Part 5

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

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

63176. A very deep bowl. Fragmentary.

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

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

COLLECTION FROM OHIO.

FROM MOUNDS AND FIELDS.

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

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

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

ARTICLES OF STONE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

65621. Knives and flakes of chalcedony.

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

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

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

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

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

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

65448. A long, heavy, cylindrical pestle.

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

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

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

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

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

COLLECTION FROM OREGON.

ARTICLES OF STONE.

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

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

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

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

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

64129. Fragment of an ornament carved from greenish sandstone.

COLLECTIONS FROM KENTUCKY.

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

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

87276. Fragments of gourds.

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

27278. Two bundles of charred sticks and reeds.

27280-27283. Spearheads of chert or flint.

27284. Stone knife.

27285. Flake knife.

27286. Small spearheads.

27287. Flint knife.

27288. Arrow heads.

27289. Same; small and thin.

27290-27293. Stone awls or perforators.

27294. Leaden bullet.

27295. Pieces of pottery.

COLLECTIONS FROM MISSOURI.

ARTICLES OF CLAY.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

65608. Small example, resembling the preceding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COLLECTIONS FROM OTHER STATES.

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

Found upon the surface in Hamilton County, Indiana.

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

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

COLLECTION FROM PERU, SOUTH AMERICA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Encircling the crown are long, narrow bands or sashes, one of which is white, the others having figures woven in brilliant colors. The ends of these hang down at the sides of the face. Attached to one side of the mask by long stout cords is a pouch of coarse cotton cloth resembling a tobacco-bag. It is about 6 inches square. Attached to the lower edge of this is a fringe of long, heavy cords. To the opposite side a net is suspended, in which had been placed innumerable articles, probably intended for the use of the dead--a sling, made of cords, very skillfully plaited; bundles of cord and flax; small nets containing beans, seeds, and other articles; copper fish-hooks, still attached to the lines, which are wound about bits of cornstalk or cane; neatly-made sinkers wrapped in corn-husks, together with a variety of other articles.

65380, 65382. Sinkers of gray slate, shaped somewhat like a cigar, one or more groves partially encircling the ends. These were carefully wrapped in corn-husks. Fig. 199.

65383, 65384. Two copper fish-hooks and the cords to which they are attached. The hooks pierce the ends of the bit of cornstalk about which the cord is wound. Fig. 200.

65387. A sling, 4 feet long. The extremities consist of a single cord, the middle part of 4 heavy, compactly-plaited cords.

65389. Head-bands of coarse fabrication, having figures of red, yellow and white.

65391. A large piece of cloth, possibly a mantle, made by piecing together fragments of highly-colored cloths.

65390. A large piece of gauze-like white cotton fabric.

65385, 65386. Small nets containing a variety of articles.

65386. A head ornament of red feathers, skillfully attached to cords.

INDEX

Animal substances, Collection of objects of 437, 467, 485 Arkansas: Collections of pottery from 476-478 Arkansas County ancient pottery 476-485 Monroe County ancient pottery 486-489

Bendire, Capt. G., sent stone relics from Oregon 492 Blackburn, J. C. S., presented vase from mound 507