Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-21
Indian Cemeteries.

1t will, we are persuaded, be read with inter
est by all classes of readers:
To the Members of the Tennessee
Historical Society.
ASH expect to be absent from the Septem
/ Der meeting / have concluded to express, in
writing, a few things which otherwise would
be spoken.
A few days since Mr.. Nelson, Mr.. Smith
and myself as Representatives of the Society
accompanied by three young gentlemen who
| like ourselves, are willing to dig and explore
where there is any profit to be made or wis
dom to be gained, rode out TO the residence
of David II. McGavock, Esq, near the well
known '.Todd's Knob, ;" at the mouth of Stones
river, to make an investigation of the ancient
graves upon that plantation.
Most politely were we received, most hos
pitably and elegantly entertained, and kindly
aided in researches among the "unstoried
dead' in that extensive cemetery.
The, ground occupied, is estimated al
| twenty-five acres. The most OF it is covered
with the original forest trees,-some of which
| will measure from three to five feet through
lin diameter). The whole surface is seen al
glance to have peculiar features of eleva
| tons and depressions
If we had map or diagram showing the
extent of the grounds with the peculiar tOpo-
graphy, it would be worthy of preservation
1t would be interesting, and facilitate COM
parsons with other localities used for similar
purposes, and might furnish some suggestions
or theories at least plausible,-in regard to
these mysterious burial places.
There are many of them in Middle Tennes.
see and all (as far as we can learn,) having
the like evidences of an identical, but extinct
race of aborigines. We may mention the
one, (now almost defaced,) extending from
the bank of our river below the mouth of the
Sulphur Spring Branch for third of a mile
west, to and across the Buena Vista Pike
several on Harpeth river, to the west and
northwest, (said to have features of peculiar
interest.) They are found in Williamson and
Maury, to the sOuth,-at various places on
streams emptying into the Cumberland and
up in the highland and mountain regions of
Dullln oNtIIOH u nave NlSlISu Ouc Oll
Sulphur fork of Obed'sriver)
What | regard as peculiar, and as proving
that the race of people was very numerous,
and the same people, is the mode of interring
the dead:
They are buried in distinct and vast ceme-
teries
They are all buried in tombs or stone
vaults.
They were buried as naked skeletons,-and
not while the flesh was upon the bones.
The places of interment are near creek,
river or spring-alnost invariably near the
junction of streams.
The tombs are uniformly prepared by lay
ing fiat rocks at the bottom Of shallow ex-
cavations, (of from one to three feet in depth
thin fiat rocks placed edgewise, form the sides
and ends, and the same for covering.
In many are the common freshwater muscle
shells. In few, the space around the bones
is found to contain half bushel OF even
bushel.
They are sometimes in tiers or layers, Zone
tomb above another,) yet each distinct as an
enclosure.
There are small tumuli usually near or in
the midst of the graves.
There are circular depressions or hollows
as though the earth had been scooped out to
form rim or embankment around these ba-
sins or circular holows.
Perhaps other pcculiarities might be men,
toned.
Our examination has satisfied me that much
and that these should be at different places
to trace the evidences Of similarity,-or, pos
sbly to discover in one some marked pecu-
liarity.
| will venture an explanation of the de-
pressions which are so evident at Mr.. McGav-
ock's. If any one shall not concur, we hope
he will present his views and theory--that
they may he discussed:
regard those basins Us the actual locations
OF huts or lodges of some of the race; or,
class OF persons who officiated at the solemn
ceremonies of interment and mourning. "a
sort of priests or sacred persons.)
Some huts may have been reserved for the
use of relatives or friends who came TO mourn.
For the Indians of all this Southern country
are known to give several days TO the cere-
mony of mourning.
But as 10 the manner OF constructing their
hats. and 10y which these round holes with
such rims or circular walls resulted, We have
but to reflect upon the well-known mode of
constructing such lodges, as practiced by
savages aud demi-saEages at the present day.
Small trees or 'sapplings' are cut, If uni
form length; the butts or large ends are placed
in circle,-the tops or small ends being
brought together 20 form eoae,-leaving an
opening at the top Tor the escape of smoke
from the fires used within, and to admit light.
A small opening is made near the ground.
through which the owners could enter.
Earth was then banked up 10 less or greater
height around and upon these inclined trees
and brush. Often bark or skins finished out
the upp,r part and turned or the rains. Fires
were built in the center, and the dodgers lay
around aud were comfortably sheltered under
the sides Of the lodge.
Nc,e, when these timbers and brush rotied al d
gave way, the earth settled down around The
circular base, forming the small embankments
or rims of the baslns Of which We speak,
and which are interesting features In lhsse
cemeteries.