II. Modes of burial practiced by the aborigines of Americas Stone graves

III. Mounds, fortifications, and earthworks, Stone-grave burial mounds, Sacrificial and burial mounds.

IV. Earthworks on the Big Harpeth River

V. Earthworks on West Harpeth and Big Harpeth Rivers Earthworks at Old-Town

VI. The Stone Fort and other aboriginal remains, Aboriginal remains in Maury County, Relics from the mounds and stone-graves Stone, and clay images Shell, pearl, and copper ornaments Aboriginal rock-paintings, Pipes, Weapons, Implements of stone, Stone and earthenware vessels

VII. General conclusions

The book includes many. I mean MANY prehistoric Indian sites located on Guntersville Basin (and below) and gives their state designated site ID's and locations. Burials, flint studies, pottery types and ages, so long a contents page that I cant get it all here. The book measures 10" tall X 7" wide.

Taken from the back cover "Holmes presents a thorough study of the shell artifacts of the United States. Man, in his most primitive condition, must have resorted to the seashore for the food which it affords. Weapons or other appliances were not necessary in the capture of mollusks; a stone to break the shell, or one of the massive valves of the shells themselves, sufficed for all purposes.

The shells of mollusks probably came into use as utensils at a very early date, and mutually with products of the vegetable world afforded natural vessels for food and water.

For a long period the idea of modifying the form to increase the convenience may not have been suggested and the natural shells were used for whatever purpose they were best fitted. In time, however, by accidental suggestions it would be found that modifications would enhance their usefulness, and the breaking away of useless parts and the sharpening of edges and points would be resorted to. Farther on, as it became necessary to carry them from point to point, changes would be made for convenience of transportation. Perforations which occur naturally in some species of shell, would be produced artificially, and the shells would be strung on vines or cords and suspended about the neck; in this way, in time, may have originated the custom of wearing pendants for personal ornament. Following this would be the transportation of such articles to distant places by wandering tribes, exchanges would take place with other tribes, and finally a trade would be developed and a future commerce of nations be inaugurated. The farther these useful articles were carried from the source of supply the greater the value that would attach to them, and far inland the shell of the sea might easily become an object of unusual consideration. Having an origin more or less shrouded in mystery, it would in time become doubly dear to the heart of the superstitious savage, perhaps an object of actual veneration, or at least one of such high esteem that it would be treasured by the living and buried with the dead."

From the preface: The following explorations among the Mounds, Earthworks, and Stone-graves of the Aborigines of Tennessee, were commenced in the early part of 1868, and were continued to the close of 1869.

This is a study of the archaeology of the largest prehistoric mound site in Georgia, the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds at Macon. These mounds were first recorded by James Ogelthorpe in the early 1700's, described by William Bartram in the mid to late 1700's, and noted for its archaeological significance by Charles Jones in 1873. A wealth of primary data on mortuary practice in the Mississippian Period.

The contents include: the setting; the country; ecology; the background; historical accounts; chronology of the Macon Plateau; the Creeks; present appearance of the mounds; excavations at the Funeral Mound; Methodology; mound stages and associated remains; the sub-mound area; mound construction; the village site; 19th-century features; analysis; physical stratigraphy; cultural stratigraphy; pre-funeral mound occupations; funeral mound occupation; artifacts and other cultural elements; Stalling's Island Period; Dunlap Period; Deptford Period; Mossy Oak Period; Swift Creek Period; Macoon Plateau Period; Lamar Period; Ocmulgee Fields Period; Affiliations of Macon Plateau Focus; etc.

Coosa Indian village in Northwest Georgia's Floyd County and situtated on the Coosa River was excavated in the 1970's, and found to have artifacts dating to Hernando DeSoto's expeditions in the 1540's. Included were iron chisels, small celts, or spliting axes, and a sword that dates to Hernandos time of visit. Also, several burials were encountered that had received critical wounds by metal edged weapons, revealing the value of bio archaeological approach and showing the important perspective on the impact of European exploration on Native Americans in the 16th century.

An excellent research by Blakley and a ethnology of one of the earliest of European contact sites in North America.