The antiquities of Tennessee and the adjacent states, and the state of aboriginal society in the scale of civilization represented by them; a series of historical and ethnological studies

Front matter

;e handle

PHCARE

dversity of :ticut Libraries

Preface

The main purpose of this vohime is to present the results of recent archaeological investigations m Tennessee. When the large aboriginal cemetery near Nashville was discovered and explored about two years ago, at the instance of the Tennessee Historical Society, I undertook the duty of preparing a pamphlet illustrating some of the fine types of pottery and other objects from the stone graves ; but the material worthy of illustration accumulated so rapidly that it was found impracticable to do justice to it in the modest way contemplated, and the " pamphlet " has grown gradually into its present proportions. It became necessary to consider the general subject of ancient monuments and antiquities in Tennessee, in order to properly introduce the new material discovered, and thus render the publication useful to a larger class of readers. It seemed also desirable to include a more complete summar}^, for the benefit of the large number of students in Tennessee specially interested in its antiquities.

As the aboriginal remains of some portions of the neighboring states are very similar in character, I have illustrated specimens from these states, when convenient and of interest, and have felt at liberty to include them in the title to this publication.

The subject has been presented in a series of historical a7id ethnological studies.

Unfortunately, engrossing business engagements and duties have seriously interrupted the leisure necessary to the satisfactory preparation of the work. Most of the chajiters have been written in the oflice of the " President and Attorney " of the State Insurance Company of Tennessee, where contracts and mortgages, and old flints and vessels from the graves, have been piled upon the

VI PREFACE.

same office desk, during the past year or more; but my antiquarian friends may be assured that the " old relies and pots " have received an ample share of consideration, and have been regarded as fully as interesting and important as the more commercial treasures. These double duties, I trust, may be accepted as my apology for a few repetitions and an occasional lack of care and consistency in the preparation of some portions of the volume.

In a lecture before the Tennessee Historical Society, in 1888, upon "Ancient Society in Tennessee," subsequently published in the Magazine of American History, this subject M^as considered at some length. The general propositions therein set forth have not been materially changed ; but after the examination of a great many new specimens brought to light since that time, I find some expressions contained in the former publication should be modified. I have also endeavored to present the special views then advanced more clearly and definitely.

The preparation of the engravings (which will, of course, be regarded as the most useful part of the work) has been an arduous task. I regret that many of them are inartistically, and even crudely, executed, but it has been impracticable to send the delicate and valuable specimens to the centers of the engraving arts to be sketched and illustrated. I have, therefore, been compelled to content myself with such facilities in this department as were afiforded at home. I have endeavored, however, to illustrate the objects with exactness of details and truthful expression, I have also had many of the specimens photographed in groups and photo-engraved by the Moss Engraving Company, of New York, directly from these impressions, thus reproducing the original objects with photographic fidelity. These plates are admirably executed.

The genuineness of the new specimens illustrated may be relied upon. As a rule, collectors of experience and observation are less likely to be imposed upon by " archaeological frauds " than more learned " scientists " and theorists, who are, occasionally, too ready to reject evidence as to new discoveries.

We are under obligations to many friends and others for assist-

PREFACE. Vll

ance in this work. To the valuable researches of Dr. Joseph Jones, the pioneer of archseological investigation in Tennessee, we are greatly indebted, as we are also to Prof. F. W. Putnam, of the Peabody Museum, and to Colonel C. C. Jones, Jr., of Georgia, author of the Antiquities of the Southern Indians. We are under special obligations to Mr. W. H. Holmes, of the National Bureau of Ethnology, and to Dr. Cyrus Thomas, Mayor J. W. Pow^ell, and also to Prof. Langley, of the Smithsonian Institution.

These useful public institutions are more than fulfilling the expectations of the government and the public, in the advancement and dissemination of useful scientihc knowledsre.

My sincere thanks are due to my friends. Colonel W. B. Reese, D. R. Johnson, Dr. J. M. Satlbrd, Jos. S. Carels, Prof. C. F. Smith, Dr. II. M. Pierce, Robt. T. Quarles, Dr. W. C. Blackman, and Park Marshall, of Franklin, for assistance kindly rendered. Indeed, I would be unable to name all the friends and acquaintances who have generously aided me in various ways, and but for whose assistance my labors would have been much increased. I also take pleasure in thanking Messrs. R. B. Gill and J. H. Wright, of the Nashville Engraving Company, and Messrs. C. H. Ilankins and T. J, Turley, for their valuable assistance rendered in the preparation of the drawings and engravino;s. G. P. T.

