USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Madisonville > Indian Village Site and Cemetery Near Madisonville, Ohio > Part 27
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
In 1886, the work of exploration was again taken up, and com- pleted. The following is from the notebook of Dr. Metz:
Grave 1 was under the layer of concrete, length 8 feet 4 inches, width 4 feet 8 inches. The grave contained 18 inches of gravel resting on a bed of bluish ashes, 1} inches thick. In these blue ashes were two lines of white ashes, 2 inches wide, and extending the full length of the grave. In these white ashes, small hard concretions, similar to the white substance taken from the flues under mound 3, were found. Beneath the ashes was a layer of fine gravel and sand. At the eastern end of the grave, and below the ashes, a stone about a foot long stood upright. At the opposite end were five similar stones, with their upper ends just protruding through the ashes. A few inches from the first stone lay the head of a well-preserved skeleton of an adult female. At its knees rested a unio shell spoon. To the right was the skeleton of a child. Near its head lay three bone awls, a bundle of bone needles, and several flaked knives of flint. At the left foot was a unio shell filled with a red substance. Several flaked knives, some broken, were also found near the shell.
A little to the west of this double burial, and above the layer of concrete forming the base of the mound, was a mass of clay burned to a red color, having the form of a truncated pyramid (number 9, figures 12 and 13). It was 12 inches high, its base and top meas- uring 5 feet and 3 feet respectively.
Upon this lay a skeleton in flexed position, face downward. Around the skeleton and covering it was a structure of worked clay, 5 to 7 inches thick. The space between the bones and clay covering was filled with fine soft black earth, from which the bones were easily separated. Fragments of a few bone awls were taken from the grave, one being finely ornamented.
To the southeast of this altar-like structure, and beneath the concrete layer, at a depth of nearly 7 feet from the surface of the mound, another grave was found, containing a single skeleton (number 12). It lay in a horizontal position, head to the north- west, the left arm flexed on the chest, and the right arm flexed back parallel to the trunk.
Still farther to the southeast, at a distance of about 4 feet, and also beneath the concrete layer, lay a skeleton in a horizontal position, head to the southeast (number 13). No artifacts were found in either of these graves.
Twelve inches west from the central stake, and beneath the concrete layer, was a grave containing three skeletons of adults (number 16). The following description is by Dr. Metz:
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
The grave was 8 feet long and 4} feet wide, and extended northwest and southeast. Depth from the surface of the mound 6 feet. The three crania were in a line, and about a foot apart. At the feet of the skeleton at the south- ern side of the grave, lay a large marine shell vessel, several shell ornaments, and large pearls; at the left knee rested a shell spoon; and gripped in the left hand was a marine shell, cut and perforated, probably a drinking vessel [plate 7, b].
Nothing was found with the skeleton in the middle of the grave. With the third skeleton occupying the northern side of the grave were more than 200
N
GRAVEI
A-B =
B
FIREFLACE CONTAINING POUR POTTERY VESSELS
THE FOUR GRAVES WERE BENEATH THE CONCRETE LAYER FORMING BASE OF MOUND
FIGURE 13
Plan of Mound 1: 9, Altar with enclosed skeleton; 11, Small altar; 1, 12, 13, 16, Graves beneath concrete; 15, Stone-covered space.
pearl beads, and a stone pipe with 2 bowls. The latter lay near the right knee, and the former were found by the side of the right tibia. [The pipe is illus- trated in figure 11, a.]
Four intrusive burials of later Indians were encountered near the surface. The deepest of these was 22 inches. The positions of two of these are shown in number 14 of the cross-section.
The construction of the mound was peculiar. The strata of the different sections varied considerably, and only three of the layers extended throughout the mound, namely: the concrete layer near
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
its base; the brown layer just above; and the second stratum from the top, consisting of clay mixed with sand and ashes.
Only four post-holes were noticed. These were beneath the concrete layer, and were in the northwestern section. Certain portions of the mound consisted of refuse material, and through-
O
HEARTH
O
C
C
O
O
O
O
HEARTH
O
O
POST-HOLES
0
FIGURE 14 Plan of Mound 2.
out the earthwork were many animal bones, potsherds, broken bone awls, flint chips, bits of mica, and pieces of burnt clay.
Three feet from the outer side of the low outlining wall of stone, and to the northwest of the mound, was a small altar of burnt clay, 8 inches high, 3 feet long, and 2 feet wide (11).
