Excavation of the Circleville, Ohio Adena, Burial Mound

Excavation of the Circleville, Ohio Adena, Burial Mound

Near the center of the round fort was a tumulus of earth about 10 feet in height and several rods in diameter at its base. On its eastern side, and extending 6 rods from it, was a semicircular pavement composed of pebbles such as are now found in the bed of the Scioto River, from whence they appear to have been brought. The summit of this tumulus was nearly 30 feet in diameter, and there was a raised way to it, leading from the east, like a modern turnpike. The summit was level. The outline of the semicircular pavement and the walk is still discernible. The earth composing this mound was entirely removed several years since. The writer was present at its removal and carefully examined the contents. It contained—

1st. Two human skeletons, lying on what had been the original surface of the earth.

2d. A great quantity of arrow-heads, some of which were so large as to induce a belief that they were used as spear-heads.

3d. The handle either of a small sword or a huge knife, made of an elk’s horn. Around the end where the blade had been inserted was a ferule of silver, which, though black, was not much injured by time. Though the handle showed the hole where the blade had been inserted, yet no iron was found, but an oxyde remained of similar shape and size.

4th. Charcoal and wood ashes on which these articles lay, which were surrounded by several bricks very well burnt. The skeleton appeared to have been burned in a large and very hot fire, which had almost consumed the bones of the deceased. This skeleton was deposited a little to the south of the center of the tumulus; and about 20 feet to the north of it was another, with which were—

5th. A large mirrour about 3 feet in breadth and 1½ inches in thickness. This mirrour was of isinglass (mica membranacea), and on it—

6th. A plate of iron which had become an oxyde, but before it was disturbed by the spade resembled a plate of cast iron. The mirrour answered the purpose very well for which it was intended. This skeleton had also been burned like the former, and lay on charcoal and a considerable quantity of wood ashes. A part of the mirrour is in my possession, as well as a piece of brick taken from the spot at the time. The knife or sword handle was sent to Mr. Peal’s Museum, at Philadelphia.

To the southwest of this tumulus, about 40 rods from it, is another, more than 90 feet in height, which is shown on the plate representing these works. It stands on a large hill, which appears to be artificial. This must have been the common cemetery, as it contains an immense number of human skeletons of all sizes and ages. The skeletons are laid horizontally, with their heads generally towards the center and the feet towards the outside of the tumulus. A considerable part of this work still stands uninjured, except by time. In it have been found, besides these skeletons, stone axes and knives, and several ornaments, with holes through them, by means of which, with a cord passing through these perforations, they could be worn by their owners. On the south side of this tumulus, and not far from it, was a semicircular fosse, which, when I first saw it, was 6 feet deep. On opening it was discovered at the bottom a great quantity of human bones, which I am inclined to believe were the remains of those who had been slain in some great and destructive battle: first, because they belonged to persons who had attained their full size, whereas in the mound adjoining were found the skeletons of persons of all ages; and, secondly, they were here in the utmost confusion, as if buried in a hurry. May we not conjecture that they belonged to the people who resided in the town, and who were victorious in the engagement? Otherwise they would not have been thus honorably buried in the common cemetery.

Warren County, Ohio's Ancient Serpent Mound

Diagram detailing the sharp bends of the Serpent's body. Another identical serpent still exists in Indiana.

This ancient treasure trove was destroyed in the 1960s by a gravel company. 

Demoret Adena Burial Mound in Butler County, Ohio

Demoret Adena Burial Mound in Butler County, Ohio

The largest mound of this group must have been destroyed at some time, leaving this smaller mound of the group as the only one to survive the urban sprawl. It is situated next to a new home, however it has been left with thick underbrush and trees growing on it that make it difficult to see.

The Mound Builders, Archaeology of Butler County, Ohio, 1879:

On the farms of William Hogan and Charles Borger, section twenty-one, is group of mounds, six in number. A plan of these given in Fig. 56.

The largest is twenty-six feet high with a base eighty feet in diameter. The rest vary in height, ranging from three to eight feet. The illustration gives the relative sizes, positions and distances of the mounds composing the group. The group is situated on the highest point of land in the township, and from the summit of the largest mound a view of the surrounding country can be obtained. To the east, if the forest trees did not intervene, the city of Hamilton could be seen; while to the south it overlooks the Colerain Hills.

