EARTHWORKS—THE MOUNDS.
[Illustration: Fig. 27.—GROUP ILLUSTRATING THE FORMS OF THE MOUNDS.]
In connection more or less intimate with the various earthworks
already described, are the Tumuli or MOUNDS. Together, these two
classes of remains constitute a single system of works, and are
the monuments of the same people. And while the enclosures impress
us with the number and power of the nations which built them, and
enlighten us as to the amount of military knowledge and skill which
they possessed, as well as, in some degree, in respect to the
nature of their superstitions,—the mounds and their contents, as
disclosed by the mattock and the spade, serve to reflect light more
particularly upon their customs and the condition of the arts among
them. Within these mounds we must look for the only authentic remains
of their builders. They are the principal depositories of ancient
art; they cover the bones of the distinguished dead of remote ages;
and hide from the profane gaze of invading races the altars of the
ancient people.
A simple heap of earth or stones seems to have been the first
monument which suggested itself to man; the pyramid, the arch, and
the obelisk are evidences of a more advanced state. But rude as are
these primitive memorials, they have been but little impaired by
time, while other more imposing structures have sunk into shapeless
ruins. When covered with forests, and their surfaces interlaced with
the roots of trees and bushes, or when protected by turf, the humble
mound bids defiance to the elements which throw down the temple and
crumble the marble into dust. We therefore find them, little changed
from their original proportions, side by side with the ruins of
those proud edifices which mark the advanced, as the former do the
primitive state of the people who built them. They are scattered over
[p140] India; they dot the steppes of Siberia and the vast region
north of the Black Sea; they line the shores of the Bosphorus and
Mediterranean; they are found in old Scandinavia, and are singularly
numerous in the British islands. In America, they prevail from the
great lakes of the north, through the valley of the Mississippi, and
the seats of semi-civilization in Mexico, Central America, and Peru,
even to the waters of the La Plata on the south. We find them also
on the shores of the Pacific ocean, near the mouth of the Columbia
river, and on the Colorado of California. With the character of those
abroad we have little, at present, to do, except perhaps to note some
of the more striking features which they exhibit in common with those
of our own valley.
Allusion has already been made to the number and dimensions of the
mounds of the West. To say that they are innumerable in the ordinary
use of the term would be no exaggeration. They may literally be
numbered by thousands and tens of thousands. In form, as observed
in a preceding chapter, they are generally simple cones, frequently
truncated and sometimes terraced. They are also elliptical,
pear-shaped, or of a square pyramidal form,—in the last case always
truncated, and most usually having one or more graded ascents to
their summits. These varieties are partially illustrated in the cut
at the head of this chapter, and will be amply exhibited in the pages
which follow. No doubt can be entertained that their forms were, in
great part, determined by the purposes for which they were designed,
and may therefore be of use to us in ascertaining their character.
Thus, if any were designed to serve as the sites of temples, or as
“high places” for the performance of religious rites and ceremonies,
it is evident they would be constructed with special reference to
these objects.
In common with the enclosures, the mounds are for the most part
composed of earth, though stone mounds are by no means rare. They
are sometimes composed entirely of clay, while the soil all around
them, for a long distance, is gravel or loam. The object of this may
perhaps be found in the fact that mounds composed of such materials
better resist the action of the elements, and preserve their form.
There is certainly no difference in their position or contents which
would justify the supposition that any peculiar dependence existed
between the material composing the mound and the purposes to which it
was devoted. Whether any significance may attach to the predominance
of stone, in some of the mounds, is a question difficult to answer.
It occasionally happens that a mound of stone occurs in the midst of
a group composed of earth. Such was the case with one which formerly
stood within the limits of Chillicothe. As a general rule, however,
the mound is composed of material found upon the spot or taken
from pits near by; and stone mounds oftenest occur where, from the
hardness of the soil or the abundance of stones, it would be easiest
to construct the tumulus of the latter material.
In respect to the position of the mounds, it may be said that those
of Ohio occur mostly within or near enclosures; sometimes in groups,
but oftener detached and isolated, and seldom with any degree of
regularity in respect to each other. Such is believed to be the
case «generally» throughout the entire valley of the Mississippi. A
section of the Ohio valley, however, embraced between the mouths of
the Guyandotte and Scioto rivers, an extent of sixty miles, which
was [p141] examined with special reference to this point, exhibited
no works of magnitude in the form of enclosures; yet there was an
abundance of mounds, though chiefly of small dimensions. Occasional
groups of fifteen or twenty were noticed, sometimes occurring in
lines, as if placed with design; a circumstance easily accounted for
by the nature of the ground, which is here broken into long, low
swells, or narrow ridges, with marshy intervals between them,—the
mounds occupying the summits of the ridges.
[Illustration: Fig. 28.—HILL MOUNDS.]
On the tops of the hills, and on the jutting points of the table
lands bordering the valleys in which the earthworks are found, mounds
occur in considerable numbers. The most elevated and commanding
positions are frequently crowned with them, suggesting at once the
purposes to which some of the mounds or «cairns» of the ancient
Celts were applied, that of signal or alarm posts. It is not unusual
to find detached mounds among the hills back from the valleys and
in secluded places, with no other monuments near. The hunter often
encounters them in the depths of the forests, when least expected;
perhaps overlooking some waterfall, or placed in some narrow valley
where the foot of man seldom enters.
Thus much respecting the mounds could not escape observation, and has
long been known; but beyond this our information has been extremely
limited. And though partial excavations have been made at various
times by different individuals, still nothing like a systematic
exploration, sufficiently thorough and extensive to warrant any
conclusion respecting them, has hitherto been attempted. The few
detached observations which have met the light have been too vague,
and in many cases too poorly authenticated, to enable the inquirer to
make any satisfactory deductions from them.
The popular opinion, however, based in a great degree upon the well
ascertained purposes of the barrows and tumuli occurring in certain
parts of Europe and Asia, is that they are simple monuments, marking
the last resting-place of some great [p142] chief or distinguished
individual, among the tribes of the builders. Some have supposed them
to be the cemeteries, in which were deposited the dead of a tribe
or a village for a certain period, and that the size of the mound
is an indication of the number inhumed; others, that they mark the
sites of great battles, and contain the bones of the slain. On all
hands the opinion has been entertained, that they were devoted to
sepulture alone. This received opinion is not, however, sustained
by the investigations here recorded. The conclusion to which these
researches have led, is, that the mounds were constructed for several
grand and dissimilar purposes; or rather, that they are of different
classes. The conditions upon which the classification is founded are
four in number,—namely: position, form, structure, and contents. In
this classification, we distinguish—
1st. ALTAR MOUNDS, which occur either within, or in the immediate
vicinity of enclosures; which are stratified, and contain altars of
burned clay or stone; and which were places of sacrifice.
