the two longest sides each 48 feet and the (southern) base 32 feet, in
which the bodies and accompanying articles were deposited and then
covered over, but not heaped up into a mound; or, if so, it had
subsequently settled until on a level with the natural surface of the
ground. The apex, which points directly north, was found to extend
within 3 feet of the break of the bank of the Yadkin River, the height
above the usual water-level being about 12 feet. The depth of the
original excavation, the lines of which could be distinctly traced,
varied from 2-1/2 to 3 feet. A rude sketch of this triangle, showing the
relative positions of the skeletons, is given in Fig. 26.
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 indicate the positions of single
skeletons found lying horizontally, on their backs, heads east and
northeast. With No. 2 was found a broken soapstone pipe, and with Nos. 5
and 9 one small polished celt each.
Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 indicate the positions of skeletons
inclosed in rude stone vaults built of cobblestones and similar to those
in the preceding mound. (See Fig. 25.) Nos. 10, 12, 13, and 15 were in a
sitting posture, without any accompanying articles.
Graves 11 and 14 contained each two bodies, extended horizontally, the
lower ones, which were of smaller stature than the upper ones, face up
and with heavy flat stones on the extended arms and legs. The upper
ones, with face down, were resting on those below. No implements or
ornaments were found with them.
Near No. 12 about a peck of singular, pinkish-colored earth was found.
[Illustration: FIG. 27.--Engraved shell gorget from mound, Caldwell
County, North Carolina.]
In the northwest part of the triangle (at A in Fig. 26) ten or more
skeletons were found in one grave or group, which from the arrangement
the explorers concluded must have been buried at one time; the "old
chief" (?), or principal personage of the group, resting horizontally on
his face, with his head northeast and feet southwest. Under his head was
a large engraved shell gorget (Fig. 27); around his neck were a number
of large-sized shell beads, evidently the remains of a necklace; at the
sides of the head, near the ears, were five elongate copper beads, or
rather small cylinders, varying in length from one and a quarter to four
and a half inches, part of the leather thong on which the smaller were
strung yet remaining in them. These are made of thin pieces of copper
cut into strips and then rolled together so that the edges meet in a
straight joint on one side. (See Fig. 28.) The plate out of which they
were made was as smooth and even in thickness as though it had been
rolled.
[Illustration: FIG. 28.--Cylindrical copper bead from mound, Caldwell
County, North Carolina.]
[Illustration: FIG. 29.--Bracelet of copper and shell beads, Caldwell
County, North Carolina.]
A piece of copper was also under his breast. His arms were partially
extended, his hands resting about a foot from his head. Around each
wrist were the remains of a bracelet composed of copper and shell beads,
alternating, thus (Fig. 29):
[Illustration FIG. 30.--Iron celt from mound, Caldwell County, North
Carolina.]
At his right hand were four iron specimens, much corroded but still
showing the form. Two of them were of uniform thickness, one not
sharpened at the ends or edges, the other slightly sharpened at one end,
3 to 3-1/2 inches long, 1 to 1-1/2 inches broad, and about a quarter of
an inch thick. The form is shown in Fig. 30. Another is 5 inches long,
slightly tapering in width from one and an eighth to seven-eighths of an
inch, both edges sharp; it is apparently part of the blade of a long,
slender, cutting or thrusting weapon of some kind, as a sword, dagger,
or knife. (Shown in Fig. 31.) The other specimen is part of a round,
awl-shaped implement, a small part of the bone handle in which it was
fixed yet remaining attached to it.
[Illustration: FIG. 31.--Iron implement from mound, Caldwell County,
North Carolina.]
Under his left hand was another engraved shell, the concave surface
upward and filled with shell beads of all sizes.
Around and over the skeleton of this chief personage, with their heads
near his, were nine other skeletons. Under the heads of two of these
were two engraved shells. Scattered over and between the ten skeletons
of the group were numerous polished celts, discoidal stones, copper
arrow-points, plates of mica, lumps of paint, black lead, etc.
_The W. D. Jones mound._--Two miles east of Patterson, same county, and
near the north bank of the Yadkin River, running out from a low ridge to
the river bank, is a natural terrace about 12 feet high, with a level
area on top of about an acre, the sides steep and abrupt. According to
tradition this terrace was formerly occupied by an Indian village.