Mound 2. This stood in the larger of the two earth circles within the great enclosure. The mound was 30 feet in diameter, and 2 feet high. Excavations revealed two hearths of burnt clay. Their positions and relative size are shown in the ground plan, figure 14. Nineteen post-holes were located and accurately plotted by tri- angulation, a method unfortunately not followed in the previous
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
work. (This was one of the last mounds of the group to be ex- plored.) Only one burial was found, the bones being badly broken and decayed.
The earth circle was approximately 300 feet in diameter, with opening to the southeast. It was accompanied by a trench upon its inner side, which had been partially obliterated by cultivation. A section of the embankment was made at its highest point. Its base was composed of three or four layers of flat river stones
.
7
-
14
5
FIGURE 15
Plan of the seven connected altar mounds within the Great Enclosure, showing wall outlining base of each.
placed one above the other; these were covered with a low em- bankment of gravel.
Mound 3. This is the largest of the seven connected mounds in the southeastern portion of the great enclosure. Each mound of this sub-group was outlined by a low wall of stones, as indicated in figure 15, which was made from a sketch by Dr. Metz. In some instances, the outer edge of a layer of stones, wholly or partially covering a mound, joined this wall, as will be seen by referring to the various cross-sections.
Mound 3 measured about 100 feet in diameter at its base, and 14 feet at its greatest height. Its altitude had not been materially reduced by cultivation. This is conclusively shown by the layer of stones which covered it at a nearly uniform depth of 20 to 24 inches beneath its surface, as indicated in the cross-section,
1
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
figure 16. Over the central part of the mound, a second layer of stones occupied the position shown in the cross-section.
The greater portion of the material composing the mound con- sisted of clay, or clay mixed with gravel, stratified as illustrated. Upon removing most of this, a layer of yellow sandy loam (7), 3 to 6 inches thick, with a sprinkling of gray sand, was encountered resting on a thin stratum of yellow clay. This covered the lower part of the mound, about 2 feet above its base. Underneath this layer of yellow clay was a stratum of clay mixed with charcoal, about 2 feet in thickness, which reached to a layer of concrete (8) covering the floor of the structure.
The ground plan is shown in figure 17. A wall of varying width, about 2 feet in height (excepting upon the eastern side), built of
A
33
FIGURE 16. Cross-section of Mound 3: 1, Intrusive burial; 2, Intrusive pit of charcoal and ashes; 5, Clay; 6, Clay and gravel, mixed; 7, Yellow clay with with tunnel and outer pit; 12, Layer of limestones; 28, Pit with tunnel and flues;
flat river stones, formed the outline of the base. The outer edge of the layer of stones, above referred to as covering the mound, joined this wall, as indicated in the cross-section. Bordering the inner edge of the wall and forming a part of the base of the mound, was a circle several feet in width, composed of loose gravel. The area within this circle consisted of a layer of ashes or clay showing the action of fire in places.
The Enclosing Wall. The low wall, from the inner edge of which extended the layer of stones covering the mound about 20 inches below its surface, was built of ordinary flat stones probably brought from the shores of the Little Miami River. Its base was somewhat below the level of the surrounding field.
As shown in the ground plan, the southeastern portion was carried inward until it reached a width of 15 feet. The following description is from Dr. Metz's notes:
35
HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
The wall, that had on the south side of the mound a uniform height of 2 feet and a width at its base of 4 feet, acquired a width of 15 feet and a height of 3} feet on its eastern side. The stones of which the wall was composed were much larger than those used on the west and southwest sides of the mound.
Thirteen feet inward from the edge or beginning of the wall, it suddenly arched over, until it reached a height of 3} feet. This elevation extended 20 feet along the wall, and was 2 feet in width. When the stones were removed from its front side, an oblong oval-shaped recess was discovered [figure 16, 10] filled with irregular layers of ashes, sand, and clay burned red, the lower stratum being of black ashes and charcoal, 2 to 4 inches in thickness and 18 inches in width. In this stratum many fragments of burnt bone were found, and resting on the ashes was a large marine shell with its open side up, and near it lay several fragments of copper ear-ornaments, numerous shell beads, and a carved piece of deer horn representing a species of fish.
The cavity in which these were found was 30 inches high, 2 feet wide, and
B
containing two skeletons and sixteen skulls; 3, Top soil; 4, Clay with specks thin covering of sand; 8, Concrete; 9, Post-holes; 10, Place of cremation; 11, Pit 33, Central altar; 34, Small altar.
10 feet long. The layer of black ashes extended eastward 10 feet beyond the arched cavity, into and between the layers of stone forming the wall.