2d. MOUNDS OF SEPULTURE, which stand isolated or in groups more or
less remote from the enclosures; which are not stratified; which
contain human remains; and which were the burial places and monuments
of the dead.
3d. TEMPLE MOUNDS, which occur most usually within, but sometimes
without the walls of enclosures; which possess great regularity of
form; which contain neither altars nor human remains; and which
were “High Places” for the performance of religious rites and
ceremonies, the sites of structures, or in some way connected with
the superstitions of the builders.
4th. ANOMALOUS MOUNDS, including mounds of observation and such as
were applied to a double purpose, or of which the design and objects
are not apparent. This division includes all which do not clearly
fall within the preceding three classes.
These classes are broadly marked in the aggregate, though in some
instances it is difficult to determine the character of the mounds
which fall under notice. Of one hundred mounds examined, sixty were
altar or temple mounds; twenty sepulchral; and twenty either places
of observation or anomalous in their character. Such, however, is
not the proportion in which they occur. From the fact that the altar
or sacrificial mounds are most interesting and productive in relics,
the largest number excavated was of that class. Excluding the temple
mounds, which are not numerous, the remaining mounds of the Scioto
valley are distributed between the three other varieties in very
nearly equal proportions.
These general observations will serve to introduce plans and sections
with accompanying descriptions of each of the above classes of
mounds. The sections, for obvious reasons, are not drawn upon a
uniform scale, nor are the relative proportions of the mounds always
preserved; this however will result in no misunderstanding in any
essential particulars. [p143]
ALTAR OR SACRIFICIAL MOUNDS.
The general characteristics of this class of mounds are:
1st. That they occur only within, or in the immediate vicinity of
enclosures or sacred places.[99] Of the whole number of mounds of
this class which were examined, «four» only were found to be exterior
to the walls of enclosures, and these were but a few rods distant
from them.
2d. That they are stratified.
3d. That they contain symmetrical altars of burned clay or stone; on
which are deposited various remains, which in all cases have been
more or less subjected to the action of fire.
The fact of stratification, in these mounds, is one of great interest
and importance. This feature has heretofore been remarked, but
not described with proper accuracy; and has consequently proved
an impediment to the recognition of the artificial origin of the
mounds, by those who have never seen them. The stratification, so far
as observed, is not horizontal, but always conforms to the convex
outline of the mound.[100] Nor does it resemble the stratification
produced by the action of water, where the layers run into each
other, but is defined with the utmost distinctness, and always
terminates upon reaching the level of the surrounding earth. That
it is artificial will, however, be sufficiently apparent after an
examination of one of the mounds in which the feature occurs; for
it would be difficult to explain, by what singular combination of
“igneous and aqueous” action, stratified mounds were always raised
over symmetrical monuments of burned clay or of stone.
The altars, or basins, found in these mounds, are almost invariably
of burned clay, though a few of stone have been discovered. They
are symmetrical, but not of uniform size and shape. Some are round,
others elliptical, and others square, or parallelograms. Some are
small, measuring barely two feet across, while others are fifty
feet long by twelve or fifteen feet wide. The usual dimensions are
from five to eight feet. All appear to have been modelled of fine
clay brought to the spot from a distance, and they rest upon the
original surface of the [p144] earth. In a few instances, a layer
or small elevation of sand had been laid down, upon which the altar
was formed. The height of the altars, nevertheless, seldom exceeds
a foot or twenty inches above the adjacent level. The clay of which
they are composed is usually burned hard, sometimes to the depth of
ten, fifteen, and even twenty inches. This is hardly to be explained
by any degree or continuance of heat, though it is manifest that in
some cases the heat was intense. On the other hand, a number of these
altars have been noticed, which are very slightly burned; and such,
it is a remarkable fact, are destitute of remains.
The characteristics of this class of mounds will be best explained,
by reference to the accompanying illustrations. It should be
remarked, however, that no two are precisely alike in all their
details.
[Illustration: Fig. 29.]
The mound, a section of which is here given, occurs in “Mound City,”
a name given to a group of twenty-six mounds, embraced in one
enclosure, on the banks of the Scioto river, three miles above the
town of Chillicothe. (See Plate XIX, mound No. 1.) It is seven feet
high by fifty-five feet base. A shaft, five feet square, was sunk
from its apex, with the following results:
1st. Occurred a layer of coarse gravel and pebbles, which appeared to
have been taken from deep pits surrounding the enclosure, or from the
bank of the river. This layer was one foot in thickness.
2d. Beneath this layer of gravel and pebbles, to the depth of two
feet, the earth was homogeneous, though slightly mottled, as if
taken up and deposited in small loads, from different localities. In
one place appeared a deposit of dark-colored surface loam, and by
its side, or covering it, there was a mass of the clayey soil from
a greater depth. The outlines of these various deposits could be
distinctly traced, as shown in Fig. 30.
[Illustration: Fig. 30.]
3d. Below this deposit of earth, occurred a thin and even layer of
fine sand, a little over an inch in thickness.
4th. A deposit of earth, as above, eighteen inches in depth.
5th. Another stratum of sand, somewhat thinner than the one above
mentioned.
6th. Another deposit of earth, one foot thick; then—
7th. A third stratum of sand; below which was—
8th. Still another layer of earth, a few inches in thickness; which
rested on—
9th. An altar, or basin, of burned clay. [p145]
This altar was perfectly round. Its form and dimensions are best
shown by the supplementary plan and section A. The altar, measured
from «c» to «d», is nine feet in diameter; from «a» to «e», five
feet; height from «b» to «e», twenty inches; dip of curve «a r e»,
nine inches. The sides «c a», «e d», slope regularly at a given
angle. The body of the altar is burned throughout, though in a
greater degree within the basin, where it is so hard as to resist the
blows of a heavy hatchet,—the instrument rebounding as if struck upon
a rock. The basin, or hollow of the altar, was filled up evenly with
fine dry ashes, intermixed with which were some fragments of pottery,
of an excellent finish, and ornamented with tasteful carvings on the
exterior. One of the vases, of elegant model, taken in fragments
from this mound, has been very nearly restored, and will be further
noticed in the chapter on the Pottery of the Mounds. A few convex
copper discs, much resembling the bosses used upon harnesses, were
also found.
