ARCHAEOLOGY. 19 



or three have been opened, but their contents and method of construction 

 were practically of the same character as shown in numerous mounds of 

 the usual form, examined in the same localities. 



The total number of mounds in Ohio has been estimated at ten 

 thousand. This is probably under the correct figure ; for while they are 

 almost totally absent in the northwestern counties forming the "Black 

 Swamp " district, and are comparatively scarce in the rugged hill-lands 

 of some of the southern and southeastern counties, there is scarcely a 

 township in any other portion of the state in which they are not found. 

 In Ross county there were not less than five hundred, probably more, 

 before any had been destroyed by the advances of civilization. Butler 

 and Licking counties were not far behind. In the valley of every tribu- 

 tary of the Ohio, except where it flows through rough country, the 

 surface is so dotted with them that signals could be transmitted from one 

 to another for a hundred miles or more. On the summits of steep hills; 

 in bottom lands subject to overflow; on every terrace bordering a stream; 

 on plateaus and uplands; wherever there is cultivable or naturally drained 

 land, a good point of observation, an ample supply of water, a conven- 

 ient topography for trails; — the Mound Builder has left his mark. Even 

 in places where it would seem a nomad would not care to go, except as 

 led by the excitement or necessities of the chase, and for as brief a time 

 as possible, such evidence is not lacking of prehistoric residence or, at 

 least, sojourning. 



In magnitude they vary from one reduced by farming operations 

 until it is scarcely perceptible and probably never more than three feet in 

 height or twenty feet across, to those fully thirty feet in elevation with 

 a base diameter from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet. But 

 the latter dimensions are rarely reached; by far the greater number are 

 below twenty feet in altitude and one hundred feet across at the ground. 

 The immense pile at Miamisburg, with an elevation of sixty-eight feet 

 and an estimated volume of more than sixty thousand cubic yards is so 

 far beyond any other in size that it must be excluded in giving figures 

 that shall fairly represent those falling within the ordinary limits. 



Various schemes have been proposed for the classification of the 

 mounds into definite groups and systems, but none that will meet all 

 requirements. There is so much similarity in the arrangement and con- 

 tents of some amid totally different surroundings, and conversely such 

 unlikeness in the structure of others which constitute a single group, that 

 conjectures as to their purpose, based on location or appearance, find as 

 many exceptions as examples. Of the great number of mounds exca- 

 vated with more or less care and exactness by farmers, collectors, scientists, 

 and others, the results of such explorations as have been reported estab- 

 lish the fact that fully nine-tenths of them, if not more, contained skele- 

 tons; and it is a fair assumption that the ratio will hold good for all. 



