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WORKS OF OHIO

OBJECT OF THE PAPER

8 GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP WORKS. 11 The gap spoken of is in that part of the circleimmediately on the sonth

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Careful resurvey made by the agent of the Bureau makes the longest diameter 1,189 feet and the shortest], 103 feet, showing a difference between the extremes of 20 feet. The area of the octagon, as indicated on the plate, is "50 acres;" in the textit states that it is "a little over 50 acres." Atwater, whose estimates of acres are generally more correct than those of Messrs. Squierand Davis, says- it contains "about 40 acres." According to our survey, the notes of which are given hereafter, this area, including the inner halves of the walls, is but a small part of more than 11 acres.

From the plates it appears that the diameter of the great circle of the Montgomery County work is 2,000 feet and that of the Scioto work (Liberty Township) is 720 feet, a difference of 250 feet instead of 100 feet as indicated by the authors. The distances on the sides of the square, as shown by the notes of the Bureau's investigation, are 250 yards east and west, and 852 yards north and south, which is an average of 17 yards greater than that of the lords. According to the study, they are 8 feet apart, measured to the centerline of each wall, and the average length is 034 feet (the eastern 047 and western 021).

The distance from the square to the breach of the chasm is 427 feet for the eastern side, and 400 for the western, the width of the chasm 110 feet. Some of the errors and inconsistencies we have pointed out may be considered minor, but when we consider the large number of them, in the light of the repeated claims of the authors that their studies were accurately and carefully made , we have to recognize that there has been an inexcusable degree of carelessness which is calculated to detract from their work and greatly destroys confidence in their measures and figures.

RESURVEY OF TEE OHIO INCLOSURES

Notwithstanding these criticisms, which, as will be seen, relate almost entirely to measurements and want of care in editing their memoirs, the work is of great value; for, as hitherto wooded, Fig.

IG GEOMETKICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO

The widest difference between the line of the survey and the circumference of the true circle is 4 feet. The total length of the chords surveyed is 3,301 feet, while the circumference of the aiiproximal circle is 3,311 feet; add to the sum. The southern sections, a to //, and h to c, remain almost unscathed, and are still more or less covered by the original forest growth.

The other lines of the wall have been considerably worn away by the plough, though they are still quite distinct, the height being not less than 2 feet, as shown by the figures of the field notes. The wear, however, makes it difficult, often impossible, to determine with absolute certainty^'the middle line, although there is no good reason why tl"^ survey should differ from the middle line of this or any of these buildings of Ohio, clearly traceable, maximum 3 feet.

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FAIR-GROUND CIRCLE, NEWARK

CIRCLE AT HIGH BANK. 21

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23 The side lengths, diameters and diagonals determined by a The side lengths, diameters and diagonals determined by a carefully drawn large scale are as below. However, the regularity is not as expected from the use of the instruments. According to the survey, the diameter in one direction (measuring at the intersections of the middle lines of the walls) is 1008 feet and 1005 the other.

Squier and Davis should be taken as counting to the center of the walls, which can be inferred from the fact that the diameter of the circle was apparently measured in this way. Assuming they were correct with respect to the circle, it necessarily follows that their measurements of the octagon are incorrect, because the given diameter is 15 meters too short and the area is 1.2 hectares too small, 20.0 hectares being the actual surface. Theoidy parts of this group that we note here are the great circle and the connected square.

These works are situated on the general level of the Scioto valley, designated by Squier and Davis "the second terrace," which stands about 30 feet above the river level. The walls of the circle and square are still very distinct, and with the with the exception of a single break in the circle it is easily traced The circle is more M-orn, tlie western half averaging about 2 feet in height, while the eastern half is lower, and disappears for a short distance near the north-east corner of the square.

They are located close to the base of the cliff that forms the slope to the upper part. As will be seen from the plate in Ancient Monuments, here, instead of a passage between the circle and the square, the two are in indirect contact, part of the circular wall forming a large part of the northern line of science forms.

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VIII, xvbieh represents the square according to the resurvey, which form is given in Ancient Monuments, PI. The circular enclosure (PI.IX) differs considerably from a true figure, the east and west diameters being 1.01S feet, while the running north and south proper are 900 feet, and the difference between the two of them is 58 feet. The notes showing the position of the arm /// leading to the hair circle arc as follows:.

2G GEOMETRICAL EARTHWORKS OF OHIO

JBAUM WORKS. 27 For the arm leading' to large circle (given only in part here) begin at

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PYRAMIDAL MOUND, BAUM WORKS 20 Separating tliis from the superstructure, as vrill be seen by reference

In the case of skeleton no. 1 the tool mentioned was found on the back of the skull: and an incised portion of the shell on the right side. In the case of skeleton no. 2, which was the skeleton of a child about ten years old, a small clay vessel was found 5 centimeters behind the skull. The left arm of skeleton no. 3 was a shell as found among the sand in Paint Creek. In the case of skeleton no. 7 many small half-perforated shell balls and two imi)lements of bone were found directly behind the skull.

the author. the right side of the skull was the complete skull and jaws of a wolf, . and below were two perforated shell ornaments. In the right hand was a shell, such as is found in a nearby stream, while in the .. left was a stone-rimmed wasapipa. It was raised from the ashes with great care, but the weight of its contents and its decayed condition caused it to ... shatter into pieces before it could be returned to its place.

Many other pieces of pottery of a similar character were found in these ashes, and it is not improbable, from the indications, that all this ash was originally put into the ])ota before burial. It was originally covered with a wooden structure. somehow, the cores of two red cedar trees had rested lengthwise on the body, and the charred remains of perhaps two others could be plainly seen on each side lying parallel to those on the body. On her head were found two Iboiie pulses, and right sides near the head were two fragments of polished pipes and a hollow point of bone, which bore unmistakable marks of having been slipped with Jcnife asteli (see Fig.o).

But the wood seemed . that they were nearly all decayed, for only a few small pieces of red cedar could be gathered, and scarcely any trace of the black ash could be seen. Deer and bear bones, deer antlers, conch shells, and numerous lYagments of coarse pottery were found in the western ditch *,)i feet behind the pillar moulds. Fragments of human bones disturbed by the plow were found at a depth corresponding to the highest sand streaks shown in the diagram.

The black walnut log, measuring 4 feet and 5 inches above the general burnt band, was found in a decayed and soaked condition at the point shown in the figure. Beneath this was burnt clay 4 to 5 inches thick, resting on a layer of sand, which at this point was between 2 and 3 inches deep. A hearth somewhat similar to this, but without the double features, lay almost directly below the latter over the general band of burning which has been previously described.

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REMARKS

REMARKS. 33 The nopeton works are situated close to tbe foot of a bluff which over-

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