Above the deposit of ashes, and covering the entire basin, was
a layer of silvery or opaque mica, in sheets, overlapping each
other; upon which, immediately over the centre of the basin, was
heaped a quantity of burned human bones, probably the amount of a
single skeleton, in fragments. The position of these is indicated
in the section. The layers of mica and calcined bones, it should
be remarked, to prevent misapprehension, were peculiar to this
individual mound, and were not found in any other of the class.
It will be seen, by the section, that at a point about two feet
below the surface of the mound, a human skeleton was found. It was
placed a little to the left of the centre, with the head to the
east, and was so much decayed as to render it impossible to extract
a single bone entire. Above the skeleton, as shown in the section,
the layer of earth and the outer stratum of gravel and pebbles were
broken up and intermixed. Thus, while on one side of the shaft the
strata were clearly marked, on the other they were confused. And, as
this was the first mound of the class excavated, it was supposed,
from this circumstance, that it had previously been opened by some
explorer; and it had been decided to abandon it, when the skeleton
was discovered. Afterwards the matter came to be fully understood. No
relics were found with this skeleton.
It is a fact well known, that the existing tribes of Indians, though
possessing no knowledge of the origin or objects of the mounds,
were accustomed to regard them with some degree of veneration. It
is also known, that they sometimes buried their dead in them, in
accordance with their almost invariable custom of selecting elevated
points and the brows of hills as their cemeteries. That their
remains should be found in the mounds, is therefore a matter of no
surprise. They are never discovered at any great depth, not often
more than eighteen inches or three feet below the surface. Their
position varies in almost every case: most of them are extended at
length, others have a sitting posture, while others again seem to
have been rudely thrust into their shallow graves without care or
arrangement. Rude implements of bone and stone, and coarse vessels
of pottery, such as are known to have been in use among the Indians
at the period of the earliest European intercourse, occur with some
of them, particularly with those of a more ancient date; while
modern implements and ornaments, in some cases of [p146] European
origin, are found with the recent burials. The necessity, therefore,
of a careful and rigid discrimination, between these deposits and
those of the mound-builders, will be apparent. From the lack of such
discrimination, much misapprehension and confusion have resulted.
Silver crosses, gun-barrels, and French dial-plates, have been found
with skeletons in the mounds; yet it is not to be concluded that
the mound-builders were Catholics, or used fire-arms, or understood
French. Such a conclusion would, nevertheless, be quite as well
warranted, as some which have been deduced from the absolute identity
of certain relics taken from the mounds, with articles known to be
common among the existing tribes of Indians. The fact of remains
occurring in the mounds, is in itself hardly presumptive evidence
that they pertained to the builders. The conditions attending them
can alone determine their true character. As a general rule, to which
there are few exceptions, the only authentic and undoubted remains of
the mound-builders are found directly beneath the apex of the mound,
on a level with the original surface of the earth; and it may be
safely assumed, that whatever deposits occur near the surface of the
mounds, are of a date subsequent to their erection.
The French maintained an intercourse, from a very early period,
with the Indian tribes of the West. In the way of barter or as
presents they distributed amongst them vast quantities of ornaments
and implements of various kinds; which, in accordance with the
Indian custom, were buried with the possessor at his death. Nothing
is therefore more common, in invading the humble sepulchre of
the Indian, than to find by the side of his skeleton the copper
kettle, the gun, hatchet, and simple ornaments, so valued in his
life-time. The latter consist chiefly of small silver crosses and
brooches; several of which are sometimes found accompanying a single
skeleton.[101]
In the class of mounds now under consideration we have data that will
admit of no doubt, whereby to judge of the origin, as well as of
the relative periods, of the various deposits found in them. If the
stratification already mentioned as characterizing them is unbroken
and undisturbed, if the strata are regular and entire, it [p147] is
certain that whatever occurs beneath them was placed there at the
period of the construction of the mound. But if, on the other hand,
these strata are broken up, it is equally certain that the mound has
been disturbed, and new deposits made, subsequent to its erection.
It is in this view, that the fact of stratification is seen to be
important, as well as interesting; for it will serve to fix, beyond
all dispute, the origin of many singular relics, having a decisive
bearing on some of the leading questions connected with American
archæology. The thickness of the exterior layer of gravel, in mounds
of this class, varies with the dimensions of the mound, from eight
to twenty inches. In a very few instances, the layer, which may have
been designed to protect the form of the mound, and which purpose it
admirably subserves, is entirely wanting. The number and relative
position of the sand strata are variable; in some of the larger
mounds, there are as many as six of them, in no case less than one,
most usually two or three.
[Illustration: Fig. 31.]
Fig. 31 exhibits a section of mound No. 2 in the plan of “Mound
City.” This mound is ninety feet in diameter at the base by seven and
a half feet high, being remarkably broad and flat. A shaft six feet
square was sunk from the apex with the following results:
1st. Occurred the usual layer of gravel and pebbles, one foot thick.
2d. A layer of earth, three feet thick.
3d. A thin stratum of sand.
4th. Another layer of earth two feet thick.
5th. Another stratum of sand, beneath which, and separated by a few
inches of earth, was—
6th. The altar, Fig. 32.
[Illustration: Fig. 32.]
This altar was a parallelogram of the utmost regularity, as shown in
the plan and section. At its base, it measures ten feet in length by
eight in width; at the top, six feet by four. Its height was eighteen
inches, and the dip of the basin nine inches. Within the basin was
a deposit of fine ashes, unmixed with charcoal, three inches thick,
much compacted by the weight of the superincumbent earth. Amongst
the ashes were some fragments of pottery, also a few shell and pearl
beads. Enough of the pottery was recovered to restore a beautiful
vase, for a drawing and description of which the reader is referred
to the paragraphs on «Pottery». The second or [p148] lower sand
stratum in this, as in several other instances, rested directly upon
the outer sides of the altar.
In this mound, three feet below the surface, were found two very well
preserved skeletons, the presence of which was indicated, at the
commencement of the excavation, by the interruption of the layers,
as above described. They were placed side by side, the head of one
resting at the elbow of the other. Under and about the heads of both
were deposited some large rough fragments of greenstone, identical
with that of which most of the stone implements of the former Indian
tribes of the valley were made. There were also deposited with the
skeletons many implements of stone, horn, and bone; among which was
a beautiful chip of hornstone, about the size of the palm of one’s
hand, which had manifestly been used for cutting purposes. There were
several hand-axes and gouges of stone, and some articles made from
the horns of the deer or elk, which resemble the handles of large
knives; but no traces of iron or other metals were discoverable.
