CERTAIN ABORIGINAL MOUNDS OF THE GEORGIA COAST. 45 



of calcined fragments of human bones mingled with others showing no trace of fire. 

 The dimensions of this layer were 2 feet 6 inches by 1 foot 8 inches by 2 to 3 

 inches thick. 



In line below the above, on or in the base layer, was a layer similar in composi- 

 tion to the one above it, 2.5 feet by 4 feet by 5 inches thick. 



The bones in this mound were badly decayed. None was encountered within 

 15 feet of the margin of the base. 



Walker Mound, McIntosh County. 



This mound, in "Cooper's Field," may be reached from Sutherland Bluff on 

 the Sapelo river, from which it is about two miles distant, but is more conveniently 

 got at from Contentment, a small settlement on the west side of Broro river, about 

 three quarters of a mile from its union with the Sapelo river. Broro river is a salt 

 water channel joining the Sapelo river and Julianton creek. 



The mound, about 1.5 miles in a westerly direction from Contentment, had a 

 height of 5 feet 9 inches. Its diameter of base was 46 feet. It was the property 

 of Mr. James Walker, of Darien, who kindly placed the mound at our disposal, 

 without condition, to do with as we saw fit. 



The mound had previously been dug into to an inconsiderable extent. On its 

 northern margin grew a live-oak 5 feet in diameter, 3 feet from the ground. This 

 tree was not removed, though otherwise the mound was totally demolished, being 

 dug through at a depth considerably below the level of the surrounding territory. 



The mound was composed of rich, loamy, brown sand with many local layers 

 of oyster shells. The usual charcoal and fireplaces were present. A black layer 

 from 3 inches to 1 foot in thickness, made up of sand mingled with charcoal in 

 minute particles, ran through the mound at about the level of the surrounding 

 territory. At the center of the mound, measurements showed this layer to be 5 feet 

 9 inches below the surface. 



Although of very uneven distribution, human remains were numerous in the 

 Walker mound, being encountered at thirty-six points (see diagram, Fig. 27), 

 to which should be added a certain number presumably beneath the oak tree and 

 probably a few disturbed by previous investigation, 



As will be noted from the detailed account which follows, a deposit of human 

 remains was by no means always limited to those of one individual, and it is not 

 unlikely that the mound originally contained the complement of at least seventy- 

 five skeletons, and probably considerably more. In reading the detailed description 

 of the human remains present in the Walker mound, the reader is referred to the 

 accompanying diagram, where burials are shown with numbers corresponding to 

 those in the text. 



1. Skeleton of child about 8 years of age, on back, knees to the right. A 

 considerable amount of charcoal lay above the cranium. 



2. Remains of skeleton of male. A fire had been built immediately on the 

 pelvis, which, with some other bones, had been partially consumed. Considerable 



6 JOUEN. A. N. S. PHILA., VOL. XL 



