ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES 
IX 
GEORGIA. 
BY 
CHARLES C. JONES, Jr. 
REPRINTED FROM THE SMITHSONIAN REPORT FOR 1877. 
WASHINGTON: 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1 8 7 8. With PIimentsof 
Charles C. Jones, Jr., 
Augusta, Georgia. ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES 
IN 
GEORGIA. 
BY 
CHARLES C. JONES, Jr. 
REPRINTED FROM THE SMITHSONIAN REPORT FOR 1877. 
WASHINGTON: 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1 8 7 8. ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA 
Charles C. Jones, Jr. 
I. 
BIRD-SHAPED STONE TUMULI IN PUTNAM COUNTY, GEORGIA. 
The existence of curious effigy-mounds in the southern counties of 
Wisconsin was noted by Mr. Lapham in 1836. Subsequently, Mr. Tay- 
lor, Professor Locke, and Messrs. Squier and Davis furnished additional 
information in regard to the distinctive characteristics of these unusual 
structures. It was reserved, however, for the Smithsonian Institution, 
in the seventh volume of its “ Contributions,” to furnish, from the pen 
of Mr. Lapham, the most complete account of these interesting remains. 
They were quite numerous along the great Indian trail or war-path 
from Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, to the Mississippi above the 
Prairie du Chien. Generally representing men, buffaloes, elks, bears, 
otters, wolves, raccoons, birds, serpents, lizards, turtles, and frogs, in 
some instances they were supposed to typify inanimate objects, such as 
bows and arrows, crosses, and tobacco-pipes. While the outlines of not 
a few had been seriously impaired, others in a spirited and correct man- 
ner declared the objects of their imitation. Constructed of earth, they 
varied in height from 6 inches to 7 feet. In certain localities the 
animals were delineated not in relief blit in intaglio, by excavations 
and not by elevations. 
Two animal mounds have been observed in Ohio. On an elevated spur 
of land near Granville is an earthwork known in the neighborhood as 
the Alligator. Its total length is 250 feet. The head and body, four 
sprawling legs and a curled tail, were all clearly defined. Across the 
body it was 40 feet broad, and the length of the legs was 36 feet. Four 
feet expressed the average height, while at the shoulders the mound 
attained an elevation of 6 feet. It was manifestly the effort of the 
primitive workmen to preserve the proportions of the reptile. 
Situated on a ridge rising 150 feet above Brush Creek, in Adams 
County, is a still more remarkable structure, which, from its configura- 
tion, has received the appellation of the Great Serpent. “Conforming 
to the curve of the hill, and occupying its very summit, is the serpent, 
its head resting near the point and. its body winding back for 700 feet in 
graceful undulations, terminating in a triple coil at the tail.” If ex- * 
tended, its entire length would be not less than 1,000 feet. The em- 4 
ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
bankment is upward of 5 feet high, with a base diameter of 30 feet at 
the center of the body, whence it diminishes somewhat toward the head 
and tail. ‘‘The neck of the serpent is stretched out and slightly curved, 
and its mouth is opened wide, as if in the act of swallowing or ejecting 
an oval figure, which rests partially within the distended jaws.” 
When and by whom these remarkable tumuli were built is not known. 
The object of their construction is equally a matter of conjecture. 
It has been supposed that these animal-shaped mounds existed only in 
Wisconsin and a few other localities in the West. Our recent observa- 
tions prove, however, that the primitive dwellers in the South have left 
similar traces of their constructive skill. 
Six miles and a half north of Eaton ton, in Putnam County, Georgia, 
on a plantation owned by the heirs of the late Mr. I. H. Scott, may 
now be seen a bird-shaped mound of definite configuration. Located 
in the midst of a beautiful wood, and crowning a high ridge near the 
headwaters of Little Glady Creek, it is composed entirely of bowlders of 
white quartz rock, gathered from the adjacent territory. Most of these 
bowlders are of such size that they could have been transported by a 
single individual. For the removal of others two or three persons 
would have been requisite. These bowlders were carefully piled one 
above another, the interstices being filled with smaller fragments of 
milky quartz. Into the composition of the structure enters neither earth 
nor clay. 
FIG. I. 
Scale 40 feet to 1 inch. 
Bird shaped stone mound in Putnam County, Georgia. 
