Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Getty Research Institute https://archive.org/details/cahokiasurroundiOObush PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY HARVARD UNIVERSITY PAPERS VOLUME III Cambridge, Mass. Published by the Museum 1904-1913 CONTENTS 1. The Cahokia and Surrounding Mound Groups. By D. I. Bushnell, Jr. May, 1904. Introductory Note by D. I. Bushnell, Jr. 3 Cahokia Group. 5 St. Louis Group. 12 Mounds in Forest Park. 13 Mound Group near Long Lake. 16 Objects discovered. 18 Bluffs east of Cahokia. 19 Cahokias and Tamaoas. 19 2. Exploration of Mounds, Coahoma Co., Mississippi. By Charles Peabody. June, 1904. Introductory Note by Charles Peabody. 23 Dorr Mound. 23 Edwards Mound. 25 Strata. 29 Holes. 32 Burials. 34 Objects found. 37 Articles of clay. 38 Articles of stone. 40 Shell. 46 Miscellaneous. 47 Bones of Animals. 51 Conclusions. 51 Appendix I. Human Bones. By W. C. Farabee. 52 Appendix II. The Copiah County Wall. 56 Description of plates. 57 3. Inheritance of Digital Malformations in Man. By W. C. Farabee. March, 1905. Editorial Note by F. W. Putnam. 67 Inheritance of digital malformation in Man. 69 Table I. Length of Metacarpals and Phalanges. 70 Table II. Measurements. Male and Female. 72 Heredity . 73 iii IV CONTENTS Table III. Order of birth and sex. 74 Table IV. Sex relations. 75 Table V. Genealogy of the Abnormals.(opposite) 76 Table VI. Normals and Abnormals. “ 76 4. The Mandans. A Study of their Culture, Archaeology and Language. By' G. F. Will and H. J. Spinden. August, 1906. Editorial Note by F. W. Putnam. 81 Preface. 83 The Mandans. 85 Section I. History, Life and Customs . 97 Physical Characteristics.101 Villages.103 Houses.106 Dress.110 Weapons .112 Manufactures.113 Agriculture .117 Hunting and Fishing.120 War .122 Games .124 Miscellaneous.126 Social Organization.129 Religion.132 Mythology.138 Ceremonials.143 Burials.145 Section II. Archaeology.148 Mounds.152 Cache Pits.157 House Sites.158 Stone.163 Copper.168 Bone.168 Pottery.173 Vegetable Remains.179 Animal Bones.182 Burial and Human Remains.183 Section III. Language.188 Phonetics.189 Euphonic Changes.190 The Root.190 Reduplication.191 Inflection of the Noun .191 PAPERS PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMEEIOAN AEOHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HAEYAED UNIVEESITY Vol. III.—No. 1 THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS D. I. BUSHNELL, Jr. Assistant in Archaeology, Peabody Museum WITH FIVE PLATES, MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT Published by the Museum Cambridge, Mass. May, 1904. PUBLICATIONS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY PAPERS. 8vo. VOLUME 1.—Number 1. STANDARD OR HEAD-DRESS?—An his¬ torical essay on a relic of Ancient Mexico. By Zelia Nutt all. 52 pages and 3 colored plates. 18s8. $1.00. Number 2. THE KARANKAWA INDIANS, the coast people of texas.— By Albert S. Gatschet, with notes by C. A. Hammond and Alice W. Oliver, and a vocabulary obtained from Alice W. Oliver. 104 pages with map. 1891. $1.00. Number 3. THE ATLATL OR SPEAR-THROWER OF THE AN¬ CIENT MEXICANS.—By Zelia Nutt all. 36 pages and 3 plates. 1891. 50 cents. Number 4. REPORT UPON PILE STRUCTURES IN NAAMAN’S CREEK, NEAR CLAYMONT, DELAWARE.— By Hilborne T. Cres- son. 24 pages and 10 illustrations. 1892. 30 cents. Number 5. A STUDY OF OMAHA INDIAN MUSIC; including transcriptions of 92 songs, words and music. —By Alice C. Fletcher, aided by Francis La Flkschk. With a Report on the Structural Peculiarities of the Music, by John Comfort Fillmore. 152 pages. 1893. $1.25. Number 6. PREHISTORIC BURIAL PLACES IN MAINE.—By C. C. Willoughby. 52 pages, 4 plates, 50 illustrations in text. 1898. $ 1 . 00 . Number 7. [Completing volume I, to be printed.] VOLUME II. —THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OLD AND NEW WORLD CIVILIZATION. — By Zellv Nuttall. 602 pages, 7 plates, 73 illustrations in text, and Index. 1901. $3.00 in paper, $3.50 in cloth. VOLUME III.—Number 1. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS.—By D. I. Bushnell, Jr. 20 pages. 5 plates, map, and 7 text illustrations, 1904. 75 cents. Number 2. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, Coahoma County Mississippi. By Charles Peabody. 44 pages, 17 plates, 1904. $1.00. (See page 3 of cover.) PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Vol. III.— No. 1 THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS D. I. BUSHNELL, Jr. Assistant in Archaeology, Peabody Museum WITH FIVE PLATES, MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT Published by the Museum Cambridge, Mass. May, 1904. Copyright, 1904. By Peabody Museum of American Archaeology' and Ethnology, Harvard University. Salem IPress: The Salem Press Co., Salem, Mass. 1904. itTTY CENTER LIBRARY INTRODUCTORY NOTE. Near the geographical centre of the Mississippi Valley is the extensive group of large mounds surrounding the great terraced earthwork — the largest in the United States — to which the name “ Cahokia Mound” has been applied. The large number of mounds of unusual size which formerly stood on either side of the Mississippi, and the vast quantity of implements and utensils of prehistoric origin which have been discovered, mark that region as an important centre of population of the prehistoric tribes of the Mississippi Valley. At the present time many of the earthworks have been destroyed and others have been greatly modified by the plow. A few remain as originally constructed. In the following brief description of the important locality the attempt has been made to show the mounds in their original condition as they were when first seen by the European. D. I. Bushnkll, ,Tr. Cambridge, November 9, 1903. (3) b t 6 C r C C AMKRIOAN BOTTOM.' THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. CAHOKIA GROUP. Below the mouth of the Missouri river, for some fifty or sixty miles, the Mississippi is bordered on the east by a rich alluvial plain to which the name “ American Bottom ” is generally applied. The plain rises gradually as it leaves the river until it reaches the line of bluffs which forms its eastern boundary. In width from east to west it varies from one to eight or ten miles. At 38° 39' N. L.,— the location of the great mound group,— the bluffs are eight miles east of the Mississippi. The gradual rise of the plain, which is less than five feet to each mile, is not perceptible, conse¬ quently the surface appears flat and level. Scattered over the surface are many shallow lakes or ponds, some of considerable size, many of which, however, during the long dry season become stagnant pools. Several sluggish streams, one of the largest of which is known as Cahokia creek, flow from the bluffs and empty into the Mississippi. The soil is rich and fertile ; and it would be difficult to find, throughout the entire valley of the Mississippi, a more productive area. Along the watercourses and around the borders of the lakes are heavy growths of timber, with dense underbrush and masses of wild grapevines. The west bank of the river, unlike the lowland opposite, is a high limestone cliff which rises, in many places, to a height of sixty feet or more above the turbulent waters of the Mississippi. The country to the west of the river is high and rolling and was formerly, before the city of St. Louis occupied the site, heavily timbered. It is easily realized that this region was well adapted for the wants and requirements of the prehistoric inhabitants, since game, fish and wild-fowl furnished food, easily procured, and the num¬ erous watercourses and lakes made it possible to travel from place to place in the light draught canoe. (5) THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 6 Near the centre of the American Bottom, six miles distant from the river and just south of the Cahokia creek, is the largest prehis¬ toric monument of the Mississippi valley,—the great Cahokia mound. The main group (Map 1, A) which surrounds Cahokia consists of sixty-seven mounds, any one of which, if separate and not overshadowed by that immense truncated pyramid, would be considered a large mound. The area covered by the group is 1.8 miles from north to south and 1.75 miles from east to west. This area is represented by a model in the Peabody Museum. Extending from the Cahokia group, in a direction south of west, is a chain of large mounds which terminated in a group of smaller mounds near the bank of the Mississippi (Map 1, B). Across the river on the summit of the limestone bluff there formerly existed a group of twenty or more mounds all of which have been destroyed. The largest and most northerly of the group was removed in 1869 (Map 1, C). Five and one half miles west of the river, near the small River des Peres, there stood, until two years ago, two groups of small mounds (Map 1, E). Seven miles north of Cahokia there is a group of eleven mounds on the shore of Long Lake (Map 1, D). A short distance from the group are several isolated mounds of considerable size. On the bluffs to the west of the river and along the eastern boundary of the bottom, mounds also occur. Cahokia mound is the largest artificial earthwork in the United States. It is a truncated rectangular pyramid rising to a height of one hundred feet above the original surface. The dimensions of its base are: from north to south, 1080 feet, from east to west, 710 feet. The area of base is about 16 acres. Viewed from the east it appears regular in form and three terraces are clearly defined. Plate I shows this view of the mound. In the plan 1 (Fig. 1) of Cahokia the four terraces and the point which projects due south from the lowest terrace are clearly repre¬ sented. The lowest terrace, B on plan, is 500 feet from east to west and 200 feet from north to south. From the south face of that terrace, a point (A) having the appearance of a graded approach, projects due south for a distance of about 80 feet. The western side of this projection is slightly east of the middle of the mound. 1 Reduced from the plan in the Twelfth Annual Report of the Peabody Museum, page 472. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 7 The second terrace (C) is at the present time badly gullied and worn away (PI. II), which makes it difficult to ascertain the size or elevation. The next terrace (D) has an elevation of 97 feet above the original surface. Near the centre of that terrace there formerly stood a small conical mound 1 which was destroyed many From Model by Dr. Patrick (Peabody Musenm Report, Vol. II, p. 472). years ago when a house was built upon the site. The fourth terrace (E) is at the present time the most elevated part of the mound. Its greatest height is 100 feet above the plain, or 3 feet above the third terrace. Fig. 2. SECTION OF CAHOKIA FROM N. TO S. FROM THE EAST. The western line of the two upper terraces, extending from north to south (Fig. 2), passes nearly through the centre of the mound. 1 Featherstonhaugh. Excursions through the Slave States. N. Y., 1844. Pages 68, 67. THE CAITOKtA ANl) SURROUNDING WOUND GROUPS. 8 A modern driveway extending from the plain to the summit of the mound is shown on the plan. With the exception of the slopes from the lowest terrace— usually referred to as the “ apron ”— the sides are deeply gullied ; but at the present time a thick sod covers the greater portion of the surface and will prevent any further wash¬ ing away of this famous prehistoric work, unless it is again at¬ tacked by the destructive hand of man. The relative positions of the different mounds do not suggest that any rule was followed by their builders. They are scattered over the area apparently without regard to position or arrangement. Toward the east there is a suggestion of an enclosure made by the smaller mounds, but it is probable that this is due to the slightly THE CAIIOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 9 elevated natural terrace upon which they were erected. The rec¬ tangular mounds were built with their sides toward the cardinal points. The exact geographical location of Cahokia is N. L. 38° 39' 4" and W. L. 90° 3' 47", in Madison County, Illinois. Cahokia Mound has often been referred to as “Monk’s Mound” from the belief held by many that at one time a body of Trappist Monks occupied a building on its summit. In the year 1810a colony of Trappists settled in the vicinity of the large mound and there remained until 1813, when they were recalled to France. 1 When Brackenridge visited them during the fall of 1811 they were living in several cabins on one of the smaller mounds, 2 probably the one immediately southwest of Cahokia. In referring to the great mound he says: “The step or apron has been used as a kitchen garden.and the top is sowed with wheat.” 3 At the present time few of the mounds remain in their original condition. Many have been cultivated and plowed for more than fifty years, for which reason it is doubtful whether at the present time they average more than one-third their original height. It is even probable there were smaller mounds, all traces of which have disappeared. As it will not be possible to give a detailed description of all the mounds, the main group will be considered as a whole. With the exception of two or three smaller mounds of peculiar shape, the mounds forming the group are either conical or truncated rectan¬ gular pyramids. It is noteworthy that the larger mounds belong to the latter class, although some of the smaller, which at the present time appear circular, may have been rectangular before their surface was modified by the plow. At the present time it is impossible to ascertain the relative sizes of the different mounds as they were original^, but the fol¬ lowing dimensions of several will suffice to give an idea of the group. See Map of Cahokia Group (Fig. 3). Mound A. Rectangular. Elevation 25 feet. Dimensions of base, north to south 180 feet, east to west 200 feet. Mound B. Conical. Elevation 44 feet. Base 150 feet in diameter (PI. Ill, Fig. 1). 1 Letter dated Sept., 1903, from Fr. Obreclit, Abbey of Uethsemane, Trappist, Ky. 2 H. M. Brackenridge. Views of Louisiana. Pittsburg. 1814, p. 287. 3 Brackenridge, p. 188. 1U THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. Mound C. Rectangular truncated pyramid. Elevation 46 feet. Dimensions of base, north to south 160 feet, east to west 125 feet (PL IIT, Fig. 1). Mound D. Rectangular truncated pyramid. Elevation 40 feet. Dimensions of base, north to south 300 feet, east to west 250 feet. At the present time this mound is cultivated. Mound E. Rectangular. Elevation 25 feet. The southwest corner is a slightly elevated platform about 75 feet in diameter. Dimensions of base, north to south 240 feet, east to west 280 feet. Mound F. Circular. About 200 feet in diameter (PI. Ill, Fig. 2). An accurate survey of the entire group was made during the summer of 1875 or’76. The original map, based upon data se¬ cured at that time, is now in the Missouri Historical Society of St. Louis. 