514 TWO SAND MOUNDS ON MURPHY ISLAND, FLORIDA. 



necessity obtained from the Whites, were a number of long blue cylindrical beads 

 of glass and spherical polychrome beads of the same material. 



Together, accompanying a burial, 1.5 feet from the surface, were a long knife, 

 two chisels, a triangular chisel or tomahawk, and an unidentified tool, all of iron 

 or of steel. 



An implement resembling a modern grubbing hoe, and a narrow bladed axe, 

 both of steel or of iron, lay together with fragmentary human remains about 2 feet 

 from the surface. Near by was a hatchet of polished stone. It is not unlikely 

 that these implements of metal were placed in the neighborhood of a pre-existing 

 deposit of stone, nor is it unlikely that all belonged to the same period, since imple- 

 ments derived from White contact did not at once supplant all products of 

 aboriginal art. 



AN OBJECT OF UNDETERMINED DERIVATION. 



Twelve feet from the surface, toward the central portion of the mound, in 

 association with human remains was taken out, in our immediate presence, an 



object resembling the lower portion of a small nail (Fig. 

 70). Its length is .8 of one inch. It is affected by the 

 magnet, and is therefore iron or steel or iron ore. 



It may be well to explain to the general reader that 

 the aborigines were unable to reduce iron from its ores, 

 and that this metal in a native state, if it exists at all 

 on this earth, is of extreme rarity, and that the only iron 

 Fig. ro.-unidentifieci object. North- in aboriginal use in pre-Columbian times was that 



ernmost mound, Murphy _ 



island. (Full size.) obtained from meteorites, as is shown by the high per- 



centage of nickel present when analytically tested. There 

 is no reason why the aborigines of Florida should not have been possessed of some 

 small piercing implements of meteoric iron. Unfortunately, the original material 

 of this specimen cannot be determined by analysis, as it weighs but 215 milligrams 

 and is corroded through and through. 



It seems unlikely that aborigines in a way to obtain iron and other products 

 of White contact such as lead, pewter, brass, bronze, glass, china, glazed earthen- 

 ware, etc., should have scrupulously kept them from the body of the mound wherein 

 lay the great majority of the burials, after placing upon the base a portion of a 

 single nail. 



It may be well, moreover, to state in this connection that not one spadeful of 

 sand was thrown back from this mound save in our presence, and that, in addition, 

 three persons trained to careful mound work for years, were present at all times to 

 aid us. Furthermore, after the discovery of superficial iron, if possible, greater 

 vigilance than ordinary was exercised by all, no part of the mound being left with- 

 out constant inspection. In addition, the work at this mound was done at the 

 close of the season by picked men mostly for many months in our employ. It is, 

 therefore, unlikely that any deposit in the mound escaped us. 