The floor of the recess was composed of three layers of large flat river stones, the top layer showing marked evidence of having been exposed to the action of fire. The lowest of the three layers of stone which formed the covering of the recess was much burned, and the middle layer also showed evidence of direct contact with the fire. No flue or chimney was found leading from this recess.
Below the stone floor of the recess was a bed of clay, 2 feet wide, and 15 feet in length. The wall extended but a short distance beyond the recess into the mound.
The objects taken from the ashes and burnt earth which filled the recess consisted of about two quarts of burnt human bones (plate 7, d), probably the cremated remains of a single individual; a large vessel made of the shell of Fulgur perversa; an antler effigy of a fish having the tail of a rattlesnake, and an opening beneath,
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
into which probably fitted the end of a small staff; a pair of copper ear-ornaments of joined discs, one of which was broken; about two hundred shells of Marginella, perforated for stringing; twenty- seven large shell beads of uniform size; and a few small shell and
2+
C
35
0
A
0
. 28 ·
32
34
O
O
33
O
ASHES AND CLAY O
0
BURNT
CLAY
B
3
4
9
5
0
6
LOOSE GRAVEL
STONES
FIGURE 17
Plan of Mound 3: 1-6, 11, 12, 16, 28, Pits with tunnels; 8, Hearth of burnt clay; 10, Place of cremation; 31, Small pit with flue; 32, 35, Cache-pits; 33, Central Altar; 34, Small altar; 36, Post-holes.
pearl beads. These are shown in d, plate 6. None of these shows contact with fire.
It seems certain that this inner extension of the wall was built as a funeral pyre. First a platform of clay was made, about a foot high, upon which were laid three layers of flat stones. Upon these, the wood and other combustible material were placed, and
18
2
C
31
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
the body burned. It seems that before the fire had wholly died down, the remains were covered with clay and sand, over which three layers of limestones were placed.
One cannot be sure that this was not a place of general crema- tion, and that the ashes found were those of the last individual burned. It is very probable, however, that only one body was cremated here, evidently the remains of a person of distinction.
Pits and Tunnels. Upon removing the layer of concrete which covered a large part of the floor or base of the mound just above the level shown in the ground plan, six pits (numbers 1 to 6, figure 17) were discovered in a line running northwest from the southern portion of the mound; and beyond them a hearth or layer of burnt clay (8), 2 to 4 inches thick, was encountered. Portions of this layer showed excessive burning. Beneath it was a bed of black ashes. Dr Metz writes:
Just beneath the layer of concrete or burned gravel, a heavy stratum of burnt earth was observed. This was carefully uncovered and proved to be a hearth of semicircular form, conforming lengthwise to the curve of the mound . . . [number 8, figure 17]. The surface was burned to a hard red brick, 3 to 4 inches in depth, beneath which was a layer of black ashes, 3 inches in depth. Near the center of the [western section of the] hearth were two irregular spaces where the burning was evidently very intense and continued, the surface being a bluish gray, very hard and flinty. Immediately around this space the clay was of a very deep red color. Six concave depressions were observed extend- ing partly across the hearth, 8 feet in length, 16 inches wide, and 2 to 3 inches in depth. [Tunnels were afterward found beneath these depressions, which were apparently the result of the settling of the earth above them.]
Rising above the hearth to the north of pits 5 and 6 were three cone-like elevations. These were 9 inches in height, about 30 inches in diameter, and showed but very slight burning. At the apex of one, two round openings, 2 inches in diameter, were observed. On looking into these openings, a pit partially filled with earth was discovered.
An examination of the hearth was made by cutting a trench directly across at the west end [near pit 1], including one of the depressions on the surface. The space between the encircling stone wall and the edge of the hearth was filled with black ashes and loose soil, to a depth of 2 feet. Four inches to the southwest of the depression on the hearth was the inner edge of pit 1, 30 inches in depth and 18 inches in diameter, containing ashes and coarse charcoal, its bottom showing marked evidence of the action of fire, being burned hard and red.
