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1923]         Jones: Mound Excavations Near Stockton        121

               cutting, four human skeletons were found 8 inches below the surface
               of this bottom soil and in dirt that was as hard and compact as the
               soil on either side or below. The soil gave no indication of ever having
               been disturbed, and the unbroken strata above furnished conclusive
               evidence that the burials were not intrusive. These skeletons9 lay
              parallel anld close together, occupying a lateral space of 5 feet; nothing
              whatever was buried with them, and careful search for a considerable
               distance around the bones failed to disclose any artificial product.
               With the exception of one,10 which was huddled up with the legs
               flexed upon the abdomen, the bodies had all been buried extended,
               lying upon the face, with the head turned slightly to the left; the
               axis of all wvas NE-SW, with the heads to the NE. Great difficulty
              was experienced in removing these bones owing to the toughness of
              the soil and their great frangibility; but some of them were success-
               fully obtained intact.
                  These four skeletons are probably the oldest human remains that
               have thus far been found in the vicinity, and the presence of the
               several unbroken strata above them would seem to indicate that a
               considerable period had elapsed since their burial."1
                  Numerous trenches and prospect holes, dug at almost all other
               parts of the mound, failed to locate anything more than mixed bones
              showing previous excavations, with an occasional implement, hammer-
               stone, pestle, or awl.  Work was therefore abandoned and camp
              broken on August 15, 1900.


                              THE CLAY BALLS AND POTTERY
                  So far as I am aware, the baked clay balls have been found only
              in the vicinity of Stockton; but in the miounds, camp sites, and refuse
              heaps hereabout they are very common.   They seem to be of two
              general sorts: first, those which are perfectly plain, rough, and evi-
               dently moulded by the hands, generally of a dark brown color, and
              showing repeated heating; second, specimens of various forms, simply
               ornamented. These are relatively few in comparison with the first
               class, are of a lighter color, and generally show no signs of having
              been used. Barr has gathered these for some years. I have carefully
               examined all of his specimens.

                 9 Numbers 3, 4, 5, 9 of the field notes, of which the first three have the perma-
              nent Museum numbers 12-11, 12-12, and 12-13.
                 IO Number 12-11.
                 11 They do not show any significant difference from other skulls from the Stock-
              ton area in the Universitv Museum, either in appearance or measurements.-Ed.
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