ly the approaches to them were rugged and steep on all but
one or two sides, and there they are guarded by walls of earth or stone.

A fine example of a fortified hill was discovered in Butler County,
Ohio, a few miles below the town of Hamilton. This hill is the highest
one in the immediate vicinity. By reference to the figure, we see that
on all sides, except towards the north, the approach was steep and
precipitous, almost inaccessible.

Illustration of Fortified Hill, Hamilton, Ohio.--------

The wall is not of regular shape. It runs around on the very brow of the
hill, except in one or two places, where it cuts across a ridge. In 1843
this wall was still about five feet high and thirty-five feet base. The
earth and stone of which the wall is made were evidently gathered up
from the surface of the hill. In some places holes had been excavated,
probably for the double purpose of securing materials for the wall, and
providing reservoirs for water against a time of need. There are but
four openings in the wall, and each is very carefully guarded. The
complicated walls guarding the main entrance to the north are especially
noticeable. There are no less than four inner walls besides the crescent
shaped embankment on the outside. The signal mound was about five
hundred feet to the north of the main opening. The stones on the surface
of the mound all show the action of fire.

If we were uncertain of the uses of the other class of inclosures, which
have been named Sacred Inclosures, we have no need to hesitate as to the
character of this work. Every thing in reference to it betokens that it
was a defensive work. The valley of the Big Miami, in which it occurs,
was a favorite resort of the Mound Builders. On the opposite side of the
river, to the south, was a square and an ellipse combined, and several
other large works were ranged along the river in the course of a few
miles. We need scarcely doubt that this was a citadel in times of need,
and that when warning columns of smoke or flaming fires showed the
approach of an enemy, the old and the sick, the women and the children,
fled hither for protection, while the warriors went forth to battle for
their homes.

We will call attention to but one more of these fortified hills, but
this is on a magnificent scale. It is known as Fort Ancient, and
is situated on the Little Miami River, about forty miles east of
Cincinnati. It was not only a fort, but was also a fortified