28 GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 



foot of surface to make sure that nothing is missed, consequently, only 

 comparatively small areas have been carefully worked over. None of 

 the principal ones so far discovered, are in the immediate vicinity of large 

 enclosures or mound-groups; but undoubtedly wherever there are exten- 

 sive surface remains of any prehistoric people, similar evidences of dense 

 or continuous occupation exist under a depth of earth that effectually 

 conceals them. Considering the nature of the soil, the character of their 

 utensils, and the preservation in low, moist mounds, of childrens' skele- 

 tons, it is impossible that all vestiges of the ordinary life of the "Mound 

 Builders" should have disappeared. The remains in question are indeed, 

 usually attributed to them ; but be this as it may, nothing has been dis- 

 closed incompatible with the habits of several tribes of modern Indians. 



At present, any attempt to elucidate the principal questions concern- 

 ing the various earthworks and allied structures of Ohio, must end in 

 failure. Too little is known ; in some respects the matter stands almost 

 where it did in the beginning. Nothing can )^et be stated positively as to 

 their age or builders, or the purposes of the enclosures. The evidence is 

 mostly negative, confined to showing what is not correct rather than 

 what is; but the emendation of an error is a step toward the truth, and it 

 is a satisfaction to know that as one discovery follows another, and suc- 

 cessive earnest investigators gradually develop a systematic method of 

 dealing with the subject, the false impressions due to those who have 

 attempted to generalize upon insufficient knowledge, are being refuted 

 and swept out of the path of scientific research. Theorizing and guess- 

 work are being relegated; recognizing the necessity for immediate action, 

 the tendency now among archaeologists is toward closer observation, and 

 the collection of facts to be collated by future students. Each is stimu- 

 lated by the thought that he is adding his quota to a result demanding 

 the continuous and untiring efforts of many diligent workers. 



SECTION III. 

 THE MOUND BUILDERS. 



Racial connection, or even ordinary communication is not to be in- 

 ferred from a practice common to all times and countries. Mounds are 

 among the earliest and most widely distributed means of honoring the 

 dead or establishing a land-mark. Savages could pile up earth or stones 

 before they could carve a rock or hew a piece of wood; barbarians could 

 show more respect by a memorial in whose erection all might take a part. 

 Nothing is more enduring; when once heavily sodded a heap of earth 

 remains unchanged through vicissitudes which will reduce to ruins any 

 other form of human industry-. Oriental cities, now deserted and crum- 

 bling, were founded in sight of mounds whose origin was even then lost 

 in the mists of antiquity-. The Vikings and sea-kings were thus interred. 



