Chapter II: Part 2

On the farm of J. W. Niles, at this point, is a large mound that has the appearance of a Creek or Cherokee ball-ground. It was flat on the top, and had an area of 1-3/4 acres. The height was 15 feet. In outline it was somewhat triangular. This mound was also constructed of clay, and contained nothing of interest. In the fields, near by, human bones, pottery, stone implements, beads, etc., are frequently plowed up. From this locality the following specimens were collected:

62957. Arrow heads and knives of gray and black chalcedony.

62955. Unworked Unio shells.

62956. A number of shell beads of usual size and form.

MOUNDS NEAR PAINT ROCK FERRY.

About three hundred yards from the Tennessee River, at Paint Rock Ferry, is a large mound 40 feet in height, and covering an area of about about two acres.

Permission could not be obtained to open the mound, on account of the crop of corn that covered it. Near its base, on opposite sides, were two smaller mounds. One of these was 5 feet high and 10 in diameter, and contained a stone grave. The body which it contained had been laid on the ground and covered a foot deep with earth. A flat rock had been laid upon this, and slabs of limestone set on edge all around. The inclosed space was 4 feet in width by 5 in length. Earth had been used to cover the cist and form the mound.

About this mound were scattered many slabs of stone which had been plowed up during previous years; and it is stated that human bones and various objects of art have, at different times, been brought to light.

A short distance from the large mound, and near the river bank, is another mound on which a barn has been built.

Several hundred yards from the river, in a meadow, is a third mound, less than half as large as that first mentioned. The owner would not allow it to be disturbed. Still another mound, near by, was oval in outline, 28 feet long, by 20 wide, and 12 high. It was composed of clay and contained nothing but a few pieces of pottery.

62939, 62940, 62945. Fragments of pottery from the mounds at Paint Rock
Ferry.

OBJECTS OF SHELL.

62935, 62937. Shell beads, buttons, and pendants, made from marine
shells. A neatly made pendant is 1 inch in diameter and one-sixth
of an inch thick. Near the edge are two small perforations for
suspension, and at the center is a conical pit, encircled by a shallow
incised line. Beside this, there are a number of buttons of similar
shape, which have single perforations at the center. Some of the
smaller beads seem to have been painted red. Figs. 136, 137, and 138.

62936. Fragment of a large _Busycon perversum_.

62942. Teeth of the bear, and possibly of the horse found near the
surface of one of the mounds.

COLLECTIONS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY.

MOUND ON FAIN'S ISLAND.

This mound is located on the east end of the island. Although it has been under cultivation for many years, it is still 10 feet in height. The circumference at the base is about 100 feet. Near the surface a bed of burned clay was encountered, in which were many impressions of poles, sticks, and grass. This was probably the remains of the roof of a house, which had been about 16 feet long by 15 feet in width. The bed of clay was about 4 inches thick. Beneath this was a layer of charcoal and ashes, with much charred cane. There were also indications of charred posts, which probably served as supports to the roof. Four feet below the surface were found the remains of thirty-two human skeletons. With the exception of seventeen skulls, none of the bones could be preserved. There seems to have been no regularity in the placing of the bodies.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

The fragments of pottery from this mound are unusually large and well preserved, and exhibit a number of varieties of form and ornamentation.

_Forms._--The prevailing form is a pot-shaped vase, with wide mouth, and rounded body; the neck is short and straight or but slightly constricted. The handles or ears which connect the upper part of the neck with the shoulder are in some cases as much as 3 inches wide. The bowls are mostly hemispherical, but in a few cases have incurved lips, the shoulder being rounded and the base somewhat flattened. The largest specimens have been 11 or 12 inches in diameter. The vases have been somewhat larger.

_Material._--Classified by material, there seem to be two varieties, one with a very large percentage of coarsely pulverized shell material, the other without visible _degraissant_. The clay is usually fine and apparently without admixture of sand or other impurities. A little comminuted mica may be seen in some cases.

_Color._--The prevailing color is a reddish gray, more or less blackened by use. A remarkable variety has a bright red surface, the mass being gray.

_Ornamentation._--The ornamentation consists of cord and net impressions, incised lines, stamped figures, indented fillets, and life and fanciful forms modeled in relief.

The study of cord impressions is quite interesting. The cords are twisted and as large as medium twine. These cords appear to have been disconnected, at least, not woven into a fabric, and the impressions are generally nearly vertical about the upper part of the vessel, but below take all positions, the result being a sort of hatching of the lines. This effect may be the result of placing the vessel upon a coarse fabric while the rim was being finished or the handles added.

It seems possible that a loose net of cords, probably with fine crossthreads, is used to suspend the vessel in during the process of modeling. It appears, however, if this has been the case, that the vessel has been taken out of this net before it was burned. Where handles have been added, it will be found that the cord markings have been destroyed by the touch of the fingers. But the body has impressions of the net made after the addition of the handles and ornaments, as the impressions appear on the outside or lower edges of these additions. The lower part of the body may still have been supported by the net during the process of drying; but as some vessels have no cord markings whatever, it is evident that it was not difficult to complete the vessel without the support of the net.

By making a clay impression of one of the fragments I have been able to determine the character of the fabric used. It was loosely woven and quite flexible, the clay often receiving finger impressions through it. It was probably made of grasses or the fibre of bark.

Beside the net and cord marks, which may or may not be the result of an attempt at ornament, there are ornaments made of fillets of clay. In a number of cases a comb-like figure made of thin fillets has been added to the shoulder of a vase. In other cases a fillet has been carried around the neck of the vase and indented by the finger or an implement.

The rim of one bowl has been ornamented with three deeply incised or excavated lines, which form a sort of embattled figure about the incurved lip. Another has a series of shallow, vertical, incised lines near the rim, and a circle of annular indentations, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, about one-fourth of an inch from the lip.

