Nephi, Fort Hill Located in Auburn, New York

Nephilim Giant's, Fort Hill Located in Auburn, New York

One of the best preserved and most interesting works in the State, is that overlooking the flourishing town of Auburn. It is situated upon a commanding eminence, which rises abruptly from the level grounds upon which the town is built, to the height of perhaps one hundred feet. It is the most elevated spot in the vicinity, and commands a wide and very beautiful prospect. The ground occupied by the work subsides gently from the centre of the area; but exterior to the walls are steep acclivities and deep ravines, rendering approach in nearly every direction extremely difficult. These natural features are indicated in the plan, which obviates the necessity for a detailed description. Upon the south are several deep gulleys, separated by sharp, narrow ridges, rendering ascent at this point, in the face of determined defenders, entirely impracticable. It has been conjectured by some that the walls here have been washed away; but it is clear that there was slight necessity for any defences at this point, and that none ever existed beyond what may still be traced.
The number and relative proportions of the gateways or openings are correctly shown in the plan. That upon the north is one hundred and sixty feet wide; that upon the east sixty feet, and that upon the west thirty feet. These wide, unprotected spaces would seem to conflict with the supposition, so well sustained by its remaining features, that the work had a defensive origin. It is not improbable, however, that palisades extended across these openings, as well as crowned the embankments; for without such additions, as has been already observed, the best of these structures could have afforded but very slight protection.
The embankments of this work are now between two and three feet in height, and the trenches of corresponding depth. The area of the work and the ground around it are covered with forest-trees. There are several depressions, which probably were the caches of the ancient occupants.

Nephi Square Fort Located in Jefferson County, New York

Nephi Square Fort Located in Jefferson County, New York

Three miles to the westward of the enclosure last described, near "Sandford's Corners," was formerly another work of similar character, but larger size. Only a small portion of the embankment is yet visible; the dotted lines, however, show the original outlines, according to the recollection of those who were acquainted with the work before it was disturbed. The walls then measured not less than six feet in height, measuring from the bottom of the trench.
Within the area are found great numbers of the shells of the fresh-water molluscas, accumulations of burnt matter, quantities of pottery in fragments, with broken pipes, etc. Some of the pipes are of good workmanship and fine finish. In this vicinity, also, have skeletons been found; all buried in a sitting posture.
Several other works formerly existed in this township, but they have been either entirely or in great part obliterated. One is spoken of near Felt's Mills, but no opportunity was afforded of examining it.

Nephi Earthen Fort and Adjoining Graveyard Described in Jefferson County, New York

Earthen Fort and Adjoining Graveyard Described in Jefferson County, New York

Ancient  fort and adjoining graveyard located in Le Ray Township near Watertown

     In the same township with the foregoing work, and about four miles distant, in a northwest direction, is the work here represented. It occupies a small sandy elevation, situated in the midst of the low grounds. It is lozenge-shaped, and is the most regular of any ancient structure which has fallen under the notice of the author in the State. Where the lines are intercepted on the north, the ground is considerably elevated, and subsides abruptly, precluding the necessity of an embankment for defensive purposes. The sites of the ancient lodges, indicated by heaps of burned stones, calcined shells, fragments of pottery, etc., are yet to be traced, notwithstanding that the land has been for a considerable time under cultivation. Near this work skeletons have been frequently exhumed.

Mass Graveyard Discovered Within Prehistoric Earthen Fort in Jefferson County, New York

Mass Graveyard Discovered Within Prehistoric Earthen Fort in Jefferson County, New York

The slightest and much the rudest structure discovered in Jefferson county, is the one here delineated. It is situated about a hundred rods back from the brow of the terrace, already so often referred to, and which here rises abruptly from the inferior level, presenting a bold, and in some places, a precipitous bank.
Notwithstanding its elevation, this terrace has numberless depressions or basins, which are wet and marshy. Upon a slight elevation, in the midst of one of these, and still covered with a primitive forest, is the work in question. It will be observed that it is exceedingly irregular, and that the lines are interrupted by several wide openings, which are quite too broad to be regarded as gateways.
The embankment is not of uniform dimensions. In some places it is elevated but a foot or eighteen inches, by four or five feet base, while in others it is perhaps three feet in height. The ditch is also irregular,—in sections scarcely exceeding a large plough furrow in depth and width. In fact, the work seems imperfect, and to have been constructed in haste for temporary purposes. Within the area, which is quite uneven, are several small accumulations of stones, which bear the marks of fire. Upon removing some of them, the proprietor of the ground found ashes and other burnt matter, amongst which was a carbonized ear of maize. A small but entire vessel of pottery, of considerable symmetry of shape, was also found here some years since.
Human bones have been discovered beneath the leaves; and in nearly every part of the trench skeletons of adults of both sexes, of children, and infants, have been found, covered only by the vegetable accumulations. They seem to have been thrown together promiscuously. They have also been found in a narrow depression resembling an artificial trench, indicated by a dotted line in the plan, and caused by the subsidence of the earth in a cleft of the limestone substratum. These skeletons, from all accounts, do not seem to have been much decayed, and no difficulty was experienced in recovering them entire. The skulls were in some cases fractured, as if by a blow from a hatchet or club. These circumstances would seem to imply, not only that the work is of comparatively late construction, but also that this was the scene of one of those indiscriminate massacres so common in the history of savage warfare.

