CERTAIN ABORIGINAL MOUNDS OF THE GEORGIA COAST. 109 



45. — In the center of the mound, on the base, was a fire place approximately 

 3.5 feet by 3 feet, with a mass of calcined human bones and bones unaffected by 

 fire, having an average thickness of about 7 inches. Much of the material, at least, 

 had not been calcined on the spot, as bones showing no trace of fire, lying on the 

 fire place, had above them a layer of calcined fragments. A great number of shell 

 beads showing no trace of fire lay scattered through the remains. Numerous frag- 

 ments of earthenware were present. 



XXX. — A little W. of the center was a layer of calcined earth and lime pre- 

 sumably from oyster shells, showing intense and prolonged heat. Its length was 

 11 feet; its breadth about 6 feet. It had an average thickness of about 1 foot. 

 This curious layer, whose upper surface was 6 feet from the surface of the mound, 

 upon careful examination seemed not to have been subjected to fire upon the spot, 

 since oyster shells, bits of deer horn, bones of lower animals, etc., showing no trace 

 of fire, were scattered through it. 



This mound differed considerably in shape and in contents from a number of 

 neighboring mounds which were lower and which contained various forms of urn- 

 burial. In it moreover, as we have stated, earthenware with complicated, stamped 

 decoration was absent. It is possible that Mound B was of a different period from 

 that of some of its neighbors. 



Ossabaw Island, Bryan County. Middle Settlement, Mound C. 



In the verge of the woods bordering the field to which reference has been made, 

 about 300 yards in a northerly direction from Mound B, was one of much the same 

 type as Mound B, having a height of 8 feet. It had undergone but little previous 

 investigation. The center of the mound, a peak of shell, was easily discernible. 



The diameter of the mound was difficult to determine, as it did not rise directly 

 from a general level but in a series of irregular slopes caused by occupation of the 

 surrounding territory as a dwelling site, resulting in a deposit of oyster shells and 

 debris. Portions of the outlying territory were thickly covered with oyster shells 

 while other parts, consisting of dark loamy sand, had oyster shells and sherds to a 

 depth of several feet. 



The lower portions of the mound had been under cultivation in former times 

 as deep furrows were plainly visible, though at the time of our investigation (1897) 

 the mound was thickly covered with undergrowth and with small trees. It being 

 impossible to determine just where the mound proper merged with midden refuse, a 

 diameter of 68 feet was selected, which, on the side where oyster shells were absent, 

 brought the circumference somewhat beyond the apparent base of the mound. We 

 are of opinion, however, that in the case of this mound, certain outlying burials 

 escaped us. 



At the base of the northern portion of the mound was a thick deposit of oyster 

 shells presumably having no direct connection with the mound but thrown there 

 during the period of occupation of the territory as a dwelling site. Much of this 

 was not included in our investigation. 



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



