OHJ Archive

452 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

EXCAVATIONS OF THE ADENA MOUND.

BY WILLIAM C. MILLS, B. SC.

(Curator Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society.)

The Adena mound, so named by Governor Worthington, and

owned by his estate until a few years ago, was thoroughly exam-

ined by the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society

under the direction of its curator during the summer of 1901.

The mound is located 11/2 miles from the northwestern part of

the city of Chillicothe, in the valley of the Scioto River. Stand-

ing upon the summit of this mound one could see, looking di-

rectly to the north, the noted Mound City so named by Squier

and Davis, and examined by them in 1846; looking to the south

the Chillicothe group of mounds could be seen, which were ex-

amined by Fowke, Moorehead and others; directly to the east

could be seen the Scioto River, and to the west is the large hill

upon which is located the mansion called Adena, which was the

home of Governor Worthington. Near the mound, and at the

foot of this hill, is Lake Ellensmere, which played a very important

part in the construction of this mound. In 1798, when Governor

Worthington came to Ohio, he purchased the land upon which

this mound was located, and it has since been owned by the heirs

until a few years ago, when it was sold to Mr. Joseph Froehlich,

consequently the mound had been preserved for more than 100

years. In the course of time the present owner found that it

was quite an expense to keep this mound in a good condition,

and as it occupied a large tract of fine alluvial bottom land, which

was valuable for agricultural purposes, he decided upon its com-

plete removal. On the 21st of June a contract was entered into with

Mr. Froehlich to remove this mound, the greater part of the soil

of which it was composed to be placed in a cut made by the B. &

O. Railroad, which is perhaps fifty yards away. The mound, at

the time work began, was 26 feet high measuring from the south

side, 26 feet 9 inches measuring from the north side, with a cir-

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 453

cumference of 445 feet. The north side of the mound was cov-

ered with an undergrowth of small trees and briars, making it

almost impossible of ascent, while on the south side the mound

was not so densely covered and a path was easily made to the

top of the mound, where the work began. Until last year the

mound was covered with a growth of trees each ranging in diame-

ter from 6 to 18 inches, but these had been cut down and taken

away by Mr. Froehlich, preliminary to the removal of the mound.

The outer surface of the mound was covered with a leaf

mould from 3 to 7 inches in thickness. As work progressed upon

the mound it was discovered that it had been built at two different

periods. The first period represented the original mound which

was 20 feet high with a base diameter of 90 feet being composed

almost entirely of dark sand, which was no doubt taken from

the small lake near by, known as Lake Ellensmere. The second

period shows the enlargement of the original mound on all sides.

On the south side the mound was only covered with a few feet of

soil, while on the north side the base was extended more than

50 feet; this enlargement was carried up the side of the mound

changing the apex between 12 and 15 feet. This is shown in

Fig. 1. The soil of the second period differed very much from

that of the first; while the first was composed almost entirely of

sand and was of a dark color; the second part of the mound was

composed of sand of a lighter color mixed with the soil of tile

454 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

surrounding surface. In some places the sand was entirely ab-

sent, while in others but very little soil was mixed with it.

The mode of burial in the first period was far different from

that in the second. In the original mound no burials were found

until within five feet of the base line. The body at the time of

its interment was enveloped in bark or a coarse woven fabric

and then enclosed in a rude sepulcher made of timbers, ranging

in diameter from 3 to 17 inches. The sepulchers varied greatly

in size; those above the base line were made by placing large

logs on each side of the body with a covering of small logs

placed over the top. The sepulchers placed on the base line were

usually made of a framework of timber, which had long since

decayed away but the cast of which was still retained in the hard

sand; this enclosure of timber, measured from outside to outside,

was usually from 8 to 9 feet in length and from 5 to 7 feet wide

and from 18 inches to 21/2 feet high. They were constructed from

unhewn logs lain one upon another, and were then covered over

the top with logs that were smaller than those at the sides and

ends. After a period of time these logs would decay, and the

superincumbent earth would drop into the grave; with the sides

and ends supported and no support in the center this would natu-

rally form an archway of earth, which was clearly defined at the

time the mound was opened. In a number of instances the loose

earth was removed from the sepulchers disclosing large rooms,

some of which were 10 feet long and seven feet wide, with an

arched roof, being high enough for a man to stand upright in

them. In the second period the burials were much different, no

sepulchers were prepared for the dead and not one of the skele-

tons was covered with bark, and only one showed any trace of a

woven fabric, this being preserved around a copper bracelet.

