The mound builders : being an account of a remarkable people that once inhabited the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, together with an investigation into the archæology of Butler County, O.

Front matter

Darlington Memorial Library

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Preface

Within the last few years much interest has been developed in American archaeology, especially in that branch relating to the Mound Builders. The mystery surrounding this lost people creates a fascination which is greatly increased in the mind of the student of nature as he lingers among the ruins which invite his attention and rivet his eye. Standing upon one of the monuments the lover of the mysterious will lose himself in meditation, or else in imagination will behold a strange people toiling under the heat of a burning sun, or perhaps see them suffering from the effects of a winter's wind while erecting structures devoted to such rites as are recorded in the pages of history. There are others who behold these remains and although taking no particular interest in original investigation, yet desire to obtain such information as may be known concerning them.

The mounds, even separated from their history, have an interest in themselves. When one sees them he cannot help but pay more than a passing notice. Hence it might be presumed that public attention was early called to the ancient earth-works of Ohio. In the year 1772 Rev. David Jones first publicly noticed their existence. Twelve years later Arthur Lee wrote concerning them. The first general survey of the works was made by Caleb Atwater, of Circle ville, Ohio, in 1819, under the

4 PEEFACE.

auspices and at the expense of the Archaeological Society at 'Worcester, Mass. In 1848 the Smithsonian Institution published, under the title "Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Yalley," the surveys made by E. G. Squier and Dr. E. H. Davis, together with the plans and notes furnished by others who had taken an interest in the matter. This publication constituted the first systematic work with descriptions and figures of the numerous remains of the Mound Builders. From that time to the present the institution has continued to publish books and original papers relating to this subject. This has created an impetus on the part of original investigators, the consequence of which has been the publication of many manuscripts at priv^ate expense. In placing the present work before the public it is admitted that, for the most part, it contains such information as is already available; yet it is believed that favor will be accorded it both on the part of the general reader and the specialist. To the former it attempts to present all the essential facts which have been gathered without being burdened with elaborate speculations, while to the latter, the chapter on the archseology of Butler County contributes something new to the study, and, besides, making what might be termed a complete report on a county which once was an important seat of the Mound Builders. The design then, of this work, may be said to be twofold : First, to give the required information and to quicken the interest of the general reader; and second, to assist the antiquarian in his researches. However, it was another reason which spurred the writer on and held him to the task : The monuments of Butler County are fast becoming obliterated, and in order to preserve their plans or dimensions

PREFACE. O

the ■work must not be delayed. Assisted by an able corps of gentlemen the work of investigation was a pleasant task. It was the endeavor to search out every enclosure and locate every mound, and if any have escaped observation, it was because the required information could not be obtained.

In the preparation of this work advantage has been taken of all the important publications on the subject. Except in a few cases, I have purposely abstained from burdening the text with references, although in several instances I have closely followed the descriptions as given by others. All such places will be readily detected by those who are sufficiently acquainted with the literature of this subject.

In the classification of the implements the archaeologist will object to assigning Fig. 31 among the chisels. This was done against my own judgment and in deference to certain parties who have won for themselves a reputation in the field of original research. Evidently there has been a confusion on this point. The chisel is distinctly separated from the flesher, or barkpeeler or wedge and the hatchet. AYhoever has seen the true chisel wall never mistake one again. A very clear statement of what a chisel is may be found in "Archaeological Collection, No. 287," page 13, published by the Smithsonian Institution. It is a wedge-shaped implement of an elongated form and of comparatively small size. The figure referred to is evidently a barkpeeler or hatchet. I have classed it in the list of cabinets under the head of fleshers.

Most of the engravings were made especially for this work. Some of them were taken from old designs, and others from original plans.

6 PREFACE.

Through the courtesy of Colonel Whittlesy and C. C. Baldwin, respectively President and Secretary of the Historical Society of Cleveland, a loan was tendered of Figs. 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21.

Mr. E. Gest kindly furnished the cuts of the Cincinnati Tablet given in Figs. 22 and 23.

Dr. John E. Sylvester, the discoverer of the Berlin Tablet, generously placed at my disposal the engravings of that relic.

The fact should not be concealed that the publication of this volume is largely due to Mr. Richard Brown, who volunteered to bear half of all the expenses incurred in the undertaking. This will not be so surprising when the fact is considered, that for some years he has taken an active interest in all questions relating to the Mound Builders. Alone and unassisted he carried on his investigations in his native township of Ross.

