USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Madisonville > Indian Village Site and Cemetery Near Madisonville, Ohio > Part 30
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
1 Leonard P. Kinnicutt, op. cit., Reports of Peabody Museum of Am. Arch. and Eth., Vol. III, pp. 382-384.
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
to 800 milligrammes, had a specific gravity of 3.33. An analysis of the olivine gave the following results:
SiO2
40.02 per cent
FeO
14.06 ¥
MnO
0.10 «
MgO
45.60
The iron which enclosed these crystals had a specific gravity of 7.894, and gave by J. Lawrence Smith's process of analyses:
Insoluble residue
00.09
Iron .
89.00
Nickel
10.65
Cobalt
00.45
Copper.
Traces
Phosphorus
A polished surface under the microscope showed, beside the crystals of olivine, small crystals of bronzite, which substance could also be easily detected by reflected light. Small quantities of schreibersite were also undoubtedly present as shown by the traces of phosphorus found in the analysis of the iron.
The specimen belongs to the class of meteorites known as pallasites, and a section of it resembles more closely a section of the Atakama stone than any other known pallasite.
Meteoric iron artifacts have been found in several of the mounds of the Great Earthwork Builders. From the Hopewell Group were taken beads, head-plates, and other ornaments, an adze blade, a drill, and small chisels in antler handles. It is interesting to note that the above chisels are curved and have the form of the upper incisors of the beaver, which were so widely used as cutting tools by the Indians. It seems that in making the chisels of iron they copied the shape of the most effective tool of this nature which they possessed.1
In addition to the specimens from the central altar of mound 3, there are in the collection of the Museum, several ear-ornaments, buttons, etc., covered with meteoric iron, and an adze blade of this metal, all from the Liberty Group of mounds in Scioto Valley.
Atwater 2 reports a small sword or large knife completely oxidized, and a plate of iron from the great mound in the center of the circular embankment at Circleville. These were probably
1 For a drawing of three of these chisels, see Willoughby, op. cit., Holmes Anniversary Vol- ume, plate iv, f.
' Calib Atwater, op. cit., p. 178.
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 18
From Altar 1, Mound 4: a, Bracelet of copper; b, Beads of copper; c, Pearl beads; d, Copper cones; e, Stones of natural form used as fetishes. (1/3.)
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
of meteoric iron. Very naturally these early archaeologists re- garded this iron as of European provenience, and as both the specimens were much disintegrated, their original forms or uses were not recognized. The " knife " was accompanied by an antler handle, probably of the same general type as the antler handles of the meteoric iron chisels above referred to, portions of which still adhere to the implements. These meteoric iron chisels are now in the Field Museum of Chicago. Hildreth's and Atwater's mis- interpretation of the finds at Marietta, and undoubtedly also of the ones at Circleville, have misled archaeologists for many years as to the antiquity of the mounds of the Great Earthwork Build- ers. This is also true of certain well-known writers who have done so much to belittle the monumental work of Squier and Davis.
Most of the meteoric iron from the mounds has been worked into tools or ornaments, and it is impossible to tell whether it was all derived from one or several meteorites. If from only one, it would seem to indicate that the Turner, Hopewell, Liberty, and Circleville Groups were contemporary.
Fetishes. Stones and concretions of peculiar shapes, and espe- cially those resembling human or animal forms or any of their parts, were by most Indians supposed to possess supernatural powers, and were used as fetishes. Several of these were taken from the altar, and are illustrated in the lower half of plate 18. The most remarkable of these is the middle stone in the upper row (e), which represents the head of a serpent. Its form has not been modified in the least by art; even the eye is natural. It is very probable that the serpent was the supreme guardian of the owner of the objects sacrificed here, for the mica effigy of the horned deity, illustrated in figures 30'and 31, was also found on this altar. The fossils shown on plate 17, d, were probably also regarded as fetishes.
