IS 



Loomis and Young — Shell Heaps of Maine. 



One finds the heaps in a variety of ways, the commonest 

 being by observing the white gleam of the shells, where the 

 sea has cut into and exposed the heap. ( )r they may he discov- 

 ered as the result of plowing a field, whereby the shells are 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 1. Diagram of the south end of Sawyer's Island, showing the posi- 

 tion of the shell heap, and the position and extent of the workings of the 

 Amherst party. Scale, 1/1562. 



brought to the surface ; or by the bringing up of shells from 

 rodent hurrows, etc. 



The Sawyer's Island heap was chosen for careful study, 

 because it is of considerable size, and has never been disturbed 

 by previous excavation, and also because it is located in a pas- 

 ture, where the turning of it over caused very little damage. 

 This heap lies on the southeast side of the island and in it two 

 excavations were made, the first uncovering about 400 square 