  Mr. L. Demoret looked up the history of and the stories concerning this mound, and writes as follows:

“About the year 1820 this mound was opened by a man named Young, assisted by the Keever brothers, in hopes of finding a treasure chest. They worked only during the hours of darkness, and in perfect silence, in the belief that the chest never could never be reached if a word was spoken while at work. A story was started, and believed by many, that the chest was finally discovered, when one of the diggers exclaimed: ‘I’ve got it at last!’ whereupon it slipped from his fingers and vanished, leaving a smell of brimstone in the air.

“The tunnel was started on the north side, about half way up the slope, and ran downwards at an angle of thirty-five degrees, for a distance of thirty feet, when the center was reached, from which point it was carried eastwardly several feet. It was stated at the time that the center of the mound gave the appearance of having been once a hut formed of leaning timbers to sustain the great weight of earth. Within this vault were found a stone back-wall, coals and ashes, and human bones.”

Nephilim Pole Star Earthen Temples Aligned to Polaris and Thuban in Athens, Ohio

Nephilim Pole Star  Earthen Temples Aligned to Polaris and Thuban in Athens, Ohio.

Secrets taught to the Nephilim by the Fallen Angels
The Book of Enoch: "Baraqijal taught astrology; Kokabiel, the knowledge of the constellations" 

Today, the North Star is Polaris, in the Little Dipper, it will be at true north in the year 2100 A.D.  At the time of the construction of the Egyptian pyramids in 3,000 B.C, the north star wasThuban. The Athens henge site was constructed as early as 450 B.C. What is significant about this date is that Thuban and Polaris would have been an equal distance from true north. 

The Athens henge site has four henges with gateways that are open to the north. This would not have aligned with either Polaris or Thuban, but to an empty place in between these two stars. What did this mean to them? 

A snapshot of the current night sky, showing Thuban in the constellation of Draco and Polaris in the Ursa minor constellation. At the time when the Athens henge site was constructed, true north would have been the midway point between the two bright stars.

Was this mound formation at the Athens, Ohio earthwork, site constructed to mimic Ursa Minor (Little Dipper) ?

The largest of the mounds of the cluster made to mimic the Little Dipper. Located north of Athens, Ohio at The Plains.

Discover the Stellar Alignments of Mounds State Park Henge site and The Great Hopewell Road

Neanderthal in Ohio? - Ohio's Ancient Cave Men

Neanderthal in Ohio? - Ohio's Ancient Cave Men 

Ash Cave in Benton County, Ohio, is one of these rock- shelters, so common in the south of France, and is remarkable for a considerable deposit of cinders covering an area of one hundred feet long by an average breadth of eighty feet. A trench two and one half feet deep revealed a considerable mass of debris of all kinds, bones of animals such as were suitable for the food of man, little sticks which may have been used as shafts for arrows, fragments of pottery, nuts, and grass fibres. A skeleton was seated near the wall, and the pieces of bark with which he had been covered, doubtless to keep the cinders from touching him, could still be made out. The greatest precaution had also evidently been taken with regard to a packet of little seeds * placed near him, which had been carefully covered with a layer of grass and ferns, and then with some coarse tissue. We are ignorant alike of their purpose and of the rite with which they were connected. We can only add that Professor Andrews,' from whom we have gleaned these details, considers the skeleton to date from a very remote period. In June, 1878, a habitation was examined situated in Summit County, Ohio ; it was formed by two rocks, each from fifteen to twenty feet in diameter, with a third rock forming a kind of roof. This dwelling, open though it was on the north and south, had served as a home for long generations, for after removing a thin layer of vegetable mould, the archaeologists who conducted the excavation met with beds of cinders four or five feet in thickness. Numerous boulders, that the troglodytes had not even had the energy to remove from their wretched residence, were embedded amongst these cinders, together with more than five hundred fragments of pottery, bones, shells, and stone weapons or tools. The pottery retained the marks of the bark fibres of the netting in which it had been supported before baking. The deeper the excavations went the coarser and •clumsier was the pottery. Not one of the stone objects showed the slightest trace of polishing, and most of them seem to have served as knives. The bones were those of the bear, wolf, porcupine, buffalo, stag, squirrel, fox, beaver, and there were some which had belonged to a heron and a wild turkey. The bones containing marrow had been broken, some were roughly pointed, all indicating that the culture of the cavemen had been of the most primitive description.