There are also various forms of noded ornaments on the rims of bowls. The handles of vases are in a few cases effectively ornamented. In one case the handle has been elaborated into a life form, representing a frog or human figure. The arms are attached to the upper part of the handle and lie extended along the rim. The handle proper represents the body, the breast being protruded. The legs lie flattened out upon the shoulder of the vessel, the feet being bent back beneath the body; height 3-1/2 inches. This vessel is illustrated in Fig. 139.

FROM THE FIELDS OF FAIN'S ISLAND.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

62906. A very handsome specimen of grooved ax. It is made of a
remarkable variety of porphyritic diorite that resembles breccia.

The matrix has the appearance of a gray speckled quartzite; the angular inclusions being whitish feldspar, with dark-greenish patches of hornblende. The surface is smooth and shows but little wear. The length is 7 inches, the width 4, and the thickness 2 inches. The groove is deep, and has two well-defined bordering ridges. The head is low and rounded, and occupies about one-third of the length of the implement. The blade is well-formed, the sides being parallel or nearly so. The edge is slightly rounded in outline, and is polished and sharp.

62907. A grooved stone ax, 5 inches in length, 4-1/2 inches in width,
and 1-1/4 inches in thickness. The groove is placed as in the
preceding example, but has a bordering ridge on the upper side only.
The head is very large and narrow. The blade is rectangular in
outline, and has a rounded, moderately sharp edge. The material is a
compact graphic diorite (?).

62904. A grooved ax, 4 inches in length, 3-1/2 inches in width, and
three-fourths of an inch in thickness. The groove, which is well
defined, has no lateral ridges. It seems to have been made from a
flattish, oval, river pebble.

62902. Fragment of a pierced tablet of slate.

62903. A well shaped disk of translucent quartz, 1-3/4 inches in
diameter and three-fourths of an inch in thickness. The sides are
nearly flat, and the edge evenly rounded. The surface is quite smooth.

62905. Steatite pipe found on the surface of the mound. The bowl is
about 6 inches in length and 1 inch in thickness. A section is nearly
square. The cavities are roughly excavated.

OBJECTS OF SHELL.

62916. Well preserved specimen of _Io spinosa_.

62955. Specimens of _Unio probatus_.

62914. A large specimen of shell pin, made from the columella of a
_Busycon perversum_. It is much discolored and in an advanced stage of
decay. Length nearly 4 inches. Form as usual.

62913. A shell pin similar to the preceding.

62931. A number of large shell beads, made from the columellae of marine
shells. The larger specimens are cylindrical in form, and are 1 inch
in length and upwards of 1 inch in diameter.

62932-62834. Shell beads of various sizes and shapes, made from the
columellae and walls of marine shells.

62928. A shell ornament, on the convex surface of which a very curious
ornamental design has been engraved. The design, inclosed by a circle,
represents a cross such as would be formed by two rectangular tablets
or slips, slit longitudinally and interlaced at right-angles to each
other. The lines are neatly and deeply incised. The edge of the
ornament has been broken away nearly all around. It is represented
natural size in the cut. Fig. 140.

62929. This disk is somewhat more convex on the front than is indicated
in the engraving. It is 2-1/2 inches in diameter, and is quite thin
and fragile, although the surface has not suffered much from decay.
The margin is ornamented with twenty-four very neatly-made notches or
scallops. Immediately inside the border on the convex side are two
incised circles, on the 3 outer of which two small perforations for
suspension have been made; inside of these, and less than half an inch
from the margin, is a circle of seventeen subtriangular perforations,
the inner angle of each being much rounded. Inside of this again is
another incised circle, about 1-1/4 inches in diameter, which incloses
the highly conventionalized figure of an insect resembling a spider.
The middle segment of the body is nearly round and has near the center
a large conical perforation. This round portion corresponds to the
thorax of the insect and has four pairs of legs attached to it. It is
difficult to distinguish the anterior and posterior extremities of the
body. It is probable that the subtriangular figure below is intended
for the head, as the two circles with central dots are good
representations of eyes. Fig. 141.

ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.

62910, 62911, 62912. A number of bone implements, including needles,
perforators, and paddle-shaped objects, found with the skeletons in
the mound.

COLLECTIONS FROM MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, ARKANSAS.

PEMISSCOTT MOUND.

On Pemisscott Bayou, 22 miles northwest of Osceola, on the farm of Samuel Hector, is a mound 20 feet in height, with a surface area of about one-fourth of an acre. The sides have been dug into extensively, but the central part remained untouched. It was composed of sand and bluish clay, but contained no remains of interest. It is stated by the proprietor that formerly there were three circular ditches extending around the slopes of the mound. When the surface of the mound was first plowed quantities of charcoal and potsherds were found.

CHICKASAWBA MOUND.

This mound is situated at Chickasawba Village, 24 miles north of Osceola. It is 25 feet high, and covers an area of one-fourth of an acre.

Collectors had already done much work on this mound, but obtained little or nothing. The owner does not wish it disturbed further. A field of several acres near by abounds in fragments of pottery, stone implements, and the remains of houses and camp-fires.

The field contained originally many small mounds or heaps, which were probably the sites of houses. In a number of cases skeletons have been found beneath these heaps.

MOUNDS IN CARSON LAKE TOWNSHIP.

In Carson Lake township, 6 miles southwest of Osceola, on the farm of Hugh Walker, are three mounds, which were much disturbed by the earthquake that visited the New Madrid district in 1811.

The first one inspected is 59 feet wide by 75 feet long, but exhibits no evidence of having been a dwelling or burial place.

The second mound is about 100 yards from the first, and is circular in outline, having two ridge-like projections from opposite sides. It is 20 feet in height, and about 23 feet across at the top. A number of recent interments have been made near the summit.

The third mound is 250 yards from the preceding, and is 6 feet high, 34 feet wide, and 35 feet long. Six skeletons were found in this mound. A stratum of ashes, charcoal, and burned clay was associated with them. One cranium and a few bones were collected.