Mica Objects. A considerable number of designs cut from thin mica had been placed upon the altar, and nearly all were de- stroyed. Some of them lay in contact with one of the large stone effigies, and were thought by Dr. Metz to have been wrapped around it. A high degree of heat will anneal this mineral, and render it soft, pliable, and easily torn. Practically all of these mica objects owe their destruction to extreme heat. Among the hundreds of fragments were pieces of small scrolls, serpentine
68
TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
figures, etc., none of which could be joined to form an intelligible design, with the single exception of the horned serpent deity above mentioned. This had been one of the last sacrificial objects to be deposited, and probably owes its fair state of preservation to this fact. Drawings of the greater part of the upper portion of this serpent have been published elsewhere.1 Since beginning the preparation of this paper, however, the writer has made a careful
FIGURE 30
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Effigy of horned serpent cut from mica. (1/4.)
search among the mica fragments from this altar in hopes of being able to supply at least some of the missing parts, with the good results shown in the photograph. The nose, a part of the upper jaw, the tail with a portion of the rattles, and the lower part of the body were found. The incised lines forming the base of the jaw, the lines about the eye, and the horns on one side of the head, do not show clearly in the photograph, but are brought out in the drawing. There are two perforations for the attachment of the eye, which was undoubtedly a large pearl perforated laterally for
1 Willoughby, op. cit., Holmes Anniversary Volume, plate iz, m.
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
the passage of a cord. Such a perforated pearl of a size to fit ex- actly the two holes in the head was found among the ashes. There seems to be no evidence that the effigy had been painted.
The prominent place occupied by the serpent in the religious life of the Indians is too well known to be enlarged upon here. He was god of the upper regions, the four winds and four quarters, and occurs in combination with the primitive cosmic symbol or some of its parts, from Ohio southward to Central America. He
FIGURE 31
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Drawing of the serpent effigy illustrated in figure 30, showing the incised lines outlining the horns, a part of the lower jaw, and the eye, which do not appear clearly in the photograph. (1/4.)
was one of the principal divinities of many North American tribes. Among the Maya and Nahua peoples he was usually shown with plumes instead of horns. The most noted representation of this horned god in the North is the great Serpent Mound of Adams County,1 which belongs to the same general culture as the Turner, Hopewell, Liberty, and other mound groups. Interesting repre- sentations of this serpent were taken from the first three of these groups.
For a description of this effigy, see Willoughby, The Serpent Mound of Adams County, Ohio, American Anthropologist, Vol. XXI, 1919, pp. 153-163.
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
Effigies in Stone. A remarkable effigy of a serpent-monster, part horned serpent and part quadruped, beautifully carved in red slate, also from this altar, is illustrated in plate 19, a, b, and a side view is given in figure 32. This was broken into many pieces, most of which were recovered. The head and tail are those of the horned serpent. The latter has the usual rattles. On the head, above and below, appear the typical reptilian plates. Two of the horns are carved in relief, and two are made separately, being inserted in holes drilled at the sides. Drilled holes also form the eye sockets, into which were doubtless inserted pearls, as was usual in the smaller animal effigies of this class. The mouth is open, as shown in the side view. This opening is plain, depressed,
AL
FIGURE 32
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Side view of the horned serpent-monster shown in plate 19. a, b. (2/5.)
and without teeth. It is probable that this depression was origi- nally inlaid with some material representing teeth, for there are two holes drilled upward into each side of the forward portion of the upper jaw beneath the nostrils in which two canine teeth of some small mammal were probably inserted. The body is that of a quadruped, and is ornamented with a decorative band. The vent is pronounced, a feature occasionally noticeable in Indian representations of both birds and quadrupeds, the significance of which is not clear. The effigy probably represents the water- monster or serpent-dragon, a mythical being of the Kiowa and other northern tribes, which is referred to by James Mooney as the " water-monster formed like a horned alligator." 1
The second hollow object from this altar of the same general class is figured in c, and d, of the above plate. Instead of being carved in relief, the animal is represented by the usual lines and cross-hatching seen in the incised carvings upon bone and antler.
1 Science, March 24, 1905.
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 19
6
C
From Altar 1, Mound 4: a, b, Horned serpent-monster; c, d, Hollow stone object with incised animal figure. (About 3/8.)
~
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
The entire design is illustrated in figure 33. The drawing is so conventionalized we can only guess as to what animal it represents. The eye cavities have an unfinished appearance, and it is probable that pearls were inserted in them. The material is reddish-brown mica-schist thickly interspersed with particles of gold-colored mica. This stone seems to have been highly prized by the Indians, and was used in making various choice artifacts, including the stone ear- rings referred to on page 60.
