Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-26
WHERE ARcHEouoGIsrs DELIGHT,

Atchison County, Kan. Proving a Rich Field
for Them.
New YORK, June 26.-A special .rcm Topeka,
ksn., says: Atchison county, this state, is Prov
leg rich hel6 for the archaolorist In asdi-
tom TO the ancient fort excavated from the soiii
rock there has been discovered another and
lager fort, built somewhat in the manner q
The work sscrihed 20 the u ouni hslse-s.
inls is nov 6eiag eAaninsS ky an
archaolagist Prom Minnesota who ry9oris
valuable hnds along the Missouri river. There
bsre been SisSove-cs la'elr rumerous nloisH =
which. upon eKsraination tell something Of the
mounds establish beyond question the custom
Of burning the bodies of the dead.
Several Of the mounds on the banks Of the
Missouri-and there are enough OF them to
prove that at one time there must have been Q
thickly settled population in that vicinity
were beyond question burial places, and at the
same time crematories after a fashion. Two
of these mounds near the residence of a farmer
named Rose have been thoroughly examined.
The excavation revealed the fact that early
people practiced cremation. as the human
bones in them were found 10 be badly charred.
From the large number OF bones exhumed ID
was evident that several Indians had been
buried in this mound. The bodies had apps-
rently been cremated and then the remains had
been piled up and the mounds built over them.
The remains were not more than foot below
the surface, but before reaching them q LAYER OF
burned substance resembling brick or burned
clay had TO be penetrated. This burned sub
stance extended over the entire surface OF the
mounds, which were about eighteen feet in di-
ameter. There Was a layer Of common surface
limestone laid around the mounds in circles.
This stone had been brought from distance, ss
there is none on the hill on which the mounds
are situated
The bones found were so badly burned that
they were broken up into small fragments.
The pieces Of skull found are much thicker than
the ordinary skull and the other bones are un-
usually large. large human skull was re-
Gently found in q ravine just east Of the house
where ii had been washed out 1t was supplied
with perfect set OF teeth
Every ravine running back in the bluffs
presents some indication Of the occupancy of .
lost people. Almost every bluff is crowned by
a number OF mounds. On Sugar creek are the
remains of q town, and many relics have been
found in the fields bordering this stream. The
mounds are all similar in construction, many OF
them plainly discernible at a long distance.
Two very large ones on q high hill on the
Slith farm may be seen for miles. These have
never been excaysted; when they are rich finds
are anticipated There are several mounds on
the Palmer farm at Iatan aud one on the old
Iatan town site. large fragment Of esrthen
pottery was plowed up near one OF these
mounds. A number Of stone hstchets, ARROW
points and other relics were also found.
In digging well at Istan some years ago
Indian bones were found at depth OF twelve
feet. Along the lakes, some little distance back
from the river, is one of the best archaeological
fields Yet discovered in the west. and interest
ing Developments are anticipated when the
mounds are subjected to scientific scrutiny.