PEPPER— YACATAS OF MICHOACAN 



The second skeleton, that of a child, was found on the floor of the 

 mound; the bones were decomposed and were coated with a thick 

 layer of saltpeter. With this burial was a large molcajete. 



Skeleton 3 was that of an adult, extended. Near the feet was a 

 tripod molcajete, and four pottery vessels were grouped about the 

 skull. This grave was lined on its western side with large flat pieces 

 of volcanic scoria, and its eastern side was plastered. 



Skeleton 4, an adult, was also extended. Near the skull was a tripod 

 molcajete. West of the burial was the usual line of stones, the spaces 

 between them being filled with small pieces of scoria and potsherds. 



Skeleton 5, likewise an adult, lay extended. There was a line of 

 stones west of the body; three molcajetes were grouped west of the 

 skull, and a tripod molcajete was near the feet. 



Skeleton 6 was also that of an adult, extended. Near the skull 

 were three bowls and an olla, and another bowl lay near the left elbow. 

 Vestiges of what were probably the remains of food were found in some 

 of the vessels. With this body the first shell ornament was found: a 

 large bracelet on a humerus. 



Burial 7, an adult, had the usual line of stones west of the skeleton. 

 Near the skull was a molcajete; a shell ring was found on a carpal 

 bone of a finger of the left hand, and there were two shell finger-rings 

 of similar form among the bones of the right hand. Under the chin 

 were a few shell beads and two shell finger-rings ; thus five shell rings 

 were found with this burial. 



In all the second mound contained seven burials, with which were 

 twenty-four vessels of pottery, a shell bracelet, five shell finger-rings, 

 and a number of shell beads. 



In the general excavation of Mound 1, apart from burials, were 

 found two large broken cooking jars, the first of which lay on the base 

 of the mound and was filled with potsherds and other refuse. As this 

 vessel rested on its bottom, with its wide mouth upward, it is impossi- 

 ble to say whether the contents were in it when it was deposited or 

 whether it had become filled by the debris with which it was covered. 

 The second vessel, however, which lay on its side, was filled with 

 similar refuse, and evidently had been placed in position with its con- 

 tents as found. Very few potsherds were found in the earth above it, 

 and the general conditions preclude the probability that the vessel 

 was filled after it had been placed in the mound. These jars were 

 of coarse ware, eighteen inches in diameter, and no doubt were filled 

 with refuse from a room or a refuse heap. It is possible that they 

 were used for carrying material with which a part of the mound was 

 built, and finally, with their contents, were left where found. 



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