This stone mound represents an eagle lying upon its back, with ex- 
tended wings. (See Fig. 1.) The head is turned toward the east. In 
the construction of this tumulus respect was had to the object imitated; ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
5 
the height of the tumulus at the breast of the bird being betweeu 7 and 
8 feet, its altitude thence decreasing toward the head and beak, where 
it is not more than 2£ feet high, and also toward the extremity of the 
wings and tail, where it has an elevation of scarcely 2 feet The beak 
is decidedly aquiline, and the tail is indented. Measured from the top 
of the head to the extremity of the tail this structure is 102 feet long. 
From tip to tip of the wings, measured across the body, we have a dis- 
tance of 120 feet. The greatest expanse of tail is 38 feet, the same as 
the lateral diameter of the body. The proportions of the head, neck, 
wings, and tail are cleverly preserved. That this tumulus was designed 
to typify an eagle, we think may be affirmed with some degree of con- 
fidence, and that it possesses unusual attractions will not be denied. 
Surrounded by primitive forest and composed of most durable material, 
its antiquity is evidently very considerable. If undisturbed, it will 
preserve its integrity for an indefinite period. 
By some curious persons an attempt was made, years ago, to pry into 
its secrets. A partial opening was effected in the breast, but with what 
results we could not learn. It excites no surprise that the eagle should 
have been selected in ancient times as a symbol of all that was swift, 
powerful, watchful, daring, and noble. Of its feathers was the battle- 
flag of the Creeks made. Their council-lodges were surmounted with 
carved images or stuffed skins of this regal bird. None among the 
Cherokees, save approved warriors, were permitted to wear its plumes. 
To this king of the feathered tribe were religious honors paid by the 
Natchez, who regarded its feathers not simply as ornaments and tro- 
phies, but as marks of dignity and insignia of no common import. 
About a mile and a half from Lawrence’s Ferry, on the Oconee River, 
and situated on a stony ridge near the main road, on the plantation of 
Mr. Kinchen D. Little, in Putnam County, is another of these bird- 
shaped mounds. Like the former, it is composed wholly of bowlders 
of white quartz rock, collected from the hill on which it stands. (See 
Fig. 2.) 
Its dimensions do not materially differ from those of the tumulus on 
the Scott place. The tail, however, is bifurcated. The head of the bird 
lies to the southeast, and its wings are extended in the direction of 
northeast and southwest. The entire length of the structure, from the 
crown of the head to the end of the tail, is 102 feet and 3 inches. 
For a distance of twelve feet the tail is bifurcated, and just above the 
point of bifurcation it is 12 feet wide. Across the body, and from tip 
to tip of the wings, the tape gave us a measurement of 132 feet. The 
body of this bird, which is evidently lying upon its back, is stouter than 
that of the eagle, being 76 feet in diameter. Its wings are relatively 
shorter. The proportions of the head, neck, and tail are tolerably well 
observed. What particular bird this tumulus is designed to typify, we 
are at a loss to suggest. The altitude at the breast is about 5 feet, and 
from that point the structure tapers to the head and tail, which are some 6 
ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
two feet high. At the tips of the wings, which are short and curved, the 
height is not more than a foot and a half. The ridge upon which this 
mound rests has never been cleared. 
FIG. 2. 
Scale 40 feet to 1 inch. 
Bird-shaped stone mound in Putnam County, Georgia. 
Surrounding this bird-shaped tumulus is an inclosure of rocks similar 
to those of which the mound is built. This stone-circle is symmetrical 
in outline, and at its nearest approach passes within a few feet of the 
tips of the wings. 
Crowning the elevated ridges by which this county is traversed, are 
occasional rock-mounds of artificial origin. Usually from 4 to 8 feet 
high, and with base diameters of from 30 to 40 feet, they are circular in 
form, and are composed of the fragments of milky quartz so common 
in the region. Some have been opened, and from them have been taken 
human bones and relics of various sorts. Manifestly such are grave- 
mounds, it being easier in the rocky neighborhood to heap such stone- 
piles above than to cover the dead with earth. Of this class of tumuli 
we instance one on the plantation of Dr. J. T. de Jarnette, 12 miles from 
Eatonton and about a mile from the Oconee River, and another on the 
land owned by Capt. A. S. Reid, four miles from Eatonton and near 
Little River. 
It was intimated by some of the early observers that tumuli of this ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
7 
description were not infrequently temporary in their character, and 
designed as a protection to the dead who perished away from their 
homes, until such time as they could be conveniently removed and carried 
back for interment in the established burial-grounds of the tribe or com- 
munity of which the deceased were members. While it may be true 
that some, and perhaps many of the smaller rock piles so frequent in 
many portions of Cherokee Georgia, may have originated in this way, we 
are of opinion that the substantial structures to which we have, alluded 
are permanent in their character, and were erected as enduring memo- 
rials of the primitive dead of this region. Surely no more lasting mon- 
uments could have been devised at that early period. 
