540 CERTAIN SAND MOUNDS OF THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER, FLORIDA. 



Richmond Mound, Lake County. 



The Richmond mound, at Helena, near the southwestern shore of Lake Harris, 

 was 12 feet high and 90 feet across the base. Pines of large size grew upon its 

 surface. Though considerable previous investigation had been attempted in a 

 desultory way, yet, so great was the bulk of the mound, that comparatively little 

 material had been removed and the mound presented a symmetrical appearance. 



Former explorers and residents of the neighborhood concurred in reporting 

 negative results from previous investigation. Testimony of this character in 

 relation to mound work may usually be accepted with safety. 



We are indebted to the Reverend John F. Richmond, whose residence is near 

 Helena, for cordial permission to investigate, and to his family for many courtesies. 



The mound was totally demolished during six and one-half days of seven hours 

 each with an average force of sixteen men surrounding the mound and throwing 

 back. 



There was no uniformity of stratification. The level of the surrounding- 

 territory was marked by a layer of brownish sand with a certain intermixture of 

 charcoal and an occasional fire-place. Above, the body of the mound was com- 

 posed of yellow sand of irregular thickness surmounted by a number of feet of 

 brown sand. From the base almost to the summit were pockets and local layers 

 of sand artificially colored a brick-red. One of these layers, from 1 to 6 inches in 

 thickness, began on the southernmost side and continued at least half-way through 

 the mound. 



During the entire investigation, evidence of not exceeding ten interments, 

 apparently of the bunched variety, was met with. During the second day, two 

 crania were found separately at about 3 feet from the surface. On the fourth, a 

 burial was found 9 feet down, while during the last day's work an interment was 

 encountered at no great distance from the base. The burials were all in the last 

 stage of decay, and were associated with no relics of any sort. 



During the fifth day's work, one polished stone hatchet was met with near the 

 surface. On the sixth day, five were discovered, of which four were comparatively 

 superficial, while one was in caved sand. Six arrow heads lay separately, loose in 

 the sand, one at a depth of 7 feet. 



Sherds were of extreme rarity. On the base with charcoal, were two frag- 

 ments of earthenware with a square stamped decoration. 



EEMAKKS. 



The Richmond mound is another example of the mass of sand sometimes 

 thrown up for comparatively few interments. The hatchets found 2 or 3 feet from 

 the top, were doubtless put in in a general way at the completion of the mound. 