The skeletons in the first period were much better preserved

than those in the second; this was caused by the protection af-

forded the body, at the time of burial, by the sepulcher.

In the outer mound skeletons were found from the top to

almost the bottom, while in the original mound the skeletons

were all found within five feet of the base line and below this

line. However the implements and ornaments found in both sec-

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 455

tions of the mound were similar in every respect, but were more

abundant in the first period than in the second. In the first period

implements and ornaments were found with all the sepulcher

burials, with but one exception, which will be noted later. In

the second period quite a number of skeletons were found that

had no implements or ornaments of any kind placed with them.

The mound was removed in five-foot sections commencing

at the top. In the first section, which includes the apex of the

mound, we expected to find intrusive burials, but in this we were

disappointed. The earth was carted to the north side of the

mound in wheel barrows and thrown down its sides. In the

second cut a winding road was made up the side of the mound,

so that teams could remove the dirt, which was done by the use

of wheel scrapers. The soil was loosened with picks, and the

earth carefully examined, it was then shoveled back so wheel

scrapers could carry the dirt away. Whenever a grave was dis-

covered competent men were placed at work to remove the dirt

from around it with small hand trowels. All the skeletons were

photographed in place with the implements and ornaments found

with them. All changes in the structure of the mound were also

photographed. A total of 33 skeletons was removed from the

mound, 21 occurring in the first period, or the original mound,

and 12 in the second.period.

The first five feet of the apex of the mound was composed

of soil taken from the surface surrounding the mound. The soil

was first loosened by picks and then loaded upon wheelbarrows

and carted to the north edge of the mound where it was thrown

down the side. This section was carefully examined for intrusive

burials but none were found. Five feet from the edge, and al-

most on the base line of the cut, was found a chipped hoe, 5 inches

in length and 13/4 inches in width, which had evidently been lost

by the builders of the mound, as nothing was found near it to

indicate that it had been placed there intentionally. Near the

center of this section was found a small quantity of charcoal scat-

tered through the soil which had evidently been intermingled

with the earth at the time of its deposit there. A little past the

center to the south side was again found small particles of char-

456 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

coal, in this case a little pocket of ashes accompanied the char-

coal, and it looked very much as though a small basket of earth,

charcoal and ashes had been deposited together. East of the cen-

ter of the mound, and near the base line of this cut, was found a

very large pitted sandstone, pits occurring on both sides. The

stone was 8 inches long, 6 inches wide and 5 inches thick. This

sandstone was no doubt procured from the hillside near by, as

ledges of this rock are exposed in several places. See Fig. 2

which shows first cut of 5 feet.

The second cut of five feet which was commenced at the

north side and carried through directly to the south, was far

more interesting than the first cut. This cut was composed al-

most entirely of earth and sand taken from the surrounding sur-

face, with the exception of the center, which was composed of a

compact dark colored sand, and so hard that it was necessary to

pick it down before it could be removed. Fig. 3 shows a photo-

graph of the dome-shaped sand which proved to be the top of the

original mound.

Near the center of this sand portion were found two frag-

ments of human bones consisting of one small piece of the right

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 457

femur and one small piece of the left humerus. A little past the

center of this sand portion was found a pocket of ashes and char-

coal; in these ashes

parts of the meta

carpal bone of the

Jeer and part of the

humerus of the wild

turkey were found.

Just outside of this

sand center to the

east, and about four

feet from the top of

the five-foot cut, was

found the skeleton of

an adult, upon the

right arm of which

two copper bracelets

were found. These

bracelets were made

from a rounded piece

of copper tapering to

almost a point at each

end, the ends overlapping each other when bent around the wrist.

Around the bracelet was a quantity of well preserved woven cloth.

458 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

Figure 4.-Upon a finger of the left hand were found two copper

rings, and these were also made of hammered copper, formed into

a light copper wire, this wire was then bent twice around the

finger and formed what is known as the spiral ring. Figure 5.-

The skeleton was very much decomposed and but

very few of the bones could be saved. Around one

of the bracelets was found a quantity of woven cloth;

this cloth was very nicely preserved, showing the

texture, etc. Figure 6.-Five feet to the east of this

first skeleton was discovered the skeleton of an ado-

lesent, upon the wrist of which were found two beautiful copper

bracelets, similar in every respect

to those found upon the first

skeleton, and having upon the

head a head-dress made of large

strips of mica cut into shape and

pierced with holes for attach-

ment. Figure 7.-Near the head

of this skeleton was found a

broken earthen jar which was

carefully removed. Near this jar

was unearthed a large square

block of sandstone with cup-

shaped depressions on one side.