Nephi Earthwork Located in Jefferson, County New York

Nephi Earthwork Located in Jefferson, County New York

Following the brow of the terrace northward from the work first described, for about two miles, we come to another work of somewhat more regular figure, and of larger dimensions. Most of it is under cultivation, and the outlines are very much defaced. The embankment, upon one side, runs into the forest land, where it is well preserved, measuring, perhaps, three feet in height. The darker lines of the engraving show what parts are still distinctly marked; the dotted lines those which have been ploughed down, and which are no longer distinguishable from the general level, except by the deeper green and more luxuriant growth of the grass on the line of the ancient trench. The position of the work, it will be seen, corresponds very nearly with that of the one previously described. There is, however, no water near at hand, except a limited supply from a small spring. Nevertheless, this seems to have been the site of a very populous aboriginal town. The entire area of the work is covered with accumulations of carbonaceous matter, burned stones, fragments of bones, pottery, etc. Indeed, these indications are visible for some distance exterior to the walls, upon the adjacent level. These artificial accumulations have rendered the soil within the enclosure extremely fertile, and it sustains most luxuriant crops. In cultivating the area, many fragments of human bones, some of them burned, have been observed,—suggesting the possibility that the ancient village was destroyed by enemies, and that these are the bones of its occupants, who fell in defence of their kindred, and were burned in the fires which consumed their lodges. A little to the northward of the work, there seems to have been an aboriginal cemetery. Here the plough frequently exposes skeletons, buried according to the Indian mode, and accompanied by various rude relics of stone and bone. Within and around the work are also found stone axes, flint arrow-heads, and other remnants of savage art. Fragments of pottery and broken pipes of clay are, however, most abundant. Of these bushels might be collected without much difficulty.

St. Lawrence County, New York Ancient Mounds and Earthworks

St. Lawrence County, New York Ancient Mounds and Earthworks

Terra cotta mask of one of the mound builders who resided in St. Lawrence County, New York

       A few aboriginal monuments are said to have existed in this county. One or two of these occurred near Pottsdam; but it is probable they are now nearly, if not quite, obliterated.
A mound, eight feet in height, still exists on St. Regis Island, in the St. Lawrence River. It is crossed by the boundary line separating the territories of the United States and Great Britain. It was excavated by Col. Hawkins, of the United States Boundary Commission, in 1818. Near the surface were human bones in considerable numbers, and in good preservation; but at the base were found traces of fire, charcoal, burned bones, and fragments of pottery, together with some stone implements and ornaments.

Upon the Canada shore of the St. Lawrence River, opposite Morrisville in this county, a singular aboriginal deposit was discovered some years ago, in making the excavations for the St. Lawrence Canal. The principal facts concerning them were communicated to the author by Dr. T. Reynolds, of Brockville, C. W., and are embodied in Vol. I. of the "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," pp. 201, 202.      Amongst the relics of copper and other materials discovered at this spot and described as above, was a small terra cotta mask of very good workmanship. An engraving of the size of the original is herewith presented (Fig. 1). Mr. Reynolds, who has the relic in his possession, describes it as follows: "It is of clay, and represents the contour of the Indian head, after which it appears to have been moulded. It corresponds very nearly in shape with the skulls discovered at the same place, and the foramina, or holes found in the skull, are well represented,—showing that it was modelled to resemble the bony structure of the head, not the flesh or living subject. It seems to have been broken off from some idol or image."

Jefferson County, New York - Mound Builders Necropolis

Jefferson County, New York - Mound Builders Necropolis

A large mound is near a shanty in the sugar camp, toward Ruff's 

creek. This is 40 feet across and 3 feet high. A good deal of dig- 
ging has been done there, but seemingly without results. A smaller 
one is near the shanty. This ended the explorations on that side of 
the lake. The oldest inhabitant knew of nothing taken from mounds 
south of the La Farge mansion. In all 54 mounds were observed, 
and 6 obliterated ones reported, or 60 in all. Other unobserved or 
obliterated mounds might much increase this number, but it is not 
likely to reach the higher estimates made for the whole territory. 

At the north end of the lake is one spot deserving of a few words, 

and yet probably not connected with the general subject. In the edge 
of the swamp at the northeast angle of the lake, is an immense mass 
of rock which can be reached by a boat. In some of the depressions 
of this rock are many small flint chips, showing that it was a favorite 
spot for arrow makers. What weapons the makers of these mounds 
used is uncertain, but it is probable that the visitors to Squaw island, 
as some call it, were of another people. The spot commands a view 
of nearly the entire lake. 

Is this a hut circle or a Sun Temple or henge that is found in numbers in the Ohio

 Valley? The earthwork has an outer wall and interior ditch like a henge.  The 

Iroquois didn't construct round dwellings.

In his report on Mound Explorations, Prof. Cyrus Thomas 

described some mounds of this class closely connected with larger 
mounds in the Welch group, Brown county, Illinois. The group 
" consists of six mounds, and a number of small saucer-shaped basins 
surrounded by low, earthen ridges, doubtless the sites of ancient 
dwellings or wigwams." Thomas, p.u8. He adds that " the dwell- 
ing sites vary considerably in size, some being as much as 70 feet 
in diameter, and some of them 3 feet deep in the center after 50 
years of cultivation." In describing those on the Big Mary river, 
111., he adds something on their situation and origin : 

These are situated upon a flat topped ridge, about 30 feet higher 
than the creek bottoms. They are low, with the usual depression in 
the center, but the outlines are rather indistinct. Mr Gault of Sparta, 
who has long resided here, states that when he first moved to this 
section, the Indians lived in houses or wigwams which, when de- 
cayed, left such remains as these. They hollowed out a shallow cir- 
cular cavity in the surface soil, then, standing poles around the 
margin of this basin, brought them together at the top, and having 
covered them with bark or other material in other words having 
constructed wigwams of the usual circular form covered them in 
whole or in part, specially the lower portion with earth. He also 
said that after a camp was abandoned and the wood rotted away, it 
left these rings of earth. Thomas, p. 141