314 CERTAIN ABORIGINAL REMAINS OF THE ALABAMA RIVER. 



parallel to the side of the larger vessel, and certain bones lay beyond that part of 

 the base of Vessel S included beneath the inverted dish. 



Vessels U and V. — Vessel V, the usual type as to shape, with loops instead of 

 ridges around the neck, one of which was missing, is 22 inches in maximum 

 diameter and 15 inches high. It contained one of the most striking burials which 

 it has been our fortune to meet with. As a general rule, cracks in the receptacle 

 vessel or the crushing in of the surmounting one permits the entrance of earth ; 

 thus covering the contents of the burial-urn and making difficult their uncovering 

 without disarrangement. In this case, however, Vessel U, of the receptacle type 

 but without rim, had kept out all foreign matter, except a slight deposit of earth on 



Fig. 26.— Vessel W. Cemetery, Duraud 



(Six-thirteenths s 



the burial beneath, so the greater vessel, when uncovered, was seen to be filled to 

 the level of the rim with bones presumably belonging to two skeletons ; the smaller 

 ones at the bottom, then layer upon layer of the major long bones, capped by two 

 skulls side by side, looking toward the South. One cranium was of an adult male. 

 The other, of an adolescent, seemed to indicate artificial antero-posterior compres- 

 sion. Near it were a few shell beads. We did not discover whether other artifacts 

 accompanied the remains since, to keep the bones exactly as found, the entire mass 

 was deluged with glue without removal, to hold the bones in place and impart 

 consistency. Subsequently, certain bones in contact with the sides of the vessel 

 were cemented to it and then the mass received two coats of shellac. Even in this 

 condition, the vessel being somewhat broken and the bones certain to fall apart 

 when jarred, it was deemed impossible to secure safe transportation North, either by 

 freight or by express. Therefore, the vessel with its contents was securely packed 