Figure 8 shows the second cut

and the dome of the original

mound.

The third cut

of five feet

brought to light

one skeleton.

This was found

near the east

side, 12 feet

from the edge of

the mound and

only one foot below the bottom of the second cut. No im-

plements or ornaments of any sort were placed with this skeleton.

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 459

It was in a bad state of preservation and only small portions of

it could be removed. Near the center of this section were a num-

ber of deer bones which had evidently been carried there with the

sand. A number of shell hoes made of the fresh water mussel

(Unio plicatus), were scattered through the central portion of

the mound. These shell hoes were made by cutting a hole

through the shell for at-

tachment. Figure 9.-

The fourth cut of five

feet was very interesting.

Five skeletons were re-

moved from this section.

Fifteen feet from the north

side, and almost upon the

base line, two skeletons

were found lying side by

side; both were adults, the

one being a male and the

other a female. No implements or ornaments were placed

with these skeletons but both were in a very bad state of decay.

460 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

but the arm and leg bones were removed in a very good condition.

A little farther in from the north edge was found another skele-

ton, upon the wrist of which were two copper bracelets; these

were quite small, in fact they had been hammered down so that

the wire of which they were made was less than 1/4 inch in diame-

ter; they were bent around the wrist, the ends overlapping each

other, very similar to those found in the second cut; no other

implements or ornaments were found with this skeleton. On

the east side, and 21/2 feet from the base of this cut, was found

the skeleton of an adult; it was lying at full length, head to the

north; around the loins there was a coarsely woven cloth, but

very little of this cloth was saved owing to the advanced stage of

decomposition. No implements or ornaments of any sort were

found with this skeleton. Not far from the south side of this

cut was found the fifth skeleton; this was very near the edge of

the mound and might have been an intrusive or secondary burial.

The skeleton was in a fair state of preservation, and the skull

and bones were carefully removed. No implements or orna-

ments of any kind were found with this skeleton.

The mound had now been removed to within six feet of the

base. Heretofore we had commenced each five-foot cut upon

the north side of the mound; this was done to aid the teamsters

in removing the earth to the railroad cut. Of the last six feet

only two were removed, leaving the mound about four feet high

when the work was finished. The object was twofold; first, the

expense of removal of the last four feet; second, the owner

wished to have left a part of the mound to show at least where

it stood; yet all of the dirt comprising the last six feet was care-

fully examined.

The work of examining the last cut was begun on the east

side of the mound. Commencing at the very edge and following

the base line it was soon discovered that this line gradually

dropped toward the center, showing that the earth had been re-

moved forming a hollow basin, in the center of which was dug

a large grave, 13 feet 9 inches long, 11 feet 4 inches wide, and 6

feet 9 inches deep, digging more than three feet into the gravel

below, showing that this was the beginning of this great mound.

The first skeleton found in this cut was that of an adult, found

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 461

within the original mound. This skeleton was placed in a sepul-

cher made of logs; further examination of this sepulcher dis-

closed the fact that it contained another burial, the two burials

being parallel, but the skeletons being in reversed positions;

both were covered with bark, but no traces of cloth were dis-

cernable. These skeletons were the largest so far found, the first

one measuring 5 feet 11 inches, the second 5 feet 103/4 inches in.

length. On the right wrist of skeleton number one was found a

slate gorget. Figure 10.-Directly between the two skeletons was

found a tube pipe. Figure 11.-The pipe is made of clay, presum-

ably fire clay. The whole is � inch in diameter, tapering to a

point where it is only 1/8 inch. The pipe is 4 inches in length

and 7/8 inch in diameter. This sepulcher was constructed of un-

hewn timbers varying in length from 8 to 9 feet, and in diameter

from 6 to 12 inches, although in several graves very much larger

462 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

logs were found. These timbers were laid one upon another to

a height of 21/2 feet, other timbers were then laid over the top and

the dirt piled over all; in time these timbers rotted away and the

superincumbent earth above would drop into the grave, and as

the sides and ends were supported, naturally the center of the

grave would drop in first; this finally formed an archway of

earth above. Figure 12. The cast of one of the timbers form-

ing the rude sepulcher is shown in Figure 13. Skeleton number

three was found on the north side of the cut, near the base line.