On cutting down the edge of the hearth by the side of pit 1, a singularly- shaped arched opening of a tunnel was revealed beneath the depression in the hearth. This tunnel was 12 inches wide, 11 inches high, and 8 feet, 7 inches in
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
length. [See longitudinal-section, figure 18, b.] Its floor was covered with pure white ashes, 2 to 3 inches in depth, containing small fragments of bone. On removing the ashes, the floor was found to be of yellow clay, showing no evidence of the action of fire. The bottom or floor of the tunnel was a concave depression, occupying almost the entire width of the tunnel at its mouth, and
ć
a
b
C
FIGURE 18 Mound 3. Cross-sections of pits and tunnels: a, Small pit (31) and flues; 6, Stone covering flue; f', Clay cone; b, Pit and Tunnel 28; c, Pit 6, and connecting tunnel; g', Layer of burnt clay covering thin stratum of black ashes; f', Clay cones covering top of pits; i', Layer of ashes mixed with carbonate and phosphate of lime.
gradually narrowing until it terminated in a circular concave basin 2 or 3 inches deep at the rear end. From this depression or basin, two chimneys passed upward, terminating just under the burnt surface of the hearth. These chimneys were 25 inches in length, with a diameter of 2 inches. On their inner surface we noticed ashes, and the indication that heat and smoke probably at one time passed through them.
The tunnel contained only the ashes that covered the floor, and it sloped
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 8
Mound 3 partially explored, showing Central Altar (in middle distance marked by hatchet); the pit in front of Tunnel 12 (with handle of shovel), and cross-section of the tunnel; also outer pit of Tunnel 11 (with shovel and pick), and opening into its inner pit.
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
downward in the direction of the center of the mound, being 8 inches lower at its inner end.
In making a longitudinal-section of the hearth from northwest to southeast, 5 additional tunnels were found. Numbers 2 and 3 presented exactly the same condition as number 1, and had similar contents. Tunnels 4, 5, and 6 were
g
4
c
a
é
Ь
FIGURE 19
Mound 3. Cross-sections of pits and tunnels: a, Pit 5; b, Pit 16; c', Outer pit; d', Tunnel; é, Inner pit; f', Clay cap; g', Burnt clay, covering thin stratum of black ashes.
filled with loose black earth. Number 4 sloped deeper than the others, the flues or chimneys being 8 inches apart, 3 inches in diameter, and 27 inches in length. A small quantity of ashes was found on the floors of these tunnels. Tunnels 5 and 6 each terminated at its northern end, in a pit resembling somewhat the ash-pits of Ferris Woods. They were, however, each covered with a hood of clay showing evidences of having come in contact with fire at their tops.
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
In front of each of tunnels 2-6, at the southern end, a pit was discovered similar to the one found in front of tunnel 1. The tops of these pits were level with the bottom of the opening of the tunnels.
Tunnel 5 terminated at its northern end in a pit 4} feet deep, which was filled to a depth of 21 inches with ashes, gravel, several hard lumpe of earth and ashes, and a few flakes of mica, the remaining portion being empty [figure 19, a].
Tunnel 6 terminated at its northern end in a double pit [figure 18, c], the first being 6 feet in depth and 14 inches in diameter. This contained ashes, sand, black friable soil, and a fragment of pottery. This pit was connected on its northern side with one deeper and larger, its dimensions being as follows: depth, 9 feet; greatest width, 4 feet. A flue, 2 inches in diameter, and 37 inches in length, extended from its northern side, at a point 3 feet from its top, obliquely to the hearth above. The pit was nearly filled with ashes, sand, charcoal, and several pieces of hard burnt clay.
Ten feet northwest from the west end of the hearth, a cone-like elevation was found [number 31, figure 17, and a, figure 18], in the apex of which was a circular opening 4 inches across. This cone was 10 inches in height with a diameter of 13 inches at its base. The opening or flue extended downward 26 inches into a small pit, 11 inches in depth, and 15 inches in diameter. About a foot from the base of the cone, and on the same level, a flat stone was found covering a second flue, 4 inches in diameter, which extended obliquely down- ward, connecting with the small pit. This flue contained sand, ashes, and black earth.
In the space between the hearth and enclosing wall, and below the black soil and ashes, numerous little pits were found, 5 to 7 feet apart, following the course of the mound. A similar pit was discovered at the outer edge of the hearth between the larger pits in front of the tunnels. These small pits were 2 to 3 feet in depth, and 12 to 16 inches across, and contained fine sand and loose friable black earth. . . . Many small pits look as though great timbers had once been set in them, and that the fine friable brown and black earth was decayed wood.
These smaller pits were probably post-holes, and as the work continued they were found to be distributed over a considerable portion of the area covered by the mound.
Continuing excavations north and east, the area of burnt clay (number 8, figure 17), called by Dr. Metz ' the hearth,' was found to continue in a northeasterly direction, and a number of tunnels and large pits of the same nature as the ones already described were discovered beneath it. Similar pits and tunnels occurred also in the northern and northwestern portion of the base of the mound, their distribution being indicated in the ground plan.