Early Description of the Newark, Ohio Ancient Earthworks

Early Description of the Newark, Ohio Ancient Earthworks

The immediate vicinity of Newark seems to have been a sort of headquarters, or great central city. Newark, indeed, is built upon the ruins of the works of this mysterious people, many mounds having been leveled to make way for streets and buildings, and the city has extended into the Great works, of which a cut is here given. This drawing is taken from a survey by David Wyrick, in 1860, and gives a faithful outline of the Old Fort, and the connecting works within a radius of one mile. The outlying works are nearly obliterated, with the exception of some of the parallel lines and the Octagon fort and its connecting circle. The larger circle in the drawing marked "thirty acres," represents the most prominent and best preserved of all this series of works and is now owned and used by the Licking County Agricultural society; its preservation being thus assured. The portions of the cut represented by a square, and parts of the lines of an oblong, are nearly obliterated by the growth of the city of Newark in that direction. The octagon and circle marked respectively "fifty acres" and "thirty acres," have been partially subjected to the leveling processes. The whole plain between the South and Raccoon forks of Licking river, and covering an area of several square miles, bears traces of occupation by the "lost race." It is evident from the remains here found, that this section was densely populated, and the character of the works, too, bear out the assumption that this people passed through the different stages of existence that fall to the changing experience of nations at the present day. The following description of the Old Fort is probably the most accurate as to measurements and other particulars yet given, being the result of actual surveys made by Colonel Charles Whittle sey, of Cleveland, and Isaac Smucker, esq., of Newark : "The Old Fort is situated a mile and a half in a southwesterly direction from the court house in Newark, and belongs to the class of Mound Builders' works known as inclosures. It is not a true circle, the respective diameters being eleven hundred and fifty, and twelve hundred and fifty feet. Its banks, nearly a mile in length, were formed by throwing up the earth from the inside, which left a ditch of sloping sides, ten feet (in many places more) in depth, and ranges, in perpendicular height, measuring front bottom of ditch to top of bank, from twenty to thirty feet. This inclosure, which embraces within it about twenty-seven acres of land, was constructed on level ground, and the ditch above described was often seen, during the earlier decades of the present century, partially, and sometimes wholly, filled with water all around the circle. From some cause it has not held water of later years to any great extent. Viewed from the outside, the embankment does not rise more than ten to fifteen feet above the surface of the surrounding ground, but observed from its top, the eye taking in the depth of the ditch, it seems, of course, much higher, so as to correspond in height, at least, to the figures above given. "The Old Fort has an entrance or gateway, which is flanked by a high bank or parapet on either side of it, running outward forty yards. The gateway and parallel walls or parapets are on the eastern side, of the circle, and the ditch which follows it also extends to the termination of the parallel banks that cover the entrance. Mere the banks are highest; the parallel walls, as well as those which form the circle immediately adjoining them at the gateway, reaching, for a short distance, a perpendicular height of at least thirty feet, measuring from the bottom of the ditch, or twenty feet, measuring on the outside. The gateway or entrance measures seventy-five feet between the ditches or moats, and between the parapets or banks of earth that flank the entrance, one hundred and thirty feet around the circle, as well as upon the parallel walls at the     entrance. They are equal in size to those that are yet found on the outside of the inclosure and \\ within it and of the same varieties. Some of them measure ten feet in circumference and are still thrifty, giving no indications of decay. One of the largest trees that stood on this embankment was cut down in 1815, and its concentric circles showed that it had attained to the venerable age of over one hundred and fifty years.
     In the middle of the Old Fort is an elevation, evidently artificial, which never fails to attract the attention of the observing, and is generally designated as Eagle mound. It is full six feet high, and is in the form and shape of an eagle in flight, with wings outspread, measuring from tip to lip two hundred and forty feet, and from head to tail two hundred and ten feet, and is clearly of the effigy class of the works of the Mound Builders. It faces the entrance, and therefore lies in an east and west direction, its wings extending north and south. Excavations made many years ago into the center of this earthen figure, where the elevation is greatest, developed an altar built of stone, upon which were found ashes, charcoal and calcined bones, showing that it had been used for sacrificial purposes. "Many have held the opinion that the Old Fort was a military work, constructed for defence, but its location on a level plain, its symmetrical form and inside ditch, and the indications of the presence of fire, seen on the altar, and its sacrificial uses, so clearly suggested, all go to render this opinion to be erro neous, or, to say the least, one highly improbable. All the known facts pertaining to it go to raise the presumption that within this inclosure were conducted by Mound Buiders, the rites and ceremonies of their religion, they having manifestly been a religious and superstitious race, given to the practice of offering up human as well as animal sacrifices. "Others have believed that the Old Fort was the seat of government of the Mound Builders, and that their monarch resided here
