Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-07-03
ase, with a level summit Of several

base, with level summit of several
acres.
Such results, as is well said, can
only have been achieved by dense
population, organized into firm gov
ernment, and presided over by des-
potie ruler; some such political sys-
tenn, in short, as in Egypt produced
the pyramids and in Mexico and Peru
their many massive works. These
mounds are composed principally of
earth, though stone, in large quanu-
ties. is often introduced, and many
mounds are composed entirely OF
stone. The great stone mount about
eight miles south of Newark, Ohio,
was composed Ofstones in their natu-
raj shape, built up without cement,
to the height of from forty to fifty
feet, upon a circular base OF one hun
dred and eighty-two feet in diameter.
This was surrounded by low fOsse
and parapet OF an ornate form, with
a gateway at the east end In small
mound at the base of this was found
human bones, copperrlngs and breast
plates. and a stone box inelosing an
engraved tablet in unknown charac-
ters; a skeleton in q trough, formed
by following q log, which trough
showed ax-marks of a sharper cut
than could have been produced by a
stone ak; disclosing an era prior to the
existence Of the Indian race. In the
great mound at Grave Greek, Virgil
MIA, was found vaulted sepulehral
chamber four yards long by two and
a half wards wide. 1t was composed
of a stone wall, nearly four feet thick,
and contained two skeletons, one
being of a woman almost reduced TO
dust. There were found many orna-
ments, among them necklaces OF pearl.
In another grave, eighteen feet above
the last, was found skeleton, shell
beads, leather bracelets, and one hun
dred and fifty mica plates, and most
curious alphabetical inscription conf
posed of twenty-five characters, In
three lines, with a cross and mark
engraved on a hand stone of elipticai
shane. about two and One-half inches
wide. and about five inches thick.
In the inter caves of Kentucky are
found great numbers OF mummles,
preserved by the air Of these caves
as there is no evidence Of preparation.
These are found wrapped in four sue
eessive coverings, the interior consist
ing Of a stuff woven of fine eOrd, Pc
culiarly twisted, and of large feathers,
which are arranged with great art
The second covering is composed OF
the woven cord without feathers, and
the two outer ones of deer skins.
The Enclosures were probably in
some way connected with the religious
ideas of this lost people. The circles
are usually small, ranging from go to
800 feet in diameter, though some
have q circuit of more than q mile
The walls usually range from three to
seven feet high, but in the great circle
at Newark, is thirty feet from the
bottom of the ditch to the summit OF
the embankment. The works at this
locality covered an area Of four square
miles. Within or near the inclOsure
occur the sacrificial mounds. These
vary from two to fifty feet long, aver
aging about eight feet. They are burnt
hard on the altars have been found
instruments and ornaments Of silver,
copper, stone and bone beads OF sill
yer. copper, pearls and shells; spear
and arrow heads of flint, quartz, gar
net and obsedian; fossil teeth Of sharks;
IeeLQ Oh lnO dlAl6dAOA mann
galena, sculptures Of the human hand
and Of numerous animals, pottery OF
various kinds, and 3 large number OF
| interesting articles, some Of which
eyince great skill in art. In Florida
are vestiges Of roads sixty to seventy
five miles long, terminating at
mound. These mounds are from
eighteen to fifty feet high. Dividing,
as archaologists do, the progres OF
mankind into the several epoehs Of
DEVELOPMENT characterized as the old
and new stone ages. the age Of bronze,
and that of iron, the people whose
works we have been considering lived
in what should be termed the copper
age, and before the age of bronze as
witness the operations Of this race in
the Michigan mines. We have barely
touched our subject, and must forego
all argument as to what has become
of the race which has left such monu-
ments: it will well repay the student
to look into the authorities for fuller
understanding of the history of this
continent, so far as it may be gathered,
long ages before an European foot was
set upon Its shore PToUidence( II. ~
Journal