63049. Burnt clay from the third mound just described.

63052. Fragment of a plain vase; interior, reddish; exterior,
yellowish-gray. Other fragments are of ordinary undecorated ware.

MOUNDS AT PECAN POINT.

On the land of R. W. Friend, 1 mile west of the Mississippi River, are two mounds. The one first examined is 5 feet high and 150 feet in circumference. The other is 4 feet high and 75 feet in circumference. Two skeletons were found near the surface of the latter mound.

Near these mounds is another, 4 feet high and 20 feet in diameter. Formerly this mound was covered with large trees, and the roots have penetrated the soil, causing much injury to the contents. It is the opinion of the collector that this mound, as well as many others of the same region, has been used as a dwelling site, and that when a death occurred the dwelling was burned down over the body. Before building again the site was covered with a few inches of earth. There was no uniformity in the position of the graves or their contents. The following objects were obtained from this mound:

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

63009. A jar-shaped vase, with low neck and much compressed body.
Height, 4 inches; width, 5-1/2 inches; surface, moderately smooth;
color, almost black.

63022. A jar similar to the preceding, but somewhat taller.

63046. A rather unusual form of bottle-shaped vase. The neck is narrow
and tapering. A fillet with finger indentations encircles the lip. The
base of the neck is also ornamented with a collar or fillet. The body
is globular, apparently a little pointed above. Whole height, 10-1/2
inches; width, 8 inches; color, gray.

63029. A small, large-necked vase, with globular body, and lip a little
recurved. The body is ornamented with a number of indentations,
probably made with the finger nail. Color, dark gray.

63008. A large, thick-bodied vase, modeled to represent a hunchbacked
human figure. The head is missing. It is 9 inches in width, and has
been about 12 inches in height. Ware of the ordinary dark variety.

62995. Fragments of steatite vessels which have been from 1 to 2 feet in
diameter. The walls about the rims were quite thin.

62959. A large clay pipe, found in the soil near the banks of the
Mississippi.

FIELD GRAVES AND FIELDS IN THE VICINITY OF PECAN POINT.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

63204. A large lot of arrow-points of yellow and gray jasper.

62966, 62976, 62979-62998, 63000-63006. Celts or knives made of jasper
and yellowish jaspery slate, which range from 2 to 5 inches in length,
and are less than 1 inch in width and half an inch in thickness. They
have been chipped into the desired shape, and finished by grinding off
the more prominent parts and producing in many eases sharp cutting
edges. A good example is shown in Fig. 142.

62965. A flat pebble, with rudely-made notches at the side.

62967, 62968, 62974. Fragments of celts.

62970. Yellowish jasper pebble, resembling a celt.

62000. Fragment of a long, chipped, knife-like implement, the
extremities of which are lost.

62975. Fragment of a steatite vessel.

62969, 62971. Sandstone pebbles.

62960. Hammer-stone, with conical points, made from a pebble of cherty
sandstone.

62962. Slightly grooved fragment of rubbing-stone.

62964. Flat pebble, slightly hollowed by use; a sort of shallow mortar.

62961. Fragment of a stone similar to the preceding.

62972. Fragment of concretionary iron ore, concave on one side.

62973. Red paint.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

A large number of very fine vessels of clay was presented by Dr. J. M. Lindsley. They were obtained from a field near Pecan Point, within half a mile of the Mississippi River. In the fields is a large mound which could not be opened on account of the crops. Years ago, when the timber was cleared from this field, many small elevations or hillocks were observed scattered irregularly over the surface. The plow has obliterated these, but has brought to light many evidences of ancient occupation, such as charcoal, ashes, burned clay, stone implements, and human bones.

63207. A large, beautifully-formed jar has received this number. The
neck is short and slender, and the rim slightly enlarged and recurved.
The body is full and symmetrical, but greatly compressed vertically,
the width being about twice the height. The ware is of the dark,
porous variety. Full height, 8 inches; width, 10 inches.

63010. A bottle-shaped jar or vase, with long neck and globular body.
The form is unusually graceful. Height is 10 inches. Diameter of body,
6-1/2 inches. This vessel is shown in Fig. 143.

63012. A well-formed jar, with plain neck and globular body. Seven and
one-half inches in height, and 8-1/2 in width.

63013. A medium sized, bottle-shaped vessel, of elegant proportions.
A rudimentary foot or stand is added to the bottom. Height, 8 inches.
Fig. 144.

63017. A small, much compressed, bottle-shaped vase. Height, 5 inches;
width, 6-1/2 inches.

63018. A bottle-shaped vase of reddish-gray color, resembling the
preceding in shape and size.

63019. A large, bottle-shaped vase, with long neck and subglobular body.
It is unique in having a stand or base which seems to have been added
after the body was somewhat hardened. This stand has been perforated
for ornament, as shown in Fig. 145. Height, 8 inches; diameter,
6 inches.

63011. A small vase, ornamented with a series of ribs, which extend
around the body from the neck to the base. This vessel is shown in
Fig. 146. It is in a fragmentary state. Height, 4-1/4 inches; width,
7 inches.

63016. A medium-sized vase with vertically compressed body. Height,
6 inches; diameter, 8-1/2 inches. Fig. 147.

63015. A plain bowl, with flattish bottom. Diameter, 9 inches; height
5 inches.

63014. A well-made jar or vase, with globular body, 6 inches in width
and 4-1/2 in height. The surface of the vessel is completely covered
with an irregular, bead-like ornamentation, made by pinching the soft
clay between the thumb and fingers. Fig. 148. Diameter 5-1/2 inches.

63020. A much compressed vase, 4-1/2 inches in height and 7-1/2 in
width. Four equi-distant protuberances are placed about the widest
part of the body and rudely imitate the extremities of some animal.

63021. A small, jar-like vase, with globular body, 6 inches in height,
and the same in diameter. The form is not quite symmetrical.