The majority of the tunnels and connected pits were of the type illustrated in figure 18, b, and although there was some variance
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 9
a, Altar 5, Trench a, embankment of the Great Enclosure; b, Mound 3, longitudinal-sec- tion of Tunnel 28, and one of its flues; c, Mound 3, section of Tunnel 16, its outer pit (with handle of shovel), and opening into large inner pit.
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
in the length of tunnels, they nearly all terminated in two or three flues extending upward at the end opposite to that at which the pit was situated. The diameters of the flues ranged from 2 to 4 inches. Only one of these flues is shown in the longitudinal- section, b.
While many of the upright flues were round in cross-section, some were nearly triangular, one of the sides being curved. It is very apparent that, in their construction, the clay or earth was pressed around a stick, planted in the proper position, which was afterward withdrawn. Those approaching the triangular form were the result of using for this purpose a section of a small log which had been split into four or more pieces.
According to Dr. Metz:
The clay composing the inner surface of the sides and roof of the tunnels is very dry and friable, and does not show any signs whatever of having come directly in contact with fire. It seems as if the heat had been conducted through the tunnel to the flues at the back of each of them. In the flues no traces of fire can be found, except a very little white ashes adhering on the sides. In the pits directly in front of the tunnels, coarse charcoal and ashes are found in abundance, the bottom of the pits being burned red and hard, also the sides part way up. Was the heat from these pits conducted through the tunnels, and in what manner?
Longitudinal-sections of tunnels 11 and 28 are shown in relation to the upper portion of the mound in figure 16. Plate 8 shows the pit (with handle of shovel) in front of tunnel 12, with cross- section of the tunnel beyond it; also the outer pit of tunnel 11 (near pickax and shovel), with an opening into the large pit at its opposite end. Beyond this, in the middle distance, is the central altar marked by the hatchet.
A longitudinal-section of pits and tunnel 16 is given in figure 19, b, from Professor Putnam's drawing made June 2, 1884; and a photograph is reproduced on plate 9, c, showing a longitudinal- section of a part of the tunnel, the relative position of the smaller outer pit, and the opening made by the explorers into the larger pit, which contained a small quantity of charcoal only. Plate 9, b, gives an excellent longitudinal-section of tunnel 28 and one of the flues, looking north.
Pit 32, to the northeast of the central altar, was not connected with a tunnel. Dr. Metz writes:
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
On Friday, the 13th instant, we discovered another covered pit, 9 feet 8 inches northeast from the altar stake. This pit was 3 feet in diameter, 7 feet deep below the concrete, and 14 inches above the gravel to the top of the clay hood. This pit seemingly was lined with a row of thirty stakes, placed about 4 inches apart. They were 7 feet long, and apparently had been pressed into the clay of the sides while it was quite soft. The impressions left in the clay lining are 2 to 3 inches wide and about the same depth, and were filled with brown masses resembling decayed wood. This brown substance on being disturbed revealed fragments of wood. In the bottom of the pit a considerable amount of this substance, also ashes and charcoal, were found.
Ten inches from the northeast side of the pit was a flue, 3 feet long, and 2 inches in diameter. No connection between the two could be observed. In making an excavation to ascertain the depth and direction of this, a good sec- tion was obtained showing the manner in which the pit was probably con- structed. It seems that an excavation had been made in the earth, which was lined with clay to a thickness of 4 to 6 inches, and while yet soft, stakes were pressed into it so as to retain the clay in place. In the bottom of the pit a grinding stone or mortar, about 18 inches long, was found, covered with sand and gravel.
It seems that this pit, and also number 35, must have been used for the storage of property. They had no connection with tunnels, and no indication of contact with fire. The upright hole, 3 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter, found 10 inches from number 32, apparently had no connection with the pit. This pit was covered with a clay cone, 14 inches in height at its center.
In a brief notice of the exploration of this mound by Professor Putnam,' he says that at the further (inner) ends of some of the tunnels the walls were covered with a thin glossy incrustation, evidently formed by the condensation of vapors. He also records in his notes that in some instances there was a hard lime-like lining on the bottom and sides of the tunnel. About a half bushel of " ashes " from the different tunnels was sent to the Museum. In the ashes are many irregular white porous masses of various sizes, up to two inches or more in length, which are fragments of the deposit from the floor or sides. Some of these have somewhat the appearance of bone nearly consumed by fire, and were thought by Dr. Metz to be such. A chemical analysis made under the direction of Professor Baxter shows them to be composed princi- pally of carbonate and phosphate of lime.
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