CERTAIN ABORIGINAL REMAINS OF THE ALABAMA RIVER. 

 By Clarence B. Moore. 



The union of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, in the central part of the State 

 of Alabama, forms the Alabama river, which, running in a westerly, and then in a 

 southerly, course through the State, about 375 miles by water, is joined by the 

 Tombigbee river and thence on, under the name of the Mobile river, continues a 

 distance of 50 miles, by water, to Mobile bay, a part of the Gulf of Mexico. 



The Mobile and Alabama rivers are navigable by flat-bottomed steamers of 

 light draft between Mobile, at the head of Mobile bay, and Montgomery, about 400 

 miles farther up, and in high water even beyond the " Forks," though for years 

 Montgomery has been the terminus for the regular line of steamers. 



This Report treats of certain aboriginal remains bordering the Mobile and 

 Alabama rivers. 1 



The time devoted by us in person to the location and investigation of the 

 aboriginal remains of these rivers was about three months of the early part of 1899, 

 during which time a great number of landings were visited, and at important ones 

 conversation was had with persons familiar with the territory for miles around. 



In addition, Mr. L. D. Cutting, engineer of our boat for years and thoroughly 

 familiar with mounds, twice went from Mobile to Selma on the regular steamers in 

 the busy season, making inquiries at landings and of passengers, and also visited 

 Montgomery in prosecution of the search. 



Farthermore, a resident of Montgomery, familiar with the river, accompanied 

 by a companion, was employed by us to go down the river in an open boat from 

 Montgomery to Matthews' Landing, about 200 miles by water, making inquiries 

 along the way. 



Although the attention given by us to the Mobile and Alabama rivers does not 

 compare with that accorded by us to the St. Johns river, Florida, and to the Georgia 

 coast, yet it was fully ample to indicate that mounds along these rivers were of rare 

 occurrence and, as a rule, insignificant in size. It must not be supposed, however, 

 that the meagre list of aboriginal remains investigated includes all located by us 

 and by those working in our interests. While the majority of owners of property 

 along the river hastened to give cordial permission to investigate, a number ignored 

 our communications, though several times addressed. However, the aboriginal 

 remains investigated were presumably representative. 



1 The map is mainly taken from the Government report, as are the distances, which are by 

 water, "Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers," 1884, Ex. Doc. I, Pt. 2, Vol. 2. 



37 JOURN. A. N. S. PHILA., VOL. XL 