About 200 yards east of this, on the second river bottom or terrace, was
located a low, circular mound 33 feet in diameter and not more than 1
foot high, on the land of Mr. W. D. Jones.
This mound was found on investigation to cover a circular pit 32 feet in
diameter and 3 feet deep, the margin and bottom being so well defined as
to leave no doubt as to the limits of the pit; in fact, the bottom,
which was of clay, had been baked hard by fire to the depth of 2 or 3
inches. The mound and the filling of the pit consisted of earth and
loose yellow clay, similar to that around it. In this mound were found
twenty-five skeletons and one stone heap, the relative positions of
which are shown in Fig. 32.
1. A "squatter," walled in with water-worn stones, the face turned
toward the west; no relics.
2. Sitting with the face toward the center; two polished celts at the
feet, and immediately in front of the face a cylinder of hard gray
mortar (not burned) about 5 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, with a
hole through one end.
3. Sitting with the face toward the center; several polished celts at
the feet.
[Illustration: FIG. 32.--W. D. Jones mound, Caldwell County, North
Carolina.]
4. Horizontal, head southeast; several celts at the feet.
5. Horizontal, head toward the center; several celts at the feet.
6. Facing the center, sitting; shell beads around the neck, a _Unio_
shell on top of the head, with the concave surface down, a conch shell
(_Busycon perversum_) in front of the face, and celts at the feet.
7. Sitting, facing the center; celts at the feet.
8. Very large, lying on the left side, legs partially drawn up, walled
in with bowlders; no implements.
9. Horizontal, face down, head toward the center; celts and discoidal
stones at the feet, and a pot resting, mouth down, upon the head.
10. Horizontal, face up, feet toward the center; pot resting on the
face, stone implements at the feet.
11. Horizontal, head southeast, arms extended, and a bracelet of copper
and shell beads around each wrist; shell beads around the neck; face up
and food-cup (without handle) at the right side of the head.
12. Horizontal, face up, head southeast; shell beads around the neck, a
hook or crescent shaped piece of copper on the breast, and a soapstone
pipe near the face; one hand near each side of the head, each grasping
small, conical copper ornaments (ear-drops) and a bunch of hair. Was
this individual, apparently a female, buried alive?
13. Horizontal, lying on the back, head southeast; copper and shell
beads around the neck and wrists, a hook or crescent shaped piece of
copper on the breast, a food-cup (with handle) lying on its side with
mouth close to the face, a pipe near the mouth, and two celts over the
head.
14. Horizontal, lying on the back, head northeast, arms extended; each
hand resting on a shell which had evidently been engraved, though the
figures are almost totally obliterated.
15. Horizontal, on the back, head west, knees drawn up; stone implements
at the feet.
16. Too much decayed to determine the position.
17. Four skeletons in one grave, horizontal, heads toward the east, and
large rocks lying on the legs below the knees; no implements.
18. Two skeletons in one grave, heads west, faces down, knees drawn up;
no implements.
19. On the back, horizontal, head east; no implements.
20. Sitting, with face toward the east, walled in, a large rock lying on
the feet (though this may have fallen from the wall); no implements.
21. Sitting, walled in; over the head, but under the capstone of the
vault, a handful of flint arrow-heads.
22. Doubled up, with the head between the feet.
A. A solid oval-shaped mass of bowlders, 33 inches long, 22 inches wide,
and 24 inches high, resting on the bottom of the pit. No ashes or other
indications of fire about it.
Fragments of pottery, mica, galena, charcoal, red and black paint, and
stone chips were found scattered in small quantities through the earth
which filled the pit. All the celts were more or less polished.
_R. T. Lenoir burial pit._--This is a circular burial pit, similar to
those already described, but without any rounding up of the surface. It
is located on the farm of Mr. Rufus T. Lenoir, about 9 miles northeast
of Lenoir and nearly a mile west of Fort Defiance.
A diagram showing the relative positions of the graves or burials is
given in Fig. 33.
It is on the first river terrace or bottom of Buffalo Creek and some 200
yards from the stream, which empties into the Yadkin about half a mile
southwest of this point. This bottom is subject to overflow in time of
high water.
The pit, which is 27 feet in diameter and about 3-1/2 feet deep, is
almost a perfect circle, and well marked, the margin, which is nearly
perpendicular, and the bottom being easily traced. The dirt in this
case, as in the others, was all thrown out.
