Two recent burials have been made in this mound, so that our digging in it
was somewhat restricted. Aboriginal burials in numbers were reached almost
at once by trial-holes, which showed the mound to be composed approximately
of a superficial layer of dark soil mingled with organic matter and quantities of
fragments of mussel-shells. Below this layer was a stratum of light-brown clay,
2 feet 8 inches in depth, which showed no admixture indicating former aboriginal
occupancy. Below the clay was a stratum 1 foot 8 inches in depth containing
organic matter and broken mussel-shells, but to a less extent than did the super-
ficial layer. Below this was undisturbed clay.
This mound, then, had been a dwelhng-site ; had been increased in size
and then had been occupied for a further period as a place of abode. The
burials had all been made from the top layer into the stratum of clay below it.
42 ABORIGINAL SITES IN LOUISIANA AND IN ARKANSAS.
and could be easily traced by means of the black soil introduced into the clay
from above.
The burials from this place were of the kind we have just described in con-
nection with the mound at the mouth of Fool river, which is some miles below
Indian bayou, having been burials at length, with loose bones around them, and
irregular piles of bones of considerable extent. In all, forty-four skulls, two of
which had belonged to children, were encountered, in poor condition.
With one burial were: a small undecorated bowl; a pot of moderate size,
having by way of decoration a few vertical and diagonal incised hnes. The
bowl rested on a disk of ferruginous sandstone, 2.5 inches in diameter, pitted on
each side.