It was very much decomposed. The only ornament found with

this skeleton was a bracelet made of bone beads. The skeleton

was that of an adult male.

Skeleton number four was only a few feet from number

three, but had a sepulcher made for it; some of the logs which

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 463

composed this sepulcher were 10 inches in diameter. The body

had evidently been previously buried in some other place and

later transferred to this mound, as the skull was placed in the

center of the grave with the foramen magnum turned upward,

and surrounding it were bones of the leg, arm, and vertebrae. At

one end were the cervical vertebrae and bones of the hand and

foot; at the other end were the ribs and bones of the arm and

lower legs. Throughout the mass upward of 200 beads made of

bone and shell were found. The covering over the top of this

burial consisted of three layers of bark the outside layer being

very heavy something like oak bark; the next layer was of a

thinner bark something like the elm, the inside layer being a very

464 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

thin bark very much like the wild cherry or birch. Figure 14

shows a photograph of this skeleton as it was uncovered in the

mound.

Skeleton number five was found on the south side of the

mound lying at full length, head to the east and 41/2 feet from the

base of the mound. This skeleton was 5 feet 81/2 inches in length,

and was that of an adult male. Near the head was a spearhead

of chalcedony 4 inches in length; this spear is shown in Figure

15. Two very large flat bracelets, made of copper, were found

on the right arm; these were partly covered with cloth which was

very nicely preserved by the carbonate of copper. Figure 16

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 465

shows the copper bracelets. About three feet nearer the center

of the mound, and on the same level with number five, was ex-

humed skeleton number six, which was 5 feet 7� inches in length,

and was that of an adult female. On the right arm were found

two bracelets made of copper; these bracelets encircled a boat-

shaped ornament pierced with two holes; through these holes

were strings which had been preserved by the action of the cop-

per; these strings showed, too, that the gorget had been attached

either to the arm or to a woven fabric that was found associated

with the bracelets. This boat-shaped gorget is 53/4 inches in length

and made of limestone; see Figure 17, which shows the position

in which the gorget and bracelets were found. Skeleton number

seven was found not far from number six, but nearer to the center

of the mound; it was that of an adult. The skeleton was placed

about 41/2 feet from the base of the mound. No ornaments of any

sort had been buried with it and it was without even having a

covering of bark. The skeleton was in a very bad state of pres-

ervation, and only a very small portion of it could be removed.

Skeleton number eight was that of a child about six years of

age. The skeleton was placed in a sepulcher made of unhewn

logs, and was 8 feet 9 inches in length, 5 feet 8 inches in width

and 2 feet 9 inches high, and was placed on the base of the mound.

The bottom of the sepulcher was covered with a bed of fine gravel

firmly packed. This gravel, at the south end of the sepulcher,

was three inches thick and at the north end 2 inches; over the

Vol. X--30

466 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

top of this gravel was placed a layer of bark; this bark seemed

to completely cover the bottom of the grave. The body of the

child had evidently been wrapped in cloth from head to foot;

over this cloth was also a wrapping of birch bark, and then came

long strips of wood which were about one-half inch thick and 2

inches wide; these were placed entirely around the skeleton, and

over all was another covering of bark which looked very much

like the inner bark of the bass wood. Around the neck of the

little child two strings of beads were found. The first string

consisted of about fifty beads made of bone and shell from one-

fourth to one-half inch in diameter; the other string was very

much larger, and contained about 150 beads made of both shell

and bone. The cloth found around the skeleton was of two kinds;

the greater part consisted of a coarsely woven mat resembling

very much the burlap of our present time; the other, which was

placed around the loins, was made of stronger and heavier ma

terial and was not so closely woven.

Skeletons number nine and ten were found on the south side

of the mound and were placed together in a sepulcher made of

logs which differed somewhat from the other sepulchers so far

discovered; see Figure 18. The sides of this sepulcher were

composed of large logs 15 and 16 inches respectively in diameter.