    "It was in October. 1800, when Isaac Stadden. a pioneer settler in the Licking valley, discovered it. One of the most astonishing and incomprehensible things about this great earthwork is the ditch inside of it. This, as Mr. Smucker says, is yet ten feet deep, and is, probably, fifteen or twenty feet wide at the top. If it were not for the immense trees that yet stand on the embankment, one would be inclined to place the construction of this work within the last century, from the fact that other wise this ditch should have long since disappeared, having been filled, by the yearly drift of leaves, etc, to the surface of the ground. When the fact is considered that this ditch has stood in the midst of the forest for centuries, and has thus been a safe receptacle for the yearly fall of leaves that would naturally drift into it, that the storms of centuries have been washing its banks, that, as Mr. Smucker says, water once stood a good portion of the year in it, with its relaxing and dissolving tendencies, the absorbing questions are, how deep must this ditch have been at first, and what tools could the workmen have used to raise the dirt to such a height, and for what purpose was it constructed ; why, especially, was it made so deep? Supposing that from all the causes above     enumerated, the ditch had filled one inch per year for six hundred years; even that would give it a depth of fifty feet at first. It would seem more probable that it would fill five or six inches every year, instead of one inch; and it is thought these works are a thousand years old instead of six hundred. This being true, would make this ditch very much deeper, and only increases the mystery that already surrounds these works. Here is an opportunity for scientific investigation that should not he lost. A shaft sunk in the bottom of this ditch would probably reveal its original depth. The immensity of these works is truly wonderful and awe-inspiring. The stranger visiting them for the first time can only look and wonder. The pyramids of Egypt are counted among the "seven wonders of the world," but in what particular are they so much more wonderful than this earthwork? Both are equally mysterious and incomprehensible. The "Eagle Mound" in the center of this inclosure, is somewhat disappointing at first sight, and does not appear to have much resemblance to an eagle. It more resembles the shape and form of a honey-bee, and might more appropriately have been called the "Honey-Bee mound." The wings are not pointed, like those of a bird, but circular, like those of a bee, and the body is shaped much like that of the bee. Samuel Park, esq., thus writes concerning these works: •' Mr. Atwater says that many of the writers on these antiquities never saw the works themselves, or if they did. it was only from some public conveyance in hasty flight through the coun try; and consequently they know nothing about them, and their representations are not reliable. This, no doubt, in some instances is true. But those newspaper correspondents, and other persons seeking literary renown, are not the only persons chargeable with having arrived at conclusions, and published opinions, based upon observations quite too superficial. Mr. At water himself, with all his care, is not safe from this charge, for in his report on the antiquities of Licking county, though he made a personal survey of them, seems to have but little knowledge of their extent and diversity of character. He gives us very correct diagrams of a portion of the works in Cherry Valley, and speaks of one or two mounds, south of Newark, and some pits below Newark, and south of Licking river. These he calls the works in Licking county, while they constitute but a very small proportion of them.
   The mathematical skill manifest in the construction of some of these works, as well as the fine topographical engineering shown in the location of these signal mounds, indicate a pretty high degree of culture, for that age of the world, and. I think, conclusiw evidence that they were not erected by the ancestors of our native Indians, as it is not probable that they ever advanced bevond the hunter-grade of civilization in which we found them, while our Mound Builders must have been much in advance of this. These signal mounds are not always found on the highest hills, but where they will command the most complete view of the whole land, whether below or above their location, and where they can be seen by the greatest number of other mounds, by views through valleys, or between distant hill- lops. This feature is an important one, and cannot be the result of accident. On the contrary, it shows a careful economy in locating them, so as to attain the object of their erection with the least amount of labor possible. This would have been needless had their design been other than that we have assigned them. They would, in many instances, have much belter suited the theory of 'worship in high places,' or of 'monuments for the dead," if they had been differently situated from that in which we find them. 

