GIANTS OF OTHER DAYS.Highland County
Recent Discoveries Near Serpent Mound, Ohio.
From the Indianapolis Journal.
Farmer Warren Cowen of Hillsborough, Ohio, while fox hunting recently discovered several ancient graves. They were situated on a high point of land in Highland County, Ohio, about a mile from the famous Serpent Mound, where Prof. Putnam of Harvard made interesting discoveries. As soon as the weather permitted, Cowen excavated several of these graves. The graves were made of large limestone slabs, two and a half to three feet in length and a foot wide. These were set on edge about a foot apart. Similar slabs covered the graves. A single one somewhat larger was at the head and another at the foot. The top of the grave was two feet below the present surface. Upon opening one of the g
raves a skeleton upward of six feet in length was brought to light. There was a number of stone hatchets, beads, and ornaments of peculiar workmanship near the right arm. Several large spear and arrow heads among the ribs gave evidence that the warrior had died in battle.
In another grave was the skeleton of a man equally large. The right leg had been broken during life, and the bones had grown together. The protuberences at the point of union was as large as an egg, and the limb was bent like a bow. At the feet lay a skull of some enemy or slave. Several pipes and pendants were near the shoulders.
In the other graves Cowen made equally interesting finds. It seems that this region was populated by a fairly intelligent people, and that the Serpent Mound was an object of worship. Near the graves is a large field in which broken implements, fragments of pottery, and burned stones give evidence of a pre historic village site.
NYT March 5 1894 (Giants of Other Days)