ViTE STERN ANTiqiTtTIES. 4&1 



termined to be four hundred and sixty-three years. 

 Decayed stumps could be traced at the surface of 

 the ground, which measured from six to eight feet 

 in diameter. 



About ninety miles far tlier up in the country, on a 

 large plain, bounded by one of the western branches 

 of the Muskingum, is a train of ancient works, near- 

 ly two miles in extent; the ramparts of which are 

 yet in some places upwards of eighteen feet perpen« 

 dicular height. 



At Licking are very extensive works, some of 

 -them different in construction from those at Mari- 

 etta ; particularly several circular forts with but 

 one entrance. They are formed of a parapet from 

 seven to twelve feet in height, without any ditch.; 

 the interior being of the same level with the plain on 

 -which they are raised. Forts of this kind, which are 

 also found in other places, are from three chains to 

 ^fteen, and more in diameter. 



That those pr^rapets were erected for defence, I 

 ?think very probable ; indeed this has been a pre- 

 vailing opinion. It is true, their present height is 

 not such as to secure the besieged from missile wea<. 

 >pons ; but two circumstances have contributed to 

 lower them several feet : 1st, the gradual washing 

 away of the earth of which they arc composed ; and, 

 2dly, the filling up of the interior, and the accretion 

 of soil over the whole surfac^i of the plain, by the 

 -annual deposit of leaves and the decay of timber* 

 This accretion is evident by finding logs completely 

 covered, and the utensils, Sec. of the ancient posses* 



T t 2 



