The weekly standard., 1869-10-20
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f1-l For the Standard.
Indian Antiquities-Geological Investi-
| gations-Vuginia-Sta Line
| Wolf Hunting, &c. ysF f..,
Mr.. EDITOR: Upon my arrival in this
| county last summer, my attention was direc-
ted by Judge Settle to deposit of Indian
| antiquities upon his lowlands lying along
the Dan river, which had been disclosed by
freshet that scooped out the earth on a
| portion of Mulberry island, and thus un-
veiled the graves and hearth-stones of tile
aborigines. Knowing that Prof Brewer
| ! Immediately wrote to him, and received a
| reply enclosing pamphlet issued by the
Smithsonian Institution in 1858, as guide
book to those contemplating such explora-
tions But owing to the dry, hot weather
that followed, the compactness of the soil
of the graves, and the great brittleness of
| the bones, the examination was deferred
| until such time as copious rain should
loosen the earth sufficiently to justify further
excavations. Recently we were blessed
with the equinoctial showers, and just in the
| nick of time, in his geological survey Of the
border counties, Prof w. G. Kerr arrived at
this place, on the evening of the 30th ult.,
when upon the succeeding morning, armed
with basket, mattock and spade, Prof Kerr,
Mr.. Hanna, Judge Settle, Mr. Harris and
| myself, crossed over to the island and COM
menced the long deferred investigation. aa
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. ALA
Near the centre of Mulberry island, in
full view of Judge Settles residence that
stands on a bluff which commands an ex-
tensive and beautiful view of the river valley,
we came upon nearly quarter of an acre
of land, whence the crust was skinned off
by freshet to the depth of two or three
feet. Within this cavity, in something like
regular rows stood several small pyramids
of dark earth, from two to three feet high,
some of which had been already partially
broken by the spade, but all showing in
dubitable traces of vanished race Upon
the surface of the ground in the hollow, in
regular lines few feet apart, were also to
be seen circular deposits of stones, such as
quartz and trap, weighing from one to ten
pounds each, while the circles averaged
about foot in diameter, if not more, and
among the stones were mixed broken pieces
of pottery, cinders, ashes. charred and
bleached bones of wild animals. birds and
fishes, with tortoise and muscle shells.
These were the hearth-stones of the Indian
wigwams.
THE FIRST GRAVE.
Without more ado, the eastern base of one
of the undisturbed pyramids before men,
toned was gently opened, and in few mo-
ments the top of skull became visible.
Then by the same process at the western side
the lower extremities of a skeleton were laid
bare The earth on top was now carefully
removed and the whole frame exposed to
view, lying upon its left side, with knees
drawn up and feet doubled nearly under;
its left arm bent up in an easy posture with
hand extending toward the face, and the
right arm also bent upwards with its hand
resting under the left jaw of the face. From
the percolation of water, it was observed
that every crevice and opening in the skull
and Joints were filled with sand. The bones
were all carefully removed, and the skull in
spected. 1t had evidently surmounted the
body of tall, robust warrior in the prime
of life. Every tooth was preserved in ex-'
cellent order The brow was high but con-
tracted, while the back of the head was
fully developed, showing preponderance
of the sppetites and passions over the in
tellectual faculties. And this was all we
learned concerning the character of the dead
savage whose grave we SO ruthlessly in
vaded. E.
THE SECOND GRAVE. a-
The second pyramid was entered in
manner similar to the first. The axis of the
skeleton detected more toward the North,
while the posture observed was in all other
things the same. Around the neck was
found string of beads, made of bone, white
and hard, encased in Jumps of soil, but still
preserving the circular outline as they were
disposed with the body by some friendly
hand long since motionless in death. The
beads and bones were collected and exam
ined. Again we found the teeth in perfect
condition, while in the cavity of one of the
vertebre was discovered bead, doubtless
removed thence by the downward action of
water The frame was not so large as that
of the first one disinterred, but the forehead
was broader and all the faculties seemed to
be more harmoniously developed. This war
rior, if such it were, appeared to be in the
flush of manhood.
THE THIRD GRAVE.
Standing out from the side of the hollow
made by the freshet, the large bone of the
lower leg of human being was next dis.
covered, buried within less than two feet of
the surface. The other bodies had been in
tered at the depth of three. The superin-
cumbent earth was speedily removed and
third skeleton laid bare, lying in the same
general position as the Others. Within this
grave beads were also found, this time near
the thighs, as if they had been kept in
bag or pocket, but differing from the 9th
er beads, in that they we're of bone, while
these were partly of glass of various hues,
black, blue, green and striped. The bones
of this Indian were too much decayed for
preservation, and therefore the skull only
was preserved, which Prof. Kerr intends to
forward to the Smithonian Institution at
Washington city. The teeth were perfect;
and growing down between the front teeth
of the lower jaw we found the root of q
running vine, and trimmed it away leaving
the stump within and without as natural
curiosity. From the general outlines Of the
face we also Judged this Indian to have been
handsome young brave, given to display
of gaudy beads and colored fringcs. ~,
FIRE, WEAPONS, &C. La,
From the appearance of cinders, ashes
and stones showing the action of heat, in
the soil covering the skeletons, we at first
surmised that their bodies had been partial
ly consumed by fire. But this theory was
soon exploded, and the presence of these ev-
licences of fire in the graves accounted for
upon the grounds, that the earth was loose
ly cast in, and thus ashes as well as stones
and cinders were made to form portion of
the clay covering of the frail tenements be-
low. It will be also observed that no wea-
pons, implements, shells or pottery were
taken out of the graves These were de-
posted in separate and distinct mounds or
found upon the surface of the hollow and
adjacent fields with the hearth-stones. The
heafth -stones lay in strata. Sometimes they
were seen at one, two or three feet below,
and even lower in other places, having been
covered with mud at various times by the
river during its overflow.
MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
The rude construction of the stone toma-
hawks, stone axes and arrow points, discov-
cred by the party, together with the absence
of all metals, argues that these Indians
stood very low in the scale of civilization.
Most of their pottery is OF dark greenish
color, and roughly ornamented. No whole
vessels were found. Muscle shells abound
ed, showing that the fresh-water clam was
one Of the staple articles of their diet |;