Among the implements of bone was one formed from the shoulder-blade
of the buffalo, in shape resembling a Turkish scimetar; also a
singular notched instrument of bone, evidently intended for insertion
in a handle, and designed, in common with similar articles in use by
the Indians of the present day, for distributing the paint in lines
and other ornamental figures on the faces of the warriors. Another
instrument was also found, made by cutting off a section of the main
stem of an elk’s horn, leaving one of the principal prongs attached;
used perhaps as a hammer or war-club. Besides these there were some
gouges made of elk’s horns, and a variety of similar relics; all of
exceeding rudeness, and of no great antiquity. The skulls found in
this mound possessed no marked features to distinguish them from the
crania found in the known burial-places of the Shawanoes and other
late Indian tribes.
[Illustration: Fig. 33.]
This mound, Fig. 33, is numbered 4 in the plan of “Mound City.” It is
oblong in shape, measuring ninety by sixty feet base, and six feet in
height. It has two sand strata, as shown in the section. The altar in
this mound is remarkable from its depth, which is twenty-two inches,
the hollow of the basin sinking a foot or more below the original
surface of the soil. Its form and dimensions are best explained by
the plan and section. Nothing was contained in the basin, except
a white mass or layer five inches thick, «a», presenting all the
appearances of sharp [p149] lime mortar. Mingled with this mass,
which was hard and compact, were a few fragments of calcined shells;
leading to the inference, that it was formed from the burning of
shells. It was afterwards found upon analysis, that the mass was
principally carbonate of lime, with a considerable portion of earthy
particles, thus sustaining the inference already made. No fragments
of bones, however small, were discoverable.
By the side of the mound just mentioned, the bases of the two running
into each other, is another mound, No. 5 in the plan of “Mound City.”
It is of the same form and dimensions with the one just described,
and like that has two sand strata. The altar however more resembles
that of Fig. 31, though somewhat smaller in size. It contained a
quantity, perhaps thirty pounds in all, of galena in pieces weighing
from two ounces to three pounds; also several lumps of fine clay,
possessing an unctuous feel. The latter appeared to have originally
formed a model over which a vessel of some sort had been fashioned.
Around this deposit there was considerable charcoal, apparently of a
light wood, but very little ashes. The altar, although the galena was
but slightly burned, bore marks of intense heat,—thus evincing that
it had been previously subjected for a considerable period, or at
frequent intervals, to the action of fire.
[Illustration: Fig. 34.]
Fig. 34 is a section of the long mound, No. 3, in the plan of “Mound
City.” For several reasons,—its shape, the great dimensions of its
enclosed altar, and the number and variety of its relics,—this mound
was minutely investigated, and is worthy of a detailed description.
It is egg-shaped in form, and measures one hundred and forty feet in
length, by fifty and sixty respectively at its greater and smaller
ends, and is eleven feet high.
Its longitudinal bearing is N. 20° W. Four shafts were sunk at as
many different points; between three of which, for a distance of over
forty feet, connecting drifts were carried, as indicated in the plan.
The shaft «a» was first sunk. At the commencement of the excavation
the feature already mentioned, viz. the confusion of the layers, was
remarked, and care was accordingly taken to uncover carefully the
expected recent deposit. This proved to be a single human skeleton,
placed in a sitting posture, the head resting on the knees. The top
of the skull was eighteen inches below the surface. The skeleton was
well preserved, still retaining a large portion of its animal matter.
The lower jaw was broken, a circumstance observed in most of the
skeletons thus found. No relics were deposited with this skeleton.
The sand strata occurred low down, following the curvature of the
mound, as represented in the section.
Shaft «c» was next sunk. On the left side of the excavation a
disturbance was [p150] remarked; and at about two feet below the
surface, a rude earthern vessel holding something over one quart, and
the lower jaw of a human skeleton, were discovered. They were side by
side, and seemed to have constituted the entire deposit.
Two sand strata occur in this mound, the first five feet below the
surface, the second one foot deeper. The intermediate layers of earth
presented the mottled appearance already explained, and were much
compacted, rendering excavation exceedingly slow and laborious. The
remaining shafts were afterwards sunk for the purpose of ascertaining
the size and form of the altar, but disclosed nothing of importance
in their course.
Although the altar in this mound was not fully exposed, yet enough
was uncovered to ascertain very nearly its character and extent.
Forty-five feet of its length was exposed, and in one place its
entire width, which was eight feet across the top, by fifteen at the
base. The portions in the section, extending beyond the line of the
excavation, are supplied, giving an entire length to the altar of not
far from sixty feet.
[Illustration: Fig. 35.—LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF ALTAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 36.—CROSS SECTION OF ALTAR.]
By attention to the longitudinal section of the altar B C B, it
will be seen that it shelves gradually from the ends, forming a
basin of not far from eighteen inches in depth. The outer slope is
more gradual than the inner one. Near the centre of the altar, two
partitions, A A, are carried across it transversely, forming a minor
basin or compartment, C, eight feet square. Within this basin the
relics deposited in the mound were placed. The outer compartments
seemed to have been filled with earth, previous to the final heaping
over, so as to present a perfectly level surface, which had been
slightly burned. This feature is indicated in the section, which
also illustrates another interesting and important peculiarity. Upon
penetrating the altar (a task of no little difficulty in consequence
of its extreme hardness) to ascertain its thickness, it was found
to be burned to the depth of «twenty-two» inches. This could hardly
be accounted for by the application or continuance of any degree of
heat from above, and was therefore the occasion of some surprise. A
more minute examination furnished the explanation. It was found that
one altar had been built upon another; as if one had been used for
a time, until, from defect or other causes, it was abandoned, when
another was «recast» upon it. This process, as shown in the section
F E, had been repeated three times, the outline of each successive
layer being so distinct as to admit of no doubt as to its cause.
The partitions A A were constructed subsequently to the erection of
the altar, as is evidenced from the fact that they were scarcely
burned through, while the altar immediately beneath them was burned
to great hardness. Scattered upon the deposit of earth filling the
compartments D D, and resting upon [p151] the slopes of the altar,
were found the traces of a number of pieces of timber, four or five
feet long, and six or eight inches thick. They had been somewhat
burned, and the carbonized surface had preserved their casts in the
hard earth, although the wood had entirely decayed. They had been
heaped over while glowing, for the earth around them was slightly
baked. In fact the entire hollow of the altar was covered with a
thin layer of fine carbonaceous matter, much like that formed by
the burning of leaves or straw. These pieces had been of nearly
uniform length; and this circumstance, joined to the position in
which they occurred in respect to each other and to the altar, would
almost justify the inference that they had supported some funeral or
sacrificial pile.
