62936. Fragment of a large Busycon perversum.
62942. Teeth of the bear, and possibly of the horse found near the surface of one of the mounds.
[ COLLECTIONS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY.]
[ MOUND ON FAIN'S ISLAND.]
This mound is located on the east end of the island. Although it has been under cultivation for many years, it is still 10 feet in height. The circumference at the base is about 100 feet. Near the surface a bed of burned clay was encountered, in which were many impressions of poles, sticks, and grass. This was probably the remains of the roof of a house, which had been about 16 feet long by 15 feet in width. The bed of clay was about 4 inches thick. Beneath this was a layer of charcoal and ashes, with much charred cane. There were also indications of charred posts, which probably served as supports to the roof. Four feet below the surface were found the remains of thirty-two human skeletons. With the exception of seventeen skulls, none of the bones could be preserved. There seems to have been no regularity in the placing of the bodies.
[ ARTICLES OF CLAY.]
The fragments of pottery from this mound are unusually large and well preserved, and exhibit a number of varieties of form and ornamentation.
Forms.—The prevailing form is a pot-shaped vase, with wide mouth, and rounded body; the neck is short and straight or but slightly constricted. The handles or ears which connect the upper part of the neck with the shoulder are in some cases as much as 3 inches wide. The bowls are mostly hemispherical, but in a few cases have incurved lips, the shoulder being rounded and the base somewhat flattened. The largest specimens have been 11 or 12 inches in diameter. The vases have been somewhat larger.
Material.—Classified by material, there seem to be two varieties, one with a very large percentage of coarsely pulverized shell material, the other without visible dégraissant. The clay is usually fine and apparently without admixture of sand or other impurities. A little comminuted mica may be seen in some cases.