The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-04
within Two or three feet of the centre where they

within Two three feet Of the centre, where they
are Il ind living fat
On RENE ing tine stone stratum of Ashes-sup-
posed to bt Misunderstanding from one to four inches
In Thickness was discovered. Specimens OF these
We have now before u.s. and the action OF acid clearly
indicates the presence of lime. But this Is not all
particles OF bone and charcoal are found intemnged
with the ashes. Beneath the ashes was formed first
stratum OF light brown clay, AID then similar de-
posito of sand.
The most singular and interesting feature OF the
mound was the CENTRE Immediately beneath the
ashes and at the depth of eighteen feet from the
summit OF the mound was discovered that which the
gentleman conducting the examination believes to
have been the altar Covering space of about three
feet, directly in the centre, was found as already
stied, several layers Of large fiat stone. Lifting
these appeared the usual deposite of ashes, which,
on removal, revealed well formed, compact body of
white clay, some four inches in thickness. eighteen
inches in breadth, and two feet in length This was
found, careful examination, to rest upon stratum
Of four inches in thickness, of very coarse sand.
This was Enthusiastically the altar, and the mound,
beyond all question, one OF sacrifice. Its location
outside of the general system of works these fats
the peculiar construction OF the vault the unusual
quantity of ashes found therein, with many other
striking and concurring facts, clearly indicate the
character and purpose OF these quiet seepers OF the
plain. Upon this point, however, we will not ven
ture further until the explorations shall be completed
Before entering fully upon the vault, the remains
of human skeleton, showing strong indications of
fire, were found. and near by, two copper wrstlets
OF very neat and truly artistic execution. These in
teresting relics are now before US, and excite, by
their mysterious history, emotions of wonder and ad
miration. They are evidently of pure copper, and
heavily coated with the gieen oxide Of that metal.
They are ABOUT q by 81 inches in their dimensions
large flint spear point was found near the remains
OF the skeleton.
Before closing this hurried and imperfect notice,
we will embrace the occasion to say that smaller
mound, situated about one hundred and fifty yards
south OF the large tumuus, WAS opened at Che same
time the other researches were In progress Ia i;
were found two human skeletons in tolerably good
state of preservation They appear TO have been in
tered IN sitting posture. within what might be
termed stone collins With these were discovered
some bone instruments in the shape of q spoon,
and very handsome stone pipe.
The scientific world may look for some interesting
results from these explorations They are prose-
cuted with great energy and industry by gentle
man emrently qualified for the work. The antiqn
ties Of Western Virginia among the most inter
esting in the valley of the Mississippi. Those at
Grave Creek possess great interest to antiquarans
both of this country and Europe. We had recently
shown a work in French, entirely devoted to the
analysis of the small inscriptive stone already al
luded to.
We again repeat, we shall wait with some impa-
tience the result Of the explorations in progress