Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-10-06
AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.
Confined


| ASTMAL-sHAPED MOUNDS OF WISCONSIN,
| They consist of elevations OF earth Of diversified
outline and various size for the most part con-
stituting eigies of beasts, birds reptiles and OF
/ the human form; but often circular, quadrangle
lar and of oblong shape The circular or conical
tumuh differ from those scattered over the whole
country in outward respect excepting that
they much smaller in their average dimea-
sions; the largest seldom exceeding fifteen feet in
hight. Those IN the form of parallelograms are
sometimes upwards of 500 feet in length seldom
less than 100; but in hight they bear no proper
ton to their otherwise great dimensions, aud may
probably be better designated walls embank-
nents, or terraces, than mounds. These works
are seldom isolated, but generally occur in groups
or ranges, sometimes, though not always, placed
with apparent design in respect TO each other
In these groups may be observed every variety of
torm-the circular, quadrangUlaT, and animal
shaped structures occurring IN such connection
with each other TO fully Justify the belief that
tney are OF contelnporaneous origin. AT first
glance, these remains are said to resemble the sites
or groundplans and foundation-lines of buildings
and 1t is not until their entire outline is taken in
to view, that the impression of etiigy becomes
decided. This is not surprising, in view of the
fact that they are usually of inconslderabe hight
varying from one to four feet; IN a few cases,
however, rising as high six feet. Their out
lines are, nevertheless represented 10 be distinctly
defined in all cases where they occupy favorable
positions. Their small altitude should cause no
doubt of the fidelity OF the representations which
have been made of these figures; since ] regular
elevation OF SIX inches can be readily traced upon
the level prairies and bottom-lands Of the West
especially when covered with turf
GEoGRAPHICAL DIsrRIBUTIoS OF THE AxcIFNT
EARTH wORKs.-Although possessing through
out certain general points of resemblance, going
to establish a kindred origin these works never
theless, resolve themselves into three grand geo
graphical divisions, which present, in many re-
spects, striking contrasts yet so gradually merge
into each other, that II is impossible determine
where one series terminates and the other begins
In the region bordering the Upper Lakes, to GER
tam extent Ii Hticiiisan, Iowa, and NIi~s;7 lt
particularly In Wisconsin, we ind u succession of
remains, entirely singular in their form, and pre-
sentng but slight analogy TO any Others OF which
we have any account in any portion of the globe. |
The larger proportion of these are structures OF
earth, bearing the forms of beasts birds, reptiles, /
and even of men they are frequently OF gigantic I
dimensions, constituting huge ahOTslieros upon
the face of the country. They are very numer-
Gus, and III most cases occur IN long and apparent
ly dependent ranges. In connection with them I
are found many conical mounds, and occasional [
short lines OF embankment, In rare instances /
forming Enclosures The animal efligies are main
ly confined to Wisconsin, and extend across that
State from Fond du Lac, in a Southwestern di
recuon, ascending the Fox River and following
Rivers to the Mississippi. They may be much
more extensively disseminated; but il IS here on
ly that they have been observed IN considerable /
numbers. In Micigan, as also IN Iowa and Mis-
souri,, similar elevations, of more less regular
outline, are said to occur They are represented I
as dispersed in ranges, like the buildings OF a
modern city, and covering sometimes an area 81
many acres.
Farther to the southwark. in the region water /
ed by the Ohio and its tributaries find ancient /
works of greater magnitude, and more manifest
design. Among them are few animalshaped {
structures but they have been erected on differ
ent principles, and for different purpose from
those Just noticed. Here find nuTnberless /
mounds most Of them conical, but many pyra-
midal in form, and often of great Dimensions.
The pyramidal structures are always truncated, /
sometimes terraced, and generally have graded /
ascents to their SUBMITS Ihey bear close re- /
semblance to the Ieocallis of Mexico; and the
known uses of the latter are suggestive OF the /
probable purposes to which they were applied. .
Accompanying these, and in some instances sus-
tanning an intimate relation to them, are numer-
Gus enclosures of earth and stone frequently Of
vast size, and often of regular outline. These
are by far the most imposing class of our aborig-
NAL remains, and impress US most sensIbly with /
the numbers and power of the people who built
them. The purposes of many OF these are quite |
obvious; and investigation has served 20 settle |
er works occurring in connection with them.
Proceeding still further southwark, we find IN /
the States bordering the Gulf of Mexico the /
mounds increasing III size and regularity OF torm
if not IN numbers. COnical mounds become COM
parativeIy rare and the Teocalli-shaped structures
become larger and more numerous, and assume (
certain dependencies in respect to each other not
before observed. The Enclosures, on the other
hand diminish in size and numbers, and lose
many of the characteristic features of those OF
: higher latitude. though still sustaining toward
them a strong general resemblance Here for
the first time, we find traces Of bricks Ill the
mounds and in the walls of Enclosures.
Fronn thn Rns+nr, Traueller-