Burial Excavations
In May, 1935, Monroe Dodd, Jr., found a small intact vessel ([Fig. 4], O) in hog rootings on the crest of Hill 2, which had been left uncultivated and put into pasturage that year. Excavations exposed within a radius of two to three feet a cluster of nine pottery vessels ([Fig. 3], Nos. V-94-102), three of which were intact and four largely so. Included are vessels shown in [Figure 4], B, C, F, K, N, O, and R. Vessels which are not illustrated are two broken bottles (probably hit by the plow), one Hickory Fine Engraved and an untyped engraved ware with interlocking spirals. All of the vessels were within two feet of the surface, as were burials 1 and 2 ([Fig. 3]), male and female adults lying fully extended and supine, with heads turned to left and right, respectively. The pottery deposit could have related to either or both of these. Two Alba points were found to the side of Burial 1.
On weekend trips between May and November, 1935, with permission of the owner, we worked out the remainder of the burials; see [Figure 3]. As a result either of our inexperience or of the way the burials had been placed, we were not sure of pit outlines and of which skeletons were associated. All occurred at a depth of two to three feet from the surface, although disturbed soil continued to a depth of three to three and a half feet and in a few places to four feet. It was my impression, as recorded in notes, that burials 1 and 2 were together and that burials 5, 3-4, 6-8 and 11-13, and 9-10 represented interment groups.
Burials 3 and 4 were side by side and undoubtedly placed together. Both were supine and fully extended, except that the left arm of Burial 3 was abducted and flexed at right angles. Heads were directed almost south, that of 3 with face upward; the skull of Burial 4 was turned to the right. Both were adults, Burial 3 a female, 4 a male. A large, intact bottle ([Fig. 4], A) was two feet above the heads and a small bowl ([Fig. 4], I) was in fragments to the left of the skull of Burial 3.
Between this group and Burial 2 we found a skull and several long bones in an irregular bundle ([Fig. 3], Burial 5). There were no associated artifacts.
Fig. 3. Burials on Hill 2 of Smithport Landing Site. Vessel numbers are catalog numbers. Left arm of B-3 shown incorrectly; it should be abducted and flexed.
Burials 6 to 8 were about a foot apart, on the same level, and were thought to be a single interment. Heads were directed north, all turned towards the left side, and the bodies were supine and extended, except that the left arm of Burial 6 was flexed, with the hand lying over a pottery vessel above the head of Burial 7 ([Fig. 3]). This vessel, an intact cylindrical jar of the type Kiam Incised ([Fig. 4], D) was the only offering. Burial 6 was that of a female, age estimated 40-50 years, rather gracile in build. Burial 7 was a child of 13-15 years and Burial 8 was either an adolescent or young adult female.
Burials 11 to 13, found on a subsequent visit, may have been a part of the burial 6-8 interment, as they were at the same depth (three feet), were immediately adjacent, and lay in the same orientation. Burial 11 was a male, supine and extended, with head directed north and turned to the left. Age was estimated at 18-20 years. Burial 12 was a female adult, also supine, fully extended and head directed north but rotated to the right to face Burial 11. Burial 13 was a female adult, lying across and directly on the previous two, with head directed just north of west and face turned upward. No artifacts were with these three.
Burials 9 and 10 were probably associated but separate from the others. They were north of the previous row of burials, with head orientation toward the north, supine, extended, and the feet just above the skulls of burials 6 and 7. Burial 9 had the face upright, and was a child of undetermined age. Burial 10 was of a female adult with head turned to the left, toward 9. Above the skull of Burial 10 there were pottery fragments which were later assembled to form vessels 130, 133, and 134 ([Fig. 4], H, E, and G, respectively) and a toy bottle ([Fig. 4], P). To the left of the skull of Burial 9 there were three small vessels, two plain bowls, and a fingernail-pinched cup ([Fig. 4], L, M, Q).
In November, 1935, a final burial (not shown in [Fig. 3]) was found, six feet east of burials 12 and 13. This was of a male adult, turned on the right side with legs partially flexed and the head directed to southeast. No artifacts were associated.
Measurements were made on three intact skulls. That of Burial 6, adult female, had a circumference of 47 cm., glabella to occipital protuberance 27 cm., and zygoma to zygoma 30 cm. The skull of Burial 10, adult female, had circumference of 46.8 cm., glabella to occipital protuberance 28.5 cm., and zygoma to zygoma 31 cm. That of Burial 14, adult male, had circumference of 49.5 cm., glabella to occipital protuberance 29.2 cm., and zygoma to zygoma 30.5 cm.