1 The model in the Peabody Museum was made from an exact copy of that map. The dimensions of the several mounds given above were also secured from the same source. It will therefore be seen that the measurements given were made nearly thirty years ago; but as those particular mounds, with the excep¬ tion of mound D, have thus far escaped destruction and have never been cultivated they remain to-day practically as they were then. The measurements made at that time will still apply and serve to give an idea of magnitude of the group before its destruction was begun Regarding the application of the name Cahokia to the group and to the great mound in particular, the following apt statement by Professor Putnam in 1879 is quoted from the Twelfth Annual Report of the Peabody Museum, p. 471. “While there is not the slightest evidence that the Cahokias of the time of La Salle were the builders of this, or of other mounds in the vicinity, it is a gratification to be able to perpetuate the name of an extinct tribe of American Indians, in connection with this monument of an unknown American nation, rather than that of a religious order of foreign origin.” One and sixth-tenths miles due west from Cahokia are four out¬ lying mounds of the group. One is rectangular having a rounded i A map of the Cahokia group was published by Wm. McAdams in “Antiquities of Cahokia” 1883. It was later copied, with slight variations, in the Twelfth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, p. 134. The map is not accurate in many of its details. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 11 FIG. 4. MOUNDS WHICH FORMERLY EXISTED IN ST. LOUIS. Drawn from Long’s notes made in 1819. Group C on Map 1. 12 THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. summit with a steep slope to the plain below. It is the most per¬ fect of the group, its base from east to west measures about 300 feet, and from north to south 150 feet. Its height is 45 feet. FI. IV, Fig. 1,shows this mound from the southeast. To the west and northwest of these mounds is an extensive swamp with some open water, which bears the name Indian Lake. From this point a chain of mounds extends in a southwesterly direction. Between the westernmost of these and the Mississippi was a group of 15 small mounds all of which are now obliterated. This group appears on the map of 1876 ; but no data relating to it are known to exist. Judging by the dimension shown on the Historical Society map it is doubtful whether any mound of the group was more than ten feet in height. ST. LOUIS GROUP. During the month of .June, 1819, while the exploring party under command of Major Stephen H. Long 1 was in St. Louis, a survey was made of the group of twenty-six mounds which at that time had not been disturbed (Fig. 4). FIG. 5. MOUNDS IN ST. LOUIS. (From Beck’s Gazetteer of the States of Illinois and Mis¬ souri, 1823.) In the published account of the Long Expedition the field notes of the survey appeared, and they have been copied in the report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1861, page 386. 1 Account of an Expedition ... in the years 1819-1820 under command of Major Stephen H. Long. Phlla., 1823. Vol. 1, pp. 59-62. THE CAHOKIA ANT) SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 13 The mounds were “ situated on the second bank just above the town” 1 and consisted of one group forming an enclosure, north of which, distant 1463 feet, 9 was a large isolated mound. Accord¬ ing to Brackenridge the large mound was “about six hundred yards above” the main group. It is impossible to say when the smaller mounds were destroyed, but the large one was removed in 1869. An account of the destruction of the mound and a detailed description of the articles discovered were published by an eye¬ witness. 3 A large cavity was discovered in the centre of the mound. In this cavity or chamber were many human skeletons and vast quan¬ tities of shell beads and small perforated shells. Some copper objects and stone implements were also found. The map of the group (Fig. 4) is based upon Long’s notes made in 1819. The group as shown in Beck’s Gazetteer is copied in Fig. 5. Along the summit of the river bluff northward from the former site of the group, now a densely populated section of St. Louis, are many mounds, some of which remain in their original condi¬ tion. A number of very small low mounds still exist in one of the public parks (Map 1, I). A mound which contained many human bones was destroyed in 1894. It was located on the sum¬ mit of the bluff (Map 1, H). In the extreme northern part of the city on the Glasgow farm are several small mounds (Map 1, G). MOUNDS IN FOREST PARK. The mounds near the River des Peres, to which reference has been made, were two groups, one consisting of seven, the other of nine small mounds. They were located near the centre of the western half of Forest Park in the city of St. Louis. 4 During the autumn of 1901, it became necessary to grade that part of the park preparatory to the erection of certain buildings of the Exposition, and I was enabled to explore the mounds. As may be seen by referring to the map (Fig. 6), the groups were distinctly separate; the smaller group of seven being located on the summit of the ridge or elevated ground to the south of the River 1 Views of Louisiana. Brackenridge. Pittsburg, 1814, p. 189. 2 Long’s Expedition, p. 62. 3 A. J. Conant. Foot Prints of Vanished Races. St. Louis, 1879, p. 40. 4 A. .J. Conant in “Foot Prints of Vanished Races” 1879, p. 29, refers to these mounds : “In Forest Park, a few miles west of the city, there is a small group of mounds which the park commissiouers, I am happy to know, have resolved to preserve.” 14 THE CAHdKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. FIG. 6. MOUNDS IN FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS. Group E on Map 1. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 16 des Peres, while the second group was in the lowland on the imme¬ diate bank of the stream. The dimensions of the seven mounds of the smaller group were as follows : Mound A. Elevation 2.8 feet. Diameter 44 feet. Mound B. Elevation 3 feet. Diameter 46 feet. Mound C. Elevation 2.3 feet. Diameter 46 feet. Mound D. The greater part of this mound had been removed some years ago, it is therefore impossible to state its original ele¬ vation. The diameter was 47 feet. Mound E. Elevation 3.5 feet. Diameter 49 feet. Mound F. Elevation 3.2 feet. Diameter 55 feet. This was the largest mound in either group (PI. IV, Fig. 2). Mound G. This, similar to Mound D, had been partly de¬ stroyed. Its diameter was 42 feet. Mound B was the first explored. Near the centre, eight inches below the surface and extending well below the original surface, were the fragmentary remains of three human skeletons. From the position of the bones it was apparent they had been disturbed after their original interment. No objects were found in contact with the bones, but in other parts of the mound, resting upon the original surface, were many fragments of pottery and small pieces of chipped chert. No complete objects were discovered. Some charcoal was also found on the original surface. In excavating mounds A, C, E and F, many potsherds and chips of chert, similar to those from mound B, were discovered. In the centre of mound C was much charcoal and ashes, on the original surface. Nothing of human handiwork was discovered in the mounds con¬ stituting the lower group. Although these were the only groups of mounds existing in the park, there were several small, isolated mounds in the thickly wooded ravine to the south. These were likewise explored but no objects were discovered. The question has often been asked “ for what purpose were these small mounds, so plentiful throughout the Mississippi Valley, erected ? ” One theory can be readily disposed of — they were not burial mounds. In the case of the seven mounds on the elevated ground, the finding of potsherds, pieces of chipped chert and the indication of fire, all on what appeared to have been the original surface, would point strongly to their having been the remains or ruins of earth covered lodges. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 16 The early explorers mention such Indian lodges in different parts of the valley, and until the last quarter of a century villages of such habitations were to be found in the upper Missouri Valle} 7 . La Salle, in March, 1683, found the Taencas below the mouth of the Ohio. Tonti, referring to their village, wrote : “As soon as we landed, 1 was surpriz’d to see the Grandure of the Village and the Order of the Cottages ; they are plac’d in divers rows,. . . be¬ ing all made of Earth. . . Charlevoix in 1721 described the habitation of the Natches: “Some of them are built of a sort of mud, which seemed tolerably good and is covered outside and inside with very thin mats.” 9 But in the other mounds these indications did not occur. Clearly they were erected as they now exist. Possibly they served as elevated sites upon which the habitations were placed. Mounds of this class occur in vast numbers in certain sections of Missouri, more than eight hundred having been counted within an area of le«s than ten miles in Dallas county, in the southwestern part of that state. Near Iron Mountain, in the eastern part of the state, more than five hundred occur within a radius of three miles. If each mound was formerly the site of a separate habitation, they iudi - cate the existence of a great population during prehistoric times. MOUND GROUP NEAR LONG LAKE, Madison County, Illinois. The group of eleven mounds on the north side of Long Lake is three and one-half miles east of the Mississippi, midway across the American Bottom, and seven miles west of north from the Cahokia mound (Fig. 7). The largest mound was practically destroyed some years ago when three railroads were built through it. 1 2 3 Now only small portions remain between the tracks. During the course of its destruction many extraordinary stone implements and other ob¬ jects of interest were discovered ; but nearly all have been lost or scattered. Many were destroyed in a fire shortly after their dis- 1 Tonti. London, 1698. p. 85. 2 Charlevoix. London, 1761. Vol. II. p. 256. 3 Recent Archeological Discoveries in the American Bottom, by Henry R. Howland in Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, Mar.. 1S77, pp. 201-211. THE CAIIOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 17 covery. The site of that mound is shown by the dotted line on the extreme western side of the map. All the mounds of the group have been cultivated for many years, consequently it is impossible to ascertain their original height. PIG. 7. MOUNDS NORTH OF LONG LAKE, MADISON CO., ILLINOIS. Group D on Map 1. The following table will give their dimensions, etc., on March 13, 1900, at which time the survey of the group was made. STATION AT MOUND B. MOUND. DIME1 E. W. FEET. 'fSION N. S. FEET. DISTANCE FEET. DIRECTION ELEVATION FEET. A 200 330 1200 N. 87° W. ? B 237 0.3 C 115 245 N. 11° 30’ E. 4.8 D 247 577 N. 52° 30’E. 9.3 E 207 970 S. 83° 30'E. 10.4 F 110 212 S. 2" W. 4 G 150 125 572 S. 45° 30' E. 5 18 THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. STATION AT MOUND G. 11 135 445 S. 47° E. 7.6 I 211 106 661 S. 34° E. 8.8 STATION AT MOUND i. 224 284 N. 67° E. 16.4 K 122 300 N. 29° E. 2.4 Note. Distances are given from the mound taken as a station. At the present time the mounds, with the exception of one (G), appear to be circular, although it is possible they were originally rectangular and the constant washing and wearing away of the plowed surface have caused them to assume their present circular form. There are two isolated mounds on the plain, one south the other southwest of the group, distant about one mile. The position of these is shown on Map 1. OBJECTS DISCOVERED. Upon the surface surrounding the mounds as well as in different parts of the bottom, great quantities of objects of pottery, stone and shell have been found. These do not differ essentially from the various types from other parts of the valley and as a whole show a high degree of workmanship. As the mounds of the Cahokia group have not been explored it is not known what they may contain. A few graves have been opened in which small pottery vessels and various objects of stone and shell have been discovered ; but, with the exception of these, all specimens thus far found have been revealed by the plow. The large so-called agricultural implements have often been found. A cache of such implements was discovered some years ago near the group of small mounds on the east bank of the Miss¬ issippi. 1 A large Catlinite pipe, found in a small mound 1.5 miles from Cahokia, is probably the most interesting specimen ever dis- 1 Chas. Rau. Smithsonian Report 1868, pp. 401-107. THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. 19 covered in that locality. It was discovered in 1879 by a farmer while making a road through the mound. Unfortunately it was badly shattered by the plow, the different parts became scattered and many were lost. The head of the figure is missing, but the parts remaining represent a human figure in a kneeling position, leaning slightly forward and resting with the hands upon the knees. The base measures 4.5 inches in width by 7 inches in length. The pipe was discovered resting on a rectangular pedestal of sandstone, in front of which was an altar of burnt clay. Upon this altar or hearth was a large quantity of ashes, charcoal and burnt bones. 1 This specimen is now in the Missouri Historical Society of St. Louis. The finding of catlinite from the quarry in the north and shells from the Gulf of Mexico indicates either that long journeys were made by the prehistoric inhabitants of the valley or that those ob¬ jects were secured by trade or conquest. THE BLUFFS EAST OF CAHOKIA. The slope of the bluff eastward from the mound group appears to have been one extensive burial ground. The great quantities of human bones which have been exposed by the plow, and by the washing and wearing away of the surface, prove that a great pop¬ ulation, all traces of which are rapidly vanishing, once occupied that fertile region. On the summit of the bluff, five miles northeast from Cahokia, are two very perfect conical mounds (Map 1, F). The larger (PI. 5, Fig. 2) is about 45 feet high and 150 feet in diameter. The more northerly (PI. 5, Fig. 1) of the two is somewhat smaller. From the summit of these mounds a magnificent panoramic view of the American Bottom is obtained. The great mounds are clearly de¬ fined surrounded by the fields and homes of the pi’esent owners of the lands, and beyond, toward the west, may be seen the waters of the Mississippi. THE CAHOKIAS AND TAMAOAS. The two Illinois Tribes, Cahokias andTamaoas were often men¬ tioned by the early explorers of the Valley of the Mississippi. 