No. 1. A bed of charred or rather burnt bones, occupying a space 3 feet
long, 2 feet wide, and about 1 foot deep. The bones were so thoroughly
burned that it was impossible to determine whether they were human or
animal. Beneath this bed the yellow sand was baked to the depth of 2 or
3 inches. Under the bones was an uncharred shell gorget.
No. 2. A skeleton in a sitting posture, facing northeast; a pipe near
the mouth and a polished celt over the head.
No. 3. Sitting, facing east, with shell beads around the neck and also
around the arms just below the shoulders.
No. 4. Horizontal, on the back, head east and resting on the concave
surface of an engraved shell; a conch shell (_Busycon perversum_) at the
side of the head, and copper and shell beads around the neck.
[Illustration: FIG. 33.--Plan of the R. T. Lenoir burial pit, Caldwell
County, North Carolina.]
No. 5. Horizontal, head northeast; shell beads around the neck and two
discoidal stones and one celt at the feet.
No. 6. A communal grave, containing at least twenty-five skeletons, in
two tiers, buried without any apparent regularity as to direction or
relative position. Thirteen of the twenty-five were "flat-heads;" that
is, "the heads running back and compressed in front."
Scattered through this grave, between and above the skeletons, were
polished celts, discoidal stones, shells, mica, galena, fragments of
pottery, and one whole pot. Around the neck and wrists of some of the
skeletons were also shell beads. There may have been more than
twenty-five individuals buried here, this, however, being the number of
skulls observed.
No. 7. Horizontal, on the left side, head northwest; no implements.
No. 8. An irregular layer of water-worn stones, about 4 feet square. On
top was a bed of charcoal 3 or 4 inches thick, on and partially imbedded
in which were three skeletons, but showing no indications of having been
in the fire. Scattered over these were discoidal stones, one small,
saucer-shaped dish, shells (of which one is engraved), pipes, shell
beads, and pieces of pottery.
No. 9. A grave containing three skeletons, lying horizontally on their
backs and side by side, the outer ones with their heads east and the
middle one with the head west; no implements.
No. 10. Horizontal, on the right side, head north, with stone implements
in front of the face.
No. 11. Doubled up, top of the head south; shell beads around the neck
and celts at the feet.
No. 12. A grave containing seventeen skeletons, seven of which had flat
heads, two of the number children. Two of the adult heads were resting
on engraved shells.
In this grave were found four pots and two food-cups, the handle of one
representing an owl's head and that of the other an eagle's head. One of
the small pots was inside a larger one. Scattered among the skeletons
were shell beads, polished celts, discoidal stones, paint, etc. None of
the skeletons were inclosed in stone graves.[36]
In order to convey an idea of the number of articles deposited with the
dead in some of these burial places, I give here a list of those
obtained from the pit last described:
One stone ax.
Forty-three polished celts.
Nine vessels of clay.
Thirty-two arrow-heads.
Twenty soapstone pipes, mostly uninjured.
Twelve discoidal stones.
Ten rubbing stones.
Two hammer stones.
One broken soapstone vessel.
Six engraved shells.
Four shell gorgets.
One _Busycon perversum_ entire, and two or three broken ones.
Five very large copper beads.
One lot of fragments of shells, some of them engraved.
A few rude shell pins.
Shell beads.
A few small copper beads.
Specimens of paint and plumbago.
Three skulls.
It is evident from the foregoing descriptions that the mode of burial
and the depositories of the dead of the mound-building tribes of this
part of North Carolina differed in several marked and important respects
from the mode of burial and burial mounds of the sections previously
alluded to, and in fact from those of any other district.
Here the pit seems to have been the important part of the depository and
the mound a mere adjunct. In some cases the bodies appear to have been
buried soon after death, while in others--as, for example, the groups in
the triangle and Lenoir burial pit--the skeletons were probably
deposited after the flesh was removed.
We are reminded by these pits of the mode of burial practiced by some of
the Indian tribes, as mentioned by Lafitau,[37] Brebeuf,[38] etc.; but,
before attempting to draw conclusions, we will give other illustrations
of the burial mounds of this district, which are far from being uniform
in character.