The existence of two distinctly marked bird-shaped mounds, of firm 
construction and excellent proportions, within the territory occupied by 
the Southern tribes, is deeply interesting, and will attract the attention 
of the student of American archaeology. 
II. 
ANCIENT TUMULI ON THE SAVANNAH RIVER, VISITED BY WILLIAM 
BARTRAM, IN 1776. 
Near the close of a spring day in 1776, Mr. William JBartram, who, at 
the request of Dr. Fothergill, of London, had been for some time study- 
ing the flora of Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, forded Broad River just 
above its confluence with the Savannah, and became the guest of the 
commanding officer at Fort James. This fort was situated on an emi- 
nence in the forks of the Savannah and Broad, equidistant from those 
rivers, and from the extreme point of land formed by their union. Fort 
Charlotta was located about a mile below, on the left bank of the Sa- 
vannah. The stockade of Fort James was an acre in extent. 
Attended by the polite surgeon of the garrison, Bartram made an 
excursion up the Savannah River, “to inspect some remarkable Indian 
monuments,” four or five miles above the fort. Of them he writes as 
follows: “ These wonderful labors of the ancients stand in a level plain 
very near the bank of the river, now 20 or 30 yards from it. They con- 
sist of conical mounts of earth, and four square terraces, &c. The great 
mount is in the form of a cone, about 40 or 50 feet high, and the cir- 
cumference of its base two or three hundred yards, entirely composed 
of the loamy, rich earth of the low grounds; the top or apex is flat; a 
spiral path or track leading from the ground up to the top is still visi- 
ble, wThere now grows a large, beautiful spreading red cedar {Juniperus 
Americana). There appear four niches excavated out of the sides of the 
hill, at different heights from the base, fronting the four cardinal points 5 
these niches or sentry-boxes are entered from the winding path, and 
seem to have been meant for resting places or lookouts. The circum- 
jacent grounds are cleared and planted with Indian corn at present, 8 
ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
and I think the proprietor of these lands, who accompanied us to this 
place, said that the mount itself yielded above one hundred bushels in 
one season. The land hereabouts is indeed exceeding fertile and pro- 
ductive.” 
Pig. 1. 
Unable satisfactorily to determine the precise object the aborigines 
had in contemplation in the erection of this striking monument, he 
hazards the conjecture that the Indians formerly possessed a town on 
the river bank, and raised this mound as 11 a retreat and refuge in case 
of inundations, which are unforeseen, and surprise them very suddenly, 
spring and autumn.” 
What were the uses of the smaller elevations he does not suggest. 
Wishing to note the changes which might have occurred during the 
past hundred years, we visited these tumuli a few weeks since. The 
attendant mounds, which are mainly grave-mounds, had been materially 
Ancient tumuli on the Savannah River. ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
9 
wasted by the plowshare and the influences of the varying seasons. 
The tetragon terraces had lost their distinctive outlines, and were little 
more than gentle elevations ; their surfaces littered with sherds of pot- 
tery and flint chips, and occasionally with fragments of human bones. 
Freshets had sadly marred the level of the adjacent space. Overleaping 
the river bank, the turbid waters had carved deep pathways in the sur- 
face of the valley on both sides of the u great mount.” There it re- 
mained, however, wholly unaffected by these unusual currents. It had 
evidently suffered no perceptible diminution in its recorded dimensions. 
The Savannah River still pursued its long-established channel, but “ the 
four niches or sentry-boxes,” if they formerly existed, were entirely gone, 
and of “ the spiral path or track leadiDg from the ground up to the top ” 
we could discover no trace. On the south a roadway, about 15 feet 
wide and commencing at a point some distance from the base of the 
mound, leads with a regular grade to the top. This manifestly fur- 
nished the customary means of ascent, as the sides are too precipitous 
for convenient climbing. This feature seems to have escaped Mr. Bar- 
tram’s observation. 
Fig. 2. 