63022. A small vase, with large, high neck and much compressed body.
Height, 5-1/2 inches; width, 6-1/2 inches.

63023. A vase similar to the preceding.

63024. A medium-sized bowl, 7-1/2 inches in diameter and 3 inches in
height. The rim has an exterior ornament of thumb indentations.

63025. A small, rudely-constructed jar, 4 inches in height and 4-1/2 in
width.

63026. A jar having a high, wide neck, and small, globular body. The
bottom is flat. Height, 5 inches; width, 4-1/2 inches.

63027. A small, rudely-constructed cup, of a reddish color. Height,
1 inch; width, 1-1/2 inches.

63045. A small, rudely-finished vase, with high, wide neck and short
pedestal. The globular body is embellished with an encircling band of
scroll-work of incised lines. The scrolls are bordered by triangular
wings filled with reticulated lines, as shown in Fig. 149; height,
4-3/4 inches. Nos. 63113, 63026, and 63099 are plain vessels of
similar form.

Additional numbers have been given to numerous fragments from this locality.

COLLECTION FROM ARKANSAS COUNTY.

MOUNDS AT ARKANSAS POST.

A group of well-known mounds is situated on the farm of the late Frank Menard, 8 miles south-east of the village of Arkansas Post.

The largest mound is 965 feet in circumference at the top and considerably larger at the base. The slopes are covered with trees and bushes.

This mound had already been dug into quite extensively, and it was thought useless to explore it further. Connected with this mound by a ridge of earth 300 feet long and 20 feet across, is a small circular mound, 15 feet high and 45 feet in diameter, which bore evidence of having been occupied by houses.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

Near the middle of the connecting ridge, just under the soil, a layer of burnt clay, about 5 or 6 feet in diameter, was found. At one side, imbedded in the _debris_ of clay, a large quantity of fragments of earthen vessels was discovered. They comprise a number of bowls of various sizes, which are all quite new-looking, and are of a type of ware quite distinct from that found in the fields and graves of the same locality. Restorations of a large number have been made, and the collection proves to be extremely interesting.

The collector argues, from the position of the fragmentary vessels, that they had been placed by their owners upon the roof of the house, which, he surmises, was destroyed by fire.

63040, 63034, 63170, 63421, 65412, 65409, 65422, 65405. Plain bowls of
yellowish-gray ware, restored from fragments described above. They are
wide and shallow, and somewhat conical below; hand-made, and without
polish. Composed of clay, tempered with pulverized shell. The walls
are usually quite thin. Diameter 10 to 13 inches. Height 3 to 6
inches.

63039, 63033, 63041-63043, 64045, 65406, 65401-65403, 65415,-65417,
65408, 65410. Bowls corresponding in general character to those
described above, but having tasteful designs of incised lines and
indentations on the exterior surface. The most interesting of these
designs consists of series of interlaced or of festooned lines. The
exterior margin is encircled, in all cases, by ornaments consisting
of parallel lines, groups of short incised lines, or rows of
indentations.

The principal design encircles the body beneath this, as shown in Figs. 150 and 151.

63037, 63038, 63416. Bowls similar to the above having interior
decorations consisting of curved lines.

63035, 63099, 65404, 65411, 65413, 65414, 65418-65420, 65423. Bowls
corresponding to the above in general characters, but having flaring
rims. They are mostly plain. A few have decorative designs of incised
lines. Some have been blackened by use as cooking vessels.

FIELD GRAVES NEAR MENARD MOUND.

Surrounding the Menard mound is a field containing about twenty acres, which appears at one time to have been the site of a great number of dwellings, as, at a depth of from 1 to 2 feet, layers of burned clay are found. This field seems also to have been a great cemetery, as the remains of skeletons are found in great numbers.

Pottery is found in great abundance. It has, as a rule, been deposited near the heads of the dead, but no ornaments or implements have been discovered with the remains. The frequent plowing of the field has destroyed many earthen vessels, the interments having been made quite near the surface. It is a noticeable fact that the pottery from these graves is of a character quite distinct from that of the mound. It is of the class of ware so common in this region.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

63129, 63122, 63150. Arrow-points, spear-points, and knives of
chalcedony, jasper, and quartz.

63132. Celt or chisel of Mack slate, 2-1/2 inches long, and 1-1/4 wide
at the wider end.

63133. Celt of gray diorite. The blade is quite smooth; the upper part
is roughened. Length, 3 inches. Width, 1-1/2 inches. Thickness,
1 inch.

63134. Celt of yellow limestone, 2-1/2 inches long, and 1-1/2 inches
wide.

63135. A two-edged celt of gray quartzite, 2-1/4 inches long, and
three-fourths of an inch wide.

63136. Celt of yellowish-gray jasper, chipped, and afterwards partially
smoothed by grinding. Four and one-half inches long, and 1-1/2 inches
wide.

63137. Celt very similar to the preceding.

63138. Celt of dark-gray slate; edge nicely sharpened. Lower part
smooth, upper part rough; 4-1/2 inches long, 1-1/2 inches wide, and
nearly 1 inch thick.

63123. Fragment of a large celt, with conical apex.

63124. A hammer-stone.

63131. A pebble of coarse sandstone, resembling a celt in shape.

63127. A quartz pebble, probably used as a polishing-stone.

63139. A boat-shaped implement of speckled volcanic rock, 3 inches long,
1 inch wide, and three-fourths of an inch thick at the middle part.

63140. An implement of grayish-red sandstone similar to the above in
size and shape. The ends are slightly squared.

63126. A small disk of gray quartzite, having a shallow circular
depression in each face.

63128. A pendant of gray slate, somewhat pear-shaped in outline,
1-1/2 inches in diameter, and one-eighth of an inch thick. Near the
pointed end, a neat, biconical perforation has been made.