Mound City Earthwork and Burial Complex in Chillicothe, Ohio

 Mound City Earthwork and Burial Complex in Chillicothe, Ohio

Map of the Mound City, Mound and Earthwork Complex

Early photo shows how large the earthen wall of the enclosure was originally

Photo of the burial mounds inside the enclosure before being excavated by the Ohio Historical Society.

Excavation of one of the mounds revealed  a skeleton that rested on a bed of mica tablets.

Another one of the burial mounds at Mound City being hacked into by the Ohio Historical Society

Severla Pipes that were removed from the burial mounds. Many of the artifacts from Mound City were sold to museums in England.

Mound City was only partially restored by the Ohio Historical Society. The earthen wall that surrounded the burial mounds is only a slight burm of earth. None of the burial mounds were restored to their orignal height and size.

Three Adena Mounds in Waverly, Ohio Positioned in a Perfect Triangle

Ohio Historical and Archaeological  Publication, 1900   
   As the mounds had all been located upon the map along this valley the party moved to Waverly. Mr. McKenzie, who owns a group of three mounds just south of the town, gave permission for explorations. The large mound of the group, lying near the Norfolk and Western railroad tracks, is shown in Figure XX.
     “The mounds owned by Mr. McKenzie are upon the second terrace of the Scioto. Two of them are small. The three form a triangle thus: 

Three mounds together are the most common number of the Adena mound builders.  Many of these were placed together to form a perfect triangle

 “July 16. We located upon the group mentioned, While the men prepared for work I located ten or twelve stone graves upon Mr. A. Lee’s farm south of the town.  “The small mound is forty feet in diameter and three feet high. We dug out its center, sixteen by ten by eight feet. (See A in plan above.) It was built of rich, dark earth. In the center was a skeleton on the bottom, headed northwest and extended. It was finely preserved. Bone beads were about the neck. (See Figure XXII. This plate, devoted entirely to finds in and around Waverly, need not be described in the text. The explanation in detail, opposite the figure, will give the locality of each object.) There were two copper buttons clasped in each hand, the arms being extended along the sides. There was nothing else in this structure. “The mound (B) was fifty feet in diameter and four feet high. It was of the same material. The entire central portion was opened. A skeleton lay upon the bottom in the center, headed north and extended. There were two fragmentary skeletons near the surface and these were intrusive, I think. “In each hand was a copper button. Under the skull was a small wooden button about the size of a five cent piece, which was copper covered. “The large mound (C, shown in Figure XX), which has been somewhat reduced by cultivation, now stands six feet high and one hundred and twenty-five feet across the base. The soil in it is similar to that noticed in the others. Our trench started from the west side and was thirty feet wide. We found one skeleton ten feet southwest of the center, headed north. Like nearly all burials, it lay on the back, extended, and was five feet eight inches in length. The earth was all of a dark color about it.' None of the bones could be saved. Just north of this one, upon a well-marked base line, was another body. It lay a little to the east. It was of medium size, decayed and the soil about it Was very dark. About five feet from the center of the mound was a third skeleton, headed south and partly buried in the sand. Around it was a dark outline. The teeth showed medium age. Its height, five feet nine inches. We could not preserve it. Nearer the center was the fourth burial. It lay upon a raised platform of earth, one foot high, and all around the skeleton was pure, white sand. It was five feet and nine inches long and from the teeth I should judge it was of middle age. The muscular attachments of the bones were well developed. Bones were large but not massive. (Figure XXI shows the skeleton after having been carefully “brought out” by the hand trowels and whisk brooms, so that the bones could be well shown in a photograph. Because of the lack of contrast between bones and earth it is extremely difficult to procure a clear view of a skeleton.) 

Adena Skeleton Uncovered in the Waverly, Ohio Burial Mound

The Ohio Historical Society failed to mention the skull of the skeleton. Note the protruding brow ridge with no forehead and the skull goes straight back and flat on this elongated skull. While this skeleton was less than six feet, it has the skull characteristics of a giant.