Nashville, Tenn., June, 1890.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Frontispiece. — Images of Terra Cotta, from the Stone Graves 1

Chapter II

Fig. 1. Burial Casket of Pottery, Hale's Point, Tennessee 30

2. Plan of Sumner County Earth-works .33

3. Plan of Earth-works near Lebanon 34

4. De GraflFenreid Earth-works 36

5. Earth-works at Old Town, Tennessee 39

6. West Harpeth Earth-works 40

7. Stone Fort, near Manchester 41

8. Plan of Entrance to Fort 42

9. Earth-works near Savannah, Tennessee 43

10. Plan of Battle of the Horseshoe 57

Chapter III

11. Ground Plan of Mandan House 75

12. Cross Section of Mandan House 75

13. Plastering Trowels, from the Stone Graves 76

14. Navajo House 78

Chapter IV

15. Engraved Banner Stone 87

16. Moqui Vessel 87

17. Ornamented Mexican Pottery 88

IS. Inscribed Stone Disc 89

Plate II. A Group of Mound Builders 90

Fig. 19. Pottery Head, from Grave 93

20. The Riggs Portrait Bowl 94

21. Terra Cotta Head, from Grave 98

22. Female Head, White's Creek Cemetery 99

23. Image or Effigy Vessel 100

Plate III. Images of Terra Cotta, from the Stone Graves 102

Fig. 24. Terra Cotta Fragments 102

(ix)

X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Plate IV. Stone Idols and Terra Cotta Image 104

Fig. 25. Head of Stone, Front and Profile Views 104

26. Head of Image, Henry County 106

27. Stone Idol, Knox County 106

28. Stone Idol, Smith County 107

29. Small Image of Stone, Davidson County 109

30. Image Found in Sea Shell 110

31. Cradle Board Image 112

32. Toy Cradles of the Zunis 114

33. 34. Crania from the Stone Graves 116

35. Typical " Short " Cranium ,...,. = . 117

36. Typical Skull, Tennessee 118

37. Typical Skull, Missouri 118

38. Typical Peruvian Skull 120

39. CliflF Dweller's Skull, New Mexico 121

Chapter V

Plate V. Vases, Jars, and Bottle-shaped Forms 132

Fig. 40. Decorated Pottery 136

41. Small Decorated Bowl 136

42. Decorated Vase 137

43. Pottery Vessel or Vase 137

44. Effigy Vessel 138

45. Three-legged Jar, Lebanon Works 139

46. Pottery, Animal Form 140

Plate VI. Vessels of Pottery, from the Graves 140

Fig. 47. Ornamented Bowl, Indented 141

48. Terra Cotta Head and Bowl 142

49. Bowl Heads 143

50. Ornamented Bowl 144

51. Animal and Head Handler 145

52. Terra Cotta Chicken Head. 145

53. Arkansas Pottery 146

54. " Dog and Bone " Bowl Handle 147

55. Grotesque Bowl Handle 147

56. Animal Head of Pottery 148

Plate VII. Vessels of Fish and Animal Forms, of Pottery 148

Fig. 57. Turtle Bowl, Noel Cemetery 149

Plate VIII. Vases and Vessels of Pottery, from the Graves 150

Fig. 58. Medallion Bowl, Noel Cemetery 151

59. Bowl, Grotesque Human Form 151

Plate IX. Vessels and Images of Pottery 152

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. XI

Fig. 60. Fine Terra Cotta Head 154

61. Ornamented Bowl, t^calloped 154

62. Fine Mississippi Pottery 157

63. Typical Peruvian Vessels 158

63a. Arkansas and jNIissoiiri Types 158

Plate X. Sections of Large Vessel of Pottery (Diameter, Thirty-one inches). . . 158

