Illustrated Catalogue of a Portion of the Collections Made During the Field Season of 1881Third Ann | Page 6

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30 long, was reached. This has probably formed part of the roof of a
dwelling.
Beneath this was a bed of charcoal 4 inches thick. In this bed remnants
of cedar posts from 2 to 4 inches thick and 1 to 2 feet in length were
found.
Below this was a stratum of ashes, covering a limited area to the depth
of 4 feet. Surrounding this, the earth contained fragments of numerous
articles used by the inhabitants, while beneath came 4½ feet of earth, in
which numerous skeletons had been deposited.
The bodies had been interred without order, and the bones were so
intermingled, and so far decayed, that no complete skeletons could be
collected. Beneath the layer of bones came a second deposit of ashes, 2
feet thick by 2½ feet in diameter, and beneath this a mass of red clay,
18 inches in thickness. In the earth surrounding the ashes and clay, a
number of skeletons were found; these were in such an advanced stage
of decomposition that only a few fragments of skulls could be
preserved.
Three feet below the second layer of bones, the undisturbed soil was
reached.
Two boxes of bones were collected, the well-preserved crania
numbering about twenty.
A great many interesting specimens of the implements, utensils, and
ornaments of the mound-builders were obtained.
The following catalogue includes everything of interest:
ARTICLES OF STONE.
62787, 62792, 62778, 62769, 62784, 62788. Numerous specimens of
arrow-points, flakes, cores, and rough masses of gray and black
chalcedony, obtained partly from the mound, and partly from the soil
surrounding it.

62793. A somewhat conical object of black compact graphite. The
flattish base is rubbed off in an irregular way, as if in grinding down for
use as a pigment.
62790. Fragment of hammerstone of gray micaceous sandstone, 5
inches long by 3 inches in diameter. It was found associated with the
upper layer of skeletons.
62808. Pipe carved from gray marble. The bowl is symmetrically
shaped, and resembles a common clay pipe. It is about 1½ inches in
height and 1 in diameter. The stem part is about one-fourth of an inch
in length. Found with the upper layer of skeletons.
62786. A perforated stone tube, 1¼ inches long and three-fourths of an
inch in diameter. It is probably the upper part of a pipe bowl.
62794. A large number of minute quartz pebbles, probably used in a
rattle or in playing some game of chance. Found with the skeletons in
the mound.
62798. Three glass beads, found 4 feet below the surface of the mound.
One is a bright blue bead of translucent glass. One is opaque,
resembling porcelain. The third is of blue-gray glass, and has three
longitudinal stripes of brown, underlaid by bands of white. All are
cylindrical in shape, and are from three-eighths to half an inch in length,
and about one-fourth of an inch in diameter.
ARTICLES OF CLAY.
The collection of pottery from this mound is of much interest. There is
but one entire vessel, but the fragments are so plentiful and well
preserved that many interesting forms can be restored, and a very good
idea of the ceramic work of this locality be formed.
Form.--I have spent much time in the examination of these fragments,
and have assigned each to the form of vessel to which it belonged.
Where large pieces are preserved, especially if the rim is included, we
have little trouble in reconstructing the entire vessel, without fear of

being seriously wrong. The lower parts of the bodies of all forms are
round or slightly flattened, and but a small fragment of the rim is
needed to tell whether the vessel was a bottle, pot, or bowl.
I find, however, that the forms merge into each other in such a way that
a complete graduated series can be found. Of first importance, are the
round or globular vases with more or less constricted necks.
Ornamentation.--The inside of all forms is plain with the exception of
accidental markings of the fingers. The rim is square, sharp, or round
on the edge, and sometimes slightly enlarged or beaded on the outer
margin. A collar is attached to many forms, which at the lower edge
overhangs. It is added to the body with the rim, or as a strip afterward
attached. It is often notched or indented with a stick, bone, or reed, or
with the fingers.
The necks of vases and pot-shaped vessels have a great variety of
handles, knobs, and ornaments. Some of the latter seem to be atrophied
handles. In some cases a low horizontal ridge, from 1 to 4 or more
inches in length is placed near the rim, in place of the continuous collar.
In other cases a narrow, crescent-shaped ridge is attached, the points
reaching down on