during the summer of 1838. He commenced digging on the north side of the
mound, and about four feet above the trench that surrounds it, from which point
a horizontal shaft was excavated to the centre. At a distance of twelve or fifteen
feet from the surface were found numerous masses composed of charcoal and
burnt bone. Before reaching the centre a passageway was discovered to a vault
at the base: this passage had an inclination of ten or fifteen degrees, and had been
covered with timber, of which the impression on the earth alone remains; and
the vault itself was partially filled up by these timbers giving way, and admitting
the soil from above, and many loose stones which appear to have formed part of
the covering of this chamber, After removing all this rubbish from the vault,
two skeletons were found covered with sand, one on the east, the other on the
west side. The former was the smaller and most perfect of the two, and its
cranium is figured on the annexed plate.* In this sepulchral chamber, and
chiefly in connection with the larger skeleton, was found a great number of
trinkets of various kinds, hut principally six hundred and fifty ivory\ heads, perforated
in the centre.
“ On carrying a shaft upwards from this vault, another was discovered above
it, and extending eighteen feet in length and eight in width. In it was found a
solitary skeleton in a state of extreme decay, and which appeared, like those in
the vault beneath, to have been placed in a standing position. With the hones
were also obtained no less than seventeen hundred ivory heads, like those already
mentioned, five hundred marine shells of the genus Oliva?, and about one hundred
and fifty small plates of mica; the latter being perforated at their sides and
corners. Five copper hands or bracelets were found on the hones of the arms,
together with various articles of minor interest.
“ Mr. Tomlinson next dug a shaft from the top of the mound (which is concave,
as if sunk in) down to the lowest vault; hut he had first to remove an oak
tree two feet and a half in diameter, and numbering three hundred growths from
centre to circumference. Within three feet of the surface was found a skeleton
in complete decomposition. On reaching the lowest vault it was determined to
enlarge it for the more easy access of visiters, and it was accordingly extended to
a diameter of twenty-eight feet. During this operation ten more skeletons were
* See Plate 53.
tDr. Clemens assures me that these beads are genuine ivory, and not bone; and adds, that'as he
had himself wrought much in ivory, he could not be mistaken in the material.