    This was one of the best mound skeletons I ever uncovered. Three arrowheads lay along the right arm and between the knees was a piece of worked antler. " “South of this was the skeleton of a child of but a few months of age. Beneath the child’s skeleton, but a few inches; was the skeleton of a doe. Among the bones was the calcis of an adult. It was unusually large. Four feet north and four feet deep was the tibiae of a skeleton surrounded by spearheads. They Were twenty in number, twelve being broken. 'No other bones or traces were found. ' “Four feet east of this cache of spears on the baseline lay another extended skeleton. On the left wrist was a copper bracelet. The bones could not be taken out entire. About three feet east of the center, lying on the baseline and in a small bed of ashes about twelve inches in diameter, was a cremated skeleton. With the bones were an arrow-head and' a polished celt. Southeast was the skeleton of a child near the surface. From indications, I think it to have been a recent interment—probably of the whites. This concluded the exploration of this mound.”

The Story Burial Mound in Chillicothe, Ohio - Another Half Assed Restoration by the Ohio Historical Society.

The Story Burial Mound in Chillicothe, Ohio - Another Half Assed Restoration by the Ohio Historical Society.

This is what the Story mound looked like prior to being excavated by the Ohio Historical Society.  Like Mound City, the definition of "restored" by the Ohio Historical Society is to haphazardly throw dirt back into a hill and call it, 'good enough.'

The Story's mound just within the fair ground enclosure. It is twenty—five feet high and two hundred foot base. Several large trees grow upon its summit. There is a_ slight ridge or elevation of pure white sand upon which the tumulus is built. Excavations in the sand to a depth of six feet revealed nothing and it was therefore concluded to be of natural origin.

This is what the Story Mound looks like, after the Ohio Historical Society "restored" it.  In front of the person standing are the original contours of the mound.  Behind him is the dirt that was just thrown up into a hill. As a rule, if the Ohio Historical Society maintains a mound or earthwork site, it will not be mowed or visible in the summer months.

This is what the Story Mound looks like today. The original contours are easily seen. As you can see from the snow on the mound, the best time to travel to the mound sites is in the winter when the mounds and earthworks are not covered in undergrowth.

Chillicothe, Ohio's Largest Burial Mound

Chillicothe, Ohio's Largest Burial Mounds is Hidden From the Public

Going to Ohio to visit the ancient burial mounds and earthworks? Just know, many of the largest burial mound locations are kept secret by the Ohio Historical Society. These mounds are listed as "address restricted." It is YOU that they are restricting from knowing where they are. Since the publication of "The Nephilim Chronicles: A Travel Guide to the Ancient Ruins in the Ohio Valley," these restrictions have been lifted, with direction to ALL of Ohio's ancient sites provided. For a sneak peek of 32 of the largest burial mounds in Ohio (25 are Address Restricted) follow this link 

One of Ohio's largest burial mounds is located to the north of Chillicothe, Ohio.

    
Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol. VII, 1900
   The Austin Brown mound is one of the largest in the state. 'It stands thirty—eight feet high having a base of one hundred and sixty—five feet and is located near Brown Chapel in Scioto township (Ross County). It lies upon the second terrace of the Scioto and is made up of a rich, brown clay containing not a pebble or stone. “We went up the side thirty-four feet from the edge and sunk a shaft on the east side. It was ten feet down to the baseline at this point. We then started a large tunnel and worked in under from this point. We soon struck quantities of rotten timbers or logs and a heavy decay line. We found a fine rotary arrowhead. There were many soft spots of black earth. Twenty feet from the mouth of the tunnel we struck a log ten inches in diameter running north and south. “From indications, I think that at the time of building this mound they felled the trees and covered them up without clearing. “We sent several 'side tunnels. When the main tunnel passed the

Directions to Over 100 of Ohio's Burial Mounds and Earthworks

20 Colors of Sand Used In a Chillicothe, Ohio's, Largest Burial Mound.

20 Colors of Sand Used In a Chillicothe, Ohio Largest Burial Mound.
The Ancient King Was Wrapped Like an Egyptian Mummy

Sand Painting was found along with a skeleton that had been wrapped in cloth, like a mummy in this large Adena burial mound that was destroyed by the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society.