Comparatively few mounds have as yet been opened in North Carolina;
hence the data relating to this region is somewhat meager. As bearing
upon the subject, and probably relating to a period immediately
following the close of the mound-building era, I give from Mr. Rogan's
notes the description of a burial place explored by him on the farm of
Mr. Charles Hunt, in the central part of Wilkes County:
This is not a "burial place," in the usual sense of that term, but is
probably the site of a camp or temporary village. It is about three
miles and a half east of Wilkesborough, on the second bottom or terrace
of the Yadkin River. It differs from the burial places just described in
having no large pit, the graves being separate and independent of each
other. A diagram showing the relative positions of the graves and small
pits accompanies Mr. Rogan's report but is omitted here, although the
numbering of the graves is retained in the description.
No. 1 is a grave or oval-shaped pit 2 feet long and 18 inches wide, the
top within 8 inches of the surface of the ground, while the bottom is
2-1/2 feet below it. This contained the remains of two skeletons, which
were surrounded by charcoal; some of the bones were considerably
charred. In the pit were some fragments of pottery, a few flint chips,
and a decayed tortoise shell.
No. 2. A grave 2 feet wide, 6 feet long, and 5 feet deep. It contained
quite a quantity of animal bones, some of them evidently those of a
bear; also charcoal, mussel shells, and one bone implement.
No. 3. A grave of the same size and depth as No. 2, containing animal
bones, broken pottery, and some charcoal.
No. 4. Grave; the size, depth, and contents same as the preceding.
No. 5. A circular pit 2 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep. This contained
a very large pot, in which were some animal bones; it was on its side
and crushed.
No. 6. A pit 2-1/2 feet deep and 2 feet square, with a bed of charcoal
in the bottom 6 inches deep. On this bed was a layer of flint chips, and
on the chips a quantity of broken pottery, animal bones, a discoidal
stone, and a bone implement.
No. 7. A grave similar to those described.
No. 8. A large grave, containing three skeletons, lying at full length
upon the right side, with the heads a little east of north. Between the
front and the middle one was a mass of mussel shells. At the head and
back of the front one were a number of animal bones, and between it and
the middle one, opposite the pelvis, was a large broken pot. The right
arm of the third or back one was extended forward and upward, the left
arm resting across the head, a white flint chip grasped in the hand. The
head of this skeleton was resting on a piece of a broken pot, and in
front of the face, at the distance of a foot, was also part of a pot,
containing a stone fragment and some animal bones. Under the legs of the
three skeletons, the head extending in front of the legs of the third or
back one, was the skeleton of a bear, and in front of the latter were
three broken pots, containing animal bones.
[Illustration FIG. 34.--Fire-bed, Wilkes County, North Carolina.]
No. 9. A basin-shaped fire-bed, or bed of burnt clay, 8 inches thick. A
section of this bed is shown in Fig. 34--_b_, _b_, _b_, the bed of burnt
clay, 8 inches thick, the material evidently placed here and not a part
of the original soil. The basin _a_ was filled with ashes, to the depth
of 12 inches; the diameter, from 1 to 2, 2 feet 3 inches, from 1 to 3
and from 2 to 4, 1 foot 6 inches.
No. 10. A bed of mussel shells, 3 inches thick and 3 feet in diameter,
lying on a flat bed of burnt earth 3 inches thick.
No. 11. A pit 5 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter, filled with animal
bones, mussel shells, and broken pottery.
There was no mounding over any of these graves or pits.
The basin-shaped fire-bed, No. 9, reminds us very strongly of the
so-called altars of the Ohio mounds, and may possibly assist us in
arriving at a correct conclusion concerning these puzzling structures.
A mound opened by Dr. J. M. Spainhour in Burke County, some years ago,
presents some variations, though, so far as the posture and relative
positions of the skeletons are concerned, reminding us of those in
Caldwell County. The following extract is from the article containing
the description:[39]
Digging down I struck a stone about 18 inches below the surface,
which was found to be 18 inches long and 16 inches wide and from
2 to 3 inches in thickness, the corners rounded. It rested on
solid earth and had been smoothed on top.