Fig. 64. Large Kettle of Pottery 161

65. Pottery Implements, Small Trowels 162

66. Plastering Trowels 163

67. Terra Cotta Rattle 164

68. Terra Cotta Marbles 164

69. Turtle Totem, Pottery 165

70. Serpent Totem 166

71. Small Terra Cotta Figures 167

72. Ear-rings and Amulets 167

73. Terra Cotta Ear-ring 167

74. Terra Cotta Ring or Ear-ring Pendant 168

75. Stone Ring, Plated with Copper 169

76. Small Terra Cotta Bottle 171

77. Pottery of the Fiji Islanders 173

Chapter VI

78. Typical Clay Pipes 180

79. Animal Head Pipe of Pottery 181

80. Image Pipe, INIontgomery County 182

81. Stone Pipe, Lebanon Works 183

82. Stone Pipe, Etowah Mound, Georgia 184

83. Image Pipe, Etowah Mound, Georgia 185

84. Panther Pipe, Carthage Mound, Alabama 187

85. Image Pipe, East Tennessee 188

86. Duck Pipe, Sumner County 189

87. Leg and Foot Pipe, Davidson County 190

88. Tube Pipe of Pottery, Williamson County 190

89. Tube Pipe of Stone, Overton County 191

90. Tube Pipe of 'Stone, Clay County 192

91. California and Pueblo Tube Pipes 193

92. Kentucky Tube or Tube Pipe 194

93. Tube or Tube Pipe, Unfinished 195

94. Curved Base or Platform Pipe, Tennessee 195

95. Curved Base or Platform Pipe (Broken), Tennessee 196

96. Long Platform Pipe of Steatite, Tennessee 197

97. Eagle or Bird Pipe, Stone. , 198

Xll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Fig. 98. Duck Pipe, Alabama '. . . . 198

99. Ancient Catlinite Pipe, Noel Cemetery 199

100. Kentucky Disc Pipe, of Catlinite 200

101. Tennessee Disc Pipe 201

102. Large Calumet, Duck Form 202

103. Large Bird Calumet 202

104. Flying Bird Pipe 203

105. Flying Bird Pipe 203

106. Flying Bird Pipe, Georgia 204

107. Large Calumet, Animal Head 205

108. Large Bird Pipe 205

109. Bird Pipe 206

110. Stone Pipe 206

111. Bird Pipe 207

112. Alligator Pipe, Davidson County 207

113. Square Stone Pipe, Sumner County 208

114. Modern Pipe, of Catlinite 210

115. Modern Pipe, Indian Chief Keokuk 210

116. Chinook Bird Pipe 211

117. Iroquois Pipe, of Pottery , . 211

118. Pipe of North-west Coast Indians 212

CHAPTER VII. Plate XL Chipped Flint Implements 218

Fig. 119. Fine Flint Points 219

Plate XII. Unusual Types of Flints 220

Fig. 120. Agricultural and Mechanical Implements 220

Plate XIII. Agricultural and Mechanical Implements 222

Fig. 121. Flint Adze 222

122. Probable Method of Hafting Implements 223

123, 124. Rude Flint Implements 223

125. Small Flint Tools 224

126. Scrapers, Side Views 224

127. Chipped Flint Plummet 225

128. Small Flint, Rectangular Form *. 225

129. Flint Chisel 226

130. Two Implements, Chisels 226

131. Part of Set of Tools, from Grave 227

132. Flint Cutting Knife 228

133. Flint Cutting Knife and Handle 228

134. Flint Knife, Davidson County 229

135. Flint Knife, Davidson County. .229

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. XUl

Fig. 136, Flint Knives, Davidson County 230

137. Flint Implements 230

138. Flint Celt or Hatchet, Davidson County 231

139. Flaked Spear-head, Maury County 232

140. Flint Dagger, Humphreys County 232

141. Small Flint Dagger, Marshall County 233

142. Flint Dagger, Davidson County 234

143. Flint Dagger or Spear-head, Dickson County 235

144. Flint Implement, Williamson County 235

145. Double-barbed Spear-head 23(j

146. Barbed Spear Points, Davidson County 237

147. Long Sword or Ceremonial Implement 237

148. Fhnt Needle 237

149. Long Scepter or Implement 237

Plate XIV. Ceremonial Implements of Flint 240

Fig. 150. Long California Flint. 243

151. Ceremonial Implement or Scepter 244

152. Ceremonial Implement 244

153. Chipped Stone Hooks, Stewart County 245

154. Chipped Stone Hooks, Humphreys County 246

155. Chipped Stone Claw, Stewart County 247

156. Craw-fish Totem, Stewart County 249

157. Chipped Stone Turtle, Smith County 250

158. Chipped Flint Disc, Humphreys County 250

Chapter VIII

159. Grooved Stone Axes 255

160. Typical Celts or Ungrooved Axes 256

161. Historical Society Axe or Celt 257

162. Stone Hammer, with Handle 257

163. Stone Axe, with Stone Handle 259

164. Large Stone Adze 259

165. Hatchets and Chisels 260

166. Swiss Implement, with Horn Handle 260

167. Chisel and Knife 261

168. Cutting Implements 262

169. Rude Cutting Implements 262

170. Sharpening or Smoothing Stone 263

171. The Discoidals 264

172. The Barrel or Cheese-shaped Disc 266

173. Unusual Types of Discoidals 267

174. Fabric Impressed upon Pottery 270

XIV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Fig. 175. Diagonal Fabric from Impression c . . . 270

176. Spinning Whorls, from the Graves 271

177. Ancient Swiss Whorls 271

178. Perforated Discs or Whorls 272

179. Small Discoids 272

180. Artificial Disc, Coated with Iron 273

181. Disc Plates of Stone 274

182. Paint Cup and Pestle, from New Mexico 275

183. Stone Paint Cup, Tennessee 276

184. Paint Cups, Davidson County 277

185. Ornamented Paint Cup 277

186. Stone Mortar 278

187. Stone Pestles 279

188. Steatite Tube 279

189. Steatite Tube, Maury County. 280

190. Prehistoric Stone Whistle 283

191. Bone Whistles 284

192. Steatite Funnel 284

193. Sandstone Funnel 285

194. Small Stone Tubes 285

195. Steatite Rings 286

196. Stone Rings, from Graves 287

197. Rings or Ear-ring Pendants 288

198. Table of Sandstone 289

199. Cone-shaped Objects 289

200. Hematite Objects 290

201. Pendants or Pierced Tablets 291

202. Bird Pendant or Totem 291

203. Stone Pendant, Clay County. '. 292

204. Stone Implements 293

205. Polished Stone Implements 293

206. Banner Stones 294

207. Banner Stone 294

Fig. 208. Ceremonial Implements 295

Plate XV. Fine Stone Implements or Ceremonials 296

Chapter IX

209. Copper Cross or Ornament 300

210. Implement and Objects of Copper 301

211. Copper Objects, Probably Relics of De Soto 303

212. Bone Implements, from the Graves 305

213. A Set of Bone Implements, from Stone Grave 306

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. ^V

Fig. 214. A Set of Fine Bone Implements 307

215. Objects of Bone 308

216. Conch Shell Cups, from Graves 310

217. Shell Forms in Pottery 311

218. Double Shell Form in Pottery 312

219. Typical Shell Spoons 312

220. A Large Shell Spoon 313

221. A Spoon-shaped Bowl in Pottery 314

222. An Aboriginal Shell Fork 315

223. A Hanging Bracket of Shell 316

224. Shell Beads, from the Graves 317

225. Large Discoidal Beads 317

226. Various Types of Beads 319

227. Terra Cotta Beads, from the Graves 320

228. Large Stone Beads, from the Graves 321

229. Shell Gorgets or Breast-plates 323

230. Engraved Shell Gorget, Nashville Type 325

231. Engraved Shell Gorget, Wayne County, Tennessee 327

232. Shell Gorget, with Symbol of the Cross 329

233. Eattlesnake Gorget, McMahon Mound 332

234. 235. Rattlesnake Gorgets, East Tennessee 333

236. Engraved Stone Disc, Alabama 333

237. Shell Gorget, the Spider Design 335

238. Shell Gorget, the Human Form 337

239. Shell Gorget, the Human Form 337

Plate XVI. Shell Gorget, the Fighting Figures, McMahon ^Mound 338

Fig. 240. Engraved Gorget, Kneeling Figure 340

241. Engraved Gorget, Fighting Figures 341

242. Copper Plate, Etowah Mound , 342

243. Copper Plate, Illinois Mound 344

Plate XVII. Engraved Shell Gorget, New Madrid, Missouri 346

Fig. 244. Grotesque Picture, Mexican Manuscript 347

245. Engraved Shell Gorget, Missouri 350

246. Figure from an Aztec Painting 351

ANTIQUITIES OF TENNESSEE.