SKULLS FROM CAVES IN TH E VALLEY OF TH E OHIO.
It was a custom of many American nations to deposite their dead in caves.
The body was sometimes placed entire in these receptacles; hut in other instances
the hones were exhumed after the decomposition of the body, and then removed
to a cave as a final resting place. The two skulls figured on the annexed plates
have so much interest that I have thought best to insert them, although the
circumstances in which they were found afford us no clue to their national
affiliation.
PLATE LXII.
SKULL FROM A CAVE AT GOLCONDA, IN ILLINOIS.
Some few years ago a cave containing many human skeletons, was discovered
near the town of Golconda, on the Ohio river. A considerable number was transmitted
to this city; of these one is preserved in the Academy of Natural Sciences,
and the other in the University of Pennsylvania. The former is figured on the
accompanying plate. In general configuration, especially in the frontal region, it
approximates to the Caucasian form, hut with a small facial angle and full
parietal diameter. The other heads from this locality are still more like the
Toltecan model, and leave little doubt of their origin and their antiquity.
MEASUREMENTS.
Longitudinal diameter, . . . . . 6.7 inches.
Parietal d iam e te r,................................................ 5.4 inches.
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IN ILLINOIS.
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