The Prehistoric World; Or, Vanished RacesAllen, Emory Adams
History
The Prehistoric World; Or, Vanished Races
Allen, Emory Adams
Archaeology; Indians; Prehistoric peoples
The gateways of the smaller square were guarded by mounds, which
were wanting in the larger one. We would call especial attention
to the two embankments which led from the larger square towards
the river. They were six hundred and eighty feet long, and one
hundred and fifty feet apart.70 Some have supposed these walls
were designed to furnish a covered way to the river. But as Mr.
Squier remarks, we would hardly expect the people to go to the
trouble of making such a wide avenue for this purpose, nor one
with such a regular grade. Besides, the walls did not reach the
river. The work seems to be simply a passage way, leading from
one terrace to the other, but why the builders should have made
such a massive work, we can not explain. It has been called the
“Sacred Way,” and this name may possibly be applicable, but it is
only conjectural. Some twenty years ago these two massive and
beautiful embankments were still preserved, thanks to the care of
the early settlers, who planned a street to pass between them,
which was named the _Via Sacra._ These words still remain on a
corner signboard; but alas for sentiment! the banks, so long
revered, have been utilized for brick-working.
Graded Way, Piketon, Ohio.
Several instances of these graded streets or ways have been found
in connection with the Mound Builders’ works. Sometimes they lead
from one terrace to another, sometimes directly to the water. One
of the latter kind formerly existed near Piqua, Ohio.71 This cut
is a view of a graded way near Piketon, Ohio. In this case,
though the difference in level between the second and third
terrace is but seventeen feet, these ancient people laid out a
graded ascent some ten hundred and eighty feet long, by two
hundred and ten feet average width. The earth was thrown out on
either side, forming embankments. From the left hand embankments,
passing up to the third terrace, there could formerly be traced a
low embankment running for fifteen hundred feet, and connected
with mounds and other walls at its extremity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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