The remains found in this mound were, in their number and variety,
commensurate with the labor and care bestowed on its construction.
A quantity of pottery and many implements of copper and stone were
deposited on the altar, intermixed with much coal and ashes. They
had all been subjected to a strong heat, which had broken up most
of those which could be thus affected by its action. A large number
of spear-heads, as they have been termed, beautifully chipped out
of quartz and manganese garnet, had been placed here; but, out of
a bushel or two of fragments, four specimens only were recovered
entire. One of them is faithfully figured under the head of
“Implements.” A quantity of the raw material, from which they were
manufactured, was also found, consisting of large fragments of quartz
and of crystals of garnet. Some of these crystals had been of large
size, certainly not less than three or four inches in diameter. A
single arrow-point of «obsidian» was found; also a number of fine
arrow-heads of limpid quartz. One of these was four inches in length,
and all were finely wrought. Judging from the quantity of fragments,
some fifty or a hundred of these were originally deposited on the
altar. Among the fragments were some large thin pieces of the same
material, shaped like the blade of a knife. Two copper gravers or
chisels, one measuring six, the other eight inches in length, (see
“«Implements»,”) also twenty or more tubes formed of thin strips
of copper, an inch and a quarter long by three eighths of an inch
diameter, (see “«Ornaments»,”) were found among the remains. A large
quantity of pottery, much broken up, enough perhaps to have formed
originally a dozen vessels of moderate size, was also discovered. Two
vases have been very nearly restored. They resemble, in material and
form, those already mentioned, and have similar markings on their
exterior. (See “«Pottery».”) Also a couple of carved pipes; one of
which, of beautiful model and fine finish, is cut out of a stone
closely resembling, if indeed not identical with, the Potomac marble,
of which the columns of the hall of the House of Representatives at
Washington are made. The other is a bold figure of a bird, resembling
the toucan, cut in white limestone.
A portion of the contents of this mound were cemented together by
a tufa-like substance of a gray color, resembling the scoriæ of
a furnace, and of great hardness. It was at first supposed to be
carbonate of lime gradually deposited, in the lapse of time, from the
water percolating through the outer stratum of limestone gravel and
pebbles. The quantity however, covering as it did a large part of the
basin to the depth of an inch or two, weighed strongly against such a
conclusion; and a subsequent analysis demonstrated that it was made
up in part of «phosphates». A [p152] single fragment of partially
calcined bone was found on the altar. It was the «patella» of the
human skeleton.
Such were the more important features of this interesting mound. It
is evident that the enclosed altar had been often used, and several
times remodelled, before it was finally heaped over. Why this was at
last done, upon what occasion, and with what strange ceremonies, are
questions which will probably forever remain unanswered.
[Illustration: Fig. 37.]
Fig. 37 is a section of mound No. 8 in “Mound City.” In the number
and value of its relics, this mound far exceeds any hitherto
explored. It is small in size, and in its structure exhibits nothing
remarkable. It had but one sand stratum, the edges of which rested
on the outer slopes of the altar, as shown in the section. Between
this stratum and the deposit in the basin occurred a layer, a few
inches thick, of burned loam. The altar itself (Fig. 38) was somewhat
singular, though quite regular in shape. In length it was six feet
two inches, in width four feet. At the point indicated in the section
was a depression of perhaps six inches below the general level of the
basin.
[Illustration: Fig. 38.—PLAN OF ALTAR.]
The deposit («a») in this altar was large. Intermixed with much
ashes, were found not far from «two hundred» pipes, carved in stone,
many pearl and shell beads, numerous discs, tubes, etc., of copper,
and a number of other ornaments of copper, covered with silver,
etc. etc. The pipes were much broken up,—some of them calcined by
the heat, which had been sufficiently strong to melt copper, masses
of which were found fused together in the centre of the basin. A
large number have nevertheless been restored, at the expense of much
labor and no small amount of patience. They are mostly composed of
a red porphyritic stone, somewhat resembling the pipe stone of the
«Coteau des Prairies», excepting that it is of great hardness and
interspersed with small variously colored granules. The fragments of
this material which had been most exposed to the heat were changed to
a brilliant black color, resembling Egyptian marble. Nearly all the
articles carved in limestone, of which there had been a number, were
calcined.
The bowls of most of the pipes are carved in miniature figures of
animals, birds, reptiles, etc. All of them are executed with strict
fidelity to nature, and with exquisite skill. Not only are the
features of the various objects represented faithfully, but their
peculiarities and habits are in some degree exhibited. The otter is
shown in a characteristic attitude, holding a fish in his mouth;
the heron also holds [p153] a fish; and the hawk grasps a small
bird in its talons, which it tears with its beak. The panther, the
bear, the wolf, the beaver, the otter, the squirrel, the raccoon,
the hawk, the heron, crow, swallow, buzzard, «paroquet», «toucan»,
and other indigenous and southern birds,—the turtle, the frog, toad,
rattlesnake, etc., are recognized at first glance. But the most
interesting and valuable in the list, are a number of sculptured
human heads, no doubt faithfully representing the predominant
physical features of the ancient people by whom they were made. We
have this assurance in the minute accuracy of the other sculptures of
the same date. For engravings of these as well as of a large series
of the other relics here mentioned, the reader is referred to the
passages on “«Sculptures».” Appropriate notices of the remaining
articles discovered in this mound,—the copper discs and tubes, pearl,
shell, and silver beads, etc.,—will be found under the head of
“«Ornaments».”
[Illustration: Fig. 39.]
[Illustration: Fig. 40.]
