WAEEEN COUNTY. 391 



Scioto and Miami vallej's are referred for their origin to a people whom, 

 in default of positive knowledge, we call the mound-builders. Archae- 

 ology, in some of its subdivisions, is loosely connected with geology, and 

 an account of these remarkable memorials of an extinct race might 

 properly enough find place in a geological report of the territory within 

 which these monuments occur. They are so numerous and interesting 

 in this region, however, as to deserve an amply illustrated volume rather 

 than the passing notice which" is all that could be here given to them. 

 In the reports already published on the counties of the Third Geological 

 District, a bare reference has been made to the more interesting and con- 

 spicuous of these works found within their respective areas. To this 

 list must now be added Fort Ancient. The remarkable earthworks 

 known by this name, are perhaps better known than any others in 

 Southern Ohio. They are located in a populous district, they are easily 

 accessible, being within a stone's throw of the station on the Little 

 Miami Railroad, known by the same name, and they have been less »b- 

 Bcured by cultivation and occupancy than most works of this class. 



Prof. John Locke published, more than thirty years ago, a survey plat 

 of the entire works, accompanied with a brief description, and since that 

 time, many accounts have been given to the public in archaeological 

 works, in scientific journals, and in newspapers. A thorough and sys- 

 tematic exploration is, however, still a desideratum. Recent examina- 

 tions go to show that such explorations would be rewarded by discov- 

 eries, which would give to theories of origin and use a much better 

 foundation than they have hitherto had. 