1 Letter dated Oct. 1, 1879, from F. F. Hilder to Professor Putnam. 20 THE CAHOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS. On the fourth day of February, 1683, LaSalle’s party, after having sailed ten leagues below the mouth of the Missouri, arrived at the village of the Tamaoas situated on the east bank of the Mississippi. However, none ol the Indians were seen as they had gone to their winter encampment in the woods. 1 Charlevoix, on Oct. 10, 1721, visited the village of the “ Cuoquias and Tamarouas , two Illinois Tribes which have been united.” This uniting of the two tribes probably occurred subsequent to the time of La Salle’s expedition and may account for the Cahokias not having been mentioned by Tonti. Continuing, Charlevoix says: “This village is situated on a small river which runs from the east.” 2 In 1720 a party of Tamaroas were taken to France and pre¬ sented to the king; they later returned to their native village. 3 The Koakias, during the year 1752, were at war with the Foxes which was caused by the Koakias treacherously murdering a hunting party of the other tribe. 4 I he site of the ancient village of the Cahokias and Tamaoas was probably not far distant from the present settlement which now perpetuates the name of the former tribe. Near this village, in the year 1769, Pontiac was murdered. 1 An Account of Monsieur tie la Salle’s Last Expedition. Tonti. London, 1698, p. 77. 2 Journal of a Voyage to North America. Charlevoix, London, 1761. Vol. II, pp. '218 ‘ 219 . 1 Bossu. Travels, etc. English translation. London, 1771, Vol. I, p. 140. * Bossu. Vol. I, p. 129. CAHOKIA. LOOKING WEST. Peabody Museum Papers. CAHOKIA. LOOKING NORTHEAST. Peabody IVinseum Papers. Peabody Museum Papers. VOL. Ill, PL. III. Fig. 1. MOUNDS C AND B. CAHOKIA GROUP. LOOKING SOUTHEAST. Fig. 2. MOUND F. CAHOKIA GROUP. LOOKING EAST. Peabody Museum Papers. Fig. 1. MOUND ONE AND SIX-TENTHS MILES WEST OF CAHOKIA. FIG. 2. MOUND IN FOREST PARK, ST. LOUIS. Peabody Museum Papers. VOL. Ill, Pl. V. Fig.]. NORTH MOUND ON BLUFF. F ON MAPI. LOOKING WEST. Fig. 2. SOUTH MOUND ON BLUFF. F ON MAP 1. LOOKING NORTHEAST. PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMEEIOAN AEOHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HAEVAED UNIYEESITY- Yol. III.— No. 2 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI CHARLES PEABODY WITH SEVENTEEN PLATES CAMBRIDGE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM June, 1904 PUBLICATIONS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY PAPERS. 8vo. VOLUME 1.—Number 1. STANDARD OR HEAD-DRESS?—An his¬ torical essay on a relic of Ancient Mexico. By Zelia Nuttall. 52 pages and 3 colored plates. 18X8. $1.00. Number 2. THE KARANKAWA INDIANS, the coast people of texas. —By Albert S. Gatschet, with notes by C. A. Hammond and Alice W. Oliver, and a vocabulary obtained from Alice W. Oliver. 104 pages with map. 1891. $1.00. Number 3. THE ATLATL OR SPEAR-THROWER OF THE AN¬ CIENT MEXICANS.—By Zelia Nuttall. 36 pages and 3 plates. 1891. 50 cents. Number 4. REPORT UPON PILE STRUCTURES IN NAAMAN’S CREEK, NEAR CLAYMONT, DELAWARE.—By Hilborne T. Cres- son. 24 pages and 10 illustrations. 1892. 30 cents. Number 5. A STUDY OF OMAHA INDIAN MUSIC; including TRANSCRIPTIONS OF 92 SONGS, WORDS AND MUSIC. — By ALICE C. Fletcher, aided by Francis La Fleschk. With a Report on the Structural Peculiarities of the Music, by John Comfort Fillmore. 152 pages. 1893. $1.25. Number 6. PREHISTORIC BURIAL PLACES IN MAINE.—By C. C. Willoughby. 52 pages, 4 plates, 60 illustrations in text. 1898. $ 1 . 00 . Number 7. [Completing volume I, to be printed.] VOLUME II. —THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OLD AND NEW WORLD CIVILIZATION. — By Zelia Nuttall. 602 pages, 7 plates, 73 illustrations in text, and Index. 1901. $3.00 in paper, $3.50 in cloth. VOLUME III.—Number 1. THE CAIIOKIA AND SURROUNDING MOUND GROUPS.—By D. I. Bushnell, Jr. 20 pages. 5 plates, map, and 7 text illustrations, 1904. 75 cents. Number 2. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, Coahoma County Mississippi. By Charles Peabody. 44 pages, 17 plates, 1904. $1.00. (See page 3 of cover.) PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Vol. III.— No. 2 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI CHARLES PEABODY WITH SEVENTEEN PLATES CAMBRIDGE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM June, 1904 Copyright, 1904. Pf.arody Museum of American ARCHAEOLOGY' AND ETHNOLOGY, Harvard University. Salem IPrcss: the Salem Press Co., Salem, Mass. 1904. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY. MISSISSIPPI. INTRODUCTORY. Under the auspices of the Peabody Museum of Harvard Univer¬ sity, an expedition, directed by Mr. W. C. Farabee and the writer, was sent out to conduct explorations in Coahoma County, Mississippi. The work was carried on continuously from May 11, to June 28, 1901, and from May 9 to July 3, 1902. Two mounds were excavated: one on the plantation of Mr. Ellerton L. Dorr, Jr., at Clarksdale, and one on that of Mr. P. M. Edwards, in the town of Oliver, on the Sunflower river, sixteen miles south of Clarksdale. The method of exploration in both cases was the same: that of making successive cuttings down to the level of the surrounding ground, and thus, by throwing the soil from each new cutting into that preceding, making possible a thorough exami¬ nation of the distance excavated, yet leaving the ground more or less in its original condition. 1 At each five feet, descriptions of the wall of soil in front of the excavators were taken and for these cross sections, reference may be had to the Peabody Museum Laboratory, where they are filed. DORR MOUND. The excavation of the Dorr Mound was continued from May 11 to May 18, 1901. The surface measurements were: length, north to south, 90'; breadth, east to west, 60' ; height, 9' 6|" above the surrounding field. The shape resembled a rectangle with the longer sides running- parallel northwest and southeast. The surface was covered with rough grass and bushes. Near the top ran a transverse trench, one foot two inches deep, probably the result of tentative excavations previously made by 1 In connection with these excavations: in the catalogue of the Peabody Museum the successive “cuttings” are given the name “trenches,” also in the Maps and Plans in the Laboratory of the Museum. ( 23 ) 24 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. the owners; for further data, the map in the Laboratory may be consulted. As the objects found in the mound were similar to those from the second mound, it will be simpler to speak of them together. Of the skeletons however, the statements should be made here. The remains of fifty prehistoric burials were found. The burials lay scattered through the mound with a greater num¬ ber in the southwest quadrant. Their depth below the surface varied from one foot (No. 7) to eight feet (No. 29). As a whole they lay deeper than the surface burials of the Edwards Mound. Here follow the statistics of those whose data were obtained : Manner of burial : Intrusive, 1. Full length, 6. “Bundle,” 1 2. With the knees doubled up (most of these on the side), 8. Orientation by direction of the skull ; N. 5, N. E. 4, E. 13, S. E. 7, S. 0, S. W. 0, W. 4,N. W. 1. Details of accompanying objects: Projectile Points One on the breast of skeleton 2. One large point in red pigment between the skulls of skel¬ etons 46 and 47. Pottery Fragments with skeletons 3 and 9. Fragments of three vases with skeleton 7. Charcoal in small bits with skeletons 3, 9, 13, and 26 (3). The bones of the intrusive burial were better preserved than those of the others. Besides these there were fifteen modern burials in the mound. The excavation of the mound was carried on from the north, east, and south and a parallelogram 80' from north to south and 52' from east to west was dug through down to the level of the surrounding field. The soil varied from heavy sandy loam to the very heavy alluvial soil called “Buckshot”. No soil foreign to the district was noted. The so-called “Sod-line” of dark soil two inches to four inches thick appeared plainly at times as, e. g., in the sections at stakes VII, X, XI, XIV, 1 and 3. The soil near 1 For “Bundle” burials see references; foot note, page 37. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 25 the bottom of the mound was wetter on the north side than on the south; this was due perhaps to the sun’s influence, and to the drainage of the field northwestward into the Sunflower river. A few shells were found, 16' west of stake VIII, 6' 9" down. With horses and a scraper the mound was restored on May 18th, nearly to its original appearance, and cotton was immediately planted upon it. Four small mounds in the neighboring field vary from 2' to 5' in height. There may have been others whose traces have disappeared through successive ploughings, storms and floods. EDWARDS MOUND. Oliver, Coahoma Co., Mississippi, is situated on the Sunflower river sixteen miles south of Clarksdale, the county seat and the civil centre of the district. The nearest railway station is Mattson, on the Greenwood branch of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Division of the Illinois Central R.R. Thence mail is brought twice a week, on mule-back to Oliver. The settlement of Oliver consists of a series of small plantations, bordering the Sunflower on both sides, and covering a space of cleared land, one-half mile east and west of the river. The population is nearly equally divided be¬ tween negroes and white people. Friendly relations with both were established and continued unbroken. To the white planta¬ tion owners the thanks and acknowledgments of the excavators are due for active assistance and sympathetic interest. It may be said that while the usual tales of great buried wealth, of “ gold¬ hunting,” and of gigantic extinct races were current, the people were of sufficient broadness of mind to put these away at an early period. The land to the east and west of the line of farms is cov¬ ered by forests of cypress, and consists of an absolute plain broken only by occasional ravines containing bayous or by lakes. The Sunflower river has by erosion and building up constructed a ra¬ vine, 1 with steep banks, 30' in height above the average water-level. The water in the spring sometimes overflows even these banks. The flood comes, save by the breaking of the Mississippi levee, from down stream, starting at the mouth near Vicksburg. The re¬ curring floods provide one reason for mound building, though it is a debated question, whether great floods, covering whole counties 1 See Plate VI. “ Sunflower river looking west from the Camp.” 26 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. in area were more or less frequent, deep and extensive, before the building of the Mississippi levees. The same floods furnish a very plausible excuse for those who do not wish the mounds exca¬ vated. In time of high water a refuge is provided by them for stock. At Oliver are the so-called “Shoals” of the Sunflower River, where it flows with a current of four miles an hour for sev¬ eral hundred feet over a pebbly bottom of small flinty stones. The existence of this stratum of gravel,which extends about three feet above low water, is the probable cause of the large village site which lies on both sides of the river. The stream, whose general course is north and south parallel to the Mississippi, here runs nearly east and west, and in descriptions, that direction of flow will be assumed. North of the Sunflower are at least three mounds ; south of it are nineteen small mounds and the large mound or Edwards mound proper. Originally there were more which have been reduced by successive ploughing and floods. One mound(No. 4), visible in 1901, was invisible in 1902(compare Map Plate VII). The builders of these mounds are not known. The entire region is included in the district from which the Choctaws were obliged to move by the Land Cession of September 27 and 28, 1830.' Admitting that the Indians of the Choctaw gentes built mounds, 9 we can establish a later limit. The centuries of history and “pre-history” before this gave us no light. Articles of Euro¬ pean or white-man manufacture, if found, not intrusive, in the mound, establish that part of the mound as post-Columbian, and probably of a period since DeSoto passed near in 1541. 1 2 3 In the case of the Edwards mound, it is possible that its construction was continued at more than one period. But little serious archaeological work has been done in northern Mississippi. Visits to Coahoma and neighboring counties were made by Col. P. W. Norris and Professor W. H. Holmes, 4 and some excavations undertaken. From the report from Sunflower County, 5 a mound was discovered and described that may be the Edwards mound. The reasons for this view are, first, the nearly 1 Royce, Charles C.: Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1896-7. Part 2, No. 166 (Map), pages 726-7. 2 Brinton, D. G.: American Race, pages 86-7. 3 Fiske: Discovery of America, II, page 610. 4 Rep. Bur. Eth.: 12, ’90-’91, p. 253 ff. 6 Rep. Bur. Eth.: 12, ’90-’91, p. 258 ff. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 27 similar dimensions; second, its position near the Shoals of the Sunflower river; and third, the lack of information obtainable about any other Shoals. The reasons against identity are, first, that the report places it in Sunflower County, and the Edwards mound is in Coahoma County ; second, the apex of the Edwards mound was near the west end, that of the mound of the report, near the east; third, there is no trace on the Edwards mound of the white oak six feet in diameter mentioned in the report; and, fourth, the lack of information obtainable as to the expedition from the “oldest inhabitant.” It seems probable that the mound was not touched by the Smithsonian expedition. In any case their excavations were not carried to any great extent. Some digging near the mound had been done by Mr. Charles W. Clark, of Clarksdale, to whose interest and courteous assistance the writer is entirely indebted for his knowledge of the mound and the opportunity of exploring it. Mr. Clark has at his home in Clarksdale a valuable represent¬ ative collection of Mississippi specimens, gathered in great part by his own personal researches. Save for his intellectual interest and for the enthusiasm displayed by Captain Fontaine of Lyon, Mississippi, few results have been obtained or researches under¬ taken in that region. Surface specimens were abundant and good. Arrow- and spear- points and knives of flint of fine workmanship were scattered about by the hundreds, and knives, celts, and other stone imple¬ ments, discs and sherds of pottery were picked up in great numbers. The natural soil containing no stone, any found there has nec¬ essarily been brought in by some agency, and as floods carry little stone to this level, the presumption is in favor of human handling, a position strengthened by the absolute lack of stone of any kind in the soil save where traces of mounds could be seen. Excava¬ tions were carried on here from May 17 to June 28, 1901, and from May 9 to July 3, 1902. The working force varied with the conditions of the labor market and general health, from six men to fifteen men, under the same excellent foreman in both years, B. S. Brockman. The men were negroes and good workmen. The crew and the excavating party each had a cook, and the ser¬ vices of a water-boy were required. Tents were the quarters for 28 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. the first year, a cabin for the second. The system of excavating was that practised by the Peabody Museum and described above, — complete examination by slicing, and reports made by graphic cross-sections of the mound at parallel distances of five feet, (Plates VIII and IX.) In this wav a space in the mound was dug through dowu to the original level of the field : a space which may be represented by three rectangles. The rectangles are represented as looked upon from above: the sizes are from surface measurements: A (eastern) (1901) 105' x 10', B(middle) (1901) 95'x 55', C(western) (1902) 65'x 80/ Rectangle A covered 1050 sq. feet, average depth 7 feet, equals 7350 cu. feet. Rectangle B covered 5225 sq. feet, average depth 10 feet, equals 52250 cu. feet. Rectangle C covered 5200 sq. feet, average depth 11 feet, equals 57200 cu. feet. The total surface 11475 sq. feet, total 116800 cu. feet. At times the height of the mound made three terraces neces¬ sary to provide for the disposal of the excavated soil, and to pre¬ vent landslides. Excavations on a small and informal scale were made in the Cemetery mound 1 (No. 3), by Mr. Farabee: tentative digging was tried elsewhere. Three pits to determine, if possible, the continuance of the “Sod-line” were dug (A, B, and C) and trips to sites at greater distances were undertaken by Mr. Farabee. The surface measurements of the Edwards Mound were: length from north to south 190', length from east to west 180', distance from apex to northern boundary 97', distance from apex to east¬ ern boundary 102', distance from apex to southern boundary 93', distance from apex to western boundary 78 ', perpendicular height of the apex above the average level of the surrounding field 26'. 1 See the Map, Flate VII. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 29 The deepest excavation on May 17, 1902, was 2U in four per¬ pendicular terraces; the discrepancy may be explained by the roughness of the field methods of measuring surface altitudes and by the lowering of the surrounding levels by erosion. The mound was therefore quite symmetrical on the major or north and south axis, but distinctly steeper on the western end of the minor or east and west axis. To facilitate tbe determination of position a row of stakes was set upon the east and west axis at intervals of five feet, numbered in Arabic numerals, from zero to thirty-six. At the same time along each successive cutting at intervals of five feet, stakes were set northward from the east and west axis lettered from A to K and southward from L to U. Using these lines as coordinates, the exact position of any object can be given. The first cutting lay between stakes 2 and 3, and from K to U ; cutting two, from stakes 3 to 4, etc. The mound had been ploughed over on the eastern slope three quarters of the distance to the top. Elsewhere it was covered with a growth of shrubs, and small trees; the absence of large stumps or other surface indication of age was to be noted. A China-berry tree, growing near the middle on the south side, was left in situ. The mound was composed of material obtained in the neighborhood. Sandy loam, a more tenacious clay known as “ gumbo ” and a still more tenacious clay called “ buckshot ” were used in the building and formed the principal strata. Through¬ out the mound were other strata, pockets, pits, lines, and traces of ashes, charcoal, burnt clay and shell. No stone whatever con¬ structively used occurred. The long irregular depressions in the surrounding fields may have been formed originally by taking the soil for building, and rain and ploughing have since lowered these hollows till their sig¬ nificance has vanished. Searching the fields and woods near by failed to reveal large pits, such as are in evidence near the Carson group of mounds in the same County. 1 • Strata. The so-called “ Sod-line,” a stratum of dark soil, varying from a few inches to less than a foot in thickness, remained con- See Rep. Bur. Eth.: 12, 1890-91, pp.253 If. 30 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. stunt from the section at stake 4 to that at stake 31. Towards and at the west side, of the mound, the “ Sod-line ” had occasion¬ ally variations of level of small significance. To determine the further extent of this stratum, a trench was dug running west, from the line of stake 28 at Q. At a distance of fourteen feet west of Q, the “ Sod-line ” became indistinct, and vanished at thirty feet west of Q, where the level of the field becomes almost constant. For the same purpose pits were dug as noted above to the east¬ ward as follows: Pit A 35' east of the line of stake 0 at N, contained a layer of dark soil, one foot down, V thick. Pit B, 175' east of the line of stake 0 at N, layer of soil 5 inches down and V 2" thick. Pit C, 262' east of the line of stake 0 atN, layer of dark soil 6 inches down and 1 2" thick. From the thickness of this and its nearness to the surface it seems that, in comparison with the “ Sod-line ” on the west side which vanishes at a depth of two feet, there is no necessary con¬ nection between them. The “ Sod-line ” may therefore be assumed to be a part of the mound proper and the bottom of it, though be¬ low the “sod-line” were found occasional objects and pockets as follows: Intrusion of black soil .... at stake 7 B/C Ashes.“ “ 11 R/S &T Ashes and shells.“ “ 18 18/L Earth, charcoal and shells (V 6" below) “ 19/L A chipped stone (F below) . . “ “ 20 C Charcoal, shells and potsherd . . “ “ 24 C & E Ashes and charcoal.“ “ 25 A/25 & O/P Shells, ashes and charcoal . . “ “ 26, L Charcoal.“ “ 28, M & L In the “ Sod-line ” was a well defined and very compact stratum of mussel shells, several inches thick, beginning at section at stake 10 (C to M) continuing through that at 16 (A to M) disappear¬ ing between the sections at 26 and that at 27. The greatest length, from north to south was thirty feet, from east to west, eighty feet. Next in importance to the “ Sod line” was a stratum of y low EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 31 “Buckshot ” denoted by stratum A in the sections, lying above a stratum of dark loose soil with ashes and charcoal, denoted stratum B. Their positions are as follows at the various cross-sections taken : STRATUM A STRATUM 11 SECTION AT STAKE HEIGHT OF TOP OF STRATUM A ABOVE THE “SOD-LINE” EXTENT, THICK- POSITION OF TOP EXTENT, THICK- STAKES NESS OF STRATUM B STAKES NESS 10 4' 6” to 9' 6” J to Q i' 6’ to 7' above “S-l.” 11 7' to 9' E to Q i' Under Str. A C to M i' 12 8' 6" to 10' E to R i' Under Str. A D to R 1’ to 2' 13 7'6” to 9’6" E to S 1' to 3' Under Str. A E to R 6" to 1' 6" 14 9' to 11' F to R 1’ to 3' Interrupted, A-N F to R 6" to 1’ 15 Omitted in Sections 16 10' G to Q 1' to 2' Under Str. A G to Q 8" to 2' 17 8’ 6" to 10' G to Q 1 to 3' “ “ “ G to Q 6” to 2' 6' 18 9' 6" to 10' G to Q 1' to 3' “ “ “ G to Q 1" to 2’ 19 9' to 10' G to Q 1' to 1' 6" “ “ “ G to Q 6" to 2' 20 9' to 10' G to P 6" to 2' “ “ “ G to P 1’ to 2’ 21 9' to 10' G to P 1' to 2' Irregular G to P 6 ' to 3’ 22 8’ 6” to 10' 6” G to P l'tol'6” Under Str. A G to P 2' to 3' 23 9’ to 10’ G to Q 6” to 2' “ “ “ G to Q 6” to 2’ 24 Interrupted 6” to 1*6" 7' 6" to 10’ G to Q Under Str. A G to Q 6" to 2' 6'' 25 7' to 10’ 6" G to Q 6" tol'6" Interrupted G to Q 1' to 2’ 26 7' to 9' 6" G to O 6" to 1' Under Str. A G to Q 1’ to 3’ 6" 27 5' 5” to 7’ C to P 6” to 1' .| A to Q 1' i Summary of stratum A : Top above “Sod-line”, four feet six inches to eleven feet. Thickness, six inches to three feet. It extends practically across the excavation north and south, and from stake 10 to stake 27 east and west. It rises from the east and west towards the middle. Near stake 10, stratum A was two feet to five feet below the surface. Near stake 21, it was three feet to ten feet below the surface. 32 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. Near stake 27, it was one foot to two feet six inches below the surface. Summary of stratum B : Position, directly under stratum A. Thickness, one inch to three feet. Extent, nearly identical with that of stratum A. In the section at 21, stratum A has retained the irregular con¬ tour line, that would be produced, by the throwing on of the soil from baskets: the size of the lumps is also suggestive of this. Shells were numerous in the northern eastern portion of the mound. Burnt clay in strata or nuggets was abundant through¬ out, especially near the surface. Intrusions properly so called were not numerous. The largest occurred in the line of stake 20, under stake A. Its top was 2 feet below the surface; its depth 6 feet, its north and south di¬ ameter 8 feet, its east and west diameter possibly 6 feet. It had within hard soil with a perpendicular layer of burnt clay to the south, and less to the north. There was charcoal on the bottom and to the north of the centre. Another intrusion occurred in section 11 near stake A. Its top was 1 foot below the surface, its depth 4 feet, its diameter 3 feet. It contained some wood or bark. Pottery fragments and animal bones were more numerous above strata A and B than below, and in the eastern half of the mound than in the western. Burials and unbroken pottery were more frequent on the western slope, and holes in the eastern half. Holes. The characteristic feature of the Edwards mound was formed by the holes that occurred in great numbers, and one hundred and ninety one of these were found and measured during the two years’ work. Details and statistics may be seen in the field notes. They were found from cutting 1 to cutting 24 and from letter J to letter T. Their greatest abundance was from cuttings 9 to 13 16 to 18 and 20 to 22. They ranged from 1" in diameter(No. 168) to 2' 10" in diameter (No. 99). From 6" down at the top (No. 5) to 15' 3" (No. 52). From 8" in length (Nos. 65 and 116) to b' b" (No. 177). They were usually perpendicular: otherwise the base trended indifferently to the north, east, south or west. The great major- EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 33 ity of them were empty or with an accumulation of soft soil at the bottom. The damp tenacious soil of the river bottom is such as to continue indefinitely shapes or cavities imposed in or on it. The holes not empty were usually of larger diameter, and could otherwise be distinguished from the greater number. Details of contents: Nos. 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 71, 95, 96, 97, 99, 104, 116, 159, 162 and 163 contained charcoal. Of these Nos. 7, 10, 13, 159, 162 and 163, contained charcoal edges or charcoal near the side. No. 71 contained charcoal over wood as of a burnt post. No. 95, charcoal and decayed wood. No. 99, charcoal three inches thick with a perpendicular grain, accompanied by decayed wood. No. 116, contained a charred post. No. 2, pottery and stone. No. 10, shells. Nos. 2, 4, 97, 98, 106, ashes. No. 96, burnt clay. No. 7 (a wide shallow hole), corn in considerable quantity at the bottom. Nos. 87, 88, and 89, designated “ wood holes,” had contents as follows : No. 87, charred wood on northern edge, the wood being burned on the outside and on the top of sticks ; also blue ashes and loose earth. No. 88, large broken bones, snail-shells, wood, blue ashes and loose earth. No. 89, wood charred at the top, blue ashes and loose earth. More significant than the size or contents of the holes was the level of the tops. Considering strata A and B as forming a critical level (produced slightly southeast of the limits of the strata given above) we have : Total number holes, ...... 191. Holes whose tops are at or near the ‘‘critical level,” 106. Holes whose tops were at or near stratum B, . . 73. These 73 holes when plotted on the map suggest a rude circle, with a centre not far from stake 16. The southwest circumfer¬ ence is incomplete owing to a lack of excavation. Now, while to reach an absolute low level, the row of stakes with arabic numbers 34 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. was continued westward to No. 36, the ground hardly begins to rise towards the east till stake 32 is reached. A geographical middle line of the mound would therefore not be far from stake 16. We have then : the apex of the actual mound was perpendicu¬ larly above a point between the rows of stakes 20 and 21. The geographical centre of the ground plan of the mound is near stake 1 6. The centre of the circle described by the holes is near stake 16. A corresponding calculation north and south is not feasible, as the sides were not cut away ; the centre of the circle of holes seems to have been south of the line of the apex, and of the geographi¬ cal centre. We have further as above : holes whose tops were at or near the level of stratum B, 73. Of these there are included within limits of stratum A or B, 65. Holes outside the limits of stratum A or B, 8. On the northeast, east and southeast, the holes followed fairly closely the boundary lines of the two strata; on the west, they fell well inside. The holes otherwise were exceedingly irregular and were present in very great abundance in the southeast portion of the mound. The Burials. In the Edwards mound were discovered and noted, 158 burials. In many cases the skull when taken out was found not worth pre¬ serving. The weight of the damp earth often crushed and broke the boues. Otherwise the larger and stronger bones were in a better state of preservation than at Clarksdale. When buried in the so-called “ gumbo” or “ buckshot,” to excavate the skeletons even with a trowel was a matter of some difficulty and not always of success. Burials were very numerous on the western slope of the mound from the line of stake 22, to that of stake 28. No regularity as to their position in the mound was observed, nor any reason for their greater frequency towards the south and west. The statistics of the burials follow, according to their form, whether the so-called “bundle” burials or the full length burials. 1 The impossibility of determination and a greater detail of recording during the second year account for the large number occurring in the “ undetermined ” column. 1 See reference p. 37. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 35 I. ORIENTATION OF “BUNDLE” BURIALS. Bundles lying Skull at or near what end or side: N. and S. 21 N. . . . . . 8 S. . . 14 Above . 1 E. and W. . . . 43 N. E. . . . 4 s. w. . . . . 2 Near Middle . 6 N. E. and S. W. 10 E. . . . w. . . 18 Underneath . 6 N. W. and S. E. 7 S. E. . . . 7 N. W. . . . . 6 Undetermined 13 Perpendicular i 55 40 20 Undetermined 37 Total 121, less repetitions (2) 119 Total 119 Of the 21 N. and S. Bundles Of the 43 E. and W. Bundles The skull was at end as follows : The skull lay at end or side as follows N. . . . 4 N. . . 1 E. . . 2 E. . . 28 S. . . . 9 S. . . 1 w.. . . 1 W. . . 8 N. W. . 1 Middle . . . . 1 U.i . . . 4 Undetermined 4 Total 21 Total 43 Of the 10 N. E. and S. W. Bundles Of the 7 N. VV. and S. E. Bundles The skull lay in positiou as follows: The skull lav as follows: N. N. . 0 E. .2 E. . 1 S. .1 S. ■ 0 « W. ..2 w .... . 0 N. E.1 N. W. . . . 2 Middle.1 S. E . . . . 3 Underneath . . 1 Undetermined . . 1 Total 10 Total 7 ORIENTATION OF SKULLS, “BUNDLE” BURIALS. The skulls faced: Burials with the skulls facing away from N. or N.E. . . . . 19 the bundle or with the top of skull to- E. orS. E. . . . . 14 wards the bundle: S. or S. W . . . . 6 14. . . . viz. Nos. 16, 28, 45, 105, 109,110, W. orN. W. . . 11 117, 129, 131, 143, 150, 153, 156?, 157. Upwards. . . . . 13 Downwards . . . 15 Undetermined. . 41 Total 119 DEPTHS OF BURIALS. Least depth (No. 139) 8” Greatest depth Nos. 72/3, 5’ Less than 3' 93 3’ or more down .18 “Not deep”.6 Undetermined.2 Total 119 VASES or pottery were found with 41 burials. 1 U. Undetermined. 3G EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. ORIENTATION OF BURIALS OF FULL-LENGTH TYPE. Burials extending N. and S. . 14 Of the 14 N and S. burials E. and VV. . . . . 13 skull at or near what end or side N. E. and S. W. . 1 N. . . 3 N. W. and S. E. . 5 E. . . 0 Undetermined. 2 S. . . 11 — VV. . . 0 Total 35 — Total 14 Skulls at or near what end or side: Of the 1 N. E. and S. VV. burial Of the 13 E. and VV. burials The skull was over N. E. end . . 1 N. . . . . 0 E. . . . . 9 1 >f the 5 N. VV. and S. E. burials s. . . . . 0 The skulls were VV. . . . . 3 N. VV. . 4 S. E. . . . 1 S. E. Total 13 Total 5 Irregular: In Skeleton 116 the top of the skull was upwards am l the face turned toward the remainder of the skeleton. Skeleton 35 was without skull. POSITION OF SKELETONS FULL LENGTH : On Back . (>n Face. . 3 On Right Side. . . 0 On LeftSide. . . . 1 Undetermined. . . 8 Total 35 DEPTH OF BURIALS : Least Depth 8" (No. 146) Greatest Depth 15’2”(Nos. 58(1, 2,3)) Less than 3'. 9 3" or more down ... 26 In or below critical level 19 Vases or pottery found with 6 DATE DEPTH No. 11 June 5, 1UU1 4' 2" IRREGULAR BURIALS POSITION 3' 0 " E of E. “Flexed” on back with legs doubled Cutting 8. up and running N. E. from the spine Skull at S. end, top to S. facing up. Accompanied by charcoal. No. 14 Juue 15,1901 1'2" 1’S. of 1). “ Scissors-shape ” E. and W. 1 Legs Cutting 11. folded at full length on top of the body. Skull E. of centre, top to E- facing up. Accompanied by a brass bell in former contact with the skull. No. 35 May 23, 1902 3’ (Included in full length burials) 1' 1” E. of F. No skull. Accompanied by five arrow Cutting 18. points, as follows: ()n the right side. Ajiu rigbUpelvis B by back bone C among ribs D between ribs, left side, pointing under back bone E between the spines of back bone, right side, point upward; not in deep enough to have penetrated spinal cord. 1 See Plate X, “ Skeleton 14.” EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 37 No. 36 2 May 27, 1902 1’ 2’ E. of L. “ Bundle,” but arms and legs contin- Cuttlng 19. uous. E. and W. Skull at E. end facing up. No. 49 June 3, 1902 5'9" 1’ 3'' E. of L. “ Sitting Posture. ” 1’ 8” S. of L. Skull on back to S. E. 1 Cutting 20. BURIALS 2 : SUMMARY. Burials of the so-called “Bundle” Type.119 “ “ “ “ “Full-length” type. ... 35 “ “ “ “ Irregular. 4 Total 158 ORIENTATION OF “ BUNDLE” BURIALS. Of the 82 which were determined there lay N. and S.21 or 25.6$ E. and W.43 or 52.4$ N. E. and S. W. . . 10 or 12.2$ N. W. and S. E. . . 7 or 8.5$ Perpendicular. . . 1 or 1.2$ Total 82 99.9$ Of the 106 determined, the skull lay at or near the East end in 36 cases or 34$ Of the 43 E. and W. bundles there were with the skull at or near the E. end 28 or 65.1$ Of the 119 “Bundle” burials, vases or pottery were found with 41 or 34.5$ Of the 111 determined “Bundle” burials there were less than 3' down 93 or 83.8$ ORIENTATION OF “FULL LENGTH” BURIALS. Of the 33 determined cases there were N. and S.14 or 42.4$ E. and \Y.13 or 39.4$ N. E. and S. W. . 1 or 3 $ N. W. and S.E. . 5 or 15.2$ Total 33 100.0$ Of the 14 N. and S. burials there were with the skull at the S. end 11 or 78.6$. Of the 13 east and west burials, there were with the skull at the east end, 9 or 69.2$. Eastern orientation is better carried out on the whole in the class of “bundle ” burials than in that of full length. Of thirty-five full length burials there were three feet or more down, 26 or 74.8$. Of thirty-five full length burials, there were below the critical level, 19 or 54 3$ Of thirty-five full length burials, vases or pottery were found with, 6 or 17.1$. Objects found during the Excavations. All specimens found during the two years in Coahoma County, Mississippi, will be considered as a whole, whether from the sur- 1 See Bureau Eth. Rep. I, p. 121 (J. M. Spainhour, quoted by Yarrow); Jones, C. C.: Antiq. So. Inds. p. 184; Thomas, C.: Bur. Eth. Rep. V, p. 14. 2 For “Bundle ’’burials See Bur. Eth. Rep. 1, p. 169, where Yarrow quotes Bar- tram “Travels,” p.516, Choctaws; Morgan: “League of the Iroquois” p. 173. See Plate XI, “Skeleton 12.” 38 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. face or below it, and whether from the Edwards, Dorr or other mounds. In cases of importance the provenance will be noted. ARTICLES OF CLAY. Following the method used in describing the holes and the burials of the Edwards mound, the following statistics are of the vases found in that mound : With accompanying skeleton 55 or 80.9%, without accompany¬ ing skeleton 12, undetermined 1 ; total, 68. With “ bundle ” burials 35, with full length burials 6, unde¬ termined 14; total, 55. Direction of vases found from skeletons or bones, or at what end. N.9, N. E. 8, E. 15 ,S. E. 5, S.3, S.W. 0, W. 2,N.W.l; irregular 2, undetermined 10 ; total, 55. Vases near the skull, 38 or 69.1% ; not near the skull or unde¬ termined 17 ; total, 55. Vases with skeletons of adults 16 ; with those of young persons or children 26. Depth of the vases. Less than three feet 52, three feet or more 15, undetermined 1 ; total, 68. Greatest depth (vase Q) 15' 2" (with 3 skeletons, 58, etc.; S. PL of skull of E skeleton). Least depth (vase L) 6" without visible skeleton. Below or in stratum B, 5. During the two years’ work in all places, the following vessels of pottery were found : Bowls. 41 Wide-mouthed bottles . . 5 Pot-shaped vessels ... 20 Long-necked bottles ... 7 The pure bowl shape 1 , with or without a more or less flattened rim, is very frequent ; the above table shows the great preponder¬ ance of the vases of this class. More, in proportion, than those of the other classes, vases of the bowl type are decorated with animal forms. The shape of the bowl varies from unusually shallow platters to deep vessels, verg¬ ing on the class of the pot-shaped vases. The bottoms of nearly all the bowls were round or curved. One vessel how r ever has a circular, nearly flat bottom with the sides rising at an obtuse angle. Peculiar shapes in the first and other classes are shown in the plates. 1 Holmes, W. II.: Bureau Eth. Rep. 4, 1SS2-S3, “Ancient Pottery of the Missis¬ sippi Valley.” See also Plates xil-xv. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 39 The greater number of the vases and fragments are uncolored save by burning, but a black, red, or red and white slip together, has occasionally been used. Of vases and fragments with a red slip, enough were secured to show that the makers had considerable skill in its use. It is to be noted that incised decoration is less usual on the fragments with red slip. Decoration in relief occurs both inside and outside, generally the latter ; in bands or geometric designs, very frequently near the top, less so on the rims, on the ears, or near the bottom. The designs vary from the criss-cross of the very roughest and primitive character through ray-like sym¬ bols to geometric rectangular figures, and to scrolls quite similar to those of the Mycenean age in Hellenic pottery and suggest¬ ing the Swastika and tetraskele. In decoration by the insertion of the finger nail or some other broad faced implement, the potters were skillful. The impressions are usually arranged in parallel rows around the rim or top, and of these rows there are from one to six or even enough to cover the entire outside of the vase. Decoration by variation of form is shown in the diverse designs of the rim, and the designs and numbers of the ears. This is ex¬ emplified by the usual conventional animal heads and opposite tails above or on the rims of bowls (the animals being quite impossible of identification). Further decoration of this class is in the spikelike points or knobs on the body of the vases, perhaps (as suggested by Professor Putnam) representing the members of an animal; by conventionalized protuberances, and by the conversion of the body itself into that of an animal (Plates XIII and XIV). The material is usually a yellow clay with tempering of the mussel-shell abundant in the Sunflower river. The firing in prep¬ aration and use is more or less evenly distributed and upon it the variation in color not due to the slips depends. The shaping of the vessels is carefully done : in some instances there may be seen the marks of cords and knots of a texture within which the vessel was moulded. Among the fragments found are many with a quite complex decoration by incision and color; also ears broken off represent¬ ing grotesque heads and faces. Incisions made by hollow reeds are numerous, the circular figures resulting having been used in one instance to represent the eyes of an animal. Two small vases (Plate XVI), two and a half and one and three quarters inches in diameter respectively, were found that may 40 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. have had merely a ceremonial use or a purpose of amusement. A rude clay ball one and three quarters inches in diameter, burnt on one side, may have been a toy or an accidental form. Forty- six clay discs, unperforated, are found from one and a quarter to three inches in diameter; they are quite rude, and of a type found throughout the middle West. Notably were they present in Mr. Harlan I. Smith’s excavations in Kentucky. One perfo¬ rated disc and one such fragment suggest spindle whorls. Perfo¬ rated objects of clay and stone are few compared to the numbers of beads of other material. Perforated fragmentary rims of vases are however not uncommon. Three rude clay pipes were found : two of the platform or monitor class, 1 and one somewhat resem¬ bling that from New York, in figure 111 of McGuire’s article on Smoking Customs. 2 One of the former has a series of notches encircling all that is left of the platform. The third pipe is un¬ decorated. Two fragments of tubes, possibly of pipes, were found. Burnt clay occurred in great quantity in the mounds and on the surface: in the former making level floors or strata several inches thick, difficult to break even with a pick, and on the latter occurring in massive lumps in which the moulds of cane or reeds are often visible. 3 ARTICLES OF STONE (PLATES XVII-XIX) . CHIPPED STONE. Projectile Points and Knives. The collection may be classified as follows : following sugges¬ tions made by Mr. Thomas Wilson 4 and Mr. Gerard Fowke. 5 The articles are divided into larger and smaller: the larger are two and a half inches in length or more, the smaller less than two and a half inches. Larger chipped points .— Those with convex edges are often quite pointed and the base somewhat convex and narrow, ap¬ proaching a point. McGuire: Rep. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1897, 1, p. 468, “Smoking Customs.” 2 “ op. cit. p. 493. s Thomas: Bur. Etk. Rep. 12, 1890-91, p.2.79 (Miss. Mounds). “ “ “ “ “ p. 587 (Ark. Mounds). 4 Rep. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1,1897, p. 890 If. 5 Bur. Eth. Rep. No. 13, pp. 142 if. See also Moorehead, W. K.: “Prehistoric Imple ments,” pp. 191 if. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 41 The general type resembled Fowke’s type L {op. cit.) with a more rounded base. Plate XVII shows two Divisions 1, B, j, and one of Division 3, A, a. In the latter case the edges are nearly straight. Pointed at both ends. Less pointed ( a. Concave with base J . Straight or rounded (7 Convex Long parallel sides. 0 0 7 0 r a. Concave Edges. 0 A. Base Concave -j 0- Straight Edges ,.0 I 7 . Convex Edges.0 §3 fa. Concave Edges.0 3 p < B. Base Straight -j 0- Straight Edges.0 I v. Convex Edges.0 Q in ' ' i f a. Concave Edges.0 C. Base Convex -j P- Straight Edges.0 ( y. Convex Edges. 0 CO CO *3 ® < Qls A. Stems straiglit f a. Straiglit Edges or wedge shaped | p. Convex Edges B. Expanding. Total Smaller articles. Plates XVIII and XIX- 1 11 2 21 -H? fA. Pointed at both ends G B. Less pointed ' a Concave 6 ’3 co -< with base 0 . Straight » . 31 or rounded 7 . Convex . . 57 u Long parallel sides . 2 Total D vision 1 102 A. C. r a. Concave Edges Base Concave J p. Straight Edges I 7 . Convex Edges f a. Concave Edges Base Straight J 0 . Straight Edges I 7 . Convex Edges f a. Concave Edges Base Convex J 0 . Straight Edges 7 . Convex Edges Total Division 2 2 11 15 2 14 109 1 6 51 211 42 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. CO £ a S '> SS Q'g A. it. Stem straight or wedge shaped Stems expanding 16 42 / A. a o I?. C. D. Total Division 3 With beveled edges or chipped almost exclusively on one side With serrated edges. With a notch in one side of base .... Triangular with two angles sharp and one angle rounded. Knife-shaped.. 58 6 I 3 10 o Total Division 4 Summary: Division 1. 102 “ 2 . 211 “ 3. 58 “ 4. 22 Total 393 A further Classification of Division 3 A : With Rase of Stem Broken.4 “ “ “ “ Concave.0 “ “ “ “ Straight. 6 “ “ “ “ Convex.4 “ “ “ “ Pointed., . 1 “ “ “ “ Irregular. 1 Total 16 Further Division 3 A. Classified by notches or by the angle (generally rounded) formed by the edge of the stem and the edge of the end of the shoulder With obtuse angle. 8 “ right “ 4 “ acute “ 3 Irregular form ( “ Bunt ”).1 Total 16 The general form of Division 3 A resembles Fowke, Figure 204, p. 151 (op. cit.). (Bur. Eth. Rep. 13). For the “bunt” compare Fowke, p. 168(op. cit.). No. 61878 (Peabody Museum) is abnormally asymmetric and resembles the knife figured by Wilson, p. 946. 1 Remarks .