I then made an excavation in the south of the mound, and soon
struck another stone, which upon examination proved to be in
front of the remains of a human skeleton in a sitting posture;
the bones of the fingers of the right hand had been resting on
the stone. Near the hand was a small stone about 5 inches long,
resembling a tomahawk or Indian hatchet. Upon a further
examination many of the bones were found, though in a very
decomposed condition, and upon exposure to the air they soon
crumbled to pieces. The heads of the bones, a considerable
portion of the skull, jaw-bones, teeth, neck-bones, and the
vertebræ were in their proper places. Though the weight of the
earth above them had driven them down, yet the frame was
perfect, and the bones of the head were slightly inclined
toward the east. Around the neck were found coarse beads that
seemed to be of some substance resembling chalk.
A small lump of red paint, about the size of an egg, was found
near the right side of this skeleton. From my knowledge of
anatomy, the sutures of the skull would indicate the subject to
have been twenty-five or twenty-eight years of age. The top of
the skull was about 12 inches below the mark of the plow.
I made a further excavation in the west part of this mound and
found another skeleton similar to the first, in a sitting
posture, facing the last. A stone was on the right, on which
the right hand had been resting, and on this was a tomahawk
which had been about 7 inches in length, broken into two
pieces, and much better finished than the first. Beads were
also on the neck of this one, but were much smaller and of
finer quality than those on the neck of the first; the
material, however, seemed to be the same. A much larger amount
of paint was found by the side of this than the first. The
bones indicated a person of larger frame and I think of about
fifty years of age. Everything about this one had the
appearance of superiority over the first. The top of the skull
was about 6 inches below the mark of the plow.
I continued the examination, and after diligent search found
nothing at the north part of the mound, but on reaching the
east side found another skeleton, in the same posture as the
others, facing the west. On the right side of this was a stone
on which the right hand had been resting, and on the stone was
also a tomahawk about 8 inches in length, broken into three
pieces, much smoother and of finer material than the others.
Beads were also found on the neck of this, but much smaller and
finer than on those of the others, as well as a large amount of
paint. The bones would indicate a person of forty years of age.
The top of the skull had been moved by the plow.
There was no appearance of hair discovered; besides, the
principal bones were almost entirely decomposed, and crumbled
when handled.
A complete exploration of this mound, the dimensions of which are not
given, would possibly have shown that the skeletons were arranged
somewhat in a circle. The doctor does not state whether there was a
pit.
[Illustration: FIG. 35.--Section of mound, Henderson County, North
Carolina.]
Some mounds in Henderson County, opened in 1884 by Mr. J. W. Emmert, who
was temporarily employed by the Bureau, present some peculiarities
worthy of notice. One of these, situated on the farm of Mrs. Rebecca
Conner, and perfectly circular, was found to be 44 feet in diameter and
6 feet high; a number of small trees were growing on it. The annexed cut
(Fig. 35) shows a vertical section of it, the dark central triangle
representing a conical mass of charcoal and ashes. The conical mass
measured 16 feet in diameter at the base and 5 feet high, the top
reaching within 1 foot of the top of the mound. The outer portion
consisted of charcoal, evidently the remains of pine poles, which had
been placed in several layers, sloping toward the apex. The inner
portion consisted of ashes and coals mixed with earth, in which were
found some burnt human (?) bones, and some accompanying articles, among
which were two stones with holes drilled through them. The fragments of
bones and the specimens were at the base, in the center.
A mound on the farm of Mr. J. B. Alexander, 2 miles above the one just
described, was examined by Mr. Emmert, and found to cover a pit similar
to those explored in Caldwell County.
This mound was situated on an elevated level, about a quarter of a mile
from the creek, in an old field which had been plowed over for sixty
years. It was 2 feet high when he explored it, but the old people stated
to him that it was formerly 10 feet high, and had a "tail" or ridge
running away from it 200 feet long; but the only indication of this that
Mr. Emmert could see was a strip of clay running off where it was stated
to have been. It runs in the direction of the creek bottom, where any
quantity of broken pottery may be picked up. The mound, which was 30
feet in diameter and composed wholly of red clay, was entirely removed
to the original surface of the ground. Nothing was found in it, but
after reaching the surface he discovered a circular pit 12 feet in
diameter, which had been dug to the depth of 4 feet in the solid red
clay. This he found to be filled full of ashes and charcoal, but failed
to find any bones or specimens in it.
Although Mr. Emmert failed to find any evidence that this was a burial
mound, its similarity with those of Caldwell County will, I think,
justify us in concluding it was constructed for this purpose.
[Illustration: FIG. 36.--Section of mound, Henderson County, North
Carolina.]