found the
baked earth, charcoal, and ashes of ancient fires, and around
these and beneath the rims [that is, the surrounding ring or
embankment] split bones and fresh-water shells. Often mingled
with this refuse material are rude stone implements and fragments
of pottery.

Note is made of

the similarity in the size, form, and general appearance of these
depressions and earthen rings to those of the earth lodges of the
abandoned Mandan towns along the Missouri River.

It appears, too, that certain sites were occupied for long periods,
new houses being constructed when necessary. In describing mounds in
Poinsett County, Arkansas, the same writer says (p. 205) that

The positions and relations of these beds * * * make it evident
that upon the site of one burned dwelling another was usually
constructed, not infrequently a third, and sometimes even a
fourth, the remains of each being underlaid and usually overlaid
in part by very dark, adhesive clay or muck. * * *

The peculiar black color of these beds is chiefly in consequence
of the large proportion of charcoal with which they are mixed,
some of it doubtless the fine particles of burned grass and reed
matting with which the cabins appear to have been thatched.

These layers of "very dark" material undoubtedly are remains of mud
from the adjacent swamps, which was mixed with or plastered over the
grass roofs. It is difficult to understand how they could have become
mixed after the burning.

As showing the extent to which this prolonged occupancy was carried,
we are informed (p. 254) that in Coahoma County, Mississippi, a mound
was--

oval and rounded on top, 210 feet long, 150 broad at the base,
and 16 feet high. This mound and several smaller ones near it are
so nearly masses of fire beds, burnt clay, fragments of stone and
pottery, together with more or less charcoal and ashes, as to
indicate clearly that they are the sites of ancient dwellings
thus elevated by accumulation of material during long continued
occupancy.

In still other portions of the country besides those already mentioned
are evidences of similar houses whose sites are now marked by mounds.
In southern Ohio, especially, records of excavations contain numerous
references to post holes under mounds both large and small. In the
case of the former, so far as we may judge from the reports, the
houses were destroyed before th