Fig. 39 is a section of mound No. 18 in “Mound City.” It has three
sand strata, and an altar of the usual form and dimensions. This
altar contained no relics, but was thinly covered with a carbonaceous
deposit, resembling burned leaves. The feature of this mound most
worthy of remark was a singular burial by «incremation», which had
been made in it at some period subsequent to its erection. The
indications (so often remarked as to need no further specification
here) that the mound had been disturbed were observed at the
commencement of the excavation. At the depth of four and a half feet,
the deposit was reached (Fig. 41). A quantity of water-worn stones,
about the size of common paving stones, and evidently taken from the
river close by, had been laid down, forming a rude pavement six feet
long by four broad. Lying diagonally upon this pavement, as shown
in Fig. 40, with its head to the north-west, was a skeleton. It was
remarkably well preserved, and retained much of its animal matter,—a
fact attributable in some degree to the antiseptic qualities of the
carbonaceous material surrounding it.[102] A fire had been built over
the body after it was deposited, its traces being plainly visible
on the stones, all of which were slightly burned. A quantity of
carbonaceous matter, resembling [p154] that formed by the sudden
covering up of burning twigs or other light materials, covered the
pavement and the skeleton. There were no relics with the skeleton;
although around its head were disposed a number of large fragments
of sienite, identical with that of which many of the instruments of
the modern Indians are known to have been made, previous and for some
time subsequent to the introduction of iron amongst them. After the
burial had been performed, and the hole partly filled, another fire
had been kindled, burning the earth of a reddish color, and leaving
a distinctly marked line, as indicated in the section. The hole had
then been completely filled up, so as to leave a scarcely perceptible
depression in the mound.
[Illustration: Fig. 41.]
[Illustration: Fig. 42.]
Fig. 41 is a section of mound No. 7 in “Mound City.” This mound is
much the largest within the enclosure, measuring seventeen and a half
feet in height by ninety feet base. From its top a full view of the
entire group is commanded. A shaft nine feet square was sunk from the
apex. The outer layer of gravel, which in this case was twenty inches
thick, was found to be broken up, and at the depth of three feet (at
a point indicated by «a» in the section) were found two copper axes,
weighing respectively two, and two and one fourth pounds. At the
depth of seven feet occurred the first sand stratum, below which,
at intervals of little more than a foot, were three more,—«four» in
all. At the depth of nineteen feet was found a smooth level floor of
clay, slightly burned, which was covered with a thin layer of sand
an inch in thickness. This sand had a marked ferruginous appearance,
and seemed to be cemented together, breaking up into large fragments
a foot or two square. At one side of the shaft, and resting on the
sand, was noticed a layer of silvery mica, as shown in the plan of
the excavation, Fig. 42. It was formed of round sheets, ten inches
or a foot in diameter, overlapping each other like the scales of a
fish. Lateral excavations were made to determine its extent, with
the result indicated in the plan. The portion uncovered exhibited
something over one half of a large and regular crescent, the outer
edge of which rested on an elevation or ridge of sand six inches
in height, as shown in the supplementary section «o». The entire
length of [155] the crescent from horn to horn could not have been
less than twenty feet, and its greatest width five. The clay floor
of this mound was but a few inches in thickness; a small shaft,
«c», was sunk three feet below it, but it disclosed only a mass of
coarse ferruginous sand. The earth composing the mound was incredibly
compact, rendering excavation exceedingly slow and laborious. Two
active men were employed more than a week in making the excavation
here indicated. It is not absolutely certain that the mound was
raised over the simple deposit above mentioned, and it may yet be
subjected to a more rigid investigation.
Although this mound is classed as a mound of sacrifice, it presents
some features peculiar to itself. Were we to yield to the temptation
to speculation which the presence of the mica crescent holds out, we
might conclude that the mound-builders worshipped the moon, and that
this mound was dedicated, with unknown rites and ceremonies, to that
luminary. It may be remarked that some of the mica sheets were of
that peculiar variety known as “hieroglyphic” or “graphic mica.”
[Illustration: Fig. 43.]
Fig. 43 is a section of mound No. 9, in the plan of the great work
on the North fork of Paint creek (Plate X). It will be seen that
this mound has several peculiar features. The altar, «a», instead of
occupying the centre, is placed considerably towards one side, and a
layer of charcoal, «c», fills the corresponding opposite side. Over
the altar curves a stratum of sand, and over the layer of charcoal
still another, as exhibited in the section. This altar was the
smallest met with. It was round, not measuring more than two feet
across the top. It was nevertheless rich in remains. Within it were
found—
1st. Several instruments of «obsidian». They were considerably broken
up, but have been so much restored, as to exhibit pretty nearly their
original form. Too large for arrow-heads, and too thin and slender
for points of spears, they seem to have been designed for cutting
purposes.
2d. Several scrolls tastefully cut from thin sheets of mica. They
are perforated with small holes, as if they had been attached as
ornaments to a robe of some description.
3d. Traces of cloth; small portions of which, though completely
carbonized, were found, still retaining the structure of the thread.
This appeared to have been made of some fine vegetable fibre. It was
what is technically termed “doubled and twisted,” and was about the
size of fine pack-thread.
4th. A considerable number of ivory or bone needles, or
graving-tools, about one tenth of an inch thick. Their original
length is not known. Several fragments were found two and three
inches long. Some have flat cutting points, the points of others were
round and sharp; some were straight, others slightly bent. [p156]
5th. A quantity of pearl beads; an article resembling the cover of a
small vessel, carved from stone; also some fragments of copper, in
thin narrow slips.
There were no relics of any kind found amongst the charcoal. The
layer of this material was not far from six feet square. It had been
heaped over while burning.
[Illustration: Fig. 44.]
Fig. 44 is a section of a large mound, No. 5, in the same enclosure.
In this instance the altar was covered with stones; and instead of
the usual sand stratum, there was found a layer of large flat stones,
corresponding to it. The altar, A, was composed of earth elevated
two and a half feet above the original level of the soil, and was
five feet long by three feet four inches broad, the sides sloping at
an angle of nearly thirty degrees. It was faced on the top and on
the sides with slabs of stone, quite regular in form and thickness,
and which, although not cut by any instrument, were closely fitted
together, as shown in the supplementary section of the altar, A. The
stone is the Waverley sandstone, underlying the coal series, thin
strata of which cap the hills bordering these valleys. The altar
bore the marks of fire; and a few fragments of the mound-builders’
ornaments, a few pearl beads, etc., were found on and around it. The
original deposit had probably been removed by the modern Indians, who
had opened the mound and buried one of their dead on the slope of
the altar. The stones composing the layer corresponding to the sand
stratum were two or three deep, presenting the appearance of a wall
which had fallen inwards.
[Illustration: Fig. 45.]
In the centre of the large enclosure, Plate XIX, is a solitary mound,
of which a section is here presented, Fig. 45. It is now, after
many years of cultivation, about five feet high by forty feet base.
