The Arkansas advocate., 1834-08-08
] From the Athens Banner June q. INDIAN ANTtQUITIES.-We reis

INDIAN ANTtQUITTFS.--We refer onr readers to the following interesting eonnsuncatioEa an tlsis subject. 'rhe aisS eoYery of the gold mines it the Southern States IS destined, we apprehend, to contri- hnte largely to the stock of an,ieuran lore We may reasonably conclude, that the inter- esting relics brought to light by the miners in the Nacoocnee valley. {reialea in the com4 mnnication referred to) are only the com- mencement of series of discoveries which, in the course of time, will be made in the same way, and which may throw much light 1 on the early character, habits and condition of race of men, with regard to whose primitive history so little is known.
 .Nacooehee Vattey, June 6, 1884. To the Editors of the Southern Banner:
 Gentlemen--A singular discovery has re- gently been made in this vicinity, ef . Sub teranean Village, which though not so ex- tensive as Hercuianeum or fompeii, in- wolves much mystery and speculation, and offers new subject of inquiry to the Geo logist and Antiquary. The houses were dis inferred by excayating canal for the pur- pose of washing gold. The depth varies from seven to nine feet; some of the hou- ses are imbedded in the stratum of gravel, which IS aunferous, and yields fine profits to the operations. The logs are but par tlally decayed, from to 0 inches III di- ameter, and from 10 to l2 feet long. The walls are from 3 to 6 feet in night, joined together, forming a stright line upwards of 300 feet in length, comprising 34 building or rooms. The logs are hewn at the ends and notched down as in ordinary cabins of the present day. In one of the rooms were found. three baskets. made of cane splits, resting upon the slate; also, a num- her of fragments of Indian ware, similar to that manufactured by the Cherokees of the present period.
 From the circumstance of the land hav- ing been covered with heavy growth of timber previous to its cultivation by the whites, {l2 years snce) we must necssari- l iy infer, that they were built at remote pe- riod, and by some powerful cause have been submerged and covered by continual additions of aluvion. The stream is about 30 feet wide, and is said by Mir. Sandford l {who Is now operating on 1t for gold, very successfully, and from whom derived most of my information with regard to the hou- ses) to be one of the most productive gold deposites in the country. The houses are situated from 50 to 100 yards from the channel of the creek; and as no further ex- cavations have been made, it is more than probable that new aud more interesting developments will be made when the land Is worked for gold.
 A great number of curious specimens of workmanship have been found in situations, which preclude the possibility of their having been moved for more than thousand years. During my mining operations last year, found, at one time, about one half of crl- cible. of the capacity of neary gallon. It was ten feet below the surface, and im- mediately beneath a large oak tree, which measured five feet in diamter, and must been four or five hundred years old. The deposites was diluvial, or what may be termed table land. The stratum, of quartz gravel, in which the vessel was imbedded, IS about two feet in thickness, resting upon ldecomposed cniorIte slate.
 It is difficult to account for the deposte of those substances in alluvial soil, for the hills are generally very high and precipitous, and from the immense quantity of rain which falls, the streams are swollen to a great height, sweepingevery thing with them, and frequently forming deposite of seye- raal feet in thickness in season; but some of the diluvial land is from 10 to 50 feet above the present level of the streams. These de- posites exhibit appearances of as great at- triton as those recently formed.
 There was vessel, or rather a double mortar, found in Dukes Creek, about five inches in diameter, and the excavation on each side was nearly an inch in depth, basin like, and perfectly polished. It was made of quartz, which had been semi-transpa- rent, but had become stained with the iron which abounds in quantityin all this country. In the bottom of each basin was small de- pression half an inch in depth, and about the same diameter. What it's use could have been, is difficult to conjecture. Some suppose it was used for grinding paint, &c. or in some of their plays or games. The high finish, and its exact dimensions, in- duce me to believe 1t the production of more civilized people, than the present race of Indians.
 Respectfully yours.
 From the Boston paper.