These two effigies belong to a group of hollow objects from the mounds, the use of which is unknown. They are usually made of
FIGURE 33
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Incised design upon hollow stone object shown in plate 19, c, d. (2/5.)
choice varieties of stone, but sometimes of antler or other material. They are carved into many shapes, but the more elaborate examples are representations of the upper portion of a bird or quadruped, or the head of some animal. One specimen in the Museum collec- tion is in the form of a large beetle. All of them have a cavity upon the under side, and seem to have been fitted over some ob- ject. Some have perforations through the top, evidently for at- tachment.
Figurines of Terra-cotta. Perhaps the most interesting objects from this altar are the figurines illustrated on plates 20 and 21. There is every reason to believe that the artists who fashioned them belonged to the group of people who resided here, and that the effigies represent individuals or types of the same people. Dr. Hooton has called attention to the fact that the peculiar form
72
TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
of head shown in the figurines corresponds closely to the crania from the mounds and burial places of this group.
Unfortunately, none of the effigies is perfect. They were either deliberately broken before being placed on the altar, or the heat from the fire caused them to splinter. Probably both agencies contributed to their destruction. Such fragments as could be fitted together have been carefully joined. In this way, the com- plete outlines of several were restored, as shown in plate 21.
The figures were modeled from clay without the addition of shell. They were apparently roughly formed with the fingers, and finished with modeling tools, some of which had sharp edges for trimming and paring the surface. The ears, ear-ornaments, garments, and some other portions were prepared separately and luted on. So far as can be judged by the fragments, both arms of each individual occupied the same relative position. This is another illustration of the symmetry so characteristic of the art of the Great Earth- work Builders and the Northwest Coast tribes.
Two fragments of similar figures were obtained in the general digging of mound 4, and another fragment was found under the northern embankment of the great enclosure.
These figures have little in common with the crude terra-cotta effigies from other sections of the United States. The modeling is much superior, and an unusual variety of postures is shown. As portraitures of the human form these effigies compare favorably with many of the figurines from the Maya and Nahua regions.
The largest of these effigies (plates 20 and 21, g) represents a man with hands crossed over his abdomen. The face is destroyed, but the shape of the head is easily determined. He wears spool- shaped ear-ornaments of the same form as those of copper taken from the graves and altars of this group. The large knot of hair shown above the forehead in the drawing was among the fragments, and undoubtedly belonged to this figure. He wears a belt, and & broad breech-cloth, which has been painted red.
The greater part of the surface of the effigy shown in a, of both plates, is badly mutilated. This man, also, wears a belt, breech- cloth, and large ear-ornaments. His fore-knot is bound with a fillet which is carried around the back of the head. His foot coverings consist of moccasins with short leggings attached. The upper edge of the legging is scalloped. The moccasin proper has
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 20
C
A
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Terra-cotta figurines. (About 1/3.)
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
the U-shaped inset characteristic of the northern Algonquian and neighboring tribes.
The seated figure, f, in both of the above plates, represents a warrior with sides of the head shaved, leaving a ridge of short hair extending across the crown from front to back, a method of arrangement characteristic of the warriors of the Pawnee, Sauc and Fox, and various other tribes of the northern half of the United States.
The kneeling effigy, illustrated in e, has the usual fore-knot, and wears a breech-cloth. The lower legs are flexed, and the toes turned inward, as shown somewhat imperfectly in the rear view. In the seated figure, c, no attempt has been made to restore the head, as the entire outer surface has scaled off.
In the upper row in plate 20 is shown the lower part of a face, and one ear with a large perforation in the lobe. The head is restored in d, plate 21. Detached ornaments were probably in- serted in the perforations.
Portions of two other male figures are illustrated in k, plate 20. Both of these wear the usual breech-cloth.
Aside from a few small fragments of one or two individuals, three women are represented in the figurines. The most perfect of these is shown in b, of both plates. This is 6} inches in height, and represents a matron dressed in a short blanket-skirt, and low foot coverings of the general form of the woven shoes from the Kentucky caves. The hair is neatly parted, and gathered in a chignon at the back of the head. The ears are not pierced. The whole skirt is colored a dull red, and traces of paint may be seen on other portions of the figure. The eyeballs show traces of white, and the lips are colored red. It seems probable that the whole effigy was originally carefully painted. The skirt is short and reaches nearly to the knees. It is of the type worn by the Natchez and other tribes of the South, and is in the form of a long narrow blanket, wrapped around the hips, one corner being tucked in at the waist-line at the back to hold it in place, as shown in the back view in the drawing.
