Miscellaneous Papers Relating to Anthropology/Mounds in Barren and Allen Counties, Kentucky
MOUNDS IN BARREN AND ALLEN COUNTIES, KENTUCKY.
By R. B. Evans.
I. Mounds in Allen County.— The figures in the text refer to the accompanying map. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are mounds on Barren River, and near the mouth of Routon's Creek. They are inclosed in one corner of a cultivated field, though covered thickly with large trees. No. 5 was explored about fifty years ago, and some stone implements and a silver pipe were found. The author does not know what became of them. About two years ago he thoroughly examined No. 1, and discovered many large bones, which, however, were much decayed. The vault was 10 feet deep from the top of the mound, and 8 feet in diameter. It was round, and walled up with stones like a well. Every 2 feet was a layer of large flat rocks, and between these layers were human remains. The bottom was made of stones laid edgewise, and, being keyed in with small stones, was consequently very tight. Old farmers in the neighborhood say that Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 have never been excavated. No. 6 is a cluster of graves which were formed of stones placed edgewise. Some of the graves are long and others short, the longest being 8 feet and the shortest 2£ feet in extent. The author opened one and found some human bones in a very decayed state.
II. Mounds in Barren County.—Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are mounds on Barren River, at the mouth of Peter's Creek. From No. 3, the largest, a great many human bones and several stone implements have been taken. The author has one specimen of the latter. Nos. 1 and 2 are not so large, and have never been explored. They have been seen by Professor Putnam, of Cambridge. The mounds are bare of timber. No. 3 is now used as a graveyard by J. F. Jewell, the owner of the land.
III. Ancient town and cemetery in Barren County, Kentucky.—The accompanying diagram, Plan II, represents the location and details of an aboriginal town and burying-ground on the Barren River, in Barren County, Kentucky. The work occupies a bluff 60 feet high. The six teen circular figures are lodge sites, partly raised on the outer rim and deposed in the center. In the center of each, a foot beneath the surface, were found coals, the grain of the wood being easily distinguished as oak and poplar. The diameters of these rings average about 18 feet. The other figures represent mounds. These works are now in the virgin forest. One of the mounds was opened by the author, but a detailed account of the exploration will have to be deferred.
Plan 2.