancient parapet and the steep hill-sides, is as dense as when 

 the Indian warrior glided amid its aisles; but in tho long intervening period since, 

 lofty trees have grown upon the embankment and within the wide trench. 



The remains of an ancient mound, situated several miles from the work last 

 described, and upon the north side of Allegany river, can still be traced. It has 

 an altitude of ten feet, with a diameter of thirty-nine feet. Within the mound, 

 from the excavations which have been made, have been found several craniums, 

 ornaments, and other articles of ancient workmanship. This work is surrounded 

 by open woods; a tree some eleven feet in circumference had grown upon the sum- 

 mit of the tumulus, and directly beneath it, were exhumed the remains of a skele- 

 ton, although the bones were very much decayed. 



An entrenched work, several miles below the mound last described, occupies a coin-^ 

 manding position upon the east bank of the Allegany river. This work is circular^ 

 some three hundred feet in diameter, with parapet over four feet in height, and 

 trench of corresponding dimensions. Within this inclosure have been observed 

 interesting remains of art, and which indicate a higher civilization than any which 

 elsewhere have come to my notice would denote. 



The remains of ancient Indian workmanship, are extensively found throughout 

 the entire Allegany valley; and several other earthworks, at some distance down 

 the river, are reported to exist. All the monuments included in this survey, which 

 are located in Cattaraugus county, have now been described. 



The ancient work, plate VI., No. 1, appears to have been designed for a different 

 purpose, and to belong to a different class of works from any previously examined. 

 It is situated upon the first terrace, or gradual rise of hills from the waters of 

 Clear creek; while further to the south the hills form a bolder outline, and upon 