Not having been cultivated for many years, the apex and sides of this 
truncated cone are now clothed in a luxuriant growth of trees and 
swamp cane. Attired in such attractive garb, this tumulus forms a 
marked object iu the profile of the valley from which it springs. Proofs 
of long-continued occupancy, by the aborigines, of the adjacent territory 
are abundant. Ancient burial-places, the sites of old villages, traces 
of open-air work-shops for the manufacture of implements of jasper, 
quartz, chert, greenstone, and soapstone, refuse piles, and abandoned 
fishing resorts, are by no means infrequent along both banks of the Sa- 
vannah River for many miles. Upon the advent of the European the 
Ancient tumuli on the Savannah River. 10 
ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
circumjacent valley was found cleared aud in cultivation b}’ the red 
men, who here had fixed abodes and were associated in considerable 
numbers. The Southern tribes, in the sixteenth century, subsisted 
largely upon maize, beans, pumpkins, and melons. These they planted, 
tended, and harvested regularly. Of their agricultural labors at the 
dawn of the historic period we have full accounts. 
So vast are the proportions of this largest mound that we are per- 
suaded it rises beyond the dignity of an artificial place of retreat, eleva- 
tion for chieftain-lodge, or mound of observation. 
It appears entirely probable that it was a temple-mound, built for sun- 
worship, and that it forms one of a well-ascertained series of similar 
structures still extant within the limits of the Southern States. These 
Florida tribes, as they were called in the days of De Soto, worshiped the 
sun and were frequently engaged in the labor of mound-building. Over 
them ruled kings who exercised powers well-nigh despotic. Often were 
the concentrated labors of the nation directed to the accomplishment of 
allotted tasks. Hence, within the territory occupied by these people, 
we find many traces of early constructive skill of unusual magnitude. 
The material employed in erecting this large tumulus differs from the 
soil of the surrounding bottom. It is a dark-colored, tenacious clay, 
while the surface of the valley is covered with a micaceous loam readily 
dissolving into an almost impalpable powder. Near by are no traces 
of pits or excavations. Nor are there indications that any earth was 
scraped up around the base. These facts afforded confirmation of the 
statement made by the present owner of the plantation upon which 
these tumuli are located, that the big mound had been built with clay 
brought from the Carolina side of the Savannah River. There clay 
abounds ; and we were informed that in the side of the hill immediately 
opposite, the excavations may still be seen whence the tough material 
was obtained for heaping up this mound. This tumulus is one of the 
finest within the limits of Georgia, and should be classed with the 
truncated pyramids on Tumlin’s plantation in the Etowah Valley, with 
the largest of the East Macon mounds, and with that frustrum of a four- 
sided pyramid on Messier’s place, in Early County. 
III. 
ANCIENT TUMULI ON THE OCONEE RIVER. 
About a mile and a half north of the Fontenoy Mills, in Greene 
County, Georgia, and located on the left bank of the Oconee River, are 
three tumuli surrounded by traces of extensive and long-continued in- 
humations. The largest (A) is situated rather more than 100 yards 
east of the river, and rises about 40 feet above the level of the valley. 
In general outline it may be described as a truncated cone. Its apex ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
11 
diameters, measured north and south, and east and west, were respect- 
ively, 65 and 68 feet. At the base, however, the flanks are extended in 
the direction of the east and west to such a degree that there is a differ- 
ence of 35 feet between the base-diameters running north and south, 
and east and west; the former being 133 feet and the latter 168 feet. At 
the center of the top may be seen a circular depression, some 20 feet wide 
Ancient tumuli on the Oconee Hirer. 
and 2 feet deep. Toward the north the face of this tumulus is quite 
precipitous. When first observed by the European, this monument 
was covered with a growth of trees as dense and apparently as old as 
that of the circumjacent lowlands. When the neighboring fields were 
cleared, this mound was also denuded of its vegetation and cultivated, 
its rich surface yielding generous harvests both of corn and cotton. 
Although now overgrown with brambles and small trees, which materi- 
ally retarded minute inspection, it appeared quite probable from the 
scars on the surface of the valley in the immediate vicinity, that some 
severe freshet years ago impinged upon the northern base of this mound 
and carried away a considerable portion of its northern flank. 
Bather more than 100 yards to the north of this tumulus, and trend- 
ing to the northwest, is an irregularly shaped excavation (B), at present 
from 10 to 15 feet deep and partially filled with water, from which the 
earth used in the construction of these tumuli was obtained. 
As yet no attempt has been made to open the large mound, but 12 
ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
against its eastern face the overflowing waters of the Oconee at one 
time dashed, wearing it away for some distance and leaving there a 
perpendicular front of 10 feet or more. Here were disclosed human 
bones, the skeletons of dogs, and large beads made of the columns of 
the Strombus gigas. If this partial revelation be accepted as indicative 
of the general contents of the tumulus, it should be classed as a huge 
grave-mound. We decline, however, adopting this conclusion without 
further information. It may be that the remains and relics then un- 
earthed belonged to later and secondary interments. Instances of this 
sort, as we well know, are of frequent occurrence. 
