Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-08-12
,and bIuffp, and submerged a part OF the

aud their positions are only distinguish
able by the chalky appearance of the
ground, and the presence of myraids of
broken shell that have bleached by GEN.
turtles of exposure. In other localities
where artificial shell heaps have been
found, they have consisted of several large
mounds, showing they were the accumu-
latiOns of what we would popularity call
''olam bakes," where the Indians repaired
for brief period for the express purpose
of enjoying the succulent bivalves. One
or two such mounds are to be seen on the
flats which separate Lewes from the sen,
and during the years 1865 and 1867 were
casually examined by Professor Joseph
Leidy, aud described in communication
to tho Academy of Natural Sciences.
At the Rehobo,h Encsmpment there
are no large mounds, aud presumably
never have been, as the number and posi-
tions of those extant preclude such sup.
position.
The positive evidence of their origin Is
found in the fact that In the immediate
vicinity, as well as mingled with the mol
lusks, are fragments of pottery in large
Quantities, celts, arrow-heads, and a
variety OF other stone implements and
ornaments the bones of animals and
many pieces of calcined stone, that once
played an important part in the construc-
tion of their long since extinct fire. places.
Indeed, in almost every stone picked up
within the confines of the camp ground
Can be traced the fragment of an impie-
ment of domestic use, the chase or war.
1t should be borne In raind that stones are
not an indigenous product of this part of
Delaware; and further, it has been asserted,
perhaps little ironically, that none are to
be found within the boundary of Sussex
county larger than an ordinary pebble.
INDIAN CERAMICS.
Fragments of pottery are found in more
or less quantities In all the mounds, and
Notwithstanding the shards are small-the
largest smaller than mans hand--they
enable us to determine, with some degree
of accuracy, the size and form of the ves-
sci of which they originally formed part
When we consider the early settlement OF
this portion OF the country, and the
knowledge we have that the Indians abap-
doned many of their primitive forms of
domestic economy Immediately upon
coming in contact with the whites---from
whom they obtained utensils of iron-we
have reason to believe that these speci-
mems are among the earliest types of
aboriginal ceramic art, although they are
identical with those found in other locali-
ties, The style of ornamentation is of the
plainest description, and is confined to the
incised lines running parallel with the rim
OF the pot, varying in number in accord
ance with the size, or the taste of the
potter; some having as many as twelve
lines and Others only five and six. The
exterior OF all the larger and rougher
fragments have the corrugated surface 30
often seen on Indian earthenware, and
popularly supposed to have been executed
with that primitive stylus-the corn cob.
That this belief had not been entirely
relinquished, even by so eminent an arch
biologist as Prof. Charles Rau, of the
Smithsonian, is evinoed by his letter
addressed to me under date of August
18th, 1879, in which he states his inten-
tiou to operate with corn cobs upon wet
clay, and promising to apprise me of the
result of his experiments. This he did in
a letter dated November 9th last, as fol-
lows: IA short time after had written
to you, | experimental with corn obs on
wet clay, and obtained very ornamental
impressions, which, however, are unlike
any marks have seen on Indian pottery.
used; |. A corn cob with the grains in
it. 2. One without them. g. One With
out them, making impressions in different
directions. After these trials, [ have
arrived at the conclusion that the Indians
made no use of corn cohs for ornamenting
their pottery"
The most voluable specimen in my small
collection is an almost perfect example of
celt. This interesting relic was excava-
ted from shell-heap, where it had evil
IDENTIFY been deposited for the purpose of
concealment, and that part of its pointed
end which bears the traces of exposure to
the atmosphere protruded an inch above
the ground. 1t measures about seven
inches long by two and a half broad, is
conical in shape, hitter on one side than
on the other, and has well-wrought cut
ting edge, whence the lines of the impe-
ment taper gracefully back to a blunt
point. There is just sufficient polish re-
manning upon its peeked surface to show
that it had once been covered with it. In
one feature this specimen is unique, in
that, on it's hattened side, it has carefully
drilled depression for the thumb.
Hammer stones are found in compsra-
tive abundance in all parts of the ground,
and are recognized by the finger-pits on
one, and more frequently on both sides of
the implement, although in some of the
examples obtained from Rehoboth the
depressions are so family defined as to es-
cape the notice Of the inexperienced COL
lector These tools are certainly the
rudest types of aboriginal stone relics
They have been selected from the ordinary
cobblestone, and as no attempt has been
made to alter their size or shape, they
occur in an endless variety of forms, and
their condition is generally battered and
abrased with severe use.
Large quantities of flint chips and un-
finished and broken arrowhead as well
as numerous perfect specimens, are to be
found wherever mound is to be seen,
and lead to the opinion that the manufac-
ture of these implements wns largely
engaged in by the camp dwellers. The
prevailing form is coAtised to the triangu-
lar variety, without the notched base,
which distinguishes those usually obtained
from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
PRIMITIVE PAINT PCT
From another mound dug up good
specimen Of fAking hammer or hand
axe, IA broken pipe stem of striped slate,
showing perforation as well drilled AS il
executed with steelinstrument; diminu,
tive paint pot, and handful of bones
the latter, although lying close together iu
little heap, have since been identified as
those of two distinct mammals-the frag-
ment of humerus and upper ends OF
two ulna of dog, and the vertebre of d
deer.
The hand axe is q triangular shaped
tool, wrought out of sandstone, five inches
long andsfour inches at the base, and with
the finger pit of the previously described
celt, but more rudely pecked out, and its
cutting edge presents broad and once
sharp blade, admirably adapted for taking
other implements into shape. 1t possesses
additional interest as showing the hard
usage to which it has been subjected, one
side of the blade being entirely battered
| off
As to the paint. pot, l first attributed nc
other value to it than would attach to any
other fossil bivalve out of which it ha,
been picked; but closer scrutiny re
vealed its identity, and have since ascer
tanned that it has many counterparts in tn,
collection of the National Museum a
Washington. It would not require grea
stretch of the imagination to discern in tn,
yelowish deposit in its interior particle
Of that pigment that once served to adorr
the face of the red man. ..#
THE WHITE MANS REHoBoTH.
In conclusion have only to express tn,
regret that have not been permitted t,
make as thorough an examination Of th'
remains OF this ancient Indian village a