The effigy of another woman is illustrated on plate 20, h. This has been so badly injured that few details can be made out, a considerable portion of the exterior having flaked off. She wears the same type of skirt, but instead of the outer end being brought
74
TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
around under the right arm before tucking in at the back, it is carried in the opposite direction under the left arm.
The third woman is represented by a few fragments only. These have been joined together, and are shown in plate 20, i. This apparently was one of the most carefully modeled in the group. It represents a young woman dressed in the characteristic red blanket-skirt, and low shoes, sitting in the usual fashion of Indian squaws, with the lower limbs flexed and the feet carried backward to one side, the weight of the body resting principally upon the lower half of the left leg. The portions of the exterior of the figure which remain show unusual care in modeling and finish. It is possible that these figures when properly arranged may have formed one or more mortuary groups, and the large effigy with crossed hands may have represented a corpse, around which the other figures were placed.
In addition to the objects above described taken from altar 1 of mound 4, there must have been many articles of value such as textile fabrics, objects of wood, dressed skin, etc., which were wholly consumed.
Mound 5. This was a counterpart of mound 6, so far as its out- ward appearance was concerned. It contained four altars placed near together at different levels. The exploration was begun by digging a trench, 18 feet wide, into the mound from its northwest- ern end. About 3 feet from the beginning of the trench, at a depth of 6 inches, a skeleton was uncovered lying upon its side in the position indicated in the plan (figure 34). This was undoubtedly an intrusive burial.
Nothing further of note was found until the trench had been carried 21 feet into the mound, when a burnt area near its base, and the edge of altar 1 at a higher level, were discovered. The trench was then extended towards the north, and the altars shown in the plan and section were found. Dr. Metz writes as follows concerning them:
Altar 1 was found at a depth of 41 inches below the surface of the mound measuring to the floor of its basin. The dip of its sides was 12 inches, and the perpendicular depth of the basin, 7 inches. Its length was 3 feet, and its breadth 31 inches. It was filled with sand and gravel, and was covered over with flat stones. Altar 2 was unearthed immediately under the layer of gravel upon which the first altar rested. Its length was 29 inches, its width 19 inches. Its basin, only 3 inches deep, was filled with sand and a dark tenacious earth
PEABODY MUSEUM PAPERS
VOL. VIII, No. 3, PLATE 21
b
€
d
f
9
From Altar 1, Mound 4: Terra-cotta figurines, with some of the outlines restored. (About 1/3.)
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
or clay. Altar 3 was 33 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. The dip of its sides was 9 inches. Altar 4 was 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 4 inches deep, the dip of its sides being 8 inches.
No artifacts were found in any of these altars. The second altar was removed and shipped to the Museum. There was a series of post-holes upon three sides of the group of altars, as shown in the ground plan. There is no mention of these in the notes. Other
N
1
INTRUSIVE OURIAL
BURNT ARCA
ALTARS
TRENCH
SUPPOSED: WALL
FIGURE 34
Cross-section and plan of Mound 5, showing position of altars.
post-holes may have occurred which were overlooked, or their importance not recognized. There is also no mention of a low wall of river stones such as was found surrounding the other mounds of this connected group. This is probably due to the fact that the mound was not wholly removed during the exploration.
Mound 6. This mound was 66 feet in length by 44 feet in width, measuring from the outer edge of the encircling wall, which con-
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
tinued in three layers 4 feet up the sides of the mound. Its great- est altitude was 5 feet. The upper portion, to a depth of 2 feet 6 inches, was composed of clay, beneath which was a nearly hori- zontal layer of gravel, 2 inches thick, its edges touching the upper
A
FIGURE 35. Cross-section of Mound 6: 1, 2, 3, Hearths of burnt
layers of the stones forming the encircling wall. Beneath this layer of gravel was a stratum of burnt loam, 8 inches deep, con- taining the circular altar (4), and hearths (1, 2, 3). The hearths were covered with sand. The one nearest the altar was covered with very fine sand in which were found several animal teeth, per- forated. To the southwest from this hearth lay the altar, 2 feet in diameter and 6 inches deep. The sides of its basin were burned to a depth of 3 inches, and the burning extended downward be- neath the altar for 12 inches. Some distance to the east, a third hearth was uncovered, measuring 30 by 36 inches. Two distinct burnings had taken place here. In the first, the clay had been burned to a depth of 1} inches. This had been covered with fresh clay, the upper portion of which was burned to a depth of 2 inches; over this, fine sand was strewn. Beneath the level of the hearths and altars were strata of sand, gravel, and burnt earth.