63121. An implement or ceremonial stone of ferruginous slate, possibly a
clay iron-stone, or limonite. It has a hatchet-like outline, the blade
being semicircular, and the upper part elongated and narrow. A large
biconical perforation has been made near the center of the implement;
a smaller one, as if for suspension, at the upper end. It is 6-1/4
inches long, 5-1/2 inches wide, and three-fourths of an inch thick.
Fig. 152.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

63113. A small reddish cup or vase. The rim is low and wide and is
ornamented with four ears placed at regular intervals on the exterior
surface. Two of these are pierced as if for the insertion of a string.
Height, 3 inches. Width, 5 inches. Fig. 153.

63111. A small bottle-shaped vase. The surface has been painted red.
Height, 4 inches. Width, 3-1/2 inches. Fig. 154.

63091. A small globular vase, with low neck of medium width, which has
an ornament consisting of a band of clay, slightly raised and indented
with oblique lines. Yellowish-gray ware with dark stains. Height,
6 inches.

63108. A low bottle-shaped vase, of yellowish ware, with flaring rim and
somewhat flattened body. Height, 5 inches; width 5 inches. Fig. 155.

63098. A well-made bottle shaped vase, with low neck and globular body,
somewhat conical above. Color dark brownish. 7-1/2 inches in height.
Shown in Fig. 156.

63090. Fragments of vases corresponding in characters to the preceding.
One example has been painted red.

63110. A small bottle-shaped vase of red ware. Height 6 inches, width
5-1/2 inches.

63102. The body of a small bottle-shaped vase, much flattened, the
outline being quite angular at the most expanded part. Yellowish-gray
in color and without polish. There are indications that a design in
red has ornamented the body. Width 4 inches.

63092. The body of a small bottle-shaped vase, globular in form. Surface
painted red and unusually well polished. Diameter 4-1/2 inches.

63100. Neck and upper part of body of a vase resembling in form and
color the example last described.

63120. A handsome bottle-shaped vase with flaring lip. The neck widens
toward the base. The body is almost globular, being slightly pointed
above, and expanded along the equatorial belt. The surface is only
moderately smooth. The body is ornamented with a very handsome design
of incised lines, which consists of a scroll pattern, divided into
four sections by perpendicular lines. The design covers the upper part
of the body, the lower part being plain. Height, 9-1/2 inches.
Fig. 157.

63112. A bottle-shaped vessel of dark, rudely finished ware. The body is
modeled to represent a fish, the mouth and eyes appearing on one side,
and the tail upon the other. Width 3-1/4 inches. Fig. 158.

63114, 63117. Two small vessels with globular bodies, which have a
curious resemblance to an ordinary tea-pot. A spout has, in each case,
been added to the side of the body. Figs. 159 and 160 show these
vessels on a scale of one-half.

63115. An oblong, shallow basin. Wide, flat handles have been added to
the rim at the ends of the vessel; one of these is pierced. Length
8-3/4 inches, width 4 inches, depth 2 inches. Color dark gray.
Fig. 161.

63103, 63101, 63169, 63176, 63116, 63199, 63098. Plain bowls of ordinary
composition and appearance. Fig. 162 is a good example. Diameter
9 inches.

63096. A handsome bowl of dark ware. The body is ornamented with an
incised design, which consists of a somewhat disconnected running
scroll. The bottom, is flat. Diameter 8-1/4 inches. Fig. 163.

63109. A bowl of dark porous ware, very nicely made. The rim is
ornamented at one side with a grotesque head, representing some wild
animal, probably a panther. The ornament on the opposite side takes
the place of the tail of the animal. Diameter of bowl 8 inches.
Fig. 164.

63028, 63046. Fragments of many vessels, chiefly of black porous ware,
among which are a number of handles representing the heads of birds
and quadrupeds, also the fragments of a vessel which restored give the
vase shown in Fig. 165. The designs are red on a yellowish ground.
Diameter 5-1/2 inches.

63107. A large vase modeled to represent a grotesque human figure. It
is painted with designs in red and white, the ground color being a
reddish yellow. The figure has a kneeling posture. The hands are
upraised against the shoulders, with palms turned forward. Height,
10-1/2 inches; width of shoulders, 8 inches. Fig. 166.

63090, 63054, 63095. Fragments of pottery having incised designs,
similar to the dark ware already described. A few of these fragments
have been worked into rude disks.

OBJECTS OF METAL.

62048. A thin plate of copper, probably intended for a pendent ornament,
as two perforations have been made at one end. It is rectangular in
outline, and has suffered much from corrosion.

63113. A fragment of galena ore.

ANIMAL SUBSTANCES.

63142. Fragment of a needle-like perforator. A conical perforation has
been made toward the larger end. The point has been lost.

63047. A cubical fragment of bone, the sides of which have been squared
by cutting or grinding.

COLLECTION FROM MONROE COUNTY, ARKANSAS.

MOUND AT LAWRENCEVILLE.

On the farm of Daniel Thompson, near Lawrenceville, the remains of ancient habitations are of frequent occurrence.

The fields have been cultivated for many years. In one case a bed of clay 8 inches thick, and covering an area of many hundred feet, was discovered near the surface; this is supposed to be the remains of the roof of a house. Associated with it were a number of objects, among which were five very interesting specimens of pottery.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

63151. A large bottle-shaped vase of red and white ware. The upper part
of the neck is lost. The body is encircled by an ornamental design in
white, upon a red ground, which resembles a rudely drawn Greek fret.
The diameter of the body is 9 inches; the height has been 11 or 12
inches.

63152. A fine bottle-shaped vase, resembling the preceding; very
handsome, and in a remarkably good state of preservation. It also has
a design in red and white. The original color of the vase has been a
dull reddish yellow. The neck is red, the body is ornamented with four
red and four white figures, which extend from the neck to the base of
the vessel. These belts of color are separated by bands of the
ground-color of the vessel. Height 12 inches. Fig. 167.

63153. A small rude cup of gray clay, without decoration. Diameter
4 inches.

63154. An egg-shaped vessel, made in imitation of a gourd. The mouth of
this vessel is a small round opening on the side, near the pointed
end. The base is somewhat flattened. Height 5 inches. Fig. 168.