    The Miller or Carriage Factory mound stands thirty-five feet high and has a diameter at the base of two hundred and twenty-five feet. It has retained its form exceedingly well until within the last five years, during which people have hauled away earth. The west side, at the point of removal, stands about fifteen feet in perpendicular height, and from the edge of the mound to this wall or face it must be nearly fifty-five feet. “On the base line was a streak of decayed wood several inches thick and showing high colors. This seemed to have been pretty generally placed over the base of the mound. Between the center and south tunnel (these were started on the west side and therefore headed east, but we speak of the tunnel to the left of the main one as north, and the other as south tunnels)’ I found casts of poles two to three inches in diameter in the form of a pen or hut. These casts plainly retained the stamp of the bark and showed the knot holes of the saplings. The soil of the base line was now very black, and immediately above it was the heavy line of decayed wood and then the streaked or diamond shaped deposits or dumps of earth. 

Over 20 shades of colored sand were used to cover the wooden hut or tomb of the burial mound.


    I counted about 20 shades of these. There were a few spots of gravel among them. The darkest spots were near the bottom and the lighter ones toward the top. On the whole the mound was of sandy soil and very hard, making digging slow.  We found in the south tunnel, fifteen feet in, a rough sandstone disc. It lay in the decayed wood line. All the, way this peculiar line ran nearly level. Even by candle light we could make out the different colors. “Wednesday, May 12. We pushed the tunnels very rapidly today. Side tunnels were dug. The decay line is very heavy and we can take out large pieces showing eight to ten streaks or different colors. (Figure VII, No. II, shows the base line and streaks in same.) At noon today we struck a place wherein was soft, black earth. After digging into it about a foot we struck the skull of a skeleton, twenty-five feet from the mouth of the north tunnel. Its skull was badly decayed, but upon close examination the pieces of skull were found to be covered with a thin bark like fibre.  Around the next were bone beads and from the shoulder of the left arm to the hand were three or four strings of shell beads numbering over two hundred and made from a kind of small ocean shell. (Figure VII, Nos. 9 and I0 show the beads from this skeleton.) There were bits of the string yet remaining in some of them. Several pieces of mica and several bits of limestone also lay near the remains. The skeleton was headed north, lying upon its back. Around it were evidences of thin wood or bark. Most of the bark and wood lay in a longitudinal direction with the skeleton. This body was wrapped or dressed in some woven fabric of fibre-like consistency next to the skin, for some parts of the skeleton could be lifted up and to them would yet adhere the woven fabric. “Then came a most peculiar thing. There was bandaging of some sort of bark like birch about the body and legs. It extended in many directions like mummy wrapping. The beads and body seemed to be coated with a peculiar plaster cast, very white and to the depth of one-half to three—fourths of an inch. Several of the long bones, humerus, femur and clavicle were taken out whole, while others were fairly preserved. We found some mica fragments around the skeleton. This skeleton lay upon the baseline and there was no evidence of fire about it. No charcoal was discovered. There were no other relics near it.  
    The varied earths, of all colors, have a special significance. It is not to be supposed that these varied shades resulted from a haphazard gathering of earth from about the base of the mound. There are no soils near‘ its base presenting such diversity of colors. There can be but one explanation: that both in the case of Mound No. 43 (opened in 1889) and this one just described, the selection of these “dumps” was intentional. Sand painting is common in the southwest among the Pueblos, to some extent among the Navajos, also in portions of Asia. The brightest colors are used and the designs, executed upon a flat surface, are complicated and symbolic in character. These dumps may not be classed as “paintings,” but that they have some peculiar relation to the mounds themselves, I am convinced. The grouping of various shades so that the contrasts are quite apparent—red next to black or yellow next to grey, or brown next to white—is evidence of the purpose. Instead of stratification, or of altars, or of treasured possessions exhibiting rare material from a distance, or high artistic aptitude in execution are all absent.
   Whether these earths were artificially colored, whether they were brought from a distance of several miles cannot be ascertained. But that they were selected with special reference to their shades is indisputable. Time and pains were both necessary to construct this tumulus. Along with No. 43—some few hundred yards northwest — it stands as unique and peculiar. It is a part of that strange culture of the lower Scioto—a culture which was higher than elsewhere in the Ohio Valley—a culture of great antiquity and possibly one which was affected by southern influences. The fibre covered and wrapped skeleton presents a condition not observed elsewhere so far as I am aware. Skeletons wrapped in coarse cloth, copper wrapped in cloth, have been frequently described. Both the bark and the cloth of fibre should be care fully studied. The weaving of the cloth and the material of which it is composed, the nature of the bark—these are points to be determined in the future.