These logs were placed near together at the head and extended

at an angle of 35^° as shown in the drawing. The logs placed

over the top as a protection to the body when placed in the grave

were quite large, none of them being less than 6 inches in diame-

ter, and the largest one 12 inches. The skeletons were those of

adults, both being males, and were in a good state of preserva-

tion; around the neck of one six beads were found; these were

about one-half inch in diameter and made of bone finely polished.

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 467

No implements or other ornaments were placed in the sepulcher.

Skeleton number eleven was that of an adult male also placed

in a sepulcher made of logs, and was 8 feet long 4 feet wide and

18 inches high; the skeleton was 5 feet 7 inches in length.

Around the neck was a necklace made of bone beads.

Directly beneath this sepulcher and on the base line of the

mound was a great fireplace, the ashes being 14 inches in thick-

ness; this was very near to the grave which was found in the

center of the mound. In these ashes was found a great quantity

of burned mussel shells, also the bones of various animals; these

were all calcined by the heat but enough was left to identify them;

those removed from the ashes were the wild turkey, trumpeter

swan, Virginia deer, black bear and raccoon; not a particle of

charcoal was found in this fireplace, showing that the fire had

burned entirely out before it was covered up. This fireplace on

the east side of the large central grave corresponded to one found

later on the west side of the grave.

Skeleton number twelve was that of an adult male, placed

in a large sepulcher made of logs. This sepulcher was 12 feet

long, 7 feet wide and 21/2 feet high; the largest logs were placed

at the bottom and measured 101/2. inches in diameter. In speaking

of the logs which composed the sepulchers of this mound it will

be understood that nothing is left of the logs but the molds. The

bottom of this sepulcher was covered with bark which consisted

of several layers. The skeleton was perfectly wrapped in bark,

the outside being of a coarse quality and resembling very much

the bark which covered the bottom of this sepulcher; the next

two layers were evidently birch bark. Around the neck of the

skeleton was a great quantity of beads made from small ocean

shells; around the wrist were also a number of beads, but these

were made in the shape of small disks one-fourth inch in diame-

ter, and were made of the leg bones of the deer and elk. This

sepulcher was placed on the base line.

Skeleton number thirteen was that of an adult and was placed

about 2� feet above the base line, and very near the sepulcher

which was occupied by number twelve. The log molds of the se-

pulcher showed that only small pieces of wood were used in its

construction. No implements or ornaments were placed with this

468 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

skeleton. About two feet from the head of this skeleton was

found a shell hoe, very much worn and which no doubt had been

lost. Further excavations on the base line of the south side of

the mound disclosed skeleton number fourteen, which was 5 feet

8 inches in length and badly decomposed. At the head were

placed three large stone slabs and at the foot four, and connecting

the tops of the slabs were large logs ranging in diameter from

3 to 9 inches. On the right arm of the skeleton were placed four

copper bracelets made of heavy copper, several of which were

almost one-half inch in diameter; some of these were covered

with cloth. On the left arm were also four copper bracelets,

identical in every particular with the ones found on the right

arm. Around the head was a string of beads made in the form

of disks, averaging one-half inch in diameter; these numbered

upward of 200. Around the loins was also a string of beads

of the same kind; at the feet were some broken pieces of diorite,

several of which showed that they had been used while others

showed that they were in the process of manufacture of some

implement. Approaching the center of the mound it was dis-

covered that a grave was located below the base line, by the ap-

pearance of gravel which had evidently been thrown out of the

center grave on all sides; see Figure 19. This center grave was

quite large, being 13 feet 9 inches long, 11 feet 4 inchs wide, 6

feet 9 inches deep, measuring from the base line; this is also

shown in Figure 19. The bottom of the grave was covered with

a layer of bark which extended up the sides of the grave and

over the surrounding surface for ten feet on all sides. Upon

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 469

this layer of bark, at the bottom of the grave, was the skeleton of

an adult male 5 feet 91/2 inches in length, with head to the south.