63155. A minute cup, 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The rim is encircled by a
series of rude notches.

MOUNDS AT INDIAN BAY.

A large mound 30 feet high and 250 feet long is located on the farm of Mr. A. Spencer, near Indian Bay. Our collector, however, could not obtain permission to examine it. At the edge of Indian Bay corporation is another large mound, used as a cemetery by the white residents. In a field near by were two small mounds about 3 feet in height and 30 feet in circumference. In one of these, two feet beneath the surface, a skeleton was found, near the head of which three earthen vessels had been placed. From the other small mound a very interesting collection of pottery was procured, much of which was in a fragmentary condition. From these fragments a number of vessels have been reconstructed. These are given in the following list:

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

63046. A bottle-shaped vase of dart, grayish-brown ware. The neck is
quite high and slender, and the body globular--a little elongated
above. The rim and collar are ornamented with incised notches. Height,
10 inches.

63171. A large symmetrically shaped vase or jug of a grayish yellow
color. Restored from fragments. The body of the jug is globular, the
neck slightly flaring, the rim being notched on the outer edge. The
ware is coarse and rough. Height, 10-1/2 inches.

63156, 63163, 63164, 63173, 63174. Fragments of vessels similar to that
last described.

63191. A low wide-mouthed vase of dark gray compact ware. The neck is
decorated by two series of lines, which cross and recross the neck
in such a manner as to form diamond-shaped figures. They are deeply
incised. The rim is notched, and has three small nodes on the outer
margin. The body is covered with an ornament produced by pinching the
clay while in a soft state. Height, 6-1/2 inches; diameter, 9 inches.

63159. A very large wide-mouthed vase, the body of which is conical
below. The rim and neck are ornamented in a manner very similar to the
one last described. Height, 16 inches; diameter, 19 inches. Fig. 169.

63028, 63029, 63030, 63164, 63166, 63167. Fragments of vessels similar
to the one last described.

63192, 63195, 63196. Three small vessels restored from fragments; two of
these resemble deep bowls with flaring rims. The lip is notched on the
outer margin. The other has an upright, slightly constricted neck,
ornamented with a band of rude indentations. Diameter, 6-3/4 inches.
Fig. 170.

63161. A shallow bowl of yellowish gray ware, ornamented with irregular
notches about the rim. Diameter, 9 inches.

63197, 63162, 63185. Bowls similar to the preceding.

63194, 63160, 63168. Large bowls with flaring rims.

63176. A very deep bowl. Fragmentary.

63189. A large, handled cup or ladle of yellowish clay. The bowl part
is 6 inches in diameter. The extremity of the handle has been lost.
Fig. 171.

63157, 63,158. Large portions of the bodies of two vessels of unusual
shape.

COLLECTION FROM OHIO.

FROM MOUNDS AND FIELDS.

During the year 1881 small collections of stone implements and articles of pottery were forwarded to the Bureau by Dr. Wills De Haas.

Most of these are, however, without record, excepting of the most general character.

The majority appear to have been obtained from Warren County, at or in the vicinity of Fort Ancient.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

65613. Spear points or knives of gray chalcedony. Three are very sharply
pointed, and have probably been used as perforators. Average width
1 inch, average length 2-1/2 inches.

65615. Lot of rudely chipped arrow or spear points of grayish,
chalcedony. Notches quite shallow.

65616. A lot of medium-sized, rather heavy arrow points of gray
chalcedony.

65617. Lot of neatly shaped, deeply notched spear and arrow points,
averaging about 1 inch in width, and ranging from 2 to 3 inches in
length. Made of gray chalcedony.

65618. Lot of arrow points, spear points, and knives of various sizes
and shapes. Material same as the preceding.

65619. Lot of rudely finished knives and spear points, mostly wide and
heavy, some being almost circular in outline. Material same as the
preceding.

65620. Lot of large knives and spear points of variously colored
chalcedony.

65621. Knives and flakes of chalcedony.

65722. Large lot of long, triangular knives or spear points, made of
gray and reddish mottled chalcedony. They average about 2-1/2 inches
in length, and 1-1/2 in width.

65623. Large lot of flakes and fragments of gray and dark chalcedony or
flint, left from the manufacture of implements.

65434-65451. Celts and fragments of celts of greatly varied size and
shape, made of a grayish, speckled rock, resembling diorite.

65429-65430, 65431. Medium-sized, grooved axes-of ordinary forms. One is
made of diorite (?), the others of gray rock resembling sandstone.

65426-65428. Very large grooved axes of greenish diorite (?). The
largest is 9-1/2 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 3 inches thick.

65450. Short, heavy pestles with broad bases and conical tops, made of
gray diorite or sandstone. Diameter of bases from 2-1/2 to 4 inches.
Height from 3 to 6 inches.

65448. A long, heavy, cylindrical pestle.

65464-65492. Bound, oblong, and flattish pebbles, comprising several
varieties of stone, used as hammer-stones, nut-crackers, &c., varying
from 1 to 6 inches in diameter. The sides of many are flattened or
hollowed out by use.

65463. Fragment of cup stone, made of coarse sandstone. On one side two
cavities remain; on the other, three. These are about 1-1/4 inches in
diameter, and about one-half an inch in depth.

65449. A grooved stone implement, made from a large pebble of coarse
gray stone. The groove about the middle has evidently been made for
attaching a handle. The upper lobe has been considerably reduced by
picking, and the base, which would correspond to the edge of an ax,
has been worked quite flat. Length of lower part 4-1/2 inches. Height
of implement 3 inches.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

65484. A number of small fragments of pottery of ordinary varieties.

COLLECTION FROM OREGON.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

The following articles were forwarded to the Bureau from John Day River, Oregon, by Captain Bendire:

64102-64113. Arrow-points, knives, and flakes of obsidian, agate, etc.,
from Indian graves on John Day River.

64125-64139. Fragments of stone implements, including celts, cylindrical
pestles, etc., mostly of compact, eruptive rock.