Two hundred yards to the south is an elliptical grave-mound (C), not 
more than 4 feet high, but covering a considerable area. This struct- 
ure, in the direction of its major axis, is about 150 feet long. Its minor 
axis is two-thirds less. The surface and neighborhood abound with 
human bones, sherds of pottery, fragments of pipes, shell-beads, muscle- 
shells, and various other relics. Across a shallow lagoon, and 250 yards 
southeast of the large tumulus, is a third mound (I)), well preserved, 10 
feet high, and quite level at the top. In every direction, except where 
it looks toward the north, its sides slope gently. Having been constantly 
cultivated for many years, this structure has encountered no inconsid- 
erable waste. At the base its north and south diameter was 100 feet. 
Measured at right angles, the other diameter was 88 feet. Similar meas- 
urements across the top indicated 50 feet and 40 feet. To the east, 
west, and south, are traces of spurs or graded ways for easy ascent. 
This mound occupies a central and commanding position in the mid- 
dle of a fertile alluvial field of fifty acres. Although its contents are 
unknown, we conceived the impression that it was designed as an eleva- 
tion for a chieftain’s lodge, since the Spanish historians mention the 
existence of artificial tumuli erected for this purpose. Around the base, 
and for a considerable distance on every hand, are traces of primitive 
occupancy, all persuading us of the fact that, in former times, this tum- 
ulus was surrounded by the dwellings f people who had here fixed 
their home. 
The space adjacent to the large tumulus (A), to the extent of some 
four acres, appears to have been largely, if not exclusively, dedicated to 
the purposes of sepulture. Every freshet which sweeps over this area 
uncovers human skeletons, disposed in every direction only a few ftet 
below the surface. So thoroughly and frequently has this territory been 
torn by freshets that it has lost its original level, and now exhibits on 
every hand heaps of broken pottery, quantities of human bones, and 
fragments of various articles of use, sport, and ornament. The freshet 
of 1840 was the first, so far as we can learn, which in a marked manner 
invaded the precincts of this ancient burial ground. Upon the subsi- 
dence of the waters many wTere attracted to the spot by the multitude 
of terra-cotta vessels, human bones, shell-beads, pipes, discoidal stones, 
grooved axes, celts, and other objects of primitive manufacture. One ABORIGINAL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA. 
13 
gentleman collected nearly a quart of pearls which had been perforated 
and worn as beads. The plantation negroes supplied themselves with 
clay pipes then unearthed. In the possession of not a few of them were 
seen strong clay vessels, thence obtained, which they used for boiling 
soap. Large calumets and other objects of special interest were secured 
by the curious and carried to their homes, where, for a season, they 
formed matter for speculation and idle talk, and in the end were either 
lost or broken. Subsequent inundations have brought to light similar 
proofs of sepulture and early manufacture, but this treasure-house has 
been so often visited and so carefully searched that its present yield 
falls far short of that which was encountered when the Harrison freshet 
invaded this place of the dead. 
It is a sad fact that the denudation of the banks of these southern 
streams and the destruction of extensive forests in reducing wild lauds 
to a state of cultivation have proved the proximate causes of serious in- 
jury to, and often of the total demolition of, many prominent and inter- 
esting aboriginal structures. 
On the right bank of the Oconee Biver, about a mile and a half above 
its confluence with the Appalachee Biver, situated in the low grounds 
of the plantation of Mr. Thomas P. Saffold, is a circular earth mound 
some 20 feet high, covering about the eighth of an acre. The sides are 
sloping, as in the case of other conical mounds along the line of this 
river, but the peculiarity which distinguishes it from its companions is 
that around the apex stout earth walls were raised to the height of sev- 
eral feet, thus causing a depressed or guarded top. 
Near the banks of the Appalachee Biver, in Morgan County, may still 
be seen occasional artificial pits, some 4 feet in depth and G feet or more 
in diameter. Upon removing the debris of leaves and earth with which 
they are filled, their bottoms and sides indicate the influence of long- 
continued and intense fires. Fragments of pottery also occur in them. 
It would seem that they constituted a sort of rude oven in which the 
Indians baked their clay vessels. 
We might multiply instances of tumuli still extant in the valleys of 
the Oconee and its tributaries, but having already described and figured 
those in East Macon and its vicinity,* enough has probably been said 
to convey an intelligent idea of the aboriginal monuments of this sec- 
tion. 
* Antiquities of the Southern Indians, &c., p. 158 et ueq., New York, 1873.