Like that last described, it has some novel features, although its
purposes can hardly admit of a doubt. It has the casing of pebbles
and gravel which characterize the altar-mounds, but has no sand
layer, except a thin stratum resting immediately on the deposit
contained in the altar. This altar is entirely peculiar. It seems
to have been formed, at different intervals of time, as follows:
first, a circular space, thirteen feet in diameter and eight inches
in depth, was excavated in the original level of the plain; this
was filled with fine sand, carefully levelled, and compacted to
the utmost degree. Upon the level thus formed, which was perfectly
horizontal, offerings by fire were made; at any rate a continuous
heat was kept up, and fatty matter of some sort burned, for the sand
to the depth of two inches is discolored, and to the depth of one
inch is burned hard and black and cemented together. The ashes, etc.,
resulting from [p157] this operation, were then removed, and another
deposit of sand, of equal thickness with the former, was placed above
it, and in like manner much compacted. This was moulded into the form
represented in the plan, which is identical with that of the circular
clay altars already described; the basin, in this instance, measuring
seven feet in diameter by eight inches in depth. This basin was then
carefully paved with small round stones, each a little larger than a
hen’s egg, which were laid with the utmost precision, fully rivalling
the pavior’s finest work. They were firmly bedded in the sand beneath
them, so as to present a regular and uniform surface. Upon the altar
thus constructed was found a burnt deposit, carefully covered with
a layer of sand, above which was heaped the superstructure of the
mound. The deposit consisted of a thin layer of carbonaceous matter,
intermingled with which were some burned human bones, but so much
calcined as to render recognition extremely difficult. Ten well
wrought copper bracelets were also found, placed in two heaps, five
in each, and encircling some calcined bones,—probably those of the
arms upon which they were originally worn. Besides these were found a
couple of thick plates of mica, placed upon the western slope of the
altar.
Assuming, what must be very obvious from its form and other
circumstances, that this was an altar and not a tomb, we are almost
irresistibly led to the conclusion, that human sacrifices were
practised by the race of the mounds. This conclusion is sustained by
other facts, which have already been presented, and which need not be
recapitulated here.
The two mounds last described are the only ones yet discovered
possessing altars of stone; and, although it is likely there are
others of similar construction, their occurrence must be very rare.
Such are the prevailing characteristics of this class of mounds.
It will be remarked that while all have the same general features,
no two are alike in their details. They differ in the number and
relative position of their sand strata, as well as in the size and
shape of their altars and the character of the deposits made on them.
One mound covers a deposit made up almost entirely of pipes, another
a deposit of spear-heads, or of galena or calcined shells or bones.
In a few instances the symmetrical altar, of which so many examples
have been given, is wanting, and its place is supplied by a level
floor or platform of earth. Such was the case with mound No. 1, in
the plan of the great work on the North fork of Paint creek, already
referred to. This mound, although one of the richest in contents,
was one of the smallest met with, being not over three feet in
height. Its deposit was first disturbed by the plough, some years
ago, and numerous singular articles were then taken from it. Upon
investigation, in place of the altar, a level area ten or fifteen
feet broad was found, much burned, on which the relics had been
placed. These had been covered over with earth to perhaps the depth
of a foot, followed by a stratum of small stones, and an outer layer
of earth two feet in thickness. Hundreds of relics, and many of the
most interesting and valuable hitherto found, were taken from this
mound, among which may be mentioned several coiled serpents, carved
in stone, and carefully enveloped in sheet mica and copper; [p158]
pottery; carved fragments of ivory; a large number of fossil teeth;
numerous fine sculptures in stone, etc. Notice will be taken of some
of the most remarkable of these, under the appropriate heads.
[Illustration: Fig. 46.]
Another singular mound of somewhat anomalous character, of which a
section is herewith given, (Fig. 46,) occurred in the same enclosure
with the above. It is numbered 2 in Plate X, and is remarkable as
being very broad and flat, measuring at least eighty feet in diameter
by but six or seven in height. It has two sand strata; but instead
of an altar, there are two layers of discs chipped out of hornstone,
(A A of the section,) some nearly round, others in the form of
spear-heads. They are of various sizes, but are for the most part
about six inches long, by four wide, and three quarters of an inch
or an inch in thickness. They were placed side by side, a little
inclining, and one layer resting immediately on the other. Out of
an excavation six feet long by four wide, not far from six hundred
were thrown. The deposit extends beyond the limits of the excavation
on every side. Supposing it to be twelve feet square, (and it may
be twenty or thirty,) we have not far from four thousand of these
discs deposited here. If they were thus placed as an offering, we can
form some estimate, in view of the facts that they must have been
brought from a great distance, and fashioned with great toil, of the
devotional fervor which induced the sacrifice, or the magnitude of
the calamity which that sacrifice was perhaps intended to avert. The
fact, that this description of stone chips most easily when newly
quarried, has induced the suggestion that the discs were deposited
here for the purpose of protecting them from the hardening influence
of the atmosphere, and were intended to be withdrawn and manufactured
as occasion warranted or necessity required. It is incredible,
however, that so much care should be taken to fashion the mound
and introduce the mysterious sand strata, if it was designed to be
disturbed at any subsequent period. There is little doubt that the
deposit was final, and was made in compliance with some religious
requirement. An excavation below these layers discovered traces of
fire, but too slight to be worthy of more than a passing remark.
A mound marked E in the plan of the great work, Plate XXI, No. 2, was
found to enclose an altar of small dimensions, which contained only a
few perforated wolf’s teeth and some fifteen or twenty bones of the
deer, all of them much burned. Six or eight inches above the deposit
was a stratum of large pebbles.
It has been remarked that some of the mounds of this class contain
altars which have been but slightly burned, and that such are
destitute of remains. A few altars have been noticed, which have been
much burned, but having no deposit upon them, except a thin layer of
phosphate of lime, which seems to have incorporated itself with the
clay of which they are composed, giving them the appearance of [p159]
having been plastered with mortar. Nos. 6, 9, and 18, in “Mound
City,” are examples of this class. No coals or ashes were found on
any of these; they appear to have been carefully cleaned out before
being heaped over.
[Illustration: Fig. 47.]