64127. Pipe of gray sandstone, shaped very much like an ordinary
straight cigar-holder; 3 inches long, and 1 inch in diameter at the
larger end. Obtained from an Indian grave on John Day River.

64126. Fragment of a pipe-stem (?) made of soft black stone, apparently
a chloritic slate. A very neat, ornamental design has been engraved
upon the cylindrical stem.

64129. Fragment of an ornament carved from greenish sandstone.

COLLECTIONS FROM KENTUCKY.

A small collection of ancient relics, obtained from caves in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, was presented to the Bureau by Mr. Francis Klett.

With this collection were a number of articles of stone, some of which were probably obtained from the fields of the same region.

87276. Fragments of gourds.

87277. Two very beautifully knit or plaited sandals. The fiber used has
probably been obtained from the inner bark of trees. The combination
of threads is shown in Fig. 172. A small piece of matting from the
same place is shown in Fig. 173.

27278. Two bundles of charred sticks and reeds.

27280-27283. Spearheads of chert or flint.

27284. Stone knife.

27285. Flake knife.

27286. Small spearheads.

27287. Flint knife.

27288. Arrow heads.

27289. Same; small and thin.

27290-27293. Stone awls or perforators.

27294. Leaden bullet.

27295. Pieces of pottery.

COLLECTIONS FROM MISSOURI.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

A fine collection of earthen vessels was purchased for the Bureau from Mr. J. T. Gouden, of Morrow, Ohio, through the agency of Dr. Wills De Haas.

Few facts in regard to them have been furnished, excepting that they were taken from graves in the vicinity of Charleston, Mo. They resemble so closely the well-known types of Missouri pottery that it is safe to conclude that they were obtained from ancient graves and mounds in the locality named.

The numerous cuts accompanying this section are intended for subsequent use in a general treatise on the works of the Moundbuilders.

This ware is generally of the dark gray or black variety, handsmoothed, or but slightly polished, and tempered with pulverized shells.

A few examples are yellowish-red in color. Some of these have been painted red or have been ornamented with designs in red. In one case white paint has been used.

The prevailing form is a bottle-shaped vessel, the neck being frequently high and slender, and the body globular or subglobular. The base is nearly always slightly flattened.

65556. An effigy vase of unusual form. The body is subrectangular.
The upper part or neck is lost, but has doubtless been modeled to
represent the human figure, as the feet remain attached to the
shoulder of the vessel. The color is yellowish gray. Diameter,
5 inches. Fig. 174.

65603. An effigy vase of the dark ware. The body is globular. A kneeling
human figure forms the neck. The mouth of the vessel occurs at the
back of the head--a rule in this class of vessels. Is is finely made
and symmetrical. 9-3/4 inches high and 7 inches in diameter. Fig. 175.

65595. Effigy vase representing a kneeling or squatting human figure,
moderately well modeled. The exterior surface is painted red. Height,
7 inches; diameter, 5 inches. The locality is not known with
certainty.

65604-65607, 65611, 65612. Effigy vases of human figures. Sizes, medium
to small. The body below the waist is hemispherical, and the legs are
not indicated. Fig. 176.

65597. Effigy vase, representing an owl. The body is globular. The wings
are indicated at the sides, and the legs and tail serve as a tripod
when the vessel is placed in an upright position. The head is quite
grotesque. This is a usual form in the Middle Mississippi district.
Height, 8 inches; width, 5-1/2 inches.

65608. Small example, resembling the preceding.

65601, 65596. Vases with globular bodies; the necks represent an owl's
head. Size, medium.

65605. A small vase similar to the above, but having a human head.

65558. A minute vessel modeled to represent a bird, the opening or mouth
being on the under side of the body; length, 2 inches. Fig. 177.

65599, 65602, 65604, 65610. Bottle-shaped vases, with globular or
flattish bodies and grotesque tops. The rounded heads are armed with
a number of nodes or horns, but no features are shown. The largest is
7 inches in width by 7 in height. Fig. 178.

65598. Similar vase of medium size. The top is modeled to represent the
curved stem and neck of a gourd. Fig. 179. Height 7 inches.

65600. Vase similar to the above. The top representing a gourd with
short conical neck. Four lines are drawn from the stem down the sides
which represent the natural markings of the gourd. Height, 5-1/2
inches; diameter, 5-1/2 inches.

65555. A two-storied vessel, the lower part being a cup of flattened
globular form. The upper part is similar in size and shape, but is
modeled to represent a univalve shell, the apex being represented by a
large node surrounded by six smaller nodes, and the base or spine by a
graceful extension of the rim. The groove or depression that encircles
the vessel between the upper and lower parts of the body is spanned by
two minute handles. Height, 5 inches; width, 4-1/2. Fig. 180.

65543, 65551, 65552, 65554, 65573. Small bowls or cups, made in
imitation of shell vessels, the noded apex occurring at one side, and
the more or less pointed beak at the opposite side Fig. 181. Another
similar specimen with hemispherical body is given in Fig. 182. Length,
6 inches.

65542, 65545, 65550. Small vases with wide mouths, the rim and shoulders
of which have the heads and extremities of frogs, modeled in relief.
Fig. 183. Diameter, 6 inches.

65539, 65541, 65544, 65546. Low, wide-mouthed vases or bowls, modeled
about the rim to represent sunfish. A vertical view is given in
Fig. 184. 5 inches in length.

65579. A small bowl, the rim of which is embellished on one side with
the head of a panther, on the other side a flattish projection which
resembles a tail.

65580. A small bowl, having upon the rim a human head, the face of
which is turned inward. On the opposite side is the usual flattish
projection. Fig. 185. Diameter of bowl 5 inches.

65578. Small bowl, the rim of which is embellished with the head of a
fox or wolf; at the opposite side is the usual tail.