Beneath the wall, at the eastern side of the mound, were two nearly square pits separated from each other by a clay wall, 4 inches thick. The larger pit was 4 feet long, 3} feet wide, and 28 inches deep (number 6, figure 35); the smaller was 3 feet square, with a depth of 1} feet. At one corner of the floor of this pit an oval hole had been dug to a depth of about a foot. These pits were filled with river sand in which were numerous small fresh water shells.
Post-holes to the number of one hundred and three were found, and plotted on Dr. Metz's plan, many of which were beneath the surrounding wall.
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
Mound 7. This mound, with its periphery touching the edges of mounds 3, 4, 5, and 6, is one of the smallest of the connected group. It was 40 feet in diameter, and a little over 5 feet in height. Near its base, at the same level as the surrounding plain, was the
3
B
5
6
clay; 4, Circular altar; 5, Post-holes; 6, Pit beneath wall.
burnt area of irregular form indicated in the ground plan, figure 37. A circular depression or hearth was found near the stake marking the center of the mound (number 8). A few feet to the west was
o
O
A
O
M
5
O
O
FIGURE 36 Plan of Mound 6: 1, 2, 3, Hearths of burnt clay; 4, Circular altar; 5, Post-holes.
a circular basin (9), 4 inches deep, filled with ashes and covered with clay. The altar (7), found 4 feet east of the central stake, was 3 feet long, and 28 inches wide. This was taken out and shipped to the Museum. Beneath it were indications of a second
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TURNER GROUP OF EARTHWORKS
altar. A few pits and numerous post-holes found at the base of the mound are shown on the plan prepared by Dr. Metz. The only artifact found was a copper ring, about a foot from the surface.
Mound 8. At the foot of the graded way, there is a small earth- work enclosure still showing a very shallow ditch on its inner side.
FIGURE 37
Cross-section and plan of Mound 7: 1. Mixed clay and earth: 2. Gravel; 3. Burnt area; 4, Clay and charcoal: 5, Black earth; 6, Hard-pan; 7. Altar; 8, Circular depression; 9, Circular basin; 10, Pit: 11, Post-holes.
This enclosure is approximately 100 feet in diameter, with gate- way opening to the east. The height of the embankment is about 10 inches. Within this is mound 8, having a height of 30 inches. Dr. Metz writes as follows:
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HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO
A trench 15 feet wide was carried directly through from north to south, which was the longest diameter of the mound. Many stones were uncovered, which had probably been torn up by the plow. Mr. Turner informed me that he had carted away six wagon loads.
On reaching a depth of 10 inches, a pavement of flat river stones was un- covered which extended 25 feet north and south, and had a width of 12 feet throughout. This pavement was laid upon a layer of black soil, 5 inches deep. No traces of ashes or charcoal were found. Below this black soil was the clayey loam of the surrounding plain.
In 1905, Mr. Volk uncovered and photographed a portion of this, or a similar pavement within the earth circle. His descrip- tion follows:
Dug trenches west of the many stones strewn over the surface. It was found that they had been arranged in layers 10 to 12 inches below the surface . . . . They were water-worn pebbles of fossiliferous limestones about 6 to 12 inches in length, by 4 to 8 inches in width, the thickness varying from 2 to 4 inches. There were four layers of stones near the center of the pavement, but at the edges they dwindled to a single layer. In removing the stones I found about a dozen that had been burned. Several of the pebbles were notched, and some of the thin ones showed chipping to a cutting edge. These may have served as diggers in excavating the tough clayey soil of the locality.
Mound 9. This mound was about 60 feet in diameter, and 5 feet high, and was outlined with the usual layer of stones. From the surface downward the strata were as follows: clay similar to that of the ordinary surface of the plain, 16 inches; clay containing numerous traces of charcoal, 18 inches; a layer of flat stones, 15 feet wide and 25 feet long, occupying the center of the mound; from the edges of the stone layer, a stratum of coarse gravel 3 inches thick extended to the mound's outer edge; and beneath the layer of stones was a thin stratum of sand which covered a layer of black ashes under which the earth was tinged red by burning.
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