The skeleton had been wrapped in three distinct layers of bark,

and was in a fair state of preservation; the skull was badly

crushed and several of the arm bones were broken; the tibia

and fibula of both legs were painted red; evidently the flesh had

been removed from the bones, the paint then placed around them

and the whole then covered with a plaster made of mud. Around

the feet and loins was found the remnant of a woven fabric simi-

lar to the fabrics already described. Near the feet were nine

large leaf-shaped knives made of flint obtained from Flint Ridge;

these were finely wrought and ranged in length from three to

four inches; see Figure 20. Between the right and left tibias,

but nearer to the right, was found a tablet 4 inches long by 2�

inches wide and one-half inch thick. This tablet is made of a

fine grained sandstone, the edges all being beveled, both sides

being similar. On one side, near the center, are two long inden-

470 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

tations, both extending the long way of the tablet; also two other

indentations at almost right angles to those extending the long

way. This tablet was no doubt used in the manufacture of bone

implements and ornaments. Figure 21. To the side of the right

tibia and directly opposite the tablet were found two leaf-shaped

knives similar in every respect to those found at the feet; a large

slab of flint broken into shape preparatory to its being manufac-

tured into a knife, and several scrapers made of flint. Near the

last mentioned flint pieces three incisor teeth of the beaver were

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 471

found; these were not perforated, neither

did they show that they had been worked

in any way, yet they could have been used

as tools. With the beaver teeth were two

pieces of rib bones, presumably those of

the elk, one end of which had been cut

square while the other was cut in the

form of a comb, each piece having six

teeth. The pieces were no doubt fas-

tened together, as is shown by the draw-

ing Figure 22, as they were in this posi-

tion when found. They were carefully

removed, and it was supposed at the time

that the comb had been made of one piece

of bone instead of two; each piece is 2

inches long by 11/4 inches wide. On the

outside of the left tibia were 11 large

awls, all made of the shoulder blade of

the elk; these were very beautifully

wrought; see Figure 23. They range in

length from 6 to 11 inches. With these

awls was found a needle 71/4 inches in

length, one end having a very sharp

almost round end but gradually tapering

and flattening toward the other end,

where it was pierced by a small hole 1/8

inch in diameter; see Figure 24. Around

the head of the skeleton but mostly to the

left were twelve awls made of the shoul-

der blade of the Virginia deer; these were

in every respect similar to those found

near the left tibia, and varied in length

from 5 to 6 inches.

On each side of the head were found

two perforated canines of the mountain

lion; these were no doubt used for ear

ornaments. Directly above the skeleton

was placed a large quantity of bark, four

472 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

layers being distinctly visible, yet from the quantity that was

found it is evident that many more layers of bark were placed

there at the time of burial. Directly over this bark was a layer

of ashes 3 inches in thickness; in these ashes were found the

calcined bones of two distinct human skeletons, one being that of

an adult while the other was that of a child. Various portions

of the skull and of the large bones were found, showing that the

human body had been cremated and the ashes and bones that

were left had been placed over the grave. With these bones, were

also found scattered through the ashes, the remains of the deer,

elk, black bear, raccoon, otter, beaver, wild turkey, trumpeter

swan and great horned owl; these bones were freely mingled

with those of the human bones. The bones no doubt comprise

the remains of a sacrifice made near this center grave in the great

fireplaces spoken of, after which the ashes and calcined bones were

gathered up and deposited over these remains. Immediately

above the ashes was placed a layer of logs ranging in thickness

from 5 to 7 inches; these were placed in the side of the grave and

covered over with small sticks. Upon this covering of small

sticks and immediately above the feet of the skeleton placed at

the bottom of the grave, and at right angles to it, was the skeleton

of a male adult 5 feet 8 inches in length. The skeleton was cov-

ered with a layer of bark; no implements or ornaments were

placed with this burial. Finding the skeleton placed in this po-

sition might lead one to surmise that there had been a human sac-

rifice, and this sacrifice placed at the feet of the lower skeleton;

yet nothing in the burial would show that such was the case.

There might have been some little time elapsed between the first

and second burials in this grave, yet no evidence was found to

verify this fact. Immediately above the skeleton was placed

another layer of logs, the logs being covered with small limbs;

above this was another layer of logs with brush and small limbs

placed over the top. It is evident that no soil was placed in this

grave, and only the dirt was placed over the last layer of brush

and the mound heaped over all; this is readily seen in the arched

roof made by the dropping down of the superincumbent earth

above, as the logs and sticks would rot away and leave the earth

drop into the grave below.

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 473

Fifteen feet directly southwest of the center of the mound

was found skeleton number seventeen, which was that of an adult

male 5 feet 8 inches in length. The skeleton was placed in a

sepulcher made of logs which consisted of two very large logs

placed by the side of the body, and smaller logs placed over the

top as a covering. This skeleton was noted for its singularly

heavy bones. Upon the right arm had been placed a string of

bear claws, fifteen in number; these had evidently been used as

a bracelet.