65576, 65577, 65581, 65585. Bowls of various sizes, the rims of which
are ornamented with the heads and tails of birds. No. 65576 is an
unusually fine example. Besides the features described it has been
farther embellished by four incised lines which encircle the rim,
forming a loop on the opposite sides as seen in Fig. 186. Bowl
9 inches in diameter.

65553. Small bowl, the rim of which has been embellished by four pairs
of nodes. Fig. 187. Diameter, 6 inches.

65547. A small globular cup of dark ware which has four large nodes
about the rim, Between these on the sides of the vessel, four
ornamental figures have been painted in red, these consist of an
inner circle occupied by a cross, and an exterior circle of rays or
scallops. Height, 2-1/2 inches; width, 3-1/2 inches.

The rim has been perforated for the purpose of suspension. Fig. 188.

65487, 65512, 65514, 65519, 65521, 65523, 65525, 65531. Bottle-shaped
vases. The bodies are generally globular. A few are conical above,
while others are much compressed vertically. Some are slightly ridged
about the greatest circumference, while all are slightly flattened on
the bottom. The necks are slender and long, being about equal to the
body in height. They are generally narrowest in the middle, expanding
trumpet-like toward the mouth, and widening more or less abruptly
toward the shoulder below. In a few cases a ridge or collar encircles
the base of the neck. The exterior surface is generally quite smooth,
but never polished, although a polishing implement seems to have been
used.

The largest is 9 inches in height and 7 inches in diameter. No. 65501 has a very tasteful incised design, encircling the shoulder as shown in Fig. 189. Diameter 6-1/2 inches.

65520. Vase similar to the above in form, but with the addition of a
base or stand, 1 inch high and 3 inches in diameter at the base.

65486. Same, with the base divided into three parts, forming a kind of
tripod, the legs being flat. Fig. 190. Height, 9 inches.

65513, 65526, 65530, 65532, 65539. Bottle or jug shaped vases,
resembling the preceding, but having wide, short necks. Fig. 191
illustrates a typical form. Height, 4-1/4 inches.

65485. A vase similar to the above, but of yellowish gray ware,
decorated with a design in broad red and white lines. Height,
6 inches; width, 6 inches. Height of neck, 2 inches; width, 3 inches.

65538. Similar to the above in shape, but with flattish body, and
peculiar in having two small handles or ears at the base of the neck.
Fig. 192. Diameter, 5 inches.

65548, 65561, 65562, 65564, 65569. Small caps, with low, wide necks,
and globular or subglobular bodies, having two handles or ears which
connect the lip with the shoulder.

65572. A cup like the above, with four handles.

65563, 65565, 65568. Small cups similar to the preceding, but having a
variety of indented ornaments about the shoulder and upper part of the
body; these ornaments consist of wide vertical lines, or of encircling
scalloped lines. Figs. 193 and 194. Diameter of each, 4-1/2 inches.

65570. Has six nodes about the circumference, and a scalloped figure of
three incised lines encircling the vessel above them. The handles have
oblique incised lines upon the outer surface.

65588, 65590. Bowls with scalloped rims. The largest is 9 inches in
diameter and 3 inches in height. Fig. 195.

65574, 65575, 65586, 65587, 65591, 65593. Plain bowls, of various sizes,
and somewhat varied shapes. Figs. 196 and 197. Drawn one-half the real
size.

COLLECTIONS FROM OTHER STATES.

65447. Stone implement of unusual form. It may be described as a
flattish cylinder tapering slightly toward the ends, which are
truncated. In one end a hole has been bored one-half an inch in
diameter and three-fourths of an inch deep. A narrow, shallow groove
encircles the implement near the middle. The material is a grayish
slate. The form is symmetrical and the surface quite smooth.

Found upon the surface in Hamilton County, Indiana.

65353. A copper knife or poinard, with bent point. Found by Edward
Daniels while digging a cellar at Ripon, Wis.

65352. A handsome vase, shaped like a bowl with incurved rim, obtained
from a mound on the farm of A. C. Zachary, in Morgan County, Georgia.
The incurved surface above has an ornamental design of incised lines
resembling the Greek fret. The most expanded portion of the vessel is
encircled by a raised band, which is neatly ornamented with notches.
The lower part of the body is shaped like a bowl with a flattened
base. Diameter 9-1/2 inches. Presented by J. C. C. Blackburn.

COLLECTION FROM PERU, SOUTH AMERICA.

A number of interesting articles were presented by Mr. G. H. Hurlbut. These were obtained from ancient graves in the vicinity of Lima by an agent sent out for the purpose by Mr. Hurlbut while the city was invested by the Chilian army. Details of their occurrence were consequently not obtained.

A study of this collection leads to the belief that all the specimens are from one interment, that is, the grave of a single individual. The fact that there is but one skull, one mask-like idol, and but a small number of articles of each, of the classes represented, tends to confirm this supposition.

65377. Skull retaining the scalp and hair. The latter is long, coarse,
and black. The lower jaw is missing.

65376. A mask-like wooden figure, the face being somewhat above
life-size. Fig. 198. It is of a form not unusual in Peruvian graves.
The features are fairly well shown. The eyes are formed by excavating
oval depressions and setting in pieces of shell. First, oval pieces
of white clam-shell are inserted, which represent the whites of
the eye; upon these small circular bits of dark shell are cemented,
representing the pupils. Locks of hair have been set in beneath the
shell, the ends of which project, forming the lashes of the eye.

The back head is formed by a neatly-rounded bundle of leaves, held in place by a net-work of coarse cord. The edges of the wooden mask are perforated in several places; by means of these the back head, some long locks of fine flax which serve as hair, and a number of other articles have been attached.

Upon the crown a large bunch of brilliantly colored feathers has been fixed; behind this, extending across the top of the head, is a long pouch of coarse white cloth in which a great number of articles have been placed--little packages of beans and seeds, rolls of cloth of different colors and textures, minute bundles of wool and flax and cords, bits of copper and earth carefully wrapped in husks, bundles of feathers, etc.