An explanation of this circumstance may probably be found in the
character of a certain class of small mounds, occurring within
enclosures and in connection with the altar mounds. In the plan of
“Mound City” so often referred to are several of these, numbered 14,
15, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 23, respectively. They are very small, the
largest not exceeding three feet in height, and are destitute of
altars. In place thereof, on the original level of the earth, was
found a quantity, in no case exceeding the amount of one skeleton, of
burned human bones, in small fragments. That they were not burned on
the spot is evident from the absence of all traces of fire, beyond
those furnished by the remains themselves. They appear to have been
collected from the pyre, wherever it was erected, and carefully
deposited in a small heap, and then covered over. In one instance
(mound No. 19) a small hole had been dug, in which the remains were
found. A section of this mound is herewith given, Fig. 47. The
deposit is indicated by the letter «a». This feature is analogous
to the «cists» of the British barrows. That the burning took place
on some of the altars above mentioned is not only indicated by the
presence of the deposit of phosphate of lime upon them, but is
absolutely demonstrated by finding, intermixed with the calcined
bones, «fragments of the altars themselves», as if portions had been
scaled up by the instrument used in scraping together and removing
the burned remains.
The inference that human sacrifices were made here, and the remains
afterwards thus collected and deposited, or that a system of burial
of this extraordinary character was practised in certain cases,
seems to follow legitimately from the facts and circumstances here
presented.[103]
That the stratified mounds are not burial places seems sufficiently
well established by the fact that the greater number have no traces
of human remains upon or around the altars. The suggestion that the
various relics found upon these altars were the personal effects of
deceased chiefs or priests, thus deposited in accordance with the
practice common amongst rude people, of consigning the property of
the dead to the tomb with them, is controverted by the fact that
[p160] the deposits are generally homogeneous. That is to say,
instead of finding a large variety of relics, ornaments, weapons,
and other articles, such as go to make up the possessions of a
barbarian dignitary, we find upon one altar «pipes» only, upon
another a simple mass of galena, while the next one has a quantity
of pottery, or a collection of spear heads, or else is destitute of
remains except perhaps a thin layer of carbonaceous material. Such
could not possibly be the case upon the above hypothesis, for the
spear, the arrows, the pipe, and the other implements and personal
ornaments of the dead, would then be found in connection with each
other. Besides the negative evidence here afforded in support of our
classification, it is sustained by the circumstance that these mounds
are almost invariably found within enclosures, which, for a variety
of concurring reasons, we are induced to believe were sacred in their
origin, and devoted primarily, if not exclusively, to religious
purposes. The circumstance of stratification, exhibiting as it does
an extraordinary care and attention, can hardly be supposed to
result from any but superstitious notions. It certainly has no exact
analogy in any of the monuments of the globe, of which we possess
a knowledge, and its significance is beyond rational conjecture.
Why these altars, some of which, as we have already seen, had been
used for considerable periods, were finally heaped over, is an
embarrassing question, and one to which it is impossible to suggest
a satisfactory answer. That all were not covered by mounds is quite
certain. The “brick hearths,” of which mention has occasionally been
made by writers upon our antiquities, were doubtless none other than
uncovered altars. Nothing is more likely than that, even though
designed to be subsequently covered, some were left exposed by the
builders, and afterwards hidden by natural accumulations, to be
again exposed by the invading plough or the recession of the banks
of streams. The indentations occasioned by the growth of roots over
their surfaces, or the cracks resulting from other causes, would
naturally suggest the notion of rude brick hearths. One of these
“hearths” was discovered some years since near the town of Marietta
in Ohio. It was surrounded by a low bank, of about one hundred feet
in circumference, which seemed to have been the ground plan or
commencement of a mound.
[Illustration: Fig. 48.—ELLIPTICAL MOUND]
FOOTNOTES:
[99] It is not assumed to say that «all» the mounds occurring within
enclosures are altar or sacrificial mounds. On the contrary, some are
found which, to say the least, are «anomalous»; while others were
clearly the «sites of structures», or temple mounds.
[100] Some of the mounds on the lower Mississippi, as we have already
seen in the chapter on the aboriginal monuments of the Southern
States, are horizontally stratified, exhibiting numerous layers,
from base to summit. These mounds differ in form from the conical
structures here referred to, and were perhaps constructed for a
different purpose. Some are represented as composed of layers of
earth, two or three feet thick, each one of which is surmounted by a
burned surface, which has been mistaken for a rude brick pavement.
Others are composed of alternate layers of earth and human remains.
The origin of the latter is doubtless to be found in the annual
bone burials of the Cherokees and other southern Indians, of which
accounts are given by Bartram and the early writers.
[101] In the construction of the Ohio canal, a mound was partially
excavated, in which were found a dial-plate and other articles of
European origin. The circumstances are detailed in a private letter
from WILLIAM H. PRICE, Esq., of Chillicothe, late member of the Board
of Public Works of Ohio, under whose direction the mound was removed:
“In the year 1827, during the excavation of a part of the Ohio canal
in the township of Benton, Cuyahoga county, a short distance north
of the mouth of Brandywine creek, it became necessary to remove part
of a small mound, so situated in the valley of a small rivulet as,
at first, to induce doubts as to its being artificial. However, in
the process of excavation, the remains of one or more human skeletons
were found, also a gun barrel, and perhaps some of the mountings of
the stock. In relation to the last I am not positive, but distinctly
remember a circular brass plate or disc perhaps one sixteenth of an
inch in thickness, with (I think) «raised» letters and figures on one
side, which exhibited a French calendar, so arranged as to serve for
a century. I may mistake the duration for which it was intended, but
give the above as my decided impression. I do not recollect the date,
but think it was near the middle of the seventeenth century,—say 1640
or thereabouts.”
Several silver crosses, a number of small bags of vermilion, and
other relics, were discovered not long since by Mr. C. A. VAUGHN,
of Cincinnati, in some mounds excavated by that gentleman in the
vicinity of Beardstown, Ill. They were found with skeletons, a few
feet below the surface.
[102] The skull of this skeleton, which is singularly large and
massive, is now in the possession of Samuel G. Morton, M.D., of
Philadelphia. It is of the same conformation with those of the recent
Indians which surround it in his extensive collection.
[103] Amongst the Mexicans, burial by fire was generally practised.
Clavigero mentions a fact, in connection with their funeral rites,
which may serve to elucidate the point here raised, viz that burial
«in the vicinity of some altar or temple, or in the sacred places
where sacrifices were made», was often sought by the Mexicans:
“There was no fixed place for burials. Many ordered their ashes to
be buried near some temple or altar, some in the fields, and others
in their sacred places in the mountains where sacrifices used to
be made. The ashes of the kings and lords were, for the most part,
deposited in the towers of the temples, especially those of the
greater temple.”—«Clavigero, American Edition», vol ii. p. 108;
«Acosta in Purchas», vol. iii. p. 1029.
[p161]