-—Of the first two classes an overwhelming proportion was found on the surface. Of the two stemmed forms a far larger proportion than of the others came from the Edwards mound during 1 Rep. IT. S. Nat. Mus. 1,1897. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUTNY, MISSISSIPPI. 43 general digging or in burials. The two specimens of Division 1, class C, corresponding more or less with that of Wilson’s p. 890, are rare, especially in the light of that author’s statement of the provenance of the class from the Pacific Coast: The points however of the Mississippi specimens are not sharp. Perforators 1 Few of these were found and, naturally, often broken; twenty-three are classified as follows (Plate XIX) : Round, oval or rectangular in cross section 9 With minor axis of cross section proportionately smaller 11 Round, with a broad flat stem 2 Irregular 1 Total 23 Scrapers .—These nearly all resemble type B of Fowke. 2 They are divided as follows (Plate XIX) : Class 1, flat type 78 “ 2, with but one or two scraping edges 49 3, with three chipped edges 126 “ 4, unusual in form 5 Total 258 The great abundance of these scrapers (they are occasionally of small size, e. g. base 1/2", length 5/8") and the care shown in manufacture (for instance in working over a broken projectile point to serve as a scraper) make this type characteristic of the neighborhood. Among class 4 are a triangular scraper with con¬ vex base and concave sides all carefully chipped ; one a complete Square with four chipped sides ; a shouldered spall, chipped on the base and steeper side, and a leaf-shaped spall, with rounded ends and parallel sides chipped with great care to a long ridge following the major axis (Plate XIX). Celts and celt-shaped forms. — Class A. Chipped and pecked forms (Plate XIX). These are very rough, not unlike the “ Rejectage ” from Vir¬ ginia shown by Holmes in Plate LXII 3 . Rude as they are, there 1 See Fowke: op. cit. p. 161. Wilson: p. 944, cla'ss K. - Op. cit. p. 170. 3 Holmes, W. H.: “Stone Implements of the Potomac-Chesapeake Tidewater Province.” Bur. Eth. Rep. 15, ’93-’!)4. 44 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI- is little doubt that they are to be considered implements. Many of them show signs of hitting or pecking on the top or sides, probably done in the course of manufacture. They very fre¬ quently possess the well known polish popularly supposed to come from use, at or near the edge. They come both from the surface and from within the mound. The majority of them retain some of the original natural surface of the stone unmodified. The specimens of Class A are from 2" to 4" long. They may be ar¬ ranged as follows : Class A. 1. Showing flaking alone with little or no pecking 5 2. “ followed by pecking 29 3. Undetermined 1 Total 35 Class A. (A further classification.) 1. Oval forms 4 2. Longer, tapering away from the edge 17 3. Shorter, with a fracture nearly at right angles with longer axis 11 4. Unusual forms 3 Total 35 Nearly one-third of these have polish at or near the edge some¬ times brilliant, sometimes merely the lustre due to the later pro¬ cesses in celt making. Of spades and larger flat implements, such as occur in Tennessee 1 but three fragments were found; that such implements occur in Mississippi is known however. POLISHED STONE. Celts and celt-shaped forms (Class B). Celts of the same gen¬ eral class and shape as those of class A were found both on and under the surface. Many were broken, but where the fragment was large enough to be significant it is rated here as an implement. The complete forms are from to 3f-" long. 1 Of. Peabody Museum specimens and Thruston: “Antiquities of Tennessee,” Plate XIII. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 45 These may be classified as follows: 1. With chipping not entirely pecked or abraded away (characteristic and numerous in propor¬ tion 1 ). 11 2. Polished with few signs of chipping 22 3. Celt with subsequent chipping 1 Total 34 Or they may be divided as follows : Celts Class B. 1. Long thin type (nearly corresponding with the individuals of class 1 above) 12 2. With blunter edge often fractured at right angles with major axis 21 3. Peculiar form 1 Total 34 A further classification may be made as follows : Celts Class B. 1. Long thin type а. Oval 1 б. With fracture at right angles 1 c. Tapering from the edge 10 2. With blunter edge a. Oval 2 b. Tapering from edge 7 c. With fractures at right angles 12 3. Peculiar form 1 Total 34 The material of the chipped celts, Class A, is usually a flint or chert of a yellowish color; of the polished Celts, Class B, reddish, pink or yellow flints in the thinner type; for the blunter type, flint, quartz or quartzite. Besides these there is in the collection a celt (the gift of Mrs. E. L. Dorr, Jr.) 8" long, from the surface near Clarksdale; it is bell shaped and has been broken near the edge. See class G, of Fowke p. 78 (Plate XVII). 1 See Holmes: op.cit. PI. LXIII. 46 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. OTHER STONE OBJECTS. Hammerstones of various shapes, natural stones brought from the river shoals, and dropped on the ground were common, as well as the usual awl sharpeners. On one of the last a certain rude design of criss-cross lines seems to have been intentional. Stone disks. Eight stone disks were found showing some variety, as follows: No. Diameter Sides Edges See class 1 Thick: (Fowke p. 99) 1. H" Flat Rounding D 3 2. 1 3 " 1 4 Convex Straight F 1" 2 3. ir <. 1 t t l l 3 // 4 4. H" Flat Convex P l " 5. H" 11 Rough i r 6. 3" f 1 Convex | 1 Pitted Convex 0 n" 7. 2f" ( 1 Convex j 1 Straight Straight 0 H" 8. .,i" 4 Convex Rough L i r Two plummets (Plate XVI) were found, both rough : one f the surface and one from the mound. They are both pear-shaped, that from the mound oval, that from the surface tapering from near the bottom, and both are grooved for suspension. That from the mound (broken) is two and one-quarter inches long, that from the surface two and one-half inches long. Three perforated pendants were found : one was a flat pebble, one and a half inches long, one, a llat pear-shaped stone three and a half inches long, with the sides worked to a blunt edge and with parallel scratchings on one side ; the third was a flat pear-shaped pebble one and one-half inches long, found under the skull of skeleton 121. SHELL. Shells, as remarked above, were very numerous, occurring as the refuse of ancient feasts, or as the debris from the workshops where shells were used in tempering the pottery. Outside, how¬ ever, of beads and occasional ornaments, the only modification of the natural forms w*as by perforation ; five perforated unio shells 1 See Bur. Eth. 13 (op. cit.) . EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 47 were found, four of which may have been used as spoons or scrapers, and one as an ornament. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS OF SHELL AND OTHER MATERIALS. (PLATE XX) OCCURRENCE. 1. Of shell. Eight shell beads were found by the arm, thigh and neck of Skeleton 12 (bundle burial). Position : V down in the Edwards Mound. Two shell beads were found with Skeleton 19, one near the chin (full-length burial). Position : Y down in the Edwards Mound. One shell bead, two beads of quartz and a brass bell were found with Skeleton 25 (bundle burial and a child’s skeleton). Position : 2' down in the Edwards Mound. Shell beads were found with Skeleton 32, near the neck and near the left wrist; in the latter case they lay in order as if having been on a string; there were also some beads near the neck. Position : 2' 3" down in the Edwards Mound. Shell beads were found near the neck of Skeleton 34 (bundle burial in a seeming intrusion). Position : 2' 10" down in the Edwards Mound. Four shell beads were found with Skeleton 36 (probably a bun¬ dle burial; that of a child). Position : V 8" down in the Edwards Mound. Shell beads were found with Skeleton 138 (bundle burial). Position : 3' 10" down in the Edwards Mound. Shell beads were also found in the general digging of the Edwards Mound (see No. 61777, Peabody Museum) and on the surface of the surrounding field (see No. 61861, Peabody Museum). A shell bead and a brass perforator were found under a skull in the Cemetery Mound. 2. Beads of glass. Two series of glass beads were found under the chin of Skele¬ ton 4 (bundle burial). Position: 2' 9" down in the Edwards Mound. Beads of glass, a brass point and small shells were (all) found under the skull of Skeleton 5 (bundle burial). 48 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY. MISSISSIPPI- Position : 3' i” clown in the Edwards Mound. Eleven glass beads were found in a group with Skeleton 7 (bundle burial). Position : 3' 4" down in the Edwards Mound. A glass bead was found with Skeleton 8 (bundle burial). Position: Y b" down in the Edwards Mound. Glass beads were found under the left humerus of Skeleton 28 (a bundle burial). Position : Y 6" down in the Edwards Mound. Glass beads were found with Skeleton 31 (a bundle burial). Position: Y '6" down in the Edwards Mound. Glass beads were also found on the surrounding surface near the Edwards Mound. 8. Beads of other substances. One bead of jasper was found in the general digging of the Edwards Mound in cutting 15. One bead of galena was found with an unworked piece of the same substance 8" down in the Dorr Mound (see Nos. 57253 and 57256, Peabody Museum). Two beads of quartz were found with Skeleton 25 (a bundle burial of a child). Position : 2 / down in the Edwards Mound. A long bead of brass was found inside the occiput of Skeleton 151 (a full length burial in an intrusion). Position: Y 6" down in the Edwards Mound. Two beads of brass were found with Skeleton 157 (a bundle burial of a child). Position : 11 " down in the Edwards Mound. 4. Other articles. A stone tube (see No. 61855, Peabody Museum) found on the surface was presented by Mrs. P. M. Edwards. One brass bell was found under the left ear of Skeleton 25 (a bundle burial of a child). Position : 2' down in the Edwards Mound. One brass bell was found with Skeleton 14, near, or in contact with the skull (a u scissors-shaped” burial). Position : Y 2" down in the Edwards Mound. A brass point was found with Skeleton 5 under the skull, ac¬ companied by glass beads and shells (a bundle burial). EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI- 49 Position : 3' 1" down in the Edwards Mound. A brass perforator was found with a skull in the Cemetery Mound. Brass was found near the neck of Skeleton 32, the bone near it being discolored by the brass. Position : 2' 3" down in the Edwards Mound. Quartz was found in the Dorr Mound (see No. 57251, Peabody Museum) and with Skeleton 28 (a bundle burial). Position : 1'6" down in the Edwards Mound. Mica was found with Skeleton 139 (a bundle burial). Position : 8" down in the Edwards Mound. Parched corn was found at the bottom of the hole No. 7 ; the top of this hole was V down, the bottom 2' 10" down in the Edwards Mound. The greatest depth recorded at which articles possibly of white man’s manufacture were found was. in the Edwards Mound : for glass 3' 4"; for brass 3'1". There is no reason to believe, from the evidence of the articles found, that the lower part of the Edwards Mound was constructed or disturbed after white contact. > Form of the beads. The beads of glass are all globular; the smaller flattened, the larger elliptical; they are of iridescent blue color. The size varies from a diameter of 1 /10" with a perforation 1/30" in diameter to 4/10" in diameter with a perforation 1/10" in diameter. The beads of shell are many of them discoidal. The size is from 1/5" in diameter, 3/20" in thickness, with perforation 1/10" in diameter, to 8/10" in diameter, 4/10" in thickness, with per¬ foration 1 /5" in diameter. Seven beads of shell of the massive type were found. The largest is 1 1/10" in diameter, 9/10" in thickness with a perfora¬ tion 1 /10" in diameter. The jasper bead is tubular, 3/4" long 6/10" in diameter, with a countersunk perforation 3/10" in diameter at the end. The quartz beads are tubular and countersunk, one quadran¬ gular, one hexagonal. The hexagonal bead is 9/10" long, 7/10" in diameter, with a perforation 3/10" in diameter at the ehd. The quadrangular bead is 1 1/10" long, 6/10" in diameter, with a perforation 5/20" in diameter. 50 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS. COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. The galena bead is tubular and massive, 1" long, l" in diameter with countersunk perforation 3/10"in diameter at the end. The ends are flat and parallel and the section rudely quadrangu¬ lar with beveled edges. The tubular brass bead is made of a rolled sheet and is 1 1/10 // long and 3/10" in diameter. ARTICLES OF BONE 1 (PLATE XX). Awls, perforators and projectile points were found in the mound, not on the surface; they were made from the bones of either the deer or the turkey. They may be classified as follows : Aids and perforators. 1. Long forms with slender tapering points, 2 3/4" to 1" long .... .14 2. Very slender and polished .... 1 3. Blunter forms of antler (some unworked) . 5 4. With a flatter section above the point . . 6 5. Very slender and with sharp points . . 5 Total 31 Projectile points ...... 8 A bone specimen of doubtful authenticity (No. 61885, Peabody Museum) may be a fragment of an atlatl; two bear’s teeth were found near the ears of skeleton 55. Miscellaneous. In the Dorr mound three lumps of galena were found not con¬ nected with a burial. Pieces of quartz occurred in both mounds ; in the Edwards mound with skeleton 28. Pigments of a pink color were found eight feet down in the Edwards mound. Bark, decayed wood and ashes were common throughout this mound. Blocks and unidentified objects of cannel coal were presented by Mrs. P. M. Edwards found by herself near the river bank one- half mile from the Edwards mound. In addition to the beads mentioned over one hundred minute discoidal beads of turquoise were found with a child’s skeleton i Beauchamp, W. M.: Bull. N. Y. State Mus., No. 50, Mar. 1902. Willoughby, C. C.: Am. Anthrop., N. S. Vol. 3, No. 3, 1901, p. 431. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 51 (No. 137) in connection with the enamel of the teeth. Also a small turquoise pendant; the beads were some of them less than one tenth of an inch in diameter, divided equally between the two sides and the perforation ; the thickness was one forty-fifth of an inch or less. The pendant was half an inch long and half an inch broad, shaped like a section through a pot-shaped vase, with a round handle. The skeleton was not deeply buried and some glass beads were also found with it. This turquoise is the same as that used by the Pueblo Indians, and, as suggested by Professor Putnam, there is little doubt that it was obtained from some Pueblo Indian by trade in early white man’s times. THE BONES OF ANIMALS. The following animals have been identified from bones found during the exploration. Deer — Cariacus virgmianus. Bear — TJrsus americanus. Raccoon — Procyon lotor. Opossum — Didelphys virginianct. Beaver — Castor canadensis. Wildcat — Lynx rufvs. Rabbit — Lepus aquaticus. Squirrel — Sciurus carolinensis. Dog — Canis familiar is. Turkey — Meleagris gallopavo americanci. Sheepshead — Aplodinotus grunniens. Alligator Gar — Lepidosteus tristoechus. Conclusion. The Edwards Mound may be considered as a typical Indian mound of a later period placed within a typical village site. The characteristic features are first, the division of the mound into an upper and lower part, separated by strata A and B, and second, the variety and richness of the articles, found at or near the sur¬ face of the surrounding field. Below the “Critical level” were the greater number of full length burials ; above it the greater number of bundle burials. Below the “Critical level” were found but five of the sixty-eight vases, and very few manufactured articles of any kind, while above it they 52 EXPLORATION OF MOITNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. were frequent. These facts, coupled with the amount of ashes in stratum B and with the rude ring of holes 1 above referred to, in¬ duce to the opinion, that the mound lias been built in two periods : that the lower portion was gradually built and used as a burial place, that a stockade of posts was set up about a centre to the east of a later apex; that, after a period of occupancy, this stock¬ ade was burnt down, and another population continued to build the mound to a conical apex some ten feet higher. Further we conclude that the latter people buried their dead from time to time, generally intrusively in the bundle fashion and deposited pottery, and necklaces and strings of stone, shell and glass beads with the bones; further that the latter people were undoubtedly Post Columbian and were well skilled in working stone and had some acquaintance with white people and other tribes, at least by trade. More than this can hardly be asserted. The most strik¬ ing characteristic of the specimens found during the expedition’s continuance is the consummately good workmanship bestowed on the smaller flint implements, particularly the scrapers, in compar¬ ison with the rudeness and the infrequency of the larger forms belonging to the stone age. The specimens, except the turquoise, are what would be expected from the civilization of the Arkansas- lower Mississippi district. In connection with this a paucity of worked shell is to be noted. APPENDIX I. HUMAN BONES. By W. C. Farabee. The human bones found during the two years’ excavations were in such an advanced state of decay that it was impossible to preserve many of them for study. Of the large number of skeletons exhumed, the skulls of only seven were sufficiently preserved for the taking of measurements. The most notable feature of this small collection of skulls is the antero-posterior shortening, which produces an extreme grade of brachycephaly. The average cranial index is 90.4; the extremes are 84.8 and 97.5 respectively. In most cases there is depression in the occipital 1 See geographical centre and centre of circle of holes on p. 34. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAIIOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 53 region only, but in some cases the frontal region also is similarly deformed. Many fragments of occipital and frontal hones show the same influence. Since the series is so small and the measurements are so affected by this artificial deformation, it seems useless to enter into any discussion of particular measurements or indexes. The table is subjoined in the hope that it may be of some value in a compara¬ tive study with other skulls from the same region. In general character and especially in artificial deformations, these skulls very closely resemble those from the burial mounds in the St. Francis River region of Arkansas, but as we have no measurements of this collection a comparative study cannot be undertaken at this time. The collection from Mississippi contains a few very interesting anomalies : Skull 57813 1 which bears no evidence of artificial deformation, has both auricular cavities completely closed with bony tumors. In the lower jaw of 57830 there is a supernumerary canine tooth fully formed and large as normal, lying below and back of the normal canine tooth on the right side. There are two cases showing sternal foramina ; one (57833) 3 mm. in diameter and the other (57838) 10 mm. in diameter. The olecranon fossa is perforated in 12 of the 28 specimens; 3 of males and 9 of females ; 3 lefts and 9 rights. There are three specimens which clearly show the results of violence. The shaft of the left femur of skeleton 57817 has been fractured just above the second trochanter, the upper part being displaced forward about half its diameter and slightly twisted outward upon itself. The ends are rounded off and the opening of the medullary cavity is obliterated. The right tibia of 57836 had an oblique fracture from the upper part of the lower third on the inside to 7 cm. above the external malleolus. The lower part has been drawn upward about 3 cm. and forward 2 cm., making an angle of 12° with the shaft. There is a great deal of roughening from an ossifying periostitis which extends around the bone. The fibula of the same leg suffered even a greater displacement, for the broken ends moved by each other and in this new position were firmly soldered by a strong- bony mass. 1 The numbers refer to the catalogue of the Peabody Museum. 54 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. Measurements of Crania. Catalogue Number Sex 57808 !• 57837 F 57807 57806 M 57813 M 57835 M 57834 AVER M FEMALE AGE MALE Capacity 138(1 1250 1547 1315 1547 Length IDS 164 163 173 185 162 167 162 172 Breadth 154 131) 141 145 158 145 151 Biasterial breadth 110 103 111 102 108 111 108 107 Biauricular “ 124 103 111 105 108 110 121 113 113 Bistephanic “ 122 10!) 109 no 116 124 113 117 Interpterion “ 120 103 112 105 no 113 123 112 113 Minimum frontal breadth 101 92 94 94 90 95 99 96 96 Bizygomatic 130 135 136 130 136 External biorbital “ 100 91 92 97 94 93 94 95 Internal “ ‘29 23 22 21 26 23 27 25 24 Bijugal 117 105 110 114 112 113 in 113 Bimaxillary 103 94 97 95 102 98 99 Bialveolar “ 65 62 64 71 02 07 64 67 Maxillary length 50 50 54 59 63 50 56 51 55 Basi-alveolar “ 100 91 93 104 102 90 96 95 101 Basi-nasal “ 102 92 S8 99 109 98 96 94 101 Basi-bregmatic height 142 132 131 147 150 144 147 135 147 Basion-obelion 138 129 134 145 142 129 147 134 136 Basion-lambda 120 115 119 120 126 109 127 118 121 Length of foramen magnum 35 35 - 39 41 38 38 35 39 Breadth “ “ “ 31 •28 27 32 29 27 29 29 Malar height 43 42 44 47 46 49 40 43 47 Naso-alveolar height 70 64 67 70 76 70 71 69 72 Spino-alveolar “ 24 19 22 22 28 21 28 22 25 Orbital breadth 40 34 37 41 43 38 37 37 40 “ height 34 34 35 34 37 37 32 34 35 depth 47 45 44 47 52 55 48 45 51 Bidacryc breadth 22 22 18 18 20 18 21 21 19 Nasal height 56 46 42 50 50 51 44 48 49 “ breadth 25 24 26 27 23 24 25 25 25 Palatal length 43 43 39 47 41 40 43 42 43 “ breadth, canines 24 26 21 23 24 23 24 24 24 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. 55 Catalogue Number Sex 5780S F 57837 57807 F 57806 M 57813 M 57835 M 57834 M AVER FEMALE \.GE MALE Palatal breadth, 2nd molars 44 38 39 41 43 43 40 40 42 Dental length 39 41 41 42 40 42 Height of choanae 24 22 25 25 24 23 25 24 24 Breadth of “ 30 24 26 25 30 26 29 27 28 ARCS Naso-malar 11(1 98 99 107 105 100 102 104 Frontal 114 111 113 122 128 125 124 113 125 Parietal 118 118 121 132 125 120 122 119 125 Occipital 102 103 110 113 99 127 103 112 Total sagittal 334 332 364 366 344 373 333 362 Maximum transverse 474 418 430 445 452 481 437 459 Supraauricular 355 304 320 324 335 375 344 345 Preauricular 275 257 255 268 280 270 274 262 273 Total horizontal 490 476 487 494 490 512 484 499 Indices Cranial 97.5 84.8 86.5 89.5 94.6 89.3 92 V ertical 89.8 80.5 80.4 84.9 81.1 88.9 88 83.6 85.3 Breadth-height 92.2 94.9 92.9 99.3 93 93.3 96.1 Orbital 85 100 94.6 82.9 86 97.4 86.5 93.2 88.2 Nasal 44.G 52.2 61.9 54 46 47.1 56.8 52.9 50.9 Uranic 180 124 118 134 124 11‘) 124 126 APPENDIX II. “ THE COPIAH COUNTY WALL.” (Plates XXI and XXII) After the conclusion of the work in Coahoma County in 1901, the writer, in company with Mr. C. W. Clark, of Clarksdale, made an excursion to Brandywine, Claiborne County, Mississippi, for the purpose of looking at the so-called prehistoric wall of that district. July second was spent in examining and photographing the “wall.” As far as can be asserted from such a brief study, the “wall” is a perpendicular stratum of white sandstone of natural formation which presents several outcrops near Brandywine. At the surface the stone is broken by natural cleavage with blocks of a general size of, say, i' 5" x 2' 6" x 2' W'. Between these is a soft deposit of so-called “Cement, ” found upon examination at the Mineralogi- cal Museum of Harvard University by Dr. Palaclie, 1 to consist of decomposed sandstone, produced by weathering possibly, with per- naps some admixture of iron. Other outcrops of a similar for¬ mation occur not far distant. See Plates XXI and XXII which show views of an outcrop of the “ wall” taken from the south and east, respectively. 1 Dec. 2,1903, Professor C. Palaclie on examination, a second time, pronounced the rock and the cement to be practically identical with no trace of ealcium carbonate; a slight trace or stain of iron in the cement may have arisen through weathering or outside influences. One can have resulted from the other by mechanical decomposition. (56) DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. DESCRIPTION OP PLATE VII (MAP). Mounds (indicated by circles) noted in 1901 (besides large Central Mound or Edwards Mound). 1 Height 3' 5" 4 Small Mound (invisible in 1902) 2 “ 3' 3" 5 Height 2' 6" 3 “ 5' 5” (Cemetery Mound) 6 Small Mound Mounds described in 1902. A Height 1' 8" E Height 1' B “ 1' 4” F “ 1' C “ 10” G “ 1' D “ 1' 6” H “ 1' P. A. ; P. B.; P. C. = Pits (see text, page 30) J J = approximate line of a depression 2' ± deep K K = Course of Sunflower River 7" 2 " 2 " 4" DESCRIPTION OP PLATE VIII; TYPICAL CROSS SECTION. (See page 28) Edwards Mound; looking West. Sections 1, 2 and 3, united; taken under Stake 21 on May 29, June 9 and June 16, 1902. A A = xxx = “ Stratum A ” (See pp. 31, If.), “ Buckshot.” BB =///// = “ Stratum B "(See pp. 31, fF.), containing charcoal, loose earth, etc. “ Stratum A” here often appears as if thrown from baskets. CC D E FG F' G' H I J K LL SK = Burnt clay. = Charcoal. = Hole filled with loose earth. = “ Sod-line.” = Floor of excavated trench. = Pocket of ashes. = Human bones. = Ashes. = Ashes, burnt-earth; charcoal. = Shells in “Sod-line.” = Skeleton. Notbs : Under Stakes A/B above and below the “ Sod-line’’and to the northward above “ Sod-line ” is brown and yellow discoloration. Scattered shells and charcoal. Figures = Height of surface above “ Sod-line. ” Trench at Q not fully excavated ; a china-berry tree ( T ) was left in situ. (57) 58 EXPLORATION OK MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XII. At tup of plate (line 1). DIAMETER. HEIGHT. WHERE FOUND. Plate-shaped bowl. 1' 2" 33 ' Cemetery Mound. Line 2 (left to right). 1. Bowl with flat rim. <4 - 4 Edwards Mound E. of Skeleton 21. 1' down. 2. Bowl with flat rim. Note (in line 2) peculiar, simi¬ lar, incised pattern on rims. 8|” 4g" Edwards Mound E. of Skeleton 21 1’ down. At bottom of pliite (line 3). Cemetery Mound. Plate-shaped bowl. 8" 12” S. of Human Bones. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIII. Line 1 (lelt to right). DIAMETER. HEIGHT. WHERE FOUND. 1. Vase with conventional knobs. ov 34" Cemetery Mound. 2. Vase with ears resembling* animal forms. Nose to tail. 7.V' To top of head 43" Cemetery Mound with six Skele¬ tons. Line 2. 1. Tall bowl with triangular base. Maximum ii" 5 '' Dorr Mound. North side 2. Vase with conventional knobs. 6" 2a" Edwards Mound. With human bones 1' 11" down. Line 3. Bowl with ears resembling ani¬ mal forms. Contains rattles within the head. Nose to tail. 113" To top of head. ^I M Edwards Mound E. of skull of Skeleton 156. 1’ 2" down. Line 4. 1. Tall bowl with so-called “Compass-rays.” Maximum. 5 3” 54" Edwards Mound. With human bones. Below “Stratum B” 2. Tall bowl with quadran¬ gular base. Maximum Edwards Mound. With .a human 43 ' 7 r skull 2' 3” down. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNT F, MISSISSIPPI. 59 DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIV. Line 1. Left to right. 1. Vase with a conventional pattern of four scrolls. DIAMETER. Overall HEIGHT. 51" WHERE FOUND. Edwards Mound S. of skull of skeleton 126. 1’ 7” down. 2. Vase with ears and four knobs. Overall. 62 ” if Cemetery Mound. Line 2. 1. Vase of rare “tea pot” shape. With red slip. Tail to spout. 61 ” To top of spout. if" Surface near Edwards Mound. 2. Vase of rare “tea-pot” shape. To end of spout. 5' To top of spout. 4 r Edwards Mound. With human bones. 1' 11" down. Line 3. Vase with eight scrolls. Orifice. 21 4 ” Edwards Mound. N. of skull of skeleton 26. 2’ down. Line 4. 1. Vase with three scrolls. 4 h" 41" Edwards Mound. E. of skull of skeleton 157. 11" down. 2. Vase in rare fish-form. 6' Edwards Mound. N. E. of skull of adult skele¬ ton. (Skeletons 17 and 18). Not deep. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XV. DIAMETER. HEIGHT. WHERE FOUND. Vase at the top. Vase of unusual triple forma tion. Covered with red slip. n ' er Cemetery Mound. Line 2. Left to right. 1. Vase with pattern of inter¬ twined tetraskeles. Body of vase red; pattern in white. 72” 7J" Edwards Mound. 2' down. Without accom¬ panying skele ton. 2. Vase similar to ho. 1, in color and design. W 62" Edwards Mound N.of skull of Skel eton 7. 3' 4" down. 60 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XVI. Line 1 (left to right). 1. Disc of pottery. DIAMETEIi. lg" REMARKS. With concave sides. 2. Disc of stone. With convex sides. Surface near Edwards Mound. Line 2. 1. “Plummet” of stone. LENGTH. 2g” From the surface. 2. “Plummet” of stone. 2V Edwards Mound. Line 3. DIAMETER OVER THE TOR. Edwards Mound. See page With pelvis of Skeleton 78. 7'6” down. 1. Small vase of clay. 24" Skeleton of young person. 2. Small vase of clay. 2" Edwards Mound. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XVII. DIVISION. LENGTH. Three articles of stone at the top (left to right); see p. 41 1. Point or knife of (Large) stone. 1. B y 4” > Edwards Mound. 2. Point or knife of (Large) i V 10”down. stone. 1. By 3|” Said to be from the 3. Point of stone (Large) surface of the Dorr with tang broken. Div. 3, A a. 54” Mound, North side LENGTH. At bottom of plate. Vicinity of Dorr Polished Celt. 8" Mound. See p. 45. EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, 61 DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XVIII. (See pages 41 and 42.) CLASSIFICATION. LENGTH. REMARKS. Line 1. (Left to right.) Specimen 1. Div. 1. A. ii" “ 2. Div. 1. B. a. 18" “ 3. Div. 1. B. 0. 