The Mound-Builders

Chapter V: The Mound-Builder Burial Complex

CHAPTER V THE MOUND-BUILDER BURIAL COMPLEX The concept of a hereafter-Modes of disposing of the dead-Burial in ordinary graves and cemeteries--Mound interment and its accompanying rites--The practice of cremation-Sacrifices to the dead and to deities-Human interest recorded in burials--Human skulls as burial trophies. L IFE, death, and the hereafter constitute a mighty trinity in human affairs, regardless of culture status, resthetic or material. The complex embraces and influences every human concept, from beginning to end; hence the vast body of associated ritualism is no more than in keeping with its importance. Life-or rather birth, as the inception of life-continues to be a miracle, as death is the greatest human calamity, to be compensated for only in a hereafter. THE CONCEPT OF A HEREAFTER The nature of the ceremonies attending birth among the Mound-builders, we can only surmise through study of the rites observed by the historic Indians and other peoples of comparable attainment. The awe of death, however, and its inseparably associated concept of a hereafter find material expression in burials of the ancient mounds and cemeteries and in the minor artifacts interred with the dead. Zealous observance of funeral rites, linked with ceremonial procedures which can only be interpreted as having to do with belief in a future existence, are strikingly in evidence in the archreology of the mound region. That these rites and observances for the dead and the hereafter predominated over concern for the living clearly appears when we contrast the imposing tombs and the burials they cover with the scant remains of domiciliary structures . 85 86 THE MOUND-BUILDERS FIG. 37. A CREMATED AND AN UNCREMATED BURIAL SIDE BY SIDE From the Seip Mound, Ross County, Ohio. The countless burial mounds, and to a less extent the ceremonial earthworks, constitute the major evidence of this solicitude for the dead. The amazing expenditure of energy and labor in erecting these structures is not to be fully accounted for by the sentiment of respect and reverence for the departed; the concept that all does not end with death is clearly indicated . The erection of earth coverings over carefully prepared graves is almost instinctive, but the placing with the dead of personal ornaments, implements, and utensils, and with important personages of ceremonial artifacts, indicates anticipated needs in an after-life. Study and interpretation of the burial THE MOUND-BUILDER BURIAL COMPLEX 87 mounds and cemeteries has revealed burial customs which bring the Mound-builders very close to us in human interest. MODES OF DISPOSING OF THE DEAD Classification of the modes of disposing of the dead in the mound area is somewhat difficult. To begin with the corpse itself, archreological evidence shows that prior to disposal the remains might or might not be cremated, depending upon local custom. In either case it is assumed that burial of some sort was accorded, although it is conceivable that burial of cremated bodies might at times be considered superfluous and the ashes or charred bones might be "scattered to the four winds," analogous to a somewhat rare present-day custom. From the abundant cremated burials within the mounds, however , it does not appear that any particular distinction was made between cremated and noncremated remains in burial observances or in the form of the grave provided. Besides these alternative modes of preparing bodies for burial, a third was the widespread practice of removing the FIG. 38. A REBURIAL OR BUNDLE BURIAL Only a portion of the skeleton was present in this grave. Note the bear skull alongside the human skull. From the Feurt villag·e site, Scioto County, Ohio. 88 THE MOUND-BUILDERS flesh from the bones before interment. This practice may have been largely due to the exigencies of transporting the remains of those who died at a distance from their homes to their final burial places; sanitary considerations and the difficulties of transport would be factors influencing such a custom. Not infrequently the bones of skeletons that were denuded of flesh before burial are found painted or covered with ocher, hematite , or other mineral pigment as a ceremonial or funerary FIG. 39. A GROUP BURIAL In the Dickson Mound, Lewistown, Illinois. More than three hundred skeletons were buried here. Courtesy of Dr. Don F. Dickson. rite. Closely analogous are the so-called "bundle" burials, likewise of frequent occurrence, in which the bones, often only the longer ones and...