Skeleton number nineteen was placed directly west of the

center of the mound. It was that of an adult male 5 feet 73/4

inches in length. Around the neck had been placed a string of

beads; these were made of bone one-half inch in diameter and

one-eighth inch in thickness. These disks looked very much

as though they had been sawed out, so perfectly were they made.

Skeleton number twenty was that of an adult male 5 feet 113/4

inches in length, having very large bones. This was the largest

skeleton found in the entire mound. Near the right wrist was a

gorget, perforated with two holes similar in shape to Figure 10;

this is made of limestone. In the right hand was a large spear

5 inches in length, and made of Flint Ridge chalcedony; see Fig-

ure 25. Near the left knee was found a tubular pipe 5 inches in

length and very well made. The material of which this pipe is

composed is clay, presumably fire clay, and is of the same material

used in all of the pipes found in this mound. At the right knee

was found three round stones which were made from diorite;

they were 2, 13/4 and 17/8 inches respectively in diameter. It is no

474 Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

doubt but that these round stones were used in making some im-

plement of warfare.

Skeleton number twenty-one, placed on the north side of the

mound, was perhaps the richest of the mound finds. The skele-

ton was placed in a sepulcher made of very large logs; the one

on the outside measured 17 inches in diameter and was 16 feet

in length; the log which formed the inside of the sepulcher was

123/4 inches in diameter and 19 feet in length. The two logs were

placed eight feet apart; the top was covered with smaller logs

varying in diameter from 3 to 7 inches; these were placed very

close together. Between the larger logs smaller poles and brush

were placed. The skeleton was placed with its head to the east,

and upon a covering of bark which seemed to envelope the entire

bottom of the sepulcher. Implements and ornaments were pro-

miscuously placed in this sepulcher. The beads were found very

near the skeleton; about 500 of these were composed of shell,

and about the same number of bone and fresh water pearls. Near

the left knee were found very large beads made of shell; see

Figure 26.

Here also was found an ornament made of shell, no doubt

the effigy of a raccoon; see Figure 27. On the back of

this effigy were two counter sunk holes for attachment. Near

the head were found three spear points made of the antler of the

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 475

deer; seven arrowheads, and three knives made of chalcedony from

Flint Ridge. On the right hand of the skeleton were found three

arrowpoints made from the same material as the other seven.

The pearl and bone beads were placed around the neck in three

strings, while the shell beads were placd near the right wrist and

seemed to have been attached to a coarse cloth which evidently

surrounded the loins. Near the left hand was found an effigy

pipe; see Figure 28, front view; Figure 29, side view; Figure

30, back view. This pipe is 8 inches in length, and is composed of

clay, resembling the fire clay found in Scioto county, which is

further south but in the same valley. The pipe is tubular in form,

the hole extending the entire length of the body; the large open-

ing is between the feet, having a hole 5/8 inch in diameter. Within

an inch of the top of the head it begins to narrow down to a very

small aperture 1/8 inch in diameter. The mouthpiece formed a

part of the head dress of the image. The front part of the pipe

is of a light gray in color while the back part is of a brick red.

The specimen is covered with a deposit of iron ore; this

appears in small blotches over the entire surface of the specimen,

the one side of the face and body being more densely covered with

it than the other parts of the pipe.

The effigy represents the human form in the nude state with

the exception of the covering around the loins; this covering

extends around the body and is tied in the back, the ends of the

covering hang down and serve as ornaments. On the front of

this covering is a serpentine or scroll-like ornamentation. From

the lobe of each ear is hung an ear ornament which is quite large

in proportion to the ear, and resembles very much the button-

(476)

(477)

(478)

Excavations of the Adena Mound. 479

shaped copper ornaments which are so frequently found in the

mounds of the Scioto valley. However, none of these ornaments

have been found in this mound, but quite a number have been

found in the immediate neighborhood.

The next skeleton found was on the west side of the mound.

It was outside of the original mound and was in a fair state of

preservation. It was that of an adult male, 5 feet 81/2 inches in

length. No implements or ornaments were placed with this

skeleton.

To the north and outside of the original mound another

skeleton was found; this was in a splendid state of preservation

and the skeleton was removed in good condition. No implements

or ornaments were placed with this skeleton.

Ohio History Journal