Near the middle of the connecting ridge, just under the soil, a layer
of burnt clay, about 5 or 6 feet in diameter, was found. At one side,
imbedded in the _debris_ of clay, a large quantity of fragments of
earthen vessels was discovered. They comprise a number of bowls of
various sizes, which are all quite new-looking, and are of a type of
ware quite distinct from that found in the fields and graves of the same
locality. Restorations of a large number have been made, and the
collection proves to be extremely interesting.
The collector argues, from the position of the fragmentary vessels, that
they had been placed by their owners upon the roof of the house, which,
he surmises, was destroyed by fire.
63040, 63034, 63170, 63421, 65412, 65409, 65422, 65405. Plain bowls of
yellowish-gray ware, restored from fragments described above. They are
wide and shallow, and somewhat conical below; hand-made, and without
polish. Composed of clay, tempered with pulverized shell. The walls
are usually quite thin. Diameter 10 to 13 inches. Height 3 to 6
inches.
[Illustration: Fig. 150.]
63039, 63033, 63041-63043, 64045, 65406, 65401-65403, 65415,-65417,
65408, 65410. Bowls corresponding in general character to those
described above, but having tasteful designs of incised lines and
indentations on the exterior surface. The most interesting of these
designs consists of series of interlaced or of festooned lines. The
exterior margin is encircled, in all cases, by ornaments consisting
of parallel lines, groups of short incised lines, or rows of
indentations.
[Illustration: Fig. 151.]
The principal design encircles the body beneath this, as shown in Figs.
150 and 151.
63037, 63038, 63416. Bowls similar to the above having interior
decorations consisting of curved lines.
63035, 63099, 65404, 65411, 65413, 65414, 65418-65420, 65423. Bowls
corresponding to the above in general characters, but having flaring
rims. They are mostly plain. A few have decorative designs of incised
lines. Some have been blackened by use as cooking vessels.