14" 4. Div. 1. B. v- 28" “ 5. Div. 1. C. 14" Line 2. Specimen 1. Div. 2. A. a. 1" “ 2. Div. 2. A. 0. 1” “ 3. Div. 2. A. y. 16" Line 3. Specimen 1. Div. 2. B. a. 18" “ 2. Div. 2. B. 0. Is” “ 8. Div. 2. B. y. 1” Line 4. Specimen 1. Div. 2. C. a. 18" “ 2. Div. 2. C. 0. i" “ 3. Div. 2. C. y. 1 !" Line 5. Div. 3. A. 18 ' Line 6. Specimen 1. Div. 3. B. a. 18" Without well defined shoul¬ ders. “ 2. Div. 3. B. 0. 18" With well defined shoulders. “ 3. Div. 3. B. y. 2” Barbed. Line 7. Specimen 1. Div. 4. 8" With a rounded base-angle. “ 2. Div. 4. ) 14" Serrated. 62 EXPLORATION OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIX. (Perforators; see page 43.) Line 1. (Left to right.) LENGTH. REMARKS. Specimen 1. 25" Round in section. “ 2. If” Flat in section. “ 3. Ol" -4 Stemmed. (Scrapers; see page 43.) Line 2. Specimen 1. i" With three chipped edges. “ 2. 15 With one or two scraping edges. “ 3. i§” Flat type. “ 4. 2 ’ Peculiar form. (Chipped Celts; see page 43.) Line 3. Specimen I. 2 Oval type. “ 2. 35" Tapering type. “ 3. 15’ Fractured; with polish. (Polished Celts; see page 44.) Line 4. Specimen 1. 35" Polishing incomplete. “ 2. 25 Polishing complete. EXPLORATIONS OF MOUNDS, COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI 63 DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XX. (See pagee 46 ff.) Line 1. (Left to right.) 1. Four beads of shell. Diameter. 1" Type. Discoid al. 2. Bead of shell. Across wing. 1J" Massive. 3. Bead of shell. Across wing. 1" Massive. Line 2. Beads of glass in a string. AVERAGB LENGTH. r Line 3. 1 . Bead of brass. LENGTH. W Tubular. 2. Bead of jasper. l Tubular. See p. 48 3. Bead of quartz. 8 Tubular. See p. 48 Six sides. 4. Bead of quartz. i*" Tubular. See p. 48 Four sides. Line 4. Awl of bone. LENGTH. 6g" Line 5. Awl of bone. 6J” Line 6. Awl of bone. H" Line 7. 1. Fragment of “atlatl” bone. ) 2. Projectile point of bone. 2 g" VIEW OF THE SUNFLOWER RIVER, LOOKING WEST FROM THE CAMP AT OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. sjsdRj ujnssnjAj Apoq^aj OF EDWARDS MOUND AND VICINITY, OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. 03 O C3 rn O <7» 03 O Peabody Museum Papers. PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING METHOD OF EXCAVATION. EASTERN SLOPE OF EDWARDS MOUND. Peabody Museum Papers. “SCISSORS-SHAPE” BURIAL. SKELETON 14, EDWARDS MOUND. Museum Papers- TYPICAL “BUNDLE” BURIAL. SKELETON 12, EDWARDS MOUND. sjsdBd uinasnm XpoqBaj Peabody ; Museum Papers. VOL. Ill, PL. XII. POTTERY FROM OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. Vo I,. Ill, I’L. XII! POTTERY FROM COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. POTTERY FROM OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. Voi. Ill, PL. XV. ) POTTERY FROM OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. Vol. Ill, Pl. XVI. OBJECTS OF CLAY AND STONE FROM OLIVER, MISSISSIPPI. VOL. Ill, l’L. XVII. Peabody Museum Papers. OBJECTS OF STONE FROM COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. SMALLER CHIPPED POINTS FROM OLIVER. MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. VOL. Ill, 1»L. XIX. OBJECTS OF STONE FROM COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. Peabody Museum Papers. Vol. Ill, PL. XX. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS EROM COAHOMA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. THE “COPIAH COUNTY WALL.” OUTCROP NEAR BRANDYWINE, MISSISSIPPI. FROM THE SOUTH. Peabody Museum Papers. THE “COPIAH COUNTY WALL.” OUTCROP NEAR BRANDYWINE, MISSISSIPPI. LOOKING WEST. •etibody Museum Papers. PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Vol. III. — No. 3 INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN WILLIAM C. FARABEE. WITH FIVE FI.ATES CAMBRIDGE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM March, 1905 KRAUS REPRINT CO. New York 1969 PAPERS OF THE PEABODY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY Vol. III. — No. 3 INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN WILLIAM C. FARABEE. WITH FIVE PLATES CAMBRIDGE, MASS. PUBLISHED BY THE MUSEUM March, 1905 KRAUS REPRINT CO. New York 1969 Reprinted with the permission of the original publisher KRAUS REPRINT CO. A U.S. Division of Kraus-Thornson Organization Limited Printed in U.S.A. NOTE. This paper is a brief extract from a thesis by Dr. Farabee on Hereditary and Sexual Influences in Meristic Variation, ac¬ cepted in 1903 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Divison of Anthropology of Harvard University. It embodies only that part of the thesis which gives the results of Dr. Farabee’s personal research on the Inheritance of Digital Mal¬ formation in Man. For the means of carrying on this investigation as well as for the publication of this paper we are indebted to a Friend of the Museum. Cambridge, Mass., March 10, 1905. F. W. Putnam, Curator of the Museum. INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. A great deal has been written concerning the abnormities of the hands and feet, and numerous cases of polydactylism, syndactylism, ectrodactylism, and macrodactylism have been recorded; but, very few cases of hypophalangia or hyperpha- langia have ever been noted. The following case of hypopha¬ langia, or diminution in the number of phalanges, came under my notice a few years ago in Pennsylvania. After careful examination the anomaly was found to be interesting not only as a case of anatomical variation, but also as a study in heredity. All the digits of all extremities of thirty-seven persons are affected and the anomaly is inherited in conformity with Men¬ del’s law for five generations. Measurements, tracings, photo¬ graphs, radiographs, plaster casts, and complete genealogical tables, were made.* As shown by the photograph (Plate xxm), the people ap¬ pear perfectly normal in every other respect and seem to suffer very little inconvenience on account of the malformation. The ladies complain of but one disadvantage in short fingers, and that is in playing the piano; they cannot reach a full octave and hence are not good players. Among the men are farmers, mechanics, business men, and school teachers. One man is at the head of a commercial school and a very excellent penman; another is catcher for the city baseball team. The hands and feet have the normal number of digits and the digits have the normal proportions, each to each. The thumbs and great toes have the normal number of phalanges, but the first phalanx *1 acknowledge my especial obligation to Prof. F. W. Putnam under whose direc¬ tion this study was carried on. ( 69 ) 70 INHERITANCE OP DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. in each case is greatly reduced in length,—so much so, especially in the thumbs, that they are said to have “double jointed thumbs.” The radiograph (Plate xxvi) shows the first phalanx to be about 12 mm., and the distal 22 mm., respectively in length. Hence, the thumbs thus shortened have the same relation to the other two phalanged digits that exists in the normal hand. Each of the fingers has but two phalanges in¬ stead of three. The metacarpal bones are normal except in length, being reduced in relative proportion to the length of the digits. The following table gives the length in millimeters of metacarpals and phalanges. TABLE I. Length of Metacarpals and Phalanges. Metacarpal. Proximal. Middle. Distal. Thumb 34 mm. 12 mm. 22 mm. Index 55 ‘ ‘ 30 “ 15 “ Middle 55 “ 40 “ 15 “ Rinfr 46 “ 32 “ 15 “ Little 42 “ 22 ‘ ‘ 18 “ The length of the hand is 162 mm., and the width 94 mm. In a few cases the distal phalanx of the ring finger is not in line with the proximal, but inclines toward the middle finger. The hands of all are broad, thick, and pulpy, as is seen in the photographs of the hands (Plates xxm, xxiv, xxv). The joints of fingers and toes, as appeared on examination and as shown by the radiographs (Plates xxvi, xxvn), are loosely articulated. This may account for the lack of strength in the hands which was spoken of by many. One man, who has been a noted wrestler, said that his defeats were due to his weak hands. The table n also shows a weak grip. This, however was not a fair test as the instrument used was too wide for their short hands. The feet, as shown in the cast and the outlines of the radio¬ graph (Plate xxvn), do not outwardly appear abnormal. The toes are slightly shorter and the foot a little thicker than normal but not enough so to attract attention. The bones, however INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. 71 as seen in the radiograph, present precisely the same condition as already noted in the hands and all that has been said in regard to the relative length of digits and phalanges in the hands applies equally to the feet. No dissections have been made of the hands or feet, hence we are deprived of the light that the musculation might throw upon the question of which is the missing phalanx; but, judging from the length, size and form of the proximal bones, especially the size and form at the base,it appears that the bases of the distal phalanges artic¬ ulate with the heads of the first row. Yet one is hardly justified in saying that either the one or the other segment is missing. It is safer to say, simply, that there is a reduction in the number of phalanges. On account of the reluctance to submit to examination, I was able to take measurements of only three adult males, one adult female, and some children. The numbers measured are too few for the results to be of any particular value, except to give some notion of their relation to the measurements of nor¬ mal individuals. Those measured are fairly representative of all families. We give, in table 11 , the measurements of the female and the average of the three males. There was very little variation in the males. The height of the males, 159 cm. or 5 ft. 3 in., is much below the average height of normal men. In the table of measurements, I have placed normal measure¬ ments secured by calculating the proportions of a normal indi¬ vidual of the same height. The average span of the arms, or reach of the males is but 146 cm. while normally it should be 165 cm. The reach is 92% of the height against 104% in nor¬ mal man. The reach of the female is but 86.6% of the stature. As will be seen, the reduction in the number of phalanges does not account for all this difference in reach. It is distributed almost equally between the arm, forearm, and hand. The difference in reach is 19 cm.; in whole arm, 9.5 cm.; in upper arm, 3.1 cm.; in forearm, 3.2 cm.; and in the hand 3.2 cm. The reach diminished by the sum of the lengths of the arms would leave the width of the body about normal. On account of the short arms the body has the appearance of being very long, but by consulting the table it will be seen that the height 72 INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. sitting is very nearly normal. The length of the foot is only 2 cm. short. The weight, however, is 16 lbs. heavier than normal. There does not appear to be complete correspondence between the upper and lower extremities. The upper are shorter than normal in every part whereas the lower are about normal in every way except the number of phalanges. There has never been a single instance of partial inheritance, but in all cases all extremities have been affected in precisely the same way. This is a most excellent example of similar and simultaneous varia¬ tion in both extremities. TABLE II. Measurements. Males. Females. NORMAL. ABNORMAL. NORMAL. ABNORMAL. Length of head 18.8 cm. 18 cm. W idth “ “ 15.0 “ 15.2 “ y “ face 13.5 “ 13.6 “ Cephalic index 80 84 Height 159 cm. 159 cm. 150 cm. 150 cm. ‘ ‘ sitting 85 “ 83 “ 82 “ 78 “ Reach 165 “ 146 156 “ 130 “ Length of arm 71.5 “ 62 67 “ 58 “ “ forearm & hand 43.4 “ 37 “ 41 “ 34 “ ‘ ‘ 2nd finger 7.9 “ 6.4 “ 7.4 “ 5.7 “ ‘ ‘ Hand 18.S “ 15.6 “ 17.1 “ 14.2 “ Width of hand 8 “ 9.3 “ 7 “ 7.6 “ Length of foot 25 “ 23 23.6 “ 20 “ Width “ “ 9.2 “ 9.9 “ 8.2 “ 8.6 “ Grip 48. kgm. 28 kgm. 25 kgm. 12 kgm Weight 139 lbs. 155 lbs. 129 lbs. 144 lbs. The family tradition is, that the first person having short digits came from Normandy in the army of William the Con¬ queror, and remained in England; that persons with short fingers have never intermarried; that every other child born INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. 73 of a short fingered parent has short fingers; and that no long fingered descendant of a short fingered parent ever had short fingered children. There is no historic evidence, so far as I can learn, to support the first part of the tradition; it may, or may not, be true. The fact that there is a tradition concerning the anomaly, without accounting for its origin, may be taken as partial proof that the origin is so remote that it has been forgotten. The second part that exogamy has been the custom, is true for at least five generations, as will be seen in table V. It would be very interesting indeed if this part of the tradition should be violated. HEREDITY. Probably the most important part of this study is that relating to the remaining portions of the tradition concerning heredity. At present the question of heredity is one of live interest on account of the testing of Mendel’s discovery, — the law of heredity. The present case demonstrates the fact that the law operates in man as well as in plants and the lower ani¬ mals. The abnormality here is shown to be the dominant character. The tradition that “every other child has short fingers,” is not quite true; yet, as nearly as possible, half the offspring have the anomaly. This is in perfect conformity with the law, the underlying principle of which is the purity of germ-cells and their production in equal members. When there is a union of normal and abnormal individuals, the abnor- mals producing germ-cells N and A in equal numbers, the chances are equal that germ-cell N of one sex may unite with germ-cell N of the opposite sex, or that germ-cell A of one sex may unite with germ cell N of the opposite sex. Since the abnormal character is shown to be dominant, the chances are even that the offspring may be normal or abnormal. Accord¬ ing to the laws of chance we should not expect that every other child would be abnormal, as in the tradition, but we should expect the total number of normals and abnormals in a large series to be very nearly equal, and that is what we find to be true here. 74 INHERITANCE OF DIGITAL MALFORMATIONS IN MAN. TABLE III. Order of Birth and Sex. GENERATION. FAMILY. ABNORMAL PARENT. OFFSPRING. I II III IV V « ( Unknown f 1 Female. d'^cTcJ'c? ft? 2 Male. 9t9d'?# 1 9??d 1 ?* 1 3 Female. $ ^ f 4 Male, f t 5 Female. 9 9 ? d 1 ? 6 Female. 9^9 7 Male. 9 f 8 Male.# 1 9?dV9??# 1 ? 9 Male. 9 d*