Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 22.djvu/165

 SHETRONE] CULTURE PROBLEM IN OHIO ARCHAEOLOGY 153

as yet been determined. In a general way their territory may be defined as embracing the valleys of the Miamis and the Scioto, southward from central Ohio to the Ohio river, and down that waterway, on either side, almost or quite to the Mississippi.

Although overshadowed by the Hopewell group, as regards esthetic development and geometrically formed earthworks, the Fort Ancient peoples have to their credit two earthworks, each of which is the most striking of its class in the mound region if not of the continent Serpent Mound, in Adams county, and Fort Ancient, in Warren county and the most extensive prehistoric village site, located near Madisonville, Hamilton county. Of the mounds proper, to this great culture apparently are to be attributed a larger percentage of the state's total of more than 3500 than to all other cultures combined, while the greater number of the so- called hill-top enclosures or fortifications are also attributable to the group. The mounds of this group vary from almost imper- ceptible elevations to those of medium and large size and are more or less conical in form. With but few exceptions they were purely mortuary in purpose. While they usually occur in proximity to camp or habitation sites, they are not uncommonly found isolated from other evidences of occupation.

Burial customs of the group were the simplest possible. When interment was made in mounds the bodies seldom were provided with prepared graves, but were hastily and carelessly deposited upon or above the base line. When interment was made below the original surface, graves, of course, were dug. Bark coverings, rarely stone-lined graves, with an occasional clay vessel or other personal possession, were the only material tributes accorded the dead. Burial outside the mounds was in shallow graves, either in desig- nated burial grounds or in any chance spot, as beneath or adjacent to the domicile of the departed.

As an index to the culture complex of the Fort Ancient group, there may be enumerated these several traits, not altogether unique but at least characteristic, in a comparison with the remain- ing groups of the area. Village dwellers, preeminent; mound- buildirig, extensive; abundant manufacture and use of pottery;

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