J. P. MacLean.

Hamilton, O., Sept. 2, 1879.

Chapter I. Preliminary Observations

PA5E.

A lost race — Origin of the name — Ancient Monuments — Where found — Description of the country — Distribution of the works — Principal localities — General classes — Enclosures— Sites — River formations „ 13

CHAPTER II. DEFENSn'E ENCLOSURES

The great basin — Action of water — General description — Natural stronghold — Chosen for purposes of defense — Fort Ancient — General description of — Fortification near Bourne\-ille — General description of — Fortification near Carlisle — Minute description of — Fort Hill, Highland County — Fort near Piqua — Fort below Dayton — Other fortifications — Remarks 19

Chapter III. Sacred Enclosures

How characterized — Different forms — Newark works — Description of— High Bank works near ChilUcothe — Description of — Works near Hopeton — Other . works — Graded ways — Design of — Graded way near Piketon — Remarks — Theories ....". 31

Chapter IV. Mouxds

Described — Localities — Classes — Temple mounds — Great mound at Cahokia — Temples at Marietta — Mounds of Southern States— Mound at Seltzertown— Temple in Georgia— Other temples — Sacrificial mounds — Altar — Mound City — Cremation— Sepulchral mounds — Contents — Grave Creek Mound — Mound near ChilUcothe — Stone mound near Newark — Other methods of burial — Symbolical mounds — Great Serpent of Adams County — Alligator mound — Big elephant

CONTENTS.

effigy — Anomalous mounds — Where situated — Purposes of

— Great mound at Miamisburg — Stone heaps 41

Chapter V. "works Of Akt

Contents of the mounds— Spear-heads — No real flint in the United States — Minerals — General classes of Spear-heads — Arrow-heads — Ditiferent forms of — Rimmers — Knives — Axes — Divisions of — Hammer-stones— Chisels — Pestles — Pottery — Pipes — Sculpture — Purity of— Gorgets or Breast-plates— Use ot^-Tubes — Hoes and spades — Discoidal implements—Metals— Articles of bone— Clothing 61

Chapter VI. Mi>-ixg

Copper — Galena— Obsidian — Mica — Silver — Green-slate — Discovery of mines — Copper mines — On the Ontonagon — Minnesota Mine — Isle Royal Mine — Wide distribution — Relies from — Mica mining — Mines of North Carolina — Obsidian Mines — Other mines — Flint Ridge 74

CHAPTER Til.

ADVANCEMENT IN THE SCIENCES.

Intelligence — Geometrical knowledge — Comparison of earthworks— Works at Portsmouth — Standard of measurement — Works— How formed — Works at Alexandersville — Butler County Works — Graded way at Piketon — Bridging — Macadamized roads — Art of brick-making — Process of manufacturing — Art of mining — Position of the Mound Builders 82

Chapter VIII

Written language — Frauds — Grave Creek stone — Opinions of Schoolcraft— Of Levy Bing— Of Schwab— Of Oppert— Authenticity— Controve'rsy — Objections — Letter from Colonel Wharton — Objections " considered — Story of Sir Walter Raleigh — Cincinnati Tablet — Description by E. G. Squier — Authenticity— Doubted— Examined bv Robert Clarke- Mississippi Tablet— Berlin Tablet— Otlier tablets 90

Chapter IX

Two classes of frauds — Canard — Moon Hoax — Runic inscriptions — Vault in the PaUsades of the Hudson— Tumulus in Utah- William Tell — Pocahontas — Sacrificial tablets — Wilmington tablets — Questioned — Operations of Da^id Wyrick— Newark holy stone— Likeness of Moses— Ten Commandments- Stone from Michigan — Axe from Butler county — Inscriptions from Fremont — Rock inscriptions — Declaration of Nott and Gliddon 114

CONTENTS.

Chapter X. Civilization

Growth — Agriculture — System — Maize — Tobacco — Potato — Government — Priesthood — Subjection of tlie masses — Religion— Sun worship— Serpent worship— Idolatry— Idol from Illinois— Idols in Tennessee— Amusement — Military... 123

Chapter XI. Antiquity

Evidences— Period of the villagers— How told— Garden beds of the Northwest — A probable race — Forest trees upon the works — Opinions of President Harrison — Hillocks — Encroachments made by streams — Vegetable accumulations — Condition of Mound Builder skeletons— Local position of earth-works — Terraces — Facts established — Effigy of Mastodon— Mastodon jiipe — The question becomes more intelligible— How long were they here — Origin of the Mound Builders 130

Chapter XII. Who Were The Mound Builders And What Became Op Them?

An interesting question— Lost tribes of Israel— Different nations — Works on Lake Erie — Mounds of Wisconsin — Of Georgia —West of the Mississippi— Of Illinois- Crania— Skull from Chillicothe— Various opinions— Of Morton, Nott, Wilson, Warren and Foster— Characteristics of American Crania— Expulsion— Disease— Exodus to the South— What became of them — Immigration — Most ancient Mexicans — Toltecs — Origin of Mexican civilization 139

ARCHAEOLOGY OF BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

W^here situated— General features— Geology of— Early archaeological surveys— Chosen by Mound Buildei-s — Productive wealth— Protection— Traces of Indian remains— Race of pigmies 153

II. IMPLEMENTS.

Found everj^vhere — Description of arrow-heads — Spear-heads Rinnners— Knives— Spades— Hatchets— Pendants— Gorgets —Pipe — Shuttle — Wands — Remarkable mound — Tube- Ornament 157

III. UNION TOWNSHIP.

Where located— Ancient enclosure— Incomplete w-ork— A lost

enclosure — Mounds 171

rV. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

Location — Mounds — System of signal stations 175

V. FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP.

Boundaries — Want of enterprise — Enclosure on section eight —

10 CONTEXTS.

Enclosure on section fifteen — Encroachment of the river — Contents of the mound — Present condition of the walls — Where classed — Sacred enclosure on section ten — Fortification on section sixteen — ^Jounds 176

VI. EOSS TOWXSHIP.

Description — Fortified hill — How strengthened — Fortification in section thirteen — Double- walled enclosure — Sacrificiil mound— Change in the bed of the Miami — Sacred enclosur.^ in sections twenty-seven and thirty-lour — A lost fortification— Location and description of mounds — Series of mounds — History — Ghosts — Discovery of '-firebeds" — Where located 184

VII. MORGAN TOWNSHIP.

General description — Mounds — Stone circle 197

^^II. BEILY TOWNSHIP.

Where located — Indian Creek — Series of earth-works on section twenty-two — Description of mound — Remarkable yield of skeletons— Stone box — Indian graves — Indian trail.'. 198

IX. OXFORD TOWNSHIP.

Situation — Fortification in section thirty-six — Mounds 203

X. MILFORD TOWNSHIP.

Situation — Enclosure on sections three and ten — Present condition—Mounds 207

XI. HANOVER TOAVNSHIP.

Location and general features — Mounds 210

XII. ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP.

Situation — General features — Change in the bed of the Miami River — Enclosure near Seven Mile — Mounds — Coin from — Prosiject point — Serpent-shaped ridge with mound — Indian graves — Mastodon's tooth 211

XIII. WAYN-E TOWNSHIP.

How bounded — Highest point of land in county — Enclosure in section thirty— Jacksonburg enclosure — Curious appearance of hillocks— 'a discovery — Plan of an earth-work established — Engineering mounds — A mound composed of vaults — Sniveiy's Hill— Speculations regarding a temple mound 217

XrV. MADISON TOWNSHIP.

Location — Hill lands — Great mound — Computation — Other

XV. LEMON TOWNSHIP.

Location and mounds 22G

XVl. CABINETS.

Collection made by James McBride — Interest taken — Geological and Archseological Society — Remarks — Table showing contents of cabinets 227

List of important earth-works— Map 230

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Fig. Page.

1. Great Mound at Miamisburg. [Frontispiece)

2. Fort Ancient 21

3. Plan of Newark Works 32

4. Graded Way, near Piketon 38

5. Works at Marietta 44

6. Cross section of an altar 47

7. Section of an altar mound 48

8. Great Mound at Grave Creek 51

9. Great Serpent, Adams County 56

10. Big Elephant Mound 58

11. Five forms of arrow-heads G3

12. Three forms of arrow-heads 63

13. Flint knife 64

14. Tj-pical stone axe 65

15. Adze-shaped axe 65

16. Grooved hammer 66

17. Quartz pestle 67

18. Four gorgets or gauges 70

19. Six gauges or ornaments 71

20. Ancient miningshaft 77

21. Grave Creek inscription 92

22. Cincinnati Tablet— obverse view 106

23. Cincinnati Tablet— reverse view 107

24. Berlin Tablet— obverse view Ill

25. Berlin Tablet — reverse view 112

26. Thirteen arrow-heads 158

27. Five spear-heads l.")9

28. Two rimmersand one arrow-head 160

29. Flint knife 161

31. Chisel 162

32. Hatchet 162

33. Three pendants 163

12 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIOXS.

34. Two gorgets 163

36. Copper hatchet 16:1

37. Image of a bird 164

39. Shuttle ICJ

40. Wand lOJ

42. Ornament 163

43. Badge of authority 167

44. Six badges of authority 168

45. Five badges of authority 170

46. Ancient "Works, Union township 171

47. Incomi^lete Circular Works, Union township 173

48. Incomplete Circular Works, Union township 174

49. Fortification, Fairfield township 177'

50. Enclosure, Fairfield township 178

51. Sacred Enclosure, Fairfield township 180

52. Fortification, Fairfield township 182

53. Fortified Hill, Ross township 185

54. Double- walled enclosure, Ross township 188

55. Sacred Enclosure, Ross township 190

56. Group of mounds, Ross township 194

57. Earth-works, Reily township 200

58. Fortification, Oxford township 204

59. Somerville Enclosure, Milford township 203

GO. Seven Mile Enclosure, St. Clair township 212

61. Seven Mile Enclosure, Wayne township 218

62. Jacksonburg Works, Wayne township 219

63. Plan of Temple, Wayne township 222

64. Second plan of Temple, Wayne township 223

THE MOUND BUILDERS.

Chapter I. Preliminary Observations

Origin of (he Name — Where Found — Description of the Country— Distribution of the Works — Principal Localities — General Glasses — Enclosures— Sites.

An ancient race, entirely distinct from the Indian, possessing a certain degree of civilization, once inhabited the central portion of the United States. They have left no written history, and all that is known concerning them is gathered from the monuments consisting of mounds, enclosures, implements, etc., which they have left behind. These remains have been carefully examined, and after long and patient investigations, the archaeologist has arrived at certain definite conclusions, and so apparently accurate are they that we may safely say that we are very well acquainted with this lost race. By what appellation they were known during their existence is past finding out, They have been called the Mound Builders on account of the

14 PEELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

innumerable mounds which they erected, and which remained until the advent of the white man. Their works are traced through a great extent of country. They are found in the western part of the State of New York, on the east; thence westwardly along the southern shore of Lake Erie, through Michigan to Nebraska, on the west, and as far as Isle Royal, and the northern and southern shores of Lake Superior, on the north. From this line they extend to the Gulf of Mexico. They occur in great numbers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, AVisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. They are found in less numbers in North and South Carolina, western parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and Michigan, Iowa, and a portion of the Mexican Territory.

By some it has been contended that the Mound Builders did not penetrate into the State of New York, and the remains there found belong to a later age and another people. Others would have us believe that they erected the mounds found in Oregon and other districts or regions of the far West.

In choosing this vast region lying between the great lakes and the Gulf of Mexico, and extending from the Alleghanies to the Rocky ^lountains and consisting of a great system of plains, the Mound Builders exercised great foresight and wisdom. Along one of these plains, inclining towards the east, flow all the streams from the west that enter into the lower Mississippi. Of equal extent is another plain descending from the north, along which flow the tributaries of the Ohio, and even the Mississippi itself, until it reaches the Missouri. Still another plain descends from the Alleghanies, and is drained by the Cumberland and the Tennessee with their tributaries. Along the broad levels drained by this vast river- system the pre-historic remains of man abound. This whole country affords a perfect system of navigation. The Alleghany rises on the borders of Lake Erie at an elevation of nearly seven hundred feet above the level of the lake and one thousand three hun-

PRELIMIXARY OBSERVATIONS. 15

dred feet above the sea. A boat may start from within seven miles of Lake Erie, and almost in sight of Buifalo, and float down the Connewango or Cassadaga to the Alleghany, thence into the Ohio, and finally into the Gulf of Mexico, the whole distance being two thousand four hundred miles. Add to this the great natural advantages and the f ct that this is pre-eminently the garden spot of North America, with almost innumerable other considerations, we may be able to judge of the wisdom of the Mound Builders.

Distribution of the Works. — These works are very irregularly distributed, being found principally along the river valleys. They are only occasionally met with in the hill or broken country, and when thus found are ahvays of small size.

Their number is very great ; in Ohio alone there are not less than thirteen thousand, including both mounds and enclosures. Within a radius of fifty miles from the mouth of the Illinois River, in the State of Illinois, there are about five thousand mounds. All the mounds, located in the territory occupied by the Mound Builders do not belong to that ancient people, for many of them have been constructed by the Indians, and doubtless many in Ohio have been assigned to the epoch of the former, when in reality they belong to the latter.

In the irregular distribution of tlie works, it is noticed that in certain localities the remains are very numerous, and from this fact it is easy to point out their principal seats, or where the population was dense. In Ohio this is found to be in the vicinity of Marietta, Athens, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, Circleville, Newark, Springfield, Alexandersville, Middletown, Eaton, Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati. Smaller settlements are found throughout the different parts of the State.

General Classes. — The ancient remains, composed of works of earth and stone, naturally divide themselves into two general classes, viz.: Enclosures and Mounds; and these again embrace a variety of works diverse in form, and designed for different purposes. The first is characterized by being bounded by embankments, cir-

16 PEELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

cumvallations, or walls, and include fortifications or strongholds, sacred enclosures, and numerous miscellaneous works, mostly symmetrical in structure. Under the second head we have the true mound buildings which constitute one general or single system of works, and include what has been specially designated, sacrificial, temple, sepulchral, symbolical and anomalous.

Enclosures. — The enclosures, to the general observer, form the most interesting class of these remains. They are massive, sometimes of great dimensions, and required great labor in their construction. Their number is great, Ohio alone containing over one thousand five hundred of them. They are composed of clay, — sometimes of stone, — the walls having a height ranging from three feet to thirty, and enclosing areas of from one acre to four hundred. Enclosures of from one to fifty acres are common; of two hundred acres not infrequent, and of greater extent only occasionally met with.

The area enclosed is not always a standard for judging the amount of labor expended in the erection of the work. "Fort Ancient," on the Little Miami, in Warren County, Ohio, has between four and five miles of embankment, yet the entire amount of land embraced within the walls is only a little over one hundred acres.

A large proportion of the enclosures are regular in outline, being constructed in the form of the square, circle, parallelogram, ellipse, and polygon, — the first two predominating. The regularly formed works occur on the level river-terraces, and the irregular works, being used as places of defense, are made to conform to the nature of the brows of the hills upon which they are situated. The square and circle frequently occur in combination, and are either directly connected with each other, or else by avenues enclosed by parallel walls. Nearly all the embankments give evidence of having been fully completed. A few remain which were left in an unfinished state. The walls are usually accompanied by a ditch either interior or exterior to the embankment.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 17

From this ditch the earth was taken fur the foundation of the Avails. Where the ditch does not occur, pits, or excavations are usually found in the immediate vicinity.

Sites. — In selecting the sites for these earth-works the Mound Builders were influenced by the same motives which governed their European successors. The country is very attractive and the broad alluvial terraces overlook the flowing rivers, and the capabilities for development which fascinated the eye of the white man existed when it was made the resort of the numerous population of by-gone times, and the features sought for by the modern were equally of advantage to the ancient.

Attention was called years ago to the fact that nearly every town of importance in the valleys of the Ohio and the Mississippi and their tributaries is founded on the ruins of this ancient people. To the names of those already mentioned, other sites might be added, such as Norwalk, Dayton, Xenia, Frankfort, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and so on almost indefinitely.

The river-terraces or bottoms, upon which they occur, were selected because the rivers are the great natural highways, and afford the best means of communication among a jirimitive people where settlements are widely distributed; and not only because the rivers serve as the easiest mode of transportation, but also are filled with their many varieties of fish, and the valleys abound in game, fruits and rank vegetation. These valleys aflPorded every advantage which the mind could desire.

Where the alluvial terraces, or river bottoms, are most extended, there the principal monuments will be found. At the confluence of streams, where the valleys are broadest, some of the most extensive works are situated. The level bottom lands gave them a rich, warm and quickening soil, easily tilled, and furnished them the most desirable places for the erection of those structures within which they performed their mystic rites and ceremonies. They were afflicted by the inroads of a hostile people, and in this hour of danger nature

18 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

had arranged for their assistance in giving them high bluffs. Upon these bluffs, or hill-tops they erected their works of defense, choosing such as were best calculated for constructing strongholds that might overlook their settlements.

Chapter II. Defensive Enclosures

Tlie Action of Water — General Description — Fort Ancient — Fortification Near Bourneville — Near Carlisle — Remarks.

Through the lapse of countless ages the rivers have been cutting their deep valleys and, in a measure, dividing the vast sedimentary basin extending from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains. The gradual wasting of the water has made shallow depressions in the alluvial plain, writing its record in the broad terraces that mark the deserted levels. These table-lands are indented by numerous ravines, and the junctions of one stream with another have formed tracts considerably elevated, and almost entirely separated from the main terrace. From the effect of the water we have valleys, gorges, ravines, bluffs, headlands, and hills. The table-lands bordering on the valleys have been so wasted by the action of water as, in numberless cases, to present sides difficult of ascent, and in not a few almost absolutely inaccessible. These hills are sometimes surrounded on three sides by deep ravines and the bluff on the valley, leaving simply an isthmus, by which one may easily pass to the broad terrace. Many of these bluff headlands and isolated hills, with their broad and level summits, present every requisite for a stronghold. Where such hills are in the vicinity of an extensive valley, the military works may be seen on the one best adapted for purposes of defense. These defenses show great labor and skill ; the walls extend a little below the brow of the hill and vary in height and solidity, as the declivity is more or less perpendicular. The side most exposed to attack and the

20 DEFENSIVE EXCLOSUEES.

approaches are protected bv trenches and overlapping walls more or less numerous in different forts. The trench is usually on the exterior of the wall. The gateways in the walls, situated at the points most easy of approach, are guarded by overlapping walls, or a series of them, and in some cases accompanied by a mound rising above the rest of the works, probably designed for both observation and defense. Great engineering skill is invariably displayed in protecting the points most exposed to attack, and care has been exercised against any flanking movement that might be made by an enemy.

A large number of the defensive works occupy the peninsulas formed by the bends of streams, and consist of a line of ditch and embankments or several lines carried across the isthmus, and not infrequently diagonally from the banks of one stream to the banks of another. The attention of the reader will here be called to those of the defensive works.

Fort Ancient. — ]S^o work on the Mound Builders would be complete without a description of Fort Ancient, the most celebrated, and the one most generally known of all the fortifications of this people. It is situated on the east bank of the Little ^liami River, in Warren County, Ohio, and about thirty-three miles northeast of Cincinnati. It has been frequently surveyed, and much has been written concerning it, so that, in this place, it will not be necessary to give an extended notice of it. Reference to the accompanying engraving will assist the reader in forming a conception of the structure.

The terrace, upon which the fort is located, is very difficult of access from the west. The road leading from Lebanon to Chillicothe passes through it on the north, and its descent into the valley is steep and winding. A few years ago the enclosure for the most part was covered with a primitive forest, with a superabundant undergrowth consisting chiefly of blackberry bushes.

Note.— The engraving of Fort Ancient is reduced from Squire and Davis' "Ancient Monuments."

Fig. 2.— Fort Ancient.

22 DEFENSIVE ENXLOSURES.

It has already been stated there are about five miles of wall enclosing an area of a little more than one hundred acres. The embankment is composed of a tough, diluvial clay, ranging from five feet to twenty in height, and averaging between nine and ten feet, and contains six hundred and twenty-eight thousand eight hundred cubic yards of excavation.

The hill upon which the work is located is a level plain, divided into two parts by a peninsula, its summit being two hundred and thirty feet above the level of the Little Miami. The position is a strong one. On the west, towards the I^ittle Miami, is a precipitous bank of two hundred feet. Two ravines originate near each other, on the east side and, diverging, sweep around the hill and enter the river, the one above and the other below the work. On the very verge of the ravines the eml)ankment is raised, and M^inds around the spurs and re-enters to pass the heads of gullies, and in several places is carried down into ravines from fifty to one hundred feet deep. Where the work is most exposed to an enemy it is of the greatest solidity and strength. At the isthmus the walls are twenty feet high. Where the Chillicothe road enters from the w^est, the wall is fourteen feet high by sixty feet base. The south division is naturally impregnable to any assault that could be made by a primitive jieople. In order to protect themselves should the north division be carried, two crescent \valls have been thrown across the isthmus, with the convex side towards the north. A little south of these are two mounds, situated at the narrowest part of the isthmus. On the steep slope of the southern portion of the hill where it approaches nearest the river, as a farther precaution have been constructed three parallel terraces, which command a fine view of the valley in both directions. Some, however, have regarded these embankments as land-slides.

There are over seventy gateways in the embankment, having a width of from ten to fifteen feet. These could not have all been for places of ingress and